Volume 16 Issue 3 - March 2001 THE DOCTRINE OF BLOODGUILTINESS "So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel." (Numbers 35:33,34) God has said in His Word that there is a certain heart that He looks for on the earth, "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (Isaiah 66:2b) As you read this article, my fervent prayer is that we will be convicted by the doctrine of bloodguiltiness and that God would truly break our hearts and that we would tremble at His immutable, infallible, and unrevisable Word. Amen! I just recently returned from our Operation Save America’s national leadership meeting in the snowy mountains of Pennsylvania. The Lord was most gracious to visit His somewhat burnt out and yet still committed soldiers in this great struggle between life and death, truth and lies, and heaven and hell that is raging in America today. For two days we, with trembling lips, tear-stained prayers, and with honest hearts sought the Lord our God with a desperation we have not experienced for quite some time. There was no question that God, the Holy Spirit, was amongst us and that the place where we were at was holy ground. In the midst of this setting our National Director, Flip Benham, hammered out for us the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. As one who has fought in this battle for years along side of Flip, I thought we had already exhausted Biblical revelation concerning abortion and the shedding of innocent blood. Little did I know at the time that we were in reality just barely scratching the surface of this disturbing doctrine and its ramifications for our nation that is drowning in a sea of innocent blood. By God’s grace we will continue to set the trumpet to our mouths to prayerfully and lovingly hold the Church accountable to God’s Word and to point out our subsequent need for Biblical repentance in this grave matter. Though some have already requested to be removed from our mailing list as a result, the course must be stayed. Men’s souls, the lives of our children, and the future of our nation are literally hanging in the balance. Therefore, regardless, of how many refuse to listen and support Elijah Ministries, the truth must still march on till God fulfills the vision He gave to Operation Save America; "OSA unashamedly takes up the cause of preborn children in the name of Jesus Christ. We employ only Biblical principles. The Bible is our foundation, the Cross of Christ is our strategy, and the repentance of the Church of Jesus Christ is our ultimate goal." Notice the ultimate goal is not to overturn Roe v. Wade. That will be just a natural by-product that is predicated on the Church of Jesus Christ cleansing her hands from the blood of the innocent that has been shed under our watch (Isaiah 1:15). The Church must first clear herself of this tolerated terror, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before a Holy God by laying down our lives that others might live (Micah 6:8). This is the Cross, this is the Scriptures, and this must be done to vanquish the Enemy who is a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). "...Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you." (Ezekiel 35:6) THE DOCTRINE OF BLOODGUILTINESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Our opening Scripture from Numbers should be a wake up call for every Christian, concerned citizen, patriot, and even those who hold to the hellish practice of abortion in America. Through this passage there are undeniable truths we must grasp before it is too late. Number one, when innocent blood is shed, it automatically defiles and pollutes the land. Secondly, God says, (not man, preachers, nor politicians) that the only way this blood can be atoned for and healing to come to the land is that those who shed blood, their blood must be shed. This is no light matter. The doctrine of bloodguiltiness is absolutely frightening when we consider its unmistakable warnings. It is important to add at this juncture that only the God-ordained authority of civil government whom God bestowed with the sword can execute those guilty of murder. The problem, of course, is our civil officials have betrayed their sacred trust in the matter of abortion by refusing to uphold God’s Law. Consequently, they now protect the murderers of the innocent and actually punish pro-life Christians who would dare to protect the lives of precious children made in the image of God through peaceful intervention.. However, God will not be mocked. If the God-ordained authorities refuse to carry out their duty before a Holy God, God Himself must act. He will not and cannot deny Himself nor alter the words that have come forth from His lips (Psalm 89:34). "He will not overlook," according to Flip Benham, "the shedding of innocent blood—not one drop!" The Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). So let’s do the math; there are upwards of forty million children who have been slaughtered in death camps through out America since January 22nd, 1973. Will it take God’s judgment of forty million Americans being destroyed whom we see to atone for the forty million children we have refused to see? This is very real and present danger facing us as we continue to live in a state of denial concerning the American holocaust. A friend of mine, John McTernan, a former federal agent, drives home this startling truth and gives a vivid example of its reality in a booklet he wrote called "God’s Final Warning To America." At the time of his writing the booklet, there were approximately 37 million abortions. While documenting his findings concerning the correlation between the violence in the womb and the violence in America, he came across this profound article in USA Today. The headlines read, "Criminals have hurt 37 million since '73." Do you think it is just a coincidence that the reporter chose 1973 as the starting point for the explosion of violence that has inundated America? Do you also think it is a coincidence that the same number of abortions is the exact same number of violent crimes that have afflicted 37 million Americans? I think not! God says, "Bloodshed touches bloodshed, it breaks out." (Hosea 4:2b) It is this spiritual and moral law John McTernan seeks to convey in his booklet. He writes, "On January 22nd, 1973 the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion. Since that year, there have been approximately 1.5 million reported abortions per year. After 20 years the total would be around 30 million. There are many abortions that are not reported so the number is actually much greater than 1.5 million per year. It is very possible that since 1973 there have been 37 million or more abortions in America. Notice how the number of Americans injured by violence, 36.6 million, coincides with the violence in the womb! It seems that one American is being injured for each baby killed. God has sent judgment for the shedding of the blood of innocent life in the womb- ‘For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it.’ The violence in America is the just reward for the violence in the womb. How can Americans expect God to bless the nation with peace, when legally His children are slaughtered in the womb? An attitude of disrespect and violence against all life has now gripped America. This violence first started in the womb." What is so significant about John McTernan’s commentary to me is, this wasn’t written by a Christian/Pro-life activist but a former federal agent trained in the science of investigation. Truly his analysis coincides with the warning from Numbers 35:33,34. Bloodshed is surely touching bloodshed. Violence without a doubt is becoming a rod in America to punish the wickedness of child-killing. And because America does not hate bloodshed, but actually embraces it as a "legitimate solution" to our economic and moral woes, bloodshed now pursues us with a vengeance. Unfortunately, it is our children that are the primary targets and the ones who are paying the price as death stalks the land. "Violence has grown into a rod to punish wickedness." (Ezekiel 7:11) THE DOCTRINE OF BLOODGUILTINESS IN HISTORY "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God will that it continue ...until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as it was said 3000 years ago, so still must be said, ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’ -Abraham Lincoln Consider the quote by Abraham Lincoln. It’s a segment of a speech that came from his Second Inaugural Address. Though the speech itself is framed with actual Scriptural references and replete with Biblical language, most miss the significance of a certain doctrine that he attributes to the judgment of God upon the land. The actual quote reads, "...until every drop of blood drawn from the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as it was said three thousand years ago, so still must be said, ‘The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’" What doctrine was Abraham Lincoln referring to when he announced the Civil War was the result of the judgment of God? You probably guessed it, the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. Close to 630,000 men died to atone for our land that had violated the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. Now, as horrific a practice that was associated with the blood drawn from the lash, at least the slaves for the most part were still allowed to live. Yet, it still cost America a terrible price to cleanse the land of the blight and scourge of slavery. One can only tremble to think what is awaiting this nation to atone for the wholesale slaughter of our nameless sons and daughters in America. Brothers and sisters, we must remember that God’s justice though delayed by human standards is still inevitable. Consider the bloodshed perpetrated by King Mannaseh. The Bible says he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Though God’s delay in final judgment was meant to bring Israel and this wicked king to repentance, it eventually came four kings later. The reason for the final judgment? "...For he (King Manasseh) had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood that the Lord was not willing to forgive." (2 Kings 24:4) This passage has to be one of the most saddest and scariest in all of Scripture. It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will not be mocked. He will visit the iniquity of the land with punishment. Is this the heritage and legacy we desire to come upon our children and our grandchildren? Can’t we see how urgent God is calling the Church in America to repent of this abomination today and no longer wait for tomorrow? For we have no guarantee that God will accept our repentance tomorrow if we refuse to heed His voice today. Remember, there came a point where God refused to forgive the nation of Israel for child-sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood, thus their collective fate was sealed. May it not be too late for America should be our solemn prayer accompanied by righteous deeds that bring to an end the American holocaust! THE DOCTRINE OF BLOODGUILTINESS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT It was this particular aspect of the doctrine of bloodguiltiness more than any other that leaped off the pages of Scripture to illuminate my understanding. It powerfully convicted me and clearly revealed how much bloodguiltiness is an intricate part of the Gospel message. Typically, many Churches believe that to mention abortion or the shedding of innocent blood from the pulpit is tantamount to detracting from the Gospel. Hopefully by the time you finish this article that perspective will forever be changed. Far from detracting from the Gospel, the shedding of innocent blood and the doctrine of bloodguiltiness actually enhance the Gospel. In fact, apart from these truths, the Gospel with its urgent call to repentance makes no Biblical sense. For instance, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached a powerful message based upon the outpouring of the Holy Ghost that birthed the Church and ushered in the Kingdom of God. The Bible teaches that when Peter completed his anointed message many hearts were pierced to the core and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) Most believe, including myself at one time, that this response was due to the overwhelming convicting power of the Holy Ghost which brought to life the Messianic prophecies to those who were under the sound of Peter’s voice. Though I believe that perspective is still valid, it doesn’t take into account Peter’s specific indictment against the men and brethren of Israel concerning the crucifixion of Christ. He confronted them with this stinging accusation concerning Jesus, "...you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death." (Acts 2:23b). Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost was holding the crowd responsible, though most of them were not probably present at the crucifixion, for shedding the blood of the Just One. In essence, he held them accountable to the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. Obviously, being Jewish, the crowd instinctively knew the implications. According to the law, their deaths were required to atone for putting to death an innocent man. Once that doctrine was driven home and the power of the Holy Ghost cut them to their core, can there be any doubt why they were so anxious for their souls? To further illustrate this Biblical phenomenon, consider the hostile reaction that came from the Sanhedrin concerning the Gospel message. They reminded the Apostles, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name! And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!" (Acts 5:28) I must have read that passage for years and never saw it through the grid of bloodguiltiness. I assumed they were just upset with the content of the Gospel message, the name of Jesus, or supposedly a new doctrine, that in least in their minds, was contaminating Jerusalem. Not so! They were also very much concerned about the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. For if indeed Christ was put death an innocent man and they were consenting to it, they knew the law required death to atone. Eventually Israel, because they refused to repent, did suffer the punishment of bloodguiltiness. Jesus warned them, "That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say unto you, all these things will come upon this generation." (Matthew 23:35,36) One million Jews were killed and another million Jews went into captivity as a result of this prophecy uttered by our loving, compassionate Savior. Though the rejection of Israel of their promised Messiah accounts for some of the fulfillment of the grave warning by Christ, it also encompasses the doctrine of bloodguiltiness. What is astounding about this denunciation of Israel by our Lord is none of these people were involved in the murder of Abel and yet God still held them accountable. Think about that when it comes to the American who never has had an abortion or counseled another to have one. Will God still require us to give an account for all the blood that has been shed in America since January 22nd, 1973? This is a very real dilemma that requires an immediate response of repentance by the American Church. We must confess God is right and we are wrong. We must acknowledge our hands are covered with blood through complicity and complacency. We must cry out to God to remove the stain of our guilt and then lead our nation in national repentance, trusting that the Blood of Christ speaks a better word (mercy) than the blood of Abel (vengeance). Update on Elijah Joshua Thomas January 23, 2001
January 31, 2001
February 20th, 2001
Update On Rachel's Park Memorial "And Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7) It is clear from this Scripture that God does allow tribulations, persecutions, and trials to afflict His people to keep us from prideful tendencies of self-exaltation associated with God's revelation and anointing being entrusted to us. It also reveals the greater the calling, the greater the revelation, and the greater the anointing entrusted to us, to that degree, we will certainly experience greater opposition and resistance from the Enemy. It simply comes with the territory. When the Lord first gave us the vision of Rachel's Park Memorial and the accompanying signs which confirmed His will in establishing this Cemetery of the Innocents and Memorial to the Unborn, I thought in my mind that this Christian/Pro-life endeavor would be relatively conflict-free. Well, that was then and this is now. Yesterday the sparks were flying as we bulldozed our property in preparation of building RPM. Our neighbors were up in arms that we would dare change the landscape of our property to provide a Christian witness in our community. I was threatened with everything except being hit in the head with the kitchen sink. One man threatened me with assault, another with lawsuits, and yet another who accused me of tree-murder, with environmental violations. It appears I may have displaced a woodpecker's home in a tree we removed. Though the battle rages, the Lord continues to encourage us to press on. The phone calls keep coming in from men, women, and families that God is using this vision to set them free. We know that God has orchestrated this vision and many lives are being transformed as a result. Please continue to pray that the Lord will see us through whatever the Enemy throws at us to complete the task assigned. To those who desire to help with donations, materials, or labor, please feel free to contact me at (254) 836-1037. Thanks! ITINERARY Starting March 12-14, Liz and I will travel to San Marcos, TX to speak at a District Bible Conference. This is a tremendous open door to impact Pastors, Christian leaders, and the Body of Christ. We covet your prayers that God will use us mightily for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. The three messages God has given me to preach is "Leadership, A Time Like This Demands," "Men, A Time Like This Demands," and "A Church, A Time Like This Demands." Locally, we are working on a Palm Sunday production Called "Hosanna." It’s a collaborated effort between our church and another local church called Harvest House of Prayer. It will be bare bones, short, concise, and prayerfully power-packed to birth souls into God’s Kingdom and add them to His Church. We head to New Orleans for Easter. Flip and I will joining Pastor Bill Shanks for a regional Operation Save America event. We have three tentative KLI conferences scheduled in Wichita, St. Louis, and Chicago this year thus far. The KLI in Wichita will serve to rally the young people in that area for our Operation Save America’s national event (See enclosed brochure for more information). We will be in Wichita for about a month to help prepare the way for OSA after the KLI event. From there, our family will go to Georgia for Liz’s family reunion and two weeks of ministry. I’ve also been invited on two short-term missions trips abroad in Latin America this summer. We are working on the dates to hopefully avoid a conflict. There are other opportunities to serve, but this should suffice for now. Your prayers, love, and financial support is greatly appreciated. Thank you! IN KING JESUS’ SERVICE, Rusty Lee Thomas P.O. Box 3126, Waco, TX 76707 Voice: (254) 836-1037 Fax: (254) 836-4092 E-mail: elijahmin@ifriendly.com
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