Synopsis / Brief
This Chapter brings you to understand how deception has infiltrated religion and permeates our society in all aspects of our lives; it further identifies this deception has been supported by those we have trusted.
Selected Excerpts:
Page 9
Before entering into a study of any topic addressing truth you must first understand deception; what it is, how it works and who uses it.
We can compare the Scriptures to a big puzzle of let’s say ten thousand pieces. Your purpose is to work on the puzzle and put it together. In this case, with regard to Scripture, the problem you must contend with is “the lying pen of the Scribes” identified in Jeremiah 8:8-9
Because the Scriptures have been so manipulated, the task is indeed made more difficult. This difficulty does create an obstacle for those who are not serious or will not attempt to search for themselves. It is this same difficulty that will also serve to separate the sheep from the goats!
Manipulation of Scripture is accomplished through various methods. First, it’s like the cover of the puzzle being discarded making it more difficult for you to see the overall picture. Secondly, key pieces of the puzzle are removed making it more difficult to identify primary elements. And thirdly, pieces from other puzzles are added that do not fit at all. This, in simple terms, is your starting point.
Page 10
(in Scripture) words written in italics are strategically placed in the translation to “guide” you to that which the translators perceive to be correct. Words in italics are not found in the original texts. Read the preface of your Bible. It can be quite enlightening.
Truth is definable! It is verifiable! It can be duplicated and it is absolute! Deception, on the other hand, must contain as much truth as possible in order to be effective. However, it will always fail the test of close examination and scrutiny whereas truth will never fail!
Those who must shelter their opinions and fear critical examination are standing on weak ground. If honesty and truth are your choice, never be afraid to subject your beliefs to analysis.
Page 11
A glass full of water with only a minute amount of arsenic is still poison. Those who are thirsty will drink from it without ever realizing the cost. Religion has been called the opiate of the masses and is extremely useful in controlling others who would not diligently search out truth for themselves.
Keep your wits about you. Be aware and BEWARE! Seek the facts and test the results. Consider for a moment, if there are six hundred different denominations, and the Scriptures teach about unity and harmony, it is only logical there must be at least five hundred and ninety-nine in error . . . or possibly all six hundred.
Page 12
Religion, in a broad sense, is the principles by which one chooses to live. This may or may not be at all in harmony with Scripture. Religion may have its roots in philosophies that are totally foreign to Scripture, as evidenced by the multitude of teachings available today.
Religion is a multiplicity of philosophies, whereas truth is straight and narrow leading to and not departing from the Law of Liberty. Truth takes people out of bondage, it does not put them or keep them there.
Simply put, the elements of liberty protect and feed the sheep, whereas religion feeds from and fleeces the sheep.
Page 14
“First comes the natural, then the spiritual.” Our Saviour always taught the unknown by using examples of the known. He taught Spiritual concepts by using known physical realities.
No mumbo jumbo. . .but there is a caveat! He purposely taught using allegories and parables so some would not understand. “If you have ears to hear, and eyes to see” presupposes there are those who cannot or will not hear or see. We trust that you can and will understand as you read the pages of this book.
“Be in the world, but not of the world.” Is it possible there are two realms from which we can choose? Yes, absolutely! . .not only is it possible, it is fact! Begin to think in terms of duality and you will understand a great deal more.
Two systems, each operating at the same time in the same place. One based on the Law of Liberty, designed to keep you free; the other based on falsehood and deception, designed to deceive and control.. . .
The following is only a small sample, as this subject matter could be a complete book in itself. It is offered to help you understand more clearly the many levels of deception you continually face.