We received this email from a reader of The Issues of Life:
Hope you enjoy this!
If the population of the Earth was reduced to that of a small town with 100 people, it would look something like this:
- 57 Asians 21 Europeans 14 Americans (northern and southern) 8 Africans
- 52 women 48 men
- 70 coloured-skins 30 caucasians
- 89 heterosexuals 11 homosexuals
6 people would own 59% of the whole world wealth and all of them would be from the United States of America
- 80 would have bad living conditions
- 70 would be uneducated
- 50 underfed
- 1 would die
- 2 would be born
- 1 would have a computer
- 1 (only one) would have higher education
When you look at the world from this point of view, you can see there is a real need for solidarity, understanding, patience and education.
Also think about the following:
- This morning, if you woke up healthy, then you are happier than the 1 million people that will not survive next week.
- If you never suffered a war, the loneliness of the jail cell, the agony of torture, or hunger, you are happier than 500 million people in the world.
- If you can enter into a church (mosque) without fear of jail or death, you are happier than 3 million people in the world.
- If there is a food in your fridge, you have shoes and clothes, you have bed and a roof, you are richer then 75% of the people in the world.
- If you have a bank account, money in your wallet and some coins in the money-box, you belong to the 8% of the people on the world, who are well-to-do.
If you read this you are three times blessed because:
1. Somebody just thought of you.
2. You don’t belong to the 200 million people that cannot read.
3. And… you have a computer!
As somebody once said:
“- work as if you don’t need money,
– love as if you’ve never been hurt,
– dance, as if nobody can see you,
– sing, as if no one can hear,
– live, as if the Earth was a heaven.”
If you like, send this to people you call friends.
If you don’t send this, nothing will happen. But, if you send it – someone will smile.
Victor’s reply:
Some of these statistics can be interesting. However, there is considerable fault in this document, and correction of judgment criteria and perspective is in order, for those who seek truth and understanding, and from there, solutions to all our ills.
The first several statistics are interesting, until we come to “89 heterosexuals 11 homosexuals.“
What is the point here? Perhaps I should be thankful there are not more homosexuals contrary to God’s purpose for mankind, but I know that in several families, there are nowhere near as many homosexuals as this statistic declares. Are we being persuaded to be more accepting of homosexuality because there are so many? Whether many or few, why the statistic? Why is it so important? How about how many adulterers or convicts or drug addicts or people with Fords? What is the importance of this statistic compared to so many other important things in life? How many worship God in spirit and in truth? Who decided on these factors?
What does the Bible have to say about homosexuality? Here it is:
“You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is abomination to God” (Leviticus 18:22).
“For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error. And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them” (Romans 1:20-32).
After listing several other interesting statistics, this comment:
“When you look at the world from this point of view, you can see there is a real need for solidarity, understanding, patience and education.“
There can be no doubt there are great needs in this world. The questions are:
Will these needs, which have existed for millennia, be met? And, how will they be met? Obviously, mankind has failed to come up with answers. Who can argue otherwise?
The Bible is instructive in so many ways on these matters. For example, the writer suggests a need for solidarity. The record shows that mankind once made a momentous effort at solidarity, but God saw otherwise, confounded the language of those building the Tower of Babel, and scattered them over the earth. So much for the need for solidarity, in God’s judgment. He knew it would be bad, not good, for mankind.
Which takes care of the need next mentioned, that of “understanding.” Who can understand the ways of the Lord? Who can understand his or her own way? “Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24)
You and I would “understand” solidarity to be a good thing. Now true understanding can only come from a relationship with God that is acceptable to Him. He said:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Plainly, history bears the sordid record to this present hour as to how useful are our thoughts and ways, or “understanding.” The Holy Scriptures say this:
“As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their way, and the way of peace they did not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:10-18).
What or who is the source of wisdom and understanding? The Bible answers:
“For Jehovah gives wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
“And God gave Solomon exceeding great wisdom and understanding, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the sons of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:29-30).
“Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as Jehovah my God commanded me, so that you should do so in the land where you go to possess it. And you shall keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6).
Many speak of understanding and patience and love, but who cares about the Law of God? How many mention His laws as the source of understanding?
“I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Your testimonies are my prayer” (Psalms 119:99).
“Through Your commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:104).
What kind of understanding is spoken of in this circular? Is that not important? It is man’s “understanding” that is causing all the evils in the world. Therefore God counsels:
“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
With their understanding, men have thrown the Bible out of government, out of the courts, businesses, educational institutions, hospitals, synagogues, and even out of churches and seminaries. I note that this letter mentions mosques, as if legitimate institutions contributing to the well-being of this world. Is it not known that mosques are antagonistic to the Bible? Indeed, their Qu’ran (Koran) condemns the Bible and those who honor it. It is on record right in the Qu’ran itself. But how many are aware of this? What have people therefore thrown out? Fine to say what is needed, but what do all these scorners of God’s Word want with “understanding”?
“The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalms 119:130).
Here is the sum of the matter of understanding, as recorded in Scripture:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Yes, we need understanding. Anybody can easily say that. But who dares say what kind it is we need, and how and where we must get it?
Any reasoning person would readily admit that the third suggestion on the list, that of patience, is about as scarce as hen’s teeth, otherwise why all the wars and genocides, many, if not most in the name of “patience,” that is, religion preaching patience as one of many virtues?
The fourth need mentioned is education. Just what is education? Why have they thrown the Bible out of education? If the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, then how can we possibly have a decent education without godly instruction? The education we get today teaches us to get, to kill, to lord it over others, to serve ourselves. It does anything but give Godly understanding. Therefore, what is education and how will it solve the world’s ills?
Let’s talk happiness! The letter continues:
“Also think about the following:
- This morning, if you woke up healthy, then you are happier than the 1 million people that will not survive next week.
- If you never suffered a war, the loneliness of the jail cell, the agony of torture, or hunger, you are happier than 500 million people in the world.
- If you can enter into a church (mosque) without fear of jail or death, you are happier than 3 million people in the world.“
What is happiness all about? Is it important? Admittedly, most, if not all, wish to be happy. The problem is that happiness has many conflicting sources. Some are happy to comfort and heal others, but some are happy to kill and rape others too. Is happiness the issue? Not at all! Of Jesus Christ, it is written:
“He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as it were a hiding of faces from Him, He being despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, each one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted; yet He opened not His mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before its shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was stricken. And He put His grave with the wicked, and with a rich one in His death; although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased Jehovah to crush Him; to grieve Him; that He should put forth His soul as a guilt offering. He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the will of Jehovah shall prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:3-10).
Of those that are His, it is recorded:
“Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though a strange thing happened to you, but rejoice according as you are partakers of Christ’s suffering, so that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you are reviled for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you. Truly according to them, He is blasphemed, but according to you He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
If it was all about happiness, Jesus Christ would not have suffered as He did, or call on others to forsake the comforts of this life to follow Him. There is a joy of God, an inner peace and rest, often not evident to the world, which surpasses happiness as sunlight does the moonlight. Yes, I am happy (and thankful) not to go hungry all the time, to have a roof over my head, to not have killers hunting me down, to have peace from war. Our country (Canada) has been a very fortunate one in comparison to so many others. But are we genuinely appreciative? Are we thankful to God Who gave us these great treasures? I see lawlessness and rebellion everywhere. I see religiosity and false piety (though even those are not common) but I do not see reality. I do not see people loving God, obeying and believing Him, though they profess to do so. I see hypocrisy, greed, lust, deception, selfishness, intemperance, wantonness, and every evil thing. I see carelessness, a disregard for justice and equity. I see blatant, shameless corruption right to the very top of our governments and all institutions. And they are all happy when getting away with it, but not happy if one can bring them to justice.
And what is this about entering a mosque safely? Is that indeed something to be happy about? Should those who oppose Jesus Christ, believing that by the sword, if necessary, they are to conquer the world, be happy to walk into a facility of learning and promoting such? I do not think so. The Koran is taught in mosques. The Koran teaches that it is not wrong to sign a contract with an infidel (a nonMuslim) and break it. It says “Allah will not hold it against him.” The Koran teaches that the “people of the book,” that being Christians and Jews are enemies, infidels, that they are of Satan. And you think that Islam is a peaceful religion? Those who think so are ignorant. In this very hour, Muslims who convert to Christianity are in prison for their decision, rotting, or under death threats, or dead. Many are being slaughtered by Muslims in Asia, Africa and even Europe because they call themselves “Christians.” And do you think this only happens because of radical factions? Think again. Why is not the rest of the Muslim community crying out against such evil? That is because they must abide by “the surrendered ones” (Muslim brotherhood under Allah), or are afraid to stand in truth, which amounts to, or results in, the same thing.
Why am I “making a big deal” of a “friendly” or “simple” or “interesting” circular? I am pointing out the insidious nature of these communications, philosophies and notions that are recklessly, carelessly, irresponsibly disseminated in the public, without understanding, without knowledge of the implications involved. Bringing them to their conclusion, those implications are not minor or benign. Lies they are, and lies always kill, sooner or later. Even “little white lies” kill, though some of these suggestions surpass the malignity of little white lies.
Churches in many cases, if not most, are no better than mosques. I will not let formal, empty, hypocritical religion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ get off the hook here, not for a second. Some of our greatest enemies are churchgoers, people who consider themselves very good Christians, not that we are their enemies, but they hate us for preaching the truth.
If you believe that money cannot buy happiness, then how is it one can be happy with that which money buys? There are many wealthy people who are anything but happy, and poor people who are happier than the rich. Many have fridges full of food, and are miserable because they could fill a fridge with what they carry on them because they have full fridges!
I have a computer. Does that make me happy? Yes, it does, and I will tell you why. I have the opportunity and great privilege under God, in Christ, to preach the truth to the world. I have the awesome opportunity to speak to people all around the world, and to inform them of the way to true “happiness.” They can hear what is needful and of true, lasting value. I have the opportunity to read letters such as these, so as to provide a “soapbox” to “shout from the housetops that which God has whispered in my ear.” I have a computer but my happiness in having one lies in the fact that I can serve God and bring salvation to those others who have computers, as well as those who do not, by extension or otherwise. And those who have computers ought to be happy to have one because they too can speak or hear the truth.
What about a higher education? As with most of these perceived benefits, a higher education is neither good nor bad in and of itself. Nobody will argue that people with higher education use it for selfish purposes. Is that good? What is the high education of this world doing for God? We have many doctorates in theology. What good is that? We have many fields of high education and we are destroying ourselves with all that knowledge. Better to be an ignoramus. How many nations have been invaded and plundered, tyrannized and enslaved by higher education?
The letter continues with this trite, oft-repeated piece of philosophy:
“As somebody once said:
‘- work as if you don’t need money,
– love as if you’ve never been hurt,
– dance, as if nobody can see you,
– sing, as if no one can hear,
– live, as if the Earth was a heaven.’“
But who is able to do this? I can’t. Shall I live as though “Earth was a heaven”? Do you notice that while “earth” is capitalized, “Heaven” is not? It can be an oversight or unintended, but let me point something out. People are loose with their words, and thus we have letters like this. Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.” Heaven is the greater realm. All things are determined from above. God’s throne is in Heaven, the Bible says, while earth is nothing more than “His footstool.” Jesus came from Heaven, humbling Himself to save us in this realm, and returned to Heaven, to His former glory. His beloved apostle John wrote these words concerning the earth:
“We know that we are of God, and all the world lies in evil” (1 John 5:19).
Of this realm, Jesus said:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).
Who is the blind and thoroughly selfish and unrealistic one that can “live as though the Earth is a heaven”? Instead, he ought to say, and would, if he knew the truth, “Live as though Heaven is to come to earth,” in agreement with Jesus, Who prayed, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.” Here is what a wise man of God was able to say after acquiring all the things of this world that he could think of, capitalizing “earth” and decapitalizing “Heaven”:
“All things are vanity…. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Therein lies the true education, the true path to understanding, and patience (part of the fruit of the Spirit of God), and solidarity, not with men primarily, but with God. That is what it is all about. Everyone needs to know this. Until then, we will talk about what we need and continue in a world of great need, a very unhappy world indeed.
The letter concludes and advises:
“If you like, send this to people you call friends.
If you don’t send this, nothing will happen. But, if you send it – someone will smile.“
I do indeed, as a friend, send this to thousands, if possible, but how many smiles I will garner by the things I have to say here is another matter. If I “don’t send this, nothing will happen,” but if I do send it, there will be smiles and frowns, elation and indignation, joy and sadness. Do we indeed need solidarity? As Jesus said:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:34-36).
Happiness and smiles are not ends in themselves. Truth, mercy, justice and righteousness are. Having those, everyone will be happy, guaranteed.
Jesus promised:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
And Paul the apostle wrote:
“For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things of peace, and the things for building up one another” (Romans 14:17-19).
Seeing through the things of earth, and promoting the things of Heaven,
Victor Hafichuk
Paul’s reply:
Hi Karen,
I would like you to consider something regarding the message entitled “Planet Earth.” How can anyone be expected to enjoy such a message, as we are enjoined to, that highlights the deplorable state of affairs for so many people on earth? I cannot enjoy hearing about the suffering of mankind! I do not think you can either! Knowing that I have a warm house and food, while others lack these basics, does not bring enjoyment. Furthermore, the message presents the despairing thought that our means to deal with this situation is our own “solidarity, understanding, patience, and education.” Where has that gotten mankind so far?! Hasn’t mankind’s “solidarity, understanding, patience, and education” gotten us into this mess? If not, how has it happened?
Digging further yet into this abyss of despondency, those who have food, literacy, freedom of religious affiliation, internet access (whose spirits this message is supposed to uplift, by contrast with the less fortunate), are not finding life or happiness in those things. Look around you! Of those who have food, what are they eating? Of those who can read, what are they reading? Of those who can go to a church, synagogue, or mosque, what are they hearing? Of those who can use the internet, to what end? We see people being destroyed in all these things, relentlessly, day in and day out!
There is no hope, either, that we can either individually or collectively pull ourselves out of this morass by our own bootstraps. Even if you were able to do such for yourself, and you can’t, there is no way to mobilize the masses. Every man is a king, every woman a queen, and every person is for him or her self! Just try to get everyone to agree and do the right thing! You cannot do that in a family, let alone a community, country, or planet earth. Ask Napoleon, ask Stalin, ask Hitler, ask the Dalai Lama, ask my parents!
Given extreme poverty, life for mankind is a struggle to survive. Given the luxury of ample provision, life is a struggle of another sort. In our affluent western world, mankind is destroying himself physically, mentally, and spiritually by way of his abundance. Destruction hems men in from all angles, with nowhere to go!
No, this message cannot be enjoyable except to one with eyes closed to reality, employing artificial means to keep the truth at bay. The very essence of this message is such artificiality. It is alcohol for the soul. It soothes the pain of emptiness and impotence, but only superficially and temporarily.
But there is a better way! It is the only way. Yes, you know what I will say, but do you know Him of Whom I will speak? He, Jesus Christ, is the Way. He is the answer for poor and rich, young and old, man and woman. He paid for our lives with His own blood, and did that for us while we were yet independent, doing the very things that have brought the world to this present impasse. How much more will He save us, abundantly and completely, when we turn to Him! He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He rules over all. There is no permanent and satisfactory enjoyment living as a hostile to Him and His rulership. There is no life, period. It is dead-end death. We are speaking as those raised from that death, now knowing the difference.
In Him we do work, but not for money. In Him we love, because He loved us first and removed our hurts. We dance in our spirit because He has made us free, rejoicing and singing His praises. We live, not as if we are, but actually are, in Heaven. To this end He has come, and His work will not stop until every soul enters this same state of grace and salvation. It is His will. Now that is good news!