Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

This verse comes as a surprise after chapters full of “Thou shalt not’s” and “All is vanity”. It’s a rare (but not unique) biblical exhortation to go out and have fun. Enjoy God’s bounty while you can. I’ve often responded with this verse when young Christians online bemoan the ubiquity of irresistible temptations (and their terror of hell) and when old Christians rail against sexual behavior, fantasies and images. They forget that God wants us to have fun as long as we’re responsible. Carnal delights are part of God’s kingdom, and always will be (though the manifestation will change greatly with AI and robots).

I’d expected that the young Christians would be relieved to hear this message. But much to my chagrin, they usually attack me for promoting sin among the impressionable (a transgression deserving of drowning by millstone, as they are quick to remind me). They respond much more favorably to the promise that true faith in Jesus curbs all temptation – and you will overcome your urges to curse, drink, masturbate and watch porn (or at least by saying “Jesus, Jesus”, you will earn your get-out-of-hell-free card to play on judgment day). This misconception arises from Paul’s letters to the leaders of the new Christian church around the world. His prohibitions were directed at the sexual excesses and abuses by the clergy. However the clergy now weaponizes his admonitions against the vulnerable and impressionable, condemning them to eternal hell for healthy sexual behavior. They get a kick out of pretending to be chaste as they engage in all the behaviors they forbid. Their agenda is to make people despise Christian doctrine to create ex-Christians and atheists to battle at Armageddon. This litany of hypocrisies condemns the church to the hell it created for the ‘least of these’.

Of course, there are limits to self indulgence. The verse warns of God’s judgment for irresponsible behavior (for example, blaming your indiscretions on alcohol). Atheists bristle at such strictures, challenging the right of anyone to judge them just for being human (especially the guy who made them that way). The word ‘judgment’ in a religious context is synonymous with condemnation. But it includes the converse: salvation. The fact is, this verse is liberating, because it says: don’t fear judgment by a world of idiots. Focus instead on earning God’s approval.  

So how do you know that God is proud of you? Because he will announce it! 2000 years ago, after Jesus was baptized by his cousin John and prepared to launch his ministry:

And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

Jesus is fully God. But he’s also completely human. No doubt He had fun as a young man. But those days were over. Now at age 30, it was time to put his youthful (and gay) escapades behind him.  He had a world to save. 

If God has been silent since Jesus’s death, it is only because no one has met His approval – no one – not even Thomas Jefferson or Albert Einstein. (Einstein famously promoted Zionism, which is an abomination to our Lord. He was too  eager for the acceptance and approval of men.) Despite all our successes and achievements, which fuel an epidemic of delusion of grandeur, none is righteous. We are still living as we did 3000 years ago:

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 17:6

Now the new world is upon us. Everyone is proud of himself, certain of his moral probity, and none fear God. This is a sure sign that the Messiah’s return is imminent. Who will be the modern scion of God’s pride? The prophets auger that she will be the last person that anyone – including our highly revered experts – ever expected:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Psalm 118:22

She will be the first of many:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29

The rich young man expected his wealth would provide satisfaction and joy. Yet it left him unfulfilled. So he studied the Bible and memorized all the laws and followed them fastidiously. Still his experience of the promised paradise was achingly lonely. He sought out the hot new religious leader of his day for guidance.

Jesus received the sad young man and heard his lament. He put His hand on his shoulder, peered into his soul and replied: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [Matthew 19:21]

Of course, Jesus was just teasing – his response was flippant and sarcastic. He did not expect the young man, desperate as he was for validation and acceptance, to part with the primary source of his self worth. Jesus also did not see him as disciple material, and knew he would be a liability to His new squad. Most importantly, He needed the young man to maintain his wealth to fund the church’s growing ministry over the long term – as the insecure rich, yearning for approval, purpose and absolution, have done for almost 2 millennia now.

Despite their inventions, innovations and contributions to improving quality of life, the rich today are vilified as greedy, stingy and uncaring. Their wealth is de-legitimized as the product of the exploitation of vulnerable laborers. However from their perspective, the problem is that there is no worthy recipient of their largess: the church has long since lost its way and become deeply corrupt, and all charities now create more of the problems they claim to be solving.

So for now it’s OK to be stingy. It’s also fun. For example, you can scan your restaurant apps to find the most free food and the best deals. With all the offers and reward programs out there, you can score yourself a couple tasty meals for just $10. It’s also virtuous: by driving down prices with the help of technology and automation, all goods and services will eventually become free, which is an essential component of the coming Kingdom (along with universal retirement). In fact this would have happened long ago if not for the government’s burdensome and inflationary policies.

Save your money until you have a very good reason to spend it. As Christians and Jews we must be charitable, of course. But we can do so with our time not cash. Seek out the desperate and vulnerable in your neighborhood or across the world via social media. Discuss religion and politics. Find out what they believe. Are they your ally or do they despise you? Give them life advice. Offer solutions to problems and disputes. Modest cash grants are fine as long as you are aware of their many scams. Also keep in mind the definition of insanity: paying people to stop insulting and bullying you.

As the rich young man turned ruefully and departed from His presence, Jesus seemingly condemned him:

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:23

So how can a stingy rich person get into heaven? With God, anything is possible: the rich must preserve their wealth until they are ready to fund Jesus’ Kingdom directly. Then once unburdened, they can pass through the ‘eye of the needle’ easily:

At this point in history, generosity with wealth is actually counterproductive. The world just isn’t ready for God’s great rest. Utopia for the masses consists mainly of exploiting ‘democracy’ to torment the opposition and make their life hell. Not even a single Christian (or disabled or homeless person or Palestinian refugee) embraces the possibility of universal salvation – ironically the sole requirement for entry (and solution to all their problems). So they are not worthy of your generosity, and Jesus warns of the danger of squandering your wealth on them:

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

Matthew 7:6

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
  though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
  and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Psalm 37:10 (King David)

The rapture is nigh. But who is taken away – the good or the evil? Jesus had a different view:

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

Matthew 24:38

King David seems to get it backwards – or does Jesus?

Either way both agree:

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

The point of the bible isn’t to make you believe in God. The point is so that when you meet Him face to face, you can’t plead ignorance.

Ready to return to the Garden of Eden / Heaven on Earth? Apply now!

http://kingdomcome.info

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Numbers 21:4

Continue reading Immunity Pole →

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Matthew 24:32

This was Jesus’ only mistake, but it was a whopper: his generation passed away 2 thousand years ago and nothing much happened. So much for the “Kingdom of Heaven.” If Jesus was a prophet he’s a pretty terrible one. His prediction was justifiably ridiculed for ages.

Or perhaps as with other biblical conundrums and paradoxes, we just have to forget everything “they” taught us and re-read the verses with fresh eyes and a little less cynicism.

Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale?

Jeremiah 30:6

And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone.

Numbers 32:13

Continue reading Wicked Generation →

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

Acts 2:44

Communism was originally a Christian ideal. All who were filled with the Holy Spirit joined together in brotherhood to take care of each other. But unlike modern day Communism, it was voluntary not forced.

Continue reading The End of Entitlement →

Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and judgments by which they could not live, and I defiled them by their own gifts in their passing of every firstborn through [the fire], that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 20:25

Continue reading Refined by Law →

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Genesis 32:24

Continue reading Wrestling with God →

All that open the womb are mine, and every firstling of your cattle born a male, ox or sheep. The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.

Exodus 34:19

Isaac was the first born Jew of the original covenant, and thus had to be offered to God. Fortunately he was redeemed by a ram (click the image to see the full version). God will provide for us, though we must trust him.

Continue reading Children of God →

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 10:16

Continue reading Covenant of Peace →

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. I have not sent them, declares the Lord, but they are prophesying falsely in my name.

Jeremiah 27:15

King Nebuchadnezzar had already plundered Israel’s treasures and sent many of the Jews into exile. Now they were threatening to conquer Jerusalem. Jeremiah urged the people to accept the yoke of Babylon:

Continue reading Zionism: False Prophecy →