Tuesday 2 December 2008

SANTA CLAUS : The Great Pretender Pt 13



Cary G Dean.







Dr. Terry Watkins, Th.D.
Dial-the-Truth Ministries


Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11



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. . . we'r judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)
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Right on schedule. . . Santa also has a list to judge who's "naughty or nice"

He's making a list, He's checking it twice
He's gonna find out Who's naughty or nice
Over and over, scripture after scripture, Santa grants Satan's ultimate wish.

". . . I will be like the most High. . ."


Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal. 3:16

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Rev 5:1


And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 20:12, 15


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And many believed on him. . . (John 10:42)
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I wonder how many children this Christmas will be asked.

"Do you BELIEVE in Santa?"

I know one thing – it will be more than all the Christians of the world asking.

"Do you BELIEVE in Jesus?".

Satan will be preached more than the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ.

Santa's witnesses will happily witness for him – faithfully, day and night – around the world.


Do you really believe it’s just a coincidence that Santa (a.k.a. Satan), over and over, is counterfeiting the Lord Jesus Christ?

The heart of the Christian faith is.

"Believing"

In the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the very core of the Christian faith.

It is not works.

It is not sacraments.

It is not doing this or doing that.


It is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Acts 16:31


Belief and faith – is the essence and heartbeat of the Christian faith.

It all hinges on believing.


Salvation is BELIEVING IN Jesus Christ.

And guess what?

The core of the gospel of Santa is also BELIEVE IN Santa.


"Little Boy, Little Girl, DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA?"

What happens when these children put so much false hope into a lie?

What happens when that deceived child learns that wonderful Santa is a BIG LIE?

Not only is it a false hope, not only is total deception – but it counterfeits the person of Jesus Christ!

To confuse matters even worse the Lord Jesus is mixed into the lie by supposedly celebrating his birth.

CHRIST-MAS


Tom Clancy, in his novel, The Sum of All Fears, states the lifelong disappointment and skepticism after the deception of Santa is realized:

"After you stop believing in Santa Claus,
The whole world just goes downhill."
(Tom Clancy, The Sum of All Fears, p. 481)

Who that has ever seen the Christmas classic movie The Miracle on the 34th Street can ever forget the child-like faith of young Susan Walker (played by the cute Natalie Wood).

Little Susie a skeptic, who doesn't believe in Santa Claus is

"Converted"

By the loveable Kriss Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn).

The main plot of the movie is – faith and belief in Kriss Kringle or Santa.


Remember the highlight of the movie when Susan's mother, Doris (played by Maureen O'Hara) tells young Susan.

" You must believe in Mr Kingle–and keep right on believing."

"You must have faith in him."


And young Susie begins repeating over and over.

"I believe, I believe. . ."


Here's how the original author Valentine Davies describes the above scene:

"Susan thought it over for a moment and then began muttering with firm conviction:

'I believe, I believe, I believe–'

(Valentine Davies, Miracle on 34th Street, p. 116)

Towards the end of the movie, Santa gives Susie the.

"Desires of her heart"

And little Susie is saying.

"You were right mommy, I do believe. I do believe. Mr Kingle is Santa Claus."

Wow!


It is also worth mentioning what Santa gives to Susan.

Not the typical child's gift of a doll, etc.

But a house.

Hmmm. . . Sound familiar?


In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

The movie ends as Santa (Kriss Kringle)

"Prepares a place"

For little Susie.

And they surprisingly see Santa's cane standing in the corner showing he had been there and did indeed.

"Prepare a place"

For little Susie.

By the way, did you notice the shape of Santa's cane standing in the corner?

It looks like a "shepherd's" hook? Hmmm. . .

Who was it that said, "I am the good shepherd. . ."? (Hint. see John 10:11)


Some reviewers wrote about The Miracle on 34th Street:

"I guess the reason I, and all the other reviewers, think this film is so great is that it brings back the time when we could."

Believe in Santa Claus.

Who has ever seen "Miracle on 34th Street" can ever forget cute, little "Natalie Wood" says "when things don't turn out just right you still have to believe, and oh mommy I do believe, I do."

Another reviewer writes, ". . . this is a beautiful movie, that can make anyone believe in Santa Claus."

The name of the movie is The MIRACLE on 34th Street.

Now who is it that does miracles?


This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. John 2:11


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Behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called. . . (Revelation 19:11)
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Santa Claus!

Most people are not aware that until the nineteenth century, Santa flew through the sky, visiting housetop to housetop, not in a sled drawn by reindeers — but on a white horse.

It wasn’t until the poem, The Children’s Friend, was published in 1821 that the magical white horse was transformed into reindeer.


On the eve of December 6, the myth told that this bearded, white-haired old “saint,” clad in a wide mantel, rode through the skies on a white horse.

(Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Pub., 1995, p. 111)

Guess what? In Revelation 19, the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Coming also comes back in the sky – on a white horse.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11

There is also another character who travels on a white horse.

The Antichrist!!!

In Revelation 6, Satan’s man, the Antichrist also appears on a white horse.


And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:2


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Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of . . . (Titus 2:13)
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Santa.

This Christmas Eve millions and millions of little children will climb into their beds "looking for their blessed hope and the glorious appearing" of Santa Claus.

There is not a Christian on the face of this earth looking for and longing for the Lord Jesus Christ as much as the average child is longing for their god Santa!

A child's stolen faith in the coming of Santa puts the Christian's faith to shame.


They get so excited.

Santa is coming!!

Satan is coming!!


Probably the greatest theme and most anticipated event in all the Bible is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul mentions the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ over 50 times.

For every one verse on the First Coming of the Lord Jesus – there are at least eight on the Second Coming.

"The last prayer in the Bible is in Revelation 22:20 – "

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."


The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Christian's.

"Blessed Hope":


Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:13

If the subtle serpent's ultimate goal is to.

". . . Be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:14)

The Second Coming will surely get his attention.


At Christmas time, little children believe in the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of Santa with every fiber of their soul.

And why not, the ones they trust the most, Mummy and Daddy, are preaching this message in their little ears, over and over.

Santa is coming! Santa is coming!

And everywhere they go – the mall, the store, school – the gospel of the glorious appearing of Santa is proclaimed!

Everywhere they look! Santa is coming! Santa is coming!

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town!

Here comes Santa Claus!. . .
What a beautiful sight.
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say your prayers,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Jump in bed, cover up your head,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
So let's give thanks to the Lord above
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight,

Who comes around on a special night
Santa comes around on a special night
Who very soon will come our way
Santa very soon will come our way

What a cruel mockery of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

James 5:8

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.



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