12/29/08 Updated 1/1/09
Last month, on November 18th, was the 30 year anniversary of the massacre at Jonestown, Guyana. Over 900 people lost their lives by poisoning or gunshot in a mass suicide supplemented by murder. While questions remain as to what actually happened, the entire horrible event appears to be the result of a coercive leader who cultivated around himself a loyal following using the force of his personality and his Messianic message that mixed the teachings of the Bible with political and economic promises of heaven on earth.
One may wonder how the whole world will be deceived by the coming Counterfeit Christ according to Revelation 13. What happened with Jim Jones’ “Peoples Temple” is a glimpse.
How did an entire nation become deceived to follow Adolph Hitler as Fuhrer? He cultivated around himself a loyal following using the force of his personality and his Messianic message that mixed the teachings of the Bible with political and economic promises of heaven on earth.
Jonestown and Hitler’s Germany are glimpses of what is now happening to the entire world system in preparation for the Counterfeit Christ.
We are all susceptible to the fleshly thinking and behavior that characterized Jim Jones and his followers. We need Jesus to help us, moment by moment and day by day. We need each other, speaking the truth in love.
Consider the following account of a simple act of “lording it over” the people as Jim’s Jones speaks to those assembled at the People’s Temple in 1974 in San Francisco.
“About halfway through the address, Jones notes that some people aren’t applauding his remarks, and tells them, they need to clap or to get out. He then tests the gathering by telling them to clap, and admonishes one man in particular who doesn’t.”
From The Jonestown Institute, San Diego State University
From Matthew chapter 20 verses 25-28:
But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. “It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Witness to Jonestown – Youtube search
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