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Topic: Christian Music?
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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What is Rock Music?
It is true that we judge a tree by its fruit, and this principle is more than valid when it comes to the phenomenon of rock music. However to properly understand what the effects of rock music are we shall first have a look at its roots so that we can understand why rock music effects us the way it does.
The history of rock music is steeped in the mysterious. This can only be so since its origins can be traced way back to the mysteries of the temple rituals of ancient, pagan Babylon. In fact its origins are purely religious, being an integral part of orgies and devil worship. This entire system of pagan woship including the music eventually filtered down into Egypt.
Egypt is where modern historians directly trace the origins of rock music. In fact we know quite a lot about music in Egypt. We know for a fact that it was used to alter the emotions, it was used to create mass hypnosis and especially to incite immorality. We also know what type of rythms and harmonies were used and we can clearly recognise the elements of rock music. Aristotle writing about the effects of this music says
"Emotions of any kind are produced by melody and rhythm...music has the power to form character. the manner of its arrangement being so important that the various modes may be distinguished by their effects on character. One for example, working in the direction of melancholy, another of effeminacy; one encouraging abandonment, another self control, another enthusiasm, and so on through the series."
These effects on character we will see in more detail a little later. Plato himself however gives us an insight into these effects.
"When modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them (for) this spiritual licence, finding a home, imperceptibly penetrates into manners and customs; whence, issuing with greater force, it invades contracts between man and man, and from contracts goes on to laws and constitutions, in utter recklessness, ending at last, by an overthrough of all rights, private as well as public."
"From ancient Egypt, it spread to West Africa, including Dahomey and the Congo. A significant dance tradition derived from the Egyptians is found in the western Congo." In fact this dance called the "Danse du ventre" could be mistaken for modern dance in that "the shoulders, buttocks, stomach and breasts are all separately or simultaneously rotated, wagged or otherwise set in motion." (ibid) In fact a simular dance is the Voodoo, which is also a religeon and its origin is traceable to Dahomey. Music in these African cultures is intricately involved in devil worship, altering the conscious state and inciting sexual orgies. This music subsequently found its way across the atlantic to America aboard slave ships.
"Enroute to the United states many slaves were taken first to the West Indies, especially Hispaniola; then after a time many were sold in New Orleans. They brought with them their religious and musical heritage. Those from Santo Domingo had retained their ancient Voodoo worship practices and continued them in New Orleans."
"One of the most exotic sights in old New Orleans was the slave dancing that took place in the 'Place Congo'. The slaves' custom of assembling on Sundays and church holy days to dance in public squares must have begun before 1786, for in that year a local ordinance was passed forbidding such dancing until after the close or religious services."
"The exposure of this African music and dance tradition to the public provided an opportunity for it to influence and be influenced by European musical tradition. The unique rhythmical emphasis of these dances plus many other ingredients and entertainment practices combined to form a music called JAZZ. Authorities agree that work songs from cotton fields, rural and urban blues, banjo styles from minstrel shows, syncopated brass bands and ragtime, all played an important part. Even Voodo had its influence on jazz.". "The syncopation as a primary ingredient of jazz developed as a rythmic accomodation of the Africans. Syncopation was the nearest and best substitute for the complicated polyrhythms that were an integral part of their musical heritage.". It is this syncopation that causes music to "swing".
Jazz the precursor of modern rock and roll as we shall see has a very interesting place in history. The name Jazz comes from the now defunct word jass which means the sexual act. "Jazz to the pagan is a symptom of a glorious release from the bonds of moral restaint.. It came from the slums of music; it corrupted taste and manners." In fact jazz music was mainly developed for use in brothels, where each brothel would try to outclass the others by having the best jazz band. Eventually jazz evolved into what we know today as rock and roll, however it lost none of its heritage in its long journey from Babylon to Egypt to America and then to the world, it has simply repackaged in a different form to same rhythms and qualities which originated with devil worship, rebellion, and immorality.
"As its name implies, rock and roll was primarily a dance music -- the emphasis shifting from blues to rhythm -- and it was accepted as a focal point for teenage life, a common bond, an outlet for agressions, a standard to rally around.... Further, rock and roll has an insistant, powerful impetus -- basic backbeat and shuffle rhythms of rhythm and blues which demanded a physical response.. So the harsh, direct syncopation of rock and roll came as a physical manifestation of its content -- a challenge to loosen up, to break the old molds of convention and propriety, to express real emotions. The musicians themselves moved and danced as they played, begging the listener to cast of his inhibitions" "Rock songs convey attitudes and ideas about the form of the dance itself, dancing as physical means of self-discovery, rebellion, release." "Its strength (has) always been rooted in the sexual energy of its rhythms; in that sense, the outraged parents who had seen rock as a threat to their children's virtue were right. Rock and roll made you want to move and shake and get physically excited."
We have seen that the roots of rock come directly from the rites of pagan worship. Therefore the use and effects of it are the same today as then. Let us look at some of the effects of rock music.
Scientists tell us that music not only affects our emotions, but it actually causes a mulititude of physical reactions in our bodies, such as changes in hormonal levels depending on what type of music it is. Not only does it do this but certain kinds of music can coerce one to surrender his autonomy and to follow a crowd. "..it is the rhythm that controls the activities of large groups...[It] furnishes a nonverbal persuasion not only to act but to act together." What though is it that rock music with its driving rhythms compels us towards.. Mike Quattro a well known producer of rock shows tells us. "Rock motivates you internally, gives you a sensual feeling. A girl can be turned on by the music. It releases her inhibitions. The beat of the drum has always been a factor.. A girl realises her own sexuality through the music."
Columnist Phyllis Schlafly tells of a letter she received from professional musician Jack Staulcup in response to an article she had written deploring the sex rock trend. She wrote in 1978:
"According to Staulcup, a steady diet of rock and roll junk promotes degenerate rebelliousness among teenagers that finds its outlet in drugs, alchohol and illicit sex... Staulcup concludes that rock and roll is the biggest legalised racket this country has ever seen. If we value civilisation, we cannot afford to ignore any longer the high correlation between the multibillion dollar hard rock racket and the explosion of drug use and illicit sex among their teenage victims." In 1978, a California music therapist, investigating the effects of rock music on teenagers, administered to 240 school children aged 10 -18 an emotional stability test during which rock was played. The results were then examined by a phsychologist who was unaware of the experiment. He concluded that the test had been given in a mental institution.
We can probably best see the effect of rock by listening to what the experts, those who write this very music tell us.
The beatles say (in the late 60's), "Our music is capable of causing emotional instability, disorganised behaviour, rebellion and even revolution."
Spencer Dryden: "Get them while they're young bend their minds."
Jan Berry: "The throbbing beat of rock provides a vital sexual release for adolescent audience."
Andrew Oldham says (recording manager for the rolling stones), "Pop music is sex, and you have to hit them in the face with it."
Donnie Brewer of Grand Funk: "We take kids away from their parents and their environment to where the only reality is the rhythm and the beat."
John Denver, says of rock, "Rock music is a greater influence over the souls of men than primitive Christianity."
Johnny Bristol : "Sex is where its at in music... and I like it."
Glenn Frey of The Eagles: "I'm in rock music for the sex and narcotics."
Debbie Harry, lead singer with Blondie: "I've always thought that the main ingredients in rock are sex, really good stage shows and really sassy music, Sex ans sass, I think that's where it's at."
John Oates: "Rock 'n' roll is 99% sex."
Chris Stein, lead guitarist with Blondie: "Everybody takes it for granted that rock 'n'roll is synonymous with sex."
Frank Zappa, superstar of Mothers of Invention fame: "Rock music is sex. The big beat matches the body's rhythms."
We could quote many more rock personalities who will tell us exactly the same thing; rock music is sex and rebellion. Don't think for one one minute that we are only talking about hard or heavy rock. The Beatles style of rock today seems very mild, but we have their own witness regarding their music. And don't think that the lyrics are the main factor in these terrible effects of rock music, since any one will tell you that in rock music "The words finally don't matter after all." Dr William J. Schafer tells us that "Rock music is communication without words, regardless of what ideology is inserted into the music." And Professor Frank Garlock says, "The Words only let you know what the music already says...The music is its own message and it can completely change the message of the words." To those who would propose the argument that music in itself is neutral and its the words that make it either moral or immoral, Dr Max Schoen in his book "The Psycology of Music" says, "Music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive senses. The medical, psychiatric and other evidences for the non-neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone shouls seriously say otherwise."
Scientific evidence about the effects of rock music are just as disturbing. In one article, ("Music to Kill Plants By") we are told that for two years during an experiment all pot plants exposed to rock music died within one month." Evidence floods us regarding the rebellion and immorality that rock incites in the youth, in fact we only need to look at the changes that have taken hold of society since the advent of rock to realise the truthfulness of this. Medical and psychiatric evidence also abounds for the the negative of effects of rock music. In fact the current trends in society were well forseen and warned about during the early years of rock and roll.
Another scientific experiment was recently performed to examine the effects of music on the brain. Two researchers Dr. Schrenckenburg, a neurologist and Dr. Bird a physicist were involved in the experiment. They took 36 mice and divided them at birth into 3 categories (C) the control group, (H) the harmonic group (those exposed to classical music with synchronised component rhythmic patterns) and (D) the disharmonic group (those exposed to syncopated music [rock]). For two months the (H) and (D) groups were exposed, night and day, to their respective music, maintained at a sound level of 80-85 decibels. The (C) group was kept in a relatively quite room at 75 dbs. The environments were in all other ways identical.
After these two months of exposure, 12 mice, 4 from each group, were sacrificed and their brains properly prepared and frozen for latter study and comparison with what would be older mice by the time all had been sacrificed for study.
The other 24 mice were exposed to three weeks of maze "training". Then they were given three weeks of rest during which no testing or maze reinforcement occurred. This was followed by a three week post latency period during which the mice were retested to establish the degree of learning and retention. Throughout this process, behaviour changes and discrepancies were carefully noted. At the completion of the maze training, these 24 mice were sacrificed and their brains studied, along with the previous 12. The results of this were that the (C) and (H) groups were very similar and no significant differences appeared. The (D) group showed the following changes
Excess branching of the Neuronal Dentrites
significant increases in mRNA
Significant decreases in learning retention or memory
Hyperactivity
Aggression, (some of the mice resorted to cannibalism)
Inattentiveness
This clearly indicates that the rhythms common to rock music cause brain nerve damage and behavior degradation.
In another interesting study the motor pulses produced by the brain to different musical stimuli were measured. The range of music included rock, blues, classical and ethnic samples. It was found that especially when rock music and jazz were played the motor pulses produced where the same as those produced normally by the brain during sexual arousal. The qualities of experience and mental energies displayed overt sexual qualities. Some of the ethnic music, also displayed these qualities mingled with aggressiveness.
When we see the origins and purpose and rock music we can not but agree with its scientifically proven effects. The rise in violence, immorality, drug use, rebellion, disregard for authority, increasing generation gap. The increase in suicides, murders, teenage pregnancy. All these are proof of the effects of this music, and yet we convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with it. Rock music has been specifically engineered to break up families and to ruin society. Not only does it destroy everything that is respectable and good but it also physically destroys those exposed to it, it drives them insane, makes them emotionally unstable and causes brain damage. The main factors of rock responsible for this are the very things that make it so appealing: the syncopation, the polyrhythms and the disonances, which themselves cause a rhythmic effect known as 'beating'. The brains power of association also hightens the effect of rock music since every time you hear a rhythm, irrelevant of the present conditions, the mind will immediately dwell on what was associated with that rhythm the first time it was heard. This is imagary is generally Satanic, immoral or generally unsuitable for Christians.
How can something so evil so perverse be brought into the church. We think that we can somehow baptise rock music and make it acceptable. How can music which we know will strengthen the carnal passions be brought into the church and be used by it? How is it that we won't drink coffee because it may harm us yet we listen to music which depraves and destroys in us not only our bodies but the desire for everything pure and holy? How is it that we allow paganism a place on the rostrum, and feast our souls on sex. The music we hear becomes an experience for which we are accountable for. Why do we lust after that which we know is completely evil, whose fruit we already know even if it is not immediately evident? We have seen from science and history and sociology and neurology and psychiatry the very nature of the phenomenon called rock music. We would do well to avoid it so that we do not become addicted by it. Or have we have already been burnt to the point where we no longer feel the pain?
. Aristotle, POLITICS, 1339a, b.
. Plato, REPUBLIC, bk IV, p425
. Earnest A. Budge, OSIRIS, Unviersity Books 1961 p 245.
. Marshall Stearns, Jean Stearns, THE JAZZ DANCE, Longmans ,Grand Co., 1965, p19
. Stearns p37.
. Eileen Southern, THE MUSIC OF BLACK AMERICANS: A HISTORY, W.W. Norton & Co. 1971, p135
. Stearns p50,51.
. H. Lloyd Leno, "Music and the Great Controversy." Our Firm Foundation, May 1987.
. Issa Goldberg, "Tinpan Alley"
William J. Schafer, ROCK MUSIC, Augsburg Publishing House, 1972 p.16,17
. ibid p.25
. Janet Pidell, THE REFERENCE SHELF - ROCK MUSIC IN AMERICA, The W.W. Wilson company, 1987 pp 46,47
. E. Thayer Gaston, "Music in Therapy." Macmillan Co. 1968 p19
. Ira Peck, ed "The New Sound Yes." Scholastic Book Services, 1966, p112.
The Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald, 1978, p.18
. Billboard, 11.12.67/
. People, 30.6.75
. Hit Parader, Sept 1979
. Circus, 31.1.76
. People, 21.5.79
. Life 28.6.68
. W, Shafer, "Rock Music"
. F. Garlock, "The Big Beat."
. The Columbus Dispatch Magazine, July 26, 1970, pp 24-27.
. G. M. Schreckenberg, H.H. Bird, Bulletin, New Jersey Academy of Science, Vol.32 No.2 1987 pp 77-86
. M. Clynes, J. Walker, " Neurobiologic Functions of Rhythm, Time, and Pulse in Music." Published in Music, Mind and Brain The Neuropsychology
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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The Bible and 'Christian' Rock Music
Many people believe that the bible has nothing to say on the phenomenon of religious music. That music just wasn't way back then. But you know we can go back to that time "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38:7. What was that music like, in the pure atmosphere of heaven. We can go back even further than that, to the day when the greatest of all the skilled workers in heaven, the most highly trained was created. We know that there was one who was perfect, the highest of the created beings. One in whom "the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." Eze 28:13. One who had such a musical quality in his voice that he directed the choirs in heaven. It was he who wrote the songs, he was the most talented. We also know that tabrets are a percussion instrument and so we know that his voice had a special rhythmic quality.
We then come down to the time a little later at a different place, the garden of Eden, and a serpent in a tree. But wait, was it just a serpent talking? Or was it a certain sound that captivated a woman as she listened to the first of the great infamous love ballads sung and directed especially for her. Here we hear the first alluring, captivating love song, and that tremendous power was focused on moving the emotions of his one person audience, and to incite rebellion in that heart. We are told in 'Story of the Redemption,' p32 that Satan utilised all of his musical talent merged with the very words of Jesus to touch and allure and to captivate the attention. There it is that sin as we know it began.
Here we have a great mystery, for there are two opposing forces in the world of music. Two spirits both talking as if they are from the same source, but one will be genuine and the other spurious. Will you be able to determine between the true and the false? For we know that not all that say "Lord, Lord," not all who say "we have sung about you," not all that you hear in the name of Lord is a safe path to follow. We have come to the time when clothed in the vestments of heaven the very thoughts of Lucifer are walking down the isles of your church, are seated in the sacred pews of your congregation and emitting sounds indigenous to the prince of darkness (2 Cor 11:14, 2 Thes 2:4). We are told in the bible that this famous person who knows music better than all will be converted in the last days, after, the modern order of things. Are we ready for the conversion of Satan? We are told in Messages to Young People (p51) that the last campaign against the people of God is so that "they will not understand that it is he."
We have been taught as children of the antichrist's impersonation of Christ. Beware, for Satan and his emmisaries will walk the street and people will postrate themselves on the ground and shout 'Christ has come,' but we will know better, or will we? Because today he could be expressing his lofty sentiments, in beautiful language, the same language that the Saviour uttered whilst on earth, in such a way that even the elect are viewing him as an angel of light, while marrying them to the decadent sounds of Egypt, to the rhythms of those who are in rebellion against God. And as he puts those two forces together in an amalgamation even God's people sit back and wonder. "Should we or should we not receive this as from God?"
Oh the holiness, the sentiments of these songs, the lifting qualities that make me feel warm and spiritually in tune. Beware, are you sure? You may be feasting your should within the shadow of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We are living in the time when the transformation of the one who has been practicing for 6000 years, when his maturation has come of age. When his skills are being manifested in their full and final display. When he himself preaches about the soon return of Christ. Dare we as Christians judge anything by the heart which Jeremiah 17:9 says "is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?."
The bible is full of expositions on sacred rock music. Its amazing but some people think that in the ancient days they didn't have music. But we know that music was an integral part of ancient cultures. We can go back to the Exodus and we are told in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that these things are written for us today. We can find recorded there the first of the great religious rock and roll concert. And with what a spirit of selfless sacrifice did the church members prepare for the concert. We find there that the title of the theme for their camp meeting was "a feast to the Lord." (Exe 32:5) What could be more wonderful than the beautiful lyrics that speak about the deliverance from the power of Egypt. But you know, they brought in the tunes and the music of Egypt. By afternoon they had taken their clothes off in the name of God and sung to the music of Egypt. And we know what it sounded like, because music was an integral part of the Egyptian life. When Joshua, who had not been exposed to the music of Egypt heard it he thought it was "a noise of war in the camp." (Exe 32:17) But Moses recognised it, the music of Egypt. But wait, what does the music of today sound like? Are we hearing lyrics that speak about Jesus sung to the music of Egypt?
If we go down just a little further we can see that Israel did not learn the lesson. For we read in Leviticus 10:1-2 that the sons of Aaron died as a result of mixing the sacred with the profane. Thinking like Cain that, if you are worshipping God, that, in itself is sufficient and you may do it however it pleases you.
We wonder if Satan changes his disguise, but no, Satan always succeeds when he comes in unperceived. Did Balaam ever succeed in cursing Israel? We find the answer to this a little later when Balaam when back to Balak and said, "If you will invite some of the leadership of the church to enjoy some of your spiritually enriching, sacred music to the tune of some of your religious exercises, I believe that we could yet effect change in Israel." So Israel was invited to come into a sort of a miss America contest; only it was a miss Moab contest. They were asked to be a part of this eating and sacred music and enjoying the beautiful scenes that transpired. What could be wrong, since the organiser himself was a prophet of God, or so they thought. It was not long after the music was ingested that these men came back to the church with these new ideas of presenting the gospel; a better way, it was interesting to young people, they enjoyed it, the music spoke to their hearts unlike the church hymnal. We know the results, fornication and a great plague broke out, and in the midst of the demolition of the families one of the leadership of the church prouldly walks in whilst commiting adultery. The most rivetting aspect of this story, is that this event occurs just before the entry into spiritual Cannan. We can ask ourselves, are our morals any higher? are our divorce rates and lower? and what about our individual piety especially amongst the youth ? Have we noticed a spirit of insubordination in the world and in the church since this music was introduced?
We can go down a little further still to the time of David (1 Chron 13,15). To a time when David was bring up the ark with music and thanksgiving. Here we witness another great disaster, the death of Uzza (Num 4:15). They too thought that if you are singing about Jesus then nothing can be wrong. But we find when we study the scriptures that they were not worshipping God according to his will. Thankfully David realised his mistake and we read in the next chapter that "None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites." You see it is not enough to be singing and praising God, you must do it only as God commands. But then, who is it that professes to be bringing up the ark today? Do we not claim to be bringing out the commandments of God and restoring them to their rightful place? Let us not forget that these things were written as shadows of things to come upon us who live in the last days.
Verily we are on enchanted ground, we are living in the time when Satan has come down with great wrath. He goes about as a lion seeking whom he may devour, today he is in the crouching position and you must know that when he roars its because he already has his prey. Today he is walking back and forth in this congregation, yea through his emissaries he walks in every congregation. We are living in the time when Satan has come down with such angelic robes that even the saints discuss whether he should be allowed a place on the rostrum. We are living in the time when the very dance tunes of the day are being sung with Jesus's lyrics. It isn't Christ that is glorified but it is a smoke screen so that self can be glorified and diefied and bear fruit. We are living in the most fascinating time of this world's history, because he knows he has but a short time.
Do you think he has changed his disguise? We note that Satan's favourite ploy is to use the very words of Jesus, but in his own arrangement. In Gen 3:1 we see that it was the very words of Jesus sung to Satan's music, and in Christ's temptation in the desert, whose words did Satan speak? We are told in 2 Corinthians 11 : 13-15 that Satan and his angels transform themselves into ministers and workers for Jesus. Yea, they will sing praises in Jesus name, and even perform miracles (Mark 13:22) to deceive and mystify the very elect. But wait, this mystery "doth already work." We are told in 2 Thessalonians 2 that he is going to sit in the church, in fact the front pew and his message and singing is going to have such power, its going to be so beautiful and alluring that many will be deceived.
We ask ourselves is this true? Does the bible really talk to us about Christian Rock music in the last days? We find in the scriptures such a picture of the role of religious rock music in the last days that is stupendous. We find that Babylon, that great harlot, that great religious system is in fornication with the world. It unites the sacred and the profane. It is the religion where I can be me and never die to self. We find that music is an integral part of its worship services (Dan 3:5). We find that she is filled with "the voice of harpers and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters," (Rev 18:22) and we are told to come out. We find however when we turn over to the book of Ezekiel, chapters eight and nine, that there will be a shaking and purification that will occur in the true church. The reason for this is because sadly the practices of Babylon have entered into Israel. We read that the church is worshipping both the sun (Ez 8:16) and Tammuz (Ez 8:14). Tammuz is a fitting symbol of a counterfiet Christ, yea even the anitchrist. Tammuz was the chief deity of Babylon, he was supposedly born of a virgin (Ishtar), died and rose again on the third day. Verily the antichrist is one who says that you can serve God and still feed your carnal nature as well. The music and worship of Babylon is heard in Israel, that music which combines the sacred and the profane, that music which is an integral part of spiritual fornication. Oh, and haven't you noticed the relationship between rock music, sex and rebellion. You only need to look at the experiences of Israel, you only need to look at the phenomenon of rock music to know that it is completely immoral. It can be shown scientifically, physiologically, physicologically and every which way the effects of rock music. We are told by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:5 that we are living in the time when we will talk more and more about Jesus but remain in the carnal nature. We are living in the time when we call good things evil and evil things good (Ish 5:20). We are living in the time when Babylon is going to so closely counterfiet the truth that we can't go by our feelings. Many are walking in the sparks of their own kindling, are we drinking from these broken cisterns or are we receiving the pure, refreshing water from the river of life. We are told by the Spirit of Prophesy (Testimonies vol.5) that the mark of the beast is primarily obtained by those who fall in love with the maxims and customs of the world. Are we falling in love with the rhythms and music of Egypt? With that music that purports to be religious, but which comes directly, directly not even obliquely from the throne of one who claims the perogatives of Christ.
John tells us "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15 Do we love the music and the rhythms of the world? Do we love it so much that we even bring it into the church? "Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord." 2 Cor 6:17, are we separate? Have we come out, or are we following the world at ten paces? Are we retreating back towards Egypt as fast as we can go? 'Oh, but it will bore the young people,' are we preparing our young people for the world through Christian rock music? We don't need to entertain them what we need is the naked power of the Holy Spirit.
Oh for the symbolism in rock music, for there is symbolism in rock music. In fact, we are told that music is one of the most powerful mediums to influence minds. When you listen to music it becomes an experience and you are accountable for it. Do you know what the symbolism in rock music is all about? Do you understand what effect it is having upon your mind? For we are told that the body is the temple of the holy spirit (1 Cor 3:16) and if anybody defile this temple, him shall God destroy. We know for a certainty what the symbolism is, the links between rock music and spiritism and immorality are closer than many think. Don't you know that rebellion is the sin of witch craft? Every time that you hear the rhythms of Egypt, that symbolism is reinforced in your mind. Are we feeding the carnal nature? Are we strengthening the animal propensities? Or are allowing the Holy Spirit to mold us into the divine nature?
Oh, but we say, 'the bible commands us to,' "Sing a new song unto the Lord", (Ps 40:3) none of these old fashioned, boring hymns which we sing again and again. Have we seen what it means to sing a new song? In Revelation we see that the saints will sing a new song (Rev 14:3), but if we look a little further (Rev 15:3) we find that this new song is none other than 3500 years old for it is the song of Moses and of the Lamb. And when the bible says we are to dance, do we dance? Why not? May I suggest that when the bible says that we are to make a loud noise yea even with drums, the same principles apply as those that do with regard to dancing.
When we learn to worship God, as he wishes to be worshipped, in the pure atmosphere of heaven itself the angels will be able to join in. We won't need the rythms of Egypt we won't need that music which excites us and makes us feel good while putting the conscience to sleep and strengthening the carnal nature and inciting pride. When we worship Him in the beauty of holiness (1 chr 16:29, Ps 29:2) and with the reverence that God demands (Ps 96:9). When we realise that God doesn't require noise and shouting for as Elijah learnt that God is in the still small voice, with he who is contrite and humble (Isa 57:15). We should worship God in spirit and in truth, not in the manifestations of the flesh (Phi 3:3, John 4:24). When we realise that there is safty only in the old paths, when we ask God to lead us in the way everlasting (Ps 139:24) and not in the ways which to a fool appear right in his own eyes (Prov 12:15). "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Jer 6:16.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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