Post by watchmanjim on Apr 24, 2017 23:57:22 GMT -6
A work of fictionalized exposition.
The American Pantheon
By James Samuel Davis
Selected Excerpts of Correspondence Between a Mortal Graduate Student and a Glorified Professor
24 Nissan, 244
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Shalohm University of Beer-Sheva, Gad
To Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
Dear Professor Johnson,
Greetings in the name of our blessed Lord and King and Savior, Yeshua Mashiach! In His recent interactions with me, our Lord revealed that I was chosen to take part in a special archeological project at the Greenville archeological digs near Maasah Camp NA718 as part of my graduate studies, and I trust that He has communicated this to you as well. He stated that I should report to GS Ken Ham for field duty on the site, and to report my scholastic findings to you.
Since I have not studied under you before, I thought you might like a brief background. I am twenty-five years old, and am pursuing a Master’s Degree in World History. I am an Israelite directly descended from Zebulon, and engaged to be married next year to my love, a Kurdish Gadite. We have postponed our wedding until my studies on the desolate North American continent are concluded. I grew up on my parents’ farm in the Zebulon territory, but took a particular interest in history at a young age. I have memorized major portions of the Bible and can quote them in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, as well as translate seamlessly into English. Would you prefer me to continue corresponding in English, since that is your native language?
Please inform me of any specific course requirements and details as I eagerly anticipate beginning the digs with GS Ken Ham.
Respectfully, in His Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah.
25 Nissan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
To Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
Greetings in the Precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who reigns forever!
Yes, Mr. Tzedekiah, English would be refreshing for me if you know it well! Always a pleasure to use my old native tongue. However, as you know, we glorified saints speak Hebrew perfectly. You may use either as you please. Of course, all your official coursework will be submitted in Hebrew, per Shalohm University guidelines.
I was excited to be assigned to handle the coursework for the Greenville Project. Our headmaster, GS Ezra of Jerusalem, sent me the names and contact facilities of several GA’s assigned to the project, including yourself. The reason I’m intrigued by this project is because I myself was a resident of Greenville (actually, the suburb of Taylors) in the last days before the Glorious Rapture, and I know the city well. My teaching responsibilities here in Beer Sheva prevent me from physically attending the dig site, but you are in excellent hands with GS Ken Ham, a great lion of a saint who was a legend even in my own day before the Kingdom.
Now, for the project requirements. You are correct to mention that this is an unusual project, for so it is. You and the other GA’s were not told of your mission when you were sent to the work camp (Maasah NA718), and our Lord has revealed that this was entirely intentional, because He did not wish the mission to be sensationalized ahead of time.
In short, Mr. Tzedekiah, the project you are assigned to is considered a hazardous one. Not so much physically—all precautions will be taken for safety. This is a hazardous project spiritually. You are well aware that every time a Maasah detail unearths ruins from the final century BK, all idols and sinful materials are ordered to be destroyed, by the order of our Holy Glorious Lord. He has always been adamant that the non-glorified people be not tempted to embrace or worship the old idolatries in any way. This has been His policy from the very beginning, with very few exceptions.
Our Lord has recently revealed to me, to GS Ezra of Jerusalem, GS Ken Ham, and others associated with the project, that He desires to now allow, on a limited basis, the dangers and tragedies of idolatry to be studied, in a limited fashion, by selected non-glorified students. This study is certainly not for everyone. Our Lord wishes your education to be even more complete by these studies, to the purpose that you might know and glorify Him even more through your better understanding of BK history. You are one of only seventeen selected at this time.
Because of the temptations that shall no doubt arise as you encounter these abominations, it is paramount that you maintain your very close abiding ties with our great Lord, Savior, and King, Jesus Christ. Abide with Him daily—speak to Him hourly. You must rely on Him entirely to overcome the old-world temptations.
That’s all for now. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Meanwhile, GS Ken Ham and his colleagues should be able to answer any questions you have regarding the field work.
May our Lord Jesus continuously bless you,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson.
27 Nissan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
To Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
Dear Professor Johnson,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus / Yeshua, Who reigns forever and ever!
This is just a brief update to inform you that GS Ken Ham took myself and the other sixteen GA students to the designated work site today and we did some preliminary survey excavation. Other Maasah workers had previously cleared away the vegetation (massive amounts of Japanese kudzu here!) and marked out dig zones specified by GS Ham.
The coordinates for our dig zone are approximately 38 dgrees 42 minutes north latitude, and 32 degrees, 17 minutes west longitude. Altitude is 1,032 feet. Preliminary observations reveal the ruins of several buildings, and the rusted crumbling hulks of several automobiles and utility vehicles. GS Ham has shown us that our dig centers around two intersecting streets—a major thoroughfare once known as Wade Hampton Boulevard, and a lesser street we have not yet determined the name of. We have fourteen different building ruins to excavate as well as other landscape and infrastructure features. Our excavations will include two petrol stations, what GS Ham calls a drugstore, three or four other shops or businesses, and several private homes.
I will update you when we begin digging.
In our Lord and King’s Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
28 Nissan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, [CC all other graduate assistant students on the list][CC Glorified Saint Ken Ham, Glorified Saint Rachel Smith, Glorified Infant Ma Tian Li (GI TianLi), and Glorified Infant Star of God’s Mercy (GI Mercy)]
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus!
Here is the syllabus for this special course, which I am calling Religious History 617: The American Pantheon. All students in this class will be required to do the following:
1. Keep and submit a journal for every day spent on the archeological site “GreenvilleSC-01.” Every daily journal entry should include time spent on the site, a recount of all procedural actions, using standard archeological notations regarding locations of all activities undertaken on the dig site, including the finding of significant artefacts.
2. Report any and all significant artefacts found to GS Ken Ham and GS Rachel Smith, who will assess and document them. (Common building materials and other ordinary artefacts need not be included in the daily journal accounts, but will be recorded in the official dig site records officiated by GS Rachel Smith and her assistants, GI TianLi and GI Mercy)
3. Every item found in the digs that GS Ham and GS Smith identify as being idolatrous in nature needs to be specifically and carefully catalogued and preserved for a special controlled-access display at the Shalohm University’s Museum of Old World History.
4. Each GA student will be expected to document and research each idolatrous artefact they personally find.
5. Each GA student will write three research papers, each on a separate idolatrous religion manifested in the GreenvilleSC-01 site. One research paper will be due at the end of each month (Iyar, Sivan, and Tamuz).
6. Each GA student will write a final thesis paper on their understanding of the entire American Pantheon of false gods and religions. This paper will be due on 30 Av, by noon, Jerusalem Standard Time.
Class grade points break down: Attendance / Participation, 200 pts. Daily Journal Record, 100 pts. Three monthly research papers, 300 pts (100 each). Final thesis paper, 400 pts.
Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions, and I would really love to hear your personal accounts of the operation, since Greenville was my home town before the Kingdom. I actually lived just outside Greenville, in Taylors. It sounds like your excavation may be very close to where I grew up, since you are working on Wade Hampton Boulevard.
Happy digging!
In Christ,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
2 Iyar, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
Professor, please find attached my daily journal entries for this first week on the GreenvilleSC-01 site. I hope my notes are not too copious!
We had a great first week of operations here. It was very sobering, though. We began digging up one of the petrol stations and the drugstore. What an eye-opener! I can’t believe the commercialism and idolatry displayed just in these two buildings alone. I never knew that you and the others at that time lived in such a wicked society. It was also shocking to see the food and medicine items available at the time. Some of the food and drug labels were preserved enough to be read, although the majority seems to be unintelligible with the corruption of time. Neither this petrol station nor the drug store were destroyed by fire, which is part of why this area was selected, since the vast majority of buildings in this area were incinerated during the days of God’s Wrath.
It is mind-blowing to me that people in that age could accept the corruption of allowing so many clearly poisonous chemicals to be taken into their body. If the contents of this petrol station and drugstore are typical of what was available all over America in that day, it is no wonder God judged America so harshly, and it is even now not permanently settled!
Even more than the food and medical labels, the idolatry of personal beautification astounds me even more. We found an entire section in the drugstore with a label that said “cosmetics” and in this aisle were all manner of hazardous materials, used, incredibly, for the beautification of women. In addition to the haz-mat, there were thousands of little plastic combs, baubles, bands, brushes, and other beauty accessories. How vain could those women have been? I am sorry for you that you had to live in such an idolatrous environment.
I have not yet decided what topic to write my first paper on, but I think I may take this idolatrous religion of personal beautification as my first paper. I will keep you up to date as time progresses.
Have a great Sabbath!
In Christ our King,
Ariel Tzedekiah
4 Iyar, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our King, Jesus Christ!
Mr. Tzedekiah, thank you for your report from last week, and your journal entries. There is no such thing as “too copious notes” as long as you are presenting relevant information. From what I saw, those are exactly the type of journal entries I am looking for. If you keep that up, you’ll have full credit for your journal at the end of the course.
I must say I am not surprised at what you found in the drugstore and gas station. However, your response to it was a bit of an insight to me. You said you are sorry I had to endure living in that pagan culture. I must now say, I am sorry you have to behold it. In my glorified state, I, of course, am no longer able to sin, but I am able to grieve at the sin of my own past and my generation and culture. I am so glad our Savior delivered me from my wicked sins!
It shames me to admit, but there was a time, Mr. Tzedekiah, when I myself strolled lustfully down those aisles of cosmetics in the drugstores—perhaps even the very one you are studying now. Even though I knew Jesus personally as my Savior, I still was not always completely pure within. I John 2 tells about the lusts we face in life. The Lust of the eyes was my archenemy, I shamefully admit. I always wanted to improve my looks, and it became an idol to me. One I struggled with off and on throughout my life. Finally, God gave me victory over it, though, when I surrendered all to Him at the age of forty-two. That was just a few years before the glorious rapture. You might look at Isaiah 3:16-24. This describes the vanity of the daughters of Jerusalem right before the Tribulation time, and how God judged them for their pride and lust of the eyes. It was every bit that bad in America at the same time.
I hope this will be an encouragement to you to learn that even now, in the Kingdom Age, you the not-yet-glorified need to heed the Holy Scripture and guard your hearts against all temptation to sin. Be all you can be for your King and Savior—through humble obedience to all His Word.
I shall have to speak to GS Ken Ham—he being Australian, evidently is getting a kick out of using the word “petrol.” I think you ought to know that in America, we referred to petrol as “gasoline,” or “gas” for short. GS Ham knows this, since he lived in America many years himself. He’s just being his quirky, lovable self. We called the places you could purchase petrol “gas stations.”
That’s all for now, and thanks for the update!
In the Name of our blessed King,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson.
23 Iyar, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of our blessed Savior and Lord, Jesus!
Professor Johnson, please find attached my weekly journal report. I have decided to write my paper on the false god of personal vanity, as I first suggested three weeks ago, and we have discussed since. I will have that ready for you shortly. I already have a good start on it.
This week, we began excavation on two homes and a toy store. GS Rachel Smith pointed out that this is the first toy store she has seen preserved without being burned. It is true that a huge Walmart store near the ancient city of Columbia was excavated a few years ago, and all the idolatrous material was summarily destroyed, according to the accounts given by the glorified saints in charge of Maasah Camp NA403. But this little store we found was almost exclusively filled with toys. We also found some toys at the drug store we have been excavating. It is astounding the idolatry exhibited in the toys that were sold in America. Am I correct in understanding that these idols were intended for little children to play with? The age recommendations on some of the packaging are horrific—like little plastic demons recommended for ages 3 years old and up. Do you remember this phenomenon? I have attached a photograph of a small green demon idol that was recommended for this age group.
Several of the GA students are planning to begin excavation of an electronics and music store next week. GS Ham has already made it clear that there must be no attempts at this time to make any of the electronic equipment work. Probably there is no way it could anyway, having sat in the elements all these years. A few music cases that were turned up at the site clearly show the depravity of the music available at that time. GC Smith says it isn’t even accurate to refer to it as music, as it truly qualifies as hypnotic satanic noise. Based on the few lurid pictures on the electronic media packaging we have seen so far, I think I understand what she means. It gives me the chills.
The dig has been going quite well. We have had good weather so far, but it looks like a lot of rain next week.
Have a blessed Sabbath!
In the name of our King, Jesus,
Ariel Tzedekiah.
25 Iyar, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
I did have a wonderful Sabbath, Mr. Tzedekiah. The wonder of the Temple and our Lord never ceases to amaze me, even after all these years. I trust your Sabbath was restful and contemplative.
I’m looking forward to reading your paper on the idolatrous god of personal vanity.
Regarding the photo you sent me, that plastic figurine is of a character called “Yoda.” He was one of many characters in the popular movie series called “Star Wars.” It was a “science-fiction” enterprise that began, I think, in the year 1977 AD by old world reckoning. So, it was around for the last 40 +/- years of the old world. It was a very popular syndication with many movies, television shows, books, video games, toys, and other merchandise associated with it. From at least the early 1980’s onward, American culture was saturated with the Star Wars brand. It was understood to be all fictional, but it provided a vast and imaginative “fantasy world” that people could imagine themselves part of. The Star Wars franchise was one of the most popular of many other similar franchises that people served as idols in the American Pantheon. But don’t let me do your research for you! You are supposed to be the one doing the academic work here, for your own growth and benefit.
Regarding the age-recommendation on Yoda’s packaging, I will clarify that it was mostly older children and adults who collected Star Wars figurines, although of course many of them were used as children’s toys also. Hardly any people in America, including most Christians, saw any spiritual danger to allowing the Star Wars franchise into their life. The 3-year-old age recommendation was primarily a legal precaution. American civil law recognized different parameters for toys that were safe for small children, and the most common cut-off was the age of 3 years old. By posting this statement on the packaging, the toy company was protected from law suits from people whose small children might die or be injured from handling that toy. The times I lived in were extremely litigious.
As for the music—yes, GS Smith is right, you do not want to listen to it—it is terrible.
Have a great week at the digs! I hope it doesn’t rain on you too much.
In Christ’s Name,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
6 Sivan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, our Lord of Lords!
Mr. Tzedekiah, I am pleased to send you your grade for your paper, “The Idolatrous god of Personal Vanity.” You receive a 100% on your paper, one of three students to make a perfect grade. Well done! Your biblical references were great, especially your emphasis on the need for humility and contentment. If only women in the last century BK had realized this truth! May it be a continual lesson to the not-yet-glorified of our day to rest in the contentment of our Lord, and not feel the need to make an idol of their personal looks.
You asked me if it was wrong for a woman (or a man) to do anything at all to improve their looks. No, it is not wrong to improve your looks, as long as you are doing it in the spirit of humility and contentment. Like any other good thing, it only becomes an idol when it comes between you and God. If you can do it humbly for God’s glory, then it is a good thing. If a person does it for their own glory, it is idolatry. Sadly, many of the people of the final century BK were idolaters in this area, as you well pointed out in your paper.
Good work!
In regards to your question earlier this week regarding the subject for your next paper—you asked whether you could report on the false god of Hollywood and the film industry. I think that topic is too broad to cover, so I suggest you find one subset or entity within the American film industry. Hollywood was a huge pantheon in itself, with many sects and denominations. Now, just so you know, I already have three students requesting to do their paper on the Star Wars phenomenon, so I would prefer you find a different segment of the Hollywood pantheon if you wish to pursue this. Otherwise, there are plenty of other American false gods you could write about.
Looking forward to your next report!
In Jesus,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
8 Sivan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings, Professor, in the Great Name of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Please find my weekly journal entries attached.
I was most encouraged when I received your message with my term paper grade.
Our work here at the site is progressing well. I have worked on the crew excavating the toy store and we have it very well catalogued now. Soon we will move on to other things—probably a house behind the toy store.
I think you are right about Hollywood being too broad a category for a good paper. Since others are so interested in the Star Wars religion, I have tentatively selected DC Comics as my next subject. I nearly chose Barbie (the plastic goddess with strangely long legs) but after doing the Personal Vanity paper, I was ready to deal with something less feminine. That also took me away from doing it about “Twilight,” “Buffy the Fearless Vampire Slayer,” and the whole vampire cult. I also couldn’t find enough information about that demonic vampire system to write a good paper on it.
One thing we have noticed as we look through all this rubble and ruin is the strange way all these different gods and religions in the American pantheon seem so intertwined. For instance, we find a god like “Sponge Bob Squarepants” not only as a toy, but also on articles of clothing, shoes, automobile key chains, display tags for automobiles, sticker sets, and even on packages of food. We find rings and articles of jewelry with different gods and goddesses on them, and sometimes even large plastic idols that seem to be intended to be set up outside. It is as if these various gods and goddesses competed against each other for the attention of the American people—each one peering out from behind a wall or the side of a coffee mug, saying “here I am, don’t forget to worship me!”
One thing that confused us recently was all the articles we found that said they were frozen, and yet they did not seem to be intended to be frozen. It turns out these articles all were pertaining to a certain cult called “Frozen” whose goddesses are called “Elsa” and “Anna.” These things are ubiquitous, and seem to have been a religion for young girls to worship. There is even “Frozen” breakfast cereal. GS Ham assures us the cereal was not intended to be frozen before eating! GI Mercy said that even she could see the appeal these idols would have to young girls—they look so attractive and innocent. I am beginning to really understand why our Lord and King has insisted on all idols being destroyed on all work projects up through now.
I will keep you informed as we proceed. Thank you for your encouragement. We are having a great time in camp. The graduate assistants are all getting along well and forming friendships that will doubtlessly last a lifetime.
It has been a great pleasure to work under GS Ken Ham in such a small group setting. He must have been a really great servant of God during his mortal life. He does like to hold back on us, though, and make us discover everything for ourselves, when he clearly knows the answer to a question! I suppose we learn better that way.
Have a blessed Sabbath.
In the Name of our Lord,
Ariel Tzedekiah
10 Sivan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Who reigns forever and ever!
I just thought I would clarify a few things for you, Mr. Tzedekiah, that might help you understand the American culture better.
First, you mention the interconnected nature of the various idolatrous religious systems. You are right, they were all fairly seamlessly connected. At least, it would appear so to the casual observer. You will find that the rights to “own” or disperse a particular franchise of information (or in this case, as we see it, a cult or religion) was carefully controlled. Generally, the person who first invented or contrived a character or “world” owned the franchise, and would license it to others for money. No one could make or distribute any merchandise with the likeness or name of the franchise or its characters, without the permission of the person or company who owned the rights to it. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, one of the biggest American religions of all was materialism, or the worship of wealth and substance. But having broached that subject, I will let you discover more about it yourself.
Secondly, you should realize that even most of the Christian saints living in America at the time did not think of these things as idols, or evil in any way. We thought of them as cultural treasures, things we could enjoy and take pleasure in. We did not consider them to be religious in nature. It is true that many of them, we could and did enjoy without allowing them to come between us and our loyalty to Jesus Christ. But in many cases, we were simply blind to the extent to which these things hindered our spiritual health. One of my greatest regrets is that I spent too much time with the pleasures and entertainments of the world and not enough time with my Lord. Toward the end of my mortal life, I became far more committed to Him. If only I had not allowed the weeds of American idolatry to infiltrate my schedule and my resources.
Some of the items you are finding probably could qualify as legitimate fun or useful things, if not for the tendency to waste a person’s time, energies, resources, and affection. Others are intrinsically harmful, blasphemous, sensual, or idolatrous in their own right. Sadly, most of us did not even see it.
Have a good week, and stay close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus—
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
29 Sivan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Everlasting Name of our King and Savior, Yeshua!
Professor, please find attached my weekly journal entries and my second term paper, entitled “DC Comics—A Satanic Stumbling Block.”
As you will find mentioned more academically in my paper, it especially grieved me to find an entire boy’s bedroom decked out with superhero paraphernalia, and over in one corner of the room, a Bible, and a small participation trophy from an AWANA program. I can barely imagine what this young boy’s life must have been like—clearly he treasured superheroes more than he treasured God. His Superman pajamas were still in his bed where he had been raptured out, along with a Batman watch. This young man didn’t rely only on DC Comics, he evidently worshipped the Marvell pantheon as well—he was wearing Spiderman socks and had a green “Hulk” pillow.
In the same house, I found that the boy’s father worshipped an entirely different god, the evidence of which was found abundantly in his “man cave” in the basement of the house. I may very well write of this other pantheistic religion in my third paper, we shall see. What amazed me was that these people seemed to be Christians, too—there were Christian books, Bibles, and Christian nick-knacks throughout the ruins of the house. The mother apparently was a stronger Christian than the father or son, but she had her gods as well, especially a whole wardrobe of fancy clothes and shoes (only decayed ruins now, of course) that GS Rachel Smith told us were well beyond the apparent budget of the household. Did not the Apostle Paul write a warning to Timothy?
“1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Have a great Sabbath, Professor!
In the Greatest Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
4 Tammuz, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of the Sovereign Majesty, Jesus Christ our King.
I am giving you the grade of 95% for your paper, which is very commendable. I took off 5 points because I could see, based on your accompanying message, that you could have included clearer information in the term paper itself. But take heart, you are doing well.
I can see that you are beginning to truly understand the evils of the American Pantheon, even better than most Americans ever understood them. No doubt this is due to the excellent teaching of GS Ham and GS Smith.
I’m allowed to tell you to expect a guest at your digs in a few weeks.
Until then, abide in Christ.
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
26 Tammuz, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Abundant Name of our King and Savior!
Please find attached my third term paper, “The Religion of Professional Sports.” I plan to send you my weekly journal entries tomorrow, since I finished the paper a day early and the week has not ended yet.
Professor Johnson, this paper takes on one of the American pantheons that I find most appalling—the worship of sports and professional teams. This is the religion I found in the man-cave of the house I mentioned last week. The gentleman’s den was filled with hundreds of sports-related relics, from football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, car racing, and so on. Dozens of trophy idols lined his shelves, and balls and helmets and shirts signed by professional athletes. We actually found a preserved photograph that had somehow not faded, that seemed to show this man and some of his friends at a sports stadium, engaged in fanatic pagan worship rituals. They had taken off their shirts and painted their torsos with the colors of their gods, and were in the act of screaming and dancing in a hideous heathen style. If this is how the religion of sports was executed, then God was more than justified to destroy the United States. And to think these things were found in the home of a family who also considered themselves to be Christians!
How could someone be a Christian and a pagan at once? Matthew 6:24 says:
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
I just don’t understand how Americans could be so patently double-minded. And Mammon—the god of money—seems especially key to understanding late America.
You mentioned a special guest—yes, GS William Bradford did come to look at our proceedings. He shed tears over what he saw in our excavations and catalogue. He said he didn’t brave the terror of man, the terror of disease, the terror of starvation, the terror of the seas, and the terrors of depravation and loss, to help found a nation that would die of idolatry, greed, and wantonness. Very sobering words indeed.
It may not be good manners to comment on the work of another student, but just in a general sense, I was moved also by the work Miss Rhonda Davies has done in preparing her term paper regarding infant abortion—the unthinkable murderous offering to the god of Convenience. The American people were no better than the Canaanites of old—committing even the most hideous of sins.
Thankful for the peace of our Lord and Master,
Ariel Tzedekiah
1 Av, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our Lord Emmanuel.
I have received your journal entries for last week, and have graded your paper, entitled “The Religion of Professional Sports.” I have given you a 97%. Congratulations! The 3 points marked off were mainly for grammar and formatting. Please find attached a notated copy of your paper.
I appreciate your paper’s content. It is sad that sports—the world of games people can play—can so quickly and easily become idolatry in a person’s heart, leading him (or her) to do many things that are unthinkable. Bodily exercise does profit a little, but never at the expense of spiritual commitment.
You and your class have been exposed to the horrors of abortion in late America. Yes, it was a major tragedy. This is one sin that those who named the Name of Christ usually did not commit. I have not finished grading Miss Davies’ paper, but it does bring back great regrets. I never had an abortion myself, nor did anyone in my family (to my knowledge), but it was going on all around us, and we took precious little action to stop it. It WAS our responsibility, and we failed. God made it clear in Proverbs:
Pro 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Keep up the good work, sir, and take heart in knowing that our Lord has made all things good in this present age. Make Him always your strength.
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
12 Av, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the most Exalted Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ the King.
Please find attached my weekly journal notes.
We have finally dug up and catalogued all the specified sites that had been marked off. Good weather has allowed us to stay ahead of schedule. As we go through and review everything we have found and learned, GS Ken Ham has brought in a work crew from the Maasah camp to clear away the kudzu and other vegetation covering the ruins of a much larger building a few hundred cubits away from our current dig site. We will get a chance to observe this other structure—whatever it is—before our time is up. Meanwhile, we students also have a good bit of time available to work on our final thesis paper for the class. I am at the stage of trying to figure out just how all the different gods, pantheons, and religions found in America at the time of the Rapture interacted.
So far, I have come up with a partial list of only some of the major religions (each with its own god, or pantheon of gods):
Wealth
Business and investment
Materialism (with a special subcategory for cars and other vehicles)
Sports
Thrill-seeking
Sexuality (including homosexuality and pornography)
Addiction (especially including alcohol and tobacco)
Food
Health and fitness
Personal Vanity (including fashion and style)
Entertainment (very broad)
Popular music
Hollywood / movie industry
Video gaming
Television
Politics and tyranny
Nationalism and patriotism
Racism, prejudice, and territorialism
Convenience
Security
Military, guns, and war
Humanism
Environmentalism
Science (and false science)
False theistic religions (including false-flag Christianity, Islam, non-Messiah Judaism, Spiritism, etc.)
Satanism (including Wiccan religion, Masonic order, and many others)
Pride
I’m sure I will find more things to add to this list, and most of these headings could have many sub-headings. As we have said before, the ways in which these false gods, pantheons, and religions interacted with each other is mind-boggling.
I am seeking the face of our Lord as I prepare my final paper. Beholding all this evil is depressing. I find solace in Christ’s peaceful Kingdom, and am thankful my life is now and not in the former age. I have much to contemplate on this Sabbath as it draws near.
In His Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
14 Av, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings and encouragement in the Name of our Lord and Savior, the Mighty God, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Tzedekiah, it looks like you have a good handle on the false gods of America at the end of the Church Age. I regret that I and my people did not do more at that time to serve the Almighty and resist the forces of evil in our land. What effort would it have taken? How much more could we have done for Him, if we had just devoted even a half hour more of our time to Him each day? It is not ours to know what would have been or could have been—at least not distinctly.
I thank the Everlasting Savior that He cleansed me of all my sins—even these deadly sins of omission.
In His Merciful Name,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
26 Av, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of the Eternal Only-Wise God our King, Jesus Christ.
Professor Johnson, please find attached my weekly journal notes.
I am nearly finished with my thesis paper. While it has been challenging to write it from a procedural perspective, it has been even more challenging from an emotional and spiritual perspective. I can see clearly why our Gracious Lord does not allow most people to study the subject of idolatry in depth. It is a most demoralizing and temptatious study, to say the least. While very rewarding and intense, these last few months have been by far the most difficult months of my life.
By 30 Av, you will have my paper, and the papers of the other sixteen students. All of us, I think, are grateful for the opportunity to partake in this expedition ordered by our Lord. I believe we have become much more sober and mature as a result.
This entire project has had one great effect on me, to be sure—I now have a far greater fear of the Lord, and a far greater fear of sinning against Him. A fear Americans evidently lost, or never had.
This past week we excavated the large building I mentioned a while ago. It did not take us long to find out what it was—a huge Baptist church. The culture of God was plentiful among the broken and mouldering artefacts of the building. We found the shards of beautiful stained glass windows, a metal cross, ornate stone work, bricks engraved with the names of donors, metal nameplates on the remains of pews, and even a few rotten hymnals and Bibles, somehow preserved. The building was clearly a prominent fixture on Wade Hampton Bouldevard in Greenville/Taylors—everyone who walked or drove by would see it.
As we picked away at the ruins, our group of archeological students came to a standstill and looked at each other, a moment of grave silence descending upon us. GS Ken Ham said softly, “Do you realize there were over a thousand churches within a hundred kilometers of this spot?”
None of us said anything for more than a minute, then it was one of the two glorified infants who broke the spell. Chinese lost child GI Ma Tian Li asked, “How could these things be? Side by side?”
GS Rachel Smith sighed and looked at the ground. “Not side by side. Both within the other.”
Seeking our Lord’s Compassionate Grace that such things may never happen again,
Ariel Tzedekiah
The American Pantheon
By James Samuel Davis
Selected Excerpts of Correspondence Between a Mortal Graduate Student and a Glorified Professor
24 Nissan, 244
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Shalohm University of Beer-Sheva, Gad
To Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
Dear Professor Johnson,
Greetings in the name of our blessed Lord and King and Savior, Yeshua Mashiach! In His recent interactions with me, our Lord revealed that I was chosen to take part in a special archeological project at the Greenville archeological digs near Maasah Camp NA718 as part of my graduate studies, and I trust that He has communicated this to you as well. He stated that I should report to GS Ken Ham for field duty on the site, and to report my scholastic findings to you.
Since I have not studied under you before, I thought you might like a brief background. I am twenty-five years old, and am pursuing a Master’s Degree in World History. I am an Israelite directly descended from Zebulon, and engaged to be married next year to my love, a Kurdish Gadite. We have postponed our wedding until my studies on the desolate North American continent are concluded. I grew up on my parents’ farm in the Zebulon territory, but took a particular interest in history at a young age. I have memorized major portions of the Bible and can quote them in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, as well as translate seamlessly into English. Would you prefer me to continue corresponding in English, since that is your native language?
Please inform me of any specific course requirements and details as I eagerly anticipate beginning the digs with GS Ken Ham.
Respectfully, in His Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah.
25 Nissan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
To Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
Greetings in the Precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who reigns forever!
Yes, Mr. Tzedekiah, English would be refreshing for me if you know it well! Always a pleasure to use my old native tongue. However, as you know, we glorified saints speak Hebrew perfectly. You may use either as you please. Of course, all your official coursework will be submitted in Hebrew, per Shalohm University guidelines.
I was excited to be assigned to handle the coursework for the Greenville Project. Our headmaster, GS Ezra of Jerusalem, sent me the names and contact facilities of several GA’s assigned to the project, including yourself. The reason I’m intrigued by this project is because I myself was a resident of Greenville (actually, the suburb of Taylors) in the last days before the Glorious Rapture, and I know the city well. My teaching responsibilities here in Beer Sheva prevent me from physically attending the dig site, but you are in excellent hands with GS Ken Ham, a great lion of a saint who was a legend even in my own day before the Kingdom.
Now, for the project requirements. You are correct to mention that this is an unusual project, for so it is. You and the other GA’s were not told of your mission when you were sent to the work camp (Maasah NA718), and our Lord has revealed that this was entirely intentional, because He did not wish the mission to be sensationalized ahead of time.
In short, Mr. Tzedekiah, the project you are assigned to is considered a hazardous one. Not so much physically—all precautions will be taken for safety. This is a hazardous project spiritually. You are well aware that every time a Maasah detail unearths ruins from the final century BK, all idols and sinful materials are ordered to be destroyed, by the order of our Holy Glorious Lord. He has always been adamant that the non-glorified people be not tempted to embrace or worship the old idolatries in any way. This has been His policy from the very beginning, with very few exceptions.
Our Lord has recently revealed to me, to GS Ezra of Jerusalem, GS Ken Ham, and others associated with the project, that He desires to now allow, on a limited basis, the dangers and tragedies of idolatry to be studied, in a limited fashion, by selected non-glorified students. This study is certainly not for everyone. Our Lord wishes your education to be even more complete by these studies, to the purpose that you might know and glorify Him even more through your better understanding of BK history. You are one of only seventeen selected at this time.
Because of the temptations that shall no doubt arise as you encounter these abominations, it is paramount that you maintain your very close abiding ties with our great Lord, Savior, and King, Jesus Christ. Abide with Him daily—speak to Him hourly. You must rely on Him entirely to overcome the old-world temptations.
That’s all for now. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Meanwhile, GS Ken Ham and his colleagues should be able to answer any questions you have regarding the field work.
May our Lord Jesus continuously bless you,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson.
27 Nissan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, Graduate Assistant
Maasah Camp NA718, Eastern North America
To Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Historical Antiquities Dept.
Shalohm University of Beer Sheva, Gad
Dear Professor Johnson,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus / Yeshua, Who reigns forever and ever!
This is just a brief update to inform you that GS Ken Ham took myself and the other sixteen GA students to the designated work site today and we did some preliminary survey excavation. Other Maasah workers had previously cleared away the vegetation (massive amounts of Japanese kudzu here!) and marked out dig zones specified by GS Ham.
The coordinates for our dig zone are approximately 38 dgrees 42 minutes north latitude, and 32 degrees, 17 minutes west longitude. Altitude is 1,032 feet. Preliminary observations reveal the ruins of several buildings, and the rusted crumbling hulks of several automobiles and utility vehicles. GS Ham has shown us that our dig centers around two intersecting streets—a major thoroughfare once known as Wade Hampton Boulevard, and a lesser street we have not yet determined the name of. We have fourteen different building ruins to excavate as well as other landscape and infrastructure features. Our excavations will include two petrol stations, what GS Ham calls a drugstore, three or four other shops or businesses, and several private homes.
I will update you when we begin digging.
In our Lord and King’s Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
28 Nissan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah, [CC all other graduate assistant students on the list][CC Glorified Saint Ken Ham, Glorified Saint Rachel Smith, Glorified Infant Ma Tian Li (GI TianLi), and Glorified Infant Star of God’s Mercy (GI Mercy)]
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus!
Here is the syllabus for this special course, which I am calling Religious History 617: The American Pantheon. All students in this class will be required to do the following:
1. Keep and submit a journal for every day spent on the archeological site “GreenvilleSC-01.” Every daily journal entry should include time spent on the site, a recount of all procedural actions, using standard archeological notations regarding locations of all activities undertaken on the dig site, including the finding of significant artefacts.
2. Report any and all significant artefacts found to GS Ken Ham and GS Rachel Smith, who will assess and document them. (Common building materials and other ordinary artefacts need not be included in the daily journal accounts, but will be recorded in the official dig site records officiated by GS Rachel Smith and her assistants, GI TianLi and GI Mercy)
3. Every item found in the digs that GS Ham and GS Smith identify as being idolatrous in nature needs to be specifically and carefully catalogued and preserved for a special controlled-access display at the Shalohm University’s Museum of Old World History.
4. Each GA student will be expected to document and research each idolatrous artefact they personally find.
5. Each GA student will write three research papers, each on a separate idolatrous religion manifested in the GreenvilleSC-01 site. One research paper will be due at the end of each month (Iyar, Sivan, and Tamuz).
6. Each GA student will write a final thesis paper on their understanding of the entire American Pantheon of false gods and religions. This paper will be due on 30 Av, by noon, Jerusalem Standard Time.
Class grade points break down: Attendance / Participation, 200 pts. Daily Journal Record, 100 pts. Three monthly research papers, 300 pts (100 each). Final thesis paper, 400 pts.
Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions, and I would really love to hear your personal accounts of the operation, since Greenville was my home town before the Kingdom. I actually lived just outside Greenville, in Taylors. It sounds like your excavation may be very close to where I grew up, since you are working on Wade Hampton Boulevard.
Happy digging!
In Christ,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
2 Iyar, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
Professor, please find attached my daily journal entries for this first week on the GreenvilleSC-01 site. I hope my notes are not too copious!
We had a great first week of operations here. It was very sobering, though. We began digging up one of the petrol stations and the drugstore. What an eye-opener! I can’t believe the commercialism and idolatry displayed just in these two buildings alone. I never knew that you and the others at that time lived in such a wicked society. It was also shocking to see the food and medicine items available at the time. Some of the food and drug labels were preserved enough to be read, although the majority seems to be unintelligible with the corruption of time. Neither this petrol station nor the drug store were destroyed by fire, which is part of why this area was selected, since the vast majority of buildings in this area were incinerated during the days of God’s Wrath.
It is mind-blowing to me that people in that age could accept the corruption of allowing so many clearly poisonous chemicals to be taken into their body. If the contents of this petrol station and drugstore are typical of what was available all over America in that day, it is no wonder God judged America so harshly, and it is even now not permanently settled!
Even more than the food and medical labels, the idolatry of personal beautification astounds me even more. We found an entire section in the drugstore with a label that said “cosmetics” and in this aisle were all manner of hazardous materials, used, incredibly, for the beautification of women. In addition to the haz-mat, there were thousands of little plastic combs, baubles, bands, brushes, and other beauty accessories. How vain could those women have been? I am sorry for you that you had to live in such an idolatrous environment.
I have not yet decided what topic to write my first paper on, but I think I may take this idolatrous religion of personal beautification as my first paper. I will keep you up to date as time progresses.
Have a great Sabbath!
In Christ our King,
Ariel Tzedekiah
4 Iyar, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our King, Jesus Christ!
Mr. Tzedekiah, thank you for your report from last week, and your journal entries. There is no such thing as “too copious notes” as long as you are presenting relevant information. From what I saw, those are exactly the type of journal entries I am looking for. If you keep that up, you’ll have full credit for your journal at the end of the course.
I must say I am not surprised at what you found in the drugstore and gas station. However, your response to it was a bit of an insight to me. You said you are sorry I had to endure living in that pagan culture. I must now say, I am sorry you have to behold it. In my glorified state, I, of course, am no longer able to sin, but I am able to grieve at the sin of my own past and my generation and culture. I am so glad our Savior delivered me from my wicked sins!
It shames me to admit, but there was a time, Mr. Tzedekiah, when I myself strolled lustfully down those aisles of cosmetics in the drugstores—perhaps even the very one you are studying now. Even though I knew Jesus personally as my Savior, I still was not always completely pure within. I John 2 tells about the lusts we face in life. The Lust of the eyes was my archenemy, I shamefully admit. I always wanted to improve my looks, and it became an idol to me. One I struggled with off and on throughout my life. Finally, God gave me victory over it, though, when I surrendered all to Him at the age of forty-two. That was just a few years before the glorious rapture. You might look at Isaiah 3:16-24. This describes the vanity of the daughters of Jerusalem right before the Tribulation time, and how God judged them for their pride and lust of the eyes. It was every bit that bad in America at the same time.
I hope this will be an encouragement to you to learn that even now, in the Kingdom Age, you the not-yet-glorified need to heed the Holy Scripture and guard your hearts against all temptation to sin. Be all you can be for your King and Savior—through humble obedience to all His Word.
I shall have to speak to GS Ken Ham—he being Australian, evidently is getting a kick out of using the word “petrol.” I think you ought to know that in America, we referred to petrol as “gasoline,” or “gas” for short. GS Ham knows this, since he lived in America many years himself. He’s just being his quirky, lovable self. We called the places you could purchase petrol “gas stations.”
That’s all for now, and thanks for the update!
In the Name of our blessed King,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson.
23 Iyar, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of our blessed Savior and Lord, Jesus!
Professor Johnson, please find attached my weekly journal report. I have decided to write my paper on the false god of personal vanity, as I first suggested three weeks ago, and we have discussed since. I will have that ready for you shortly. I already have a good start on it.
This week, we began excavation on two homes and a toy store. GS Rachel Smith pointed out that this is the first toy store she has seen preserved without being burned. It is true that a huge Walmart store near the ancient city of Columbia was excavated a few years ago, and all the idolatrous material was summarily destroyed, according to the accounts given by the glorified saints in charge of Maasah Camp NA403. But this little store we found was almost exclusively filled with toys. We also found some toys at the drug store we have been excavating. It is astounding the idolatry exhibited in the toys that were sold in America. Am I correct in understanding that these idols were intended for little children to play with? The age recommendations on some of the packaging are horrific—like little plastic demons recommended for ages 3 years old and up. Do you remember this phenomenon? I have attached a photograph of a small green demon idol that was recommended for this age group.
Several of the GA students are planning to begin excavation of an electronics and music store next week. GS Ham has already made it clear that there must be no attempts at this time to make any of the electronic equipment work. Probably there is no way it could anyway, having sat in the elements all these years. A few music cases that were turned up at the site clearly show the depravity of the music available at that time. GC Smith says it isn’t even accurate to refer to it as music, as it truly qualifies as hypnotic satanic noise. Based on the few lurid pictures on the electronic media packaging we have seen so far, I think I understand what she means. It gives me the chills.
The dig has been going quite well. We have had good weather so far, but it looks like a lot of rain next week.
Have a blessed Sabbath!
In the name of our King, Jesus,
Ariel Tzedekiah.
25 Iyar, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
I did have a wonderful Sabbath, Mr. Tzedekiah. The wonder of the Temple and our Lord never ceases to amaze me, even after all these years. I trust your Sabbath was restful and contemplative.
I’m looking forward to reading your paper on the idolatrous god of personal vanity.
Regarding the photo you sent me, that plastic figurine is of a character called “Yoda.” He was one of many characters in the popular movie series called “Star Wars.” It was a “science-fiction” enterprise that began, I think, in the year 1977 AD by old world reckoning. So, it was around for the last 40 +/- years of the old world. It was a very popular syndication with many movies, television shows, books, video games, toys, and other merchandise associated with it. From at least the early 1980’s onward, American culture was saturated with the Star Wars brand. It was understood to be all fictional, but it provided a vast and imaginative “fantasy world” that people could imagine themselves part of. The Star Wars franchise was one of the most popular of many other similar franchises that people served as idols in the American Pantheon. But don’t let me do your research for you! You are supposed to be the one doing the academic work here, for your own growth and benefit.
Regarding the age-recommendation on Yoda’s packaging, I will clarify that it was mostly older children and adults who collected Star Wars figurines, although of course many of them were used as children’s toys also. Hardly any people in America, including most Christians, saw any spiritual danger to allowing the Star Wars franchise into their life. The 3-year-old age recommendation was primarily a legal precaution. American civil law recognized different parameters for toys that were safe for small children, and the most common cut-off was the age of 3 years old. By posting this statement on the packaging, the toy company was protected from law suits from people whose small children might die or be injured from handling that toy. The times I lived in were extremely litigious.
As for the music—yes, GS Smith is right, you do not want to listen to it—it is terrible.
Have a great week at the digs! I hope it doesn’t rain on you too much.
In Christ’s Name,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
6 Sivan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, our Lord of Lords!
Mr. Tzedekiah, I am pleased to send you your grade for your paper, “The Idolatrous god of Personal Vanity.” You receive a 100% on your paper, one of three students to make a perfect grade. Well done! Your biblical references were great, especially your emphasis on the need for humility and contentment. If only women in the last century BK had realized this truth! May it be a continual lesson to the not-yet-glorified of our day to rest in the contentment of our Lord, and not feel the need to make an idol of their personal looks.
You asked me if it was wrong for a woman (or a man) to do anything at all to improve their looks. No, it is not wrong to improve your looks, as long as you are doing it in the spirit of humility and contentment. Like any other good thing, it only becomes an idol when it comes between you and God. If you can do it humbly for God’s glory, then it is a good thing. If a person does it for their own glory, it is idolatry. Sadly, many of the people of the final century BK were idolaters in this area, as you well pointed out in your paper.
Good work!
In regards to your question earlier this week regarding the subject for your next paper—you asked whether you could report on the false god of Hollywood and the film industry. I think that topic is too broad to cover, so I suggest you find one subset or entity within the American film industry. Hollywood was a huge pantheon in itself, with many sects and denominations. Now, just so you know, I already have three students requesting to do their paper on the Star Wars phenomenon, so I would prefer you find a different segment of the Hollywood pantheon if you wish to pursue this. Otherwise, there are plenty of other American false gods you could write about.
Looking forward to your next report!
In Jesus,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
8 Sivan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings, Professor, in the Great Name of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Please find my weekly journal entries attached.
I was most encouraged when I received your message with my term paper grade.
Our work here at the site is progressing well. I have worked on the crew excavating the toy store and we have it very well catalogued now. Soon we will move on to other things—probably a house behind the toy store.
I think you are right about Hollywood being too broad a category for a good paper. Since others are so interested in the Star Wars religion, I have tentatively selected DC Comics as my next subject. I nearly chose Barbie (the plastic goddess with strangely long legs) but after doing the Personal Vanity paper, I was ready to deal with something less feminine. That also took me away from doing it about “Twilight,” “Buffy the Fearless Vampire Slayer,” and the whole vampire cult. I also couldn’t find enough information about that demonic vampire system to write a good paper on it.
One thing we have noticed as we look through all this rubble and ruin is the strange way all these different gods and religions in the American pantheon seem so intertwined. For instance, we find a god like “Sponge Bob Squarepants” not only as a toy, but also on articles of clothing, shoes, automobile key chains, display tags for automobiles, sticker sets, and even on packages of food. We find rings and articles of jewelry with different gods and goddesses on them, and sometimes even large plastic idols that seem to be intended to be set up outside. It is as if these various gods and goddesses competed against each other for the attention of the American people—each one peering out from behind a wall or the side of a coffee mug, saying “here I am, don’t forget to worship me!”
One thing that confused us recently was all the articles we found that said they were frozen, and yet they did not seem to be intended to be frozen. It turns out these articles all were pertaining to a certain cult called “Frozen” whose goddesses are called “Elsa” and “Anna.” These things are ubiquitous, and seem to have been a religion for young girls to worship. There is even “Frozen” breakfast cereal. GS Ham assures us the cereal was not intended to be frozen before eating! GI Mercy said that even she could see the appeal these idols would have to young girls—they look so attractive and innocent. I am beginning to really understand why our Lord and King has insisted on all idols being destroyed on all work projects up through now.
I will keep you informed as we proceed. Thank you for your encouragement. We are having a great time in camp. The graduate assistants are all getting along well and forming friendships that will doubtlessly last a lifetime.
It has been a great pleasure to work under GS Ken Ham in such a small group setting. He must have been a really great servant of God during his mortal life. He does like to hold back on us, though, and make us discover everything for ourselves, when he clearly knows the answer to a question! I suppose we learn better that way.
Have a blessed Sabbath.
In the Name of our Lord,
Ariel Tzedekiah
10 Sivan, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Who reigns forever and ever!
I just thought I would clarify a few things for you, Mr. Tzedekiah, that might help you understand the American culture better.
First, you mention the interconnected nature of the various idolatrous religious systems. You are right, they were all fairly seamlessly connected. At least, it would appear so to the casual observer. You will find that the rights to “own” or disperse a particular franchise of information (or in this case, as we see it, a cult or religion) was carefully controlled. Generally, the person who first invented or contrived a character or “world” owned the franchise, and would license it to others for money. No one could make or distribute any merchandise with the likeness or name of the franchise or its characters, without the permission of the person or company who owned the rights to it. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, one of the biggest American religions of all was materialism, or the worship of wealth and substance. But having broached that subject, I will let you discover more about it yourself.
Secondly, you should realize that even most of the Christian saints living in America at the time did not think of these things as idols, or evil in any way. We thought of them as cultural treasures, things we could enjoy and take pleasure in. We did not consider them to be religious in nature. It is true that many of them, we could and did enjoy without allowing them to come between us and our loyalty to Jesus Christ. But in many cases, we were simply blind to the extent to which these things hindered our spiritual health. One of my greatest regrets is that I spent too much time with the pleasures and entertainments of the world and not enough time with my Lord. Toward the end of my mortal life, I became far more committed to Him. If only I had not allowed the weeds of American idolatry to infiltrate my schedule and my resources.
Some of the items you are finding probably could qualify as legitimate fun or useful things, if not for the tendency to waste a person’s time, energies, resources, and affection. Others are intrinsically harmful, blasphemous, sensual, or idolatrous in their own right. Sadly, most of us did not even see it.
Have a good week, and stay close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus—
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
29 Sivan, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Everlasting Name of our King and Savior, Yeshua!
Professor, please find attached my weekly journal entries and my second term paper, entitled “DC Comics—A Satanic Stumbling Block.”
As you will find mentioned more academically in my paper, it especially grieved me to find an entire boy’s bedroom decked out with superhero paraphernalia, and over in one corner of the room, a Bible, and a small participation trophy from an AWANA program. I can barely imagine what this young boy’s life must have been like—clearly he treasured superheroes more than he treasured God. His Superman pajamas were still in his bed where he had been raptured out, along with a Batman watch. This young man didn’t rely only on DC Comics, he evidently worshipped the Marvell pantheon as well—he was wearing Spiderman socks and had a green “Hulk” pillow.
In the same house, I found that the boy’s father worshipped an entirely different god, the evidence of which was found abundantly in his “man cave” in the basement of the house. I may very well write of this other pantheistic religion in my third paper, we shall see. What amazed me was that these people seemed to be Christians, too—there were Christian books, Bibles, and Christian nick-knacks throughout the ruins of the house. The mother apparently was a stronger Christian than the father or son, but she had her gods as well, especially a whole wardrobe of fancy clothes and shoes (only decayed ruins now, of course) that GS Rachel Smith told us were well beyond the apparent budget of the household. Did not the Apostle Paul write a warning to Timothy?
“1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Have a great Sabbath, Professor!
In the Greatest Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
4 Tammuz, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the Name of the Sovereign Majesty, Jesus Christ our King.
I am giving you the grade of 95% for your paper, which is very commendable. I took off 5 points because I could see, based on your accompanying message, that you could have included clearer information in the term paper itself. But take heart, you are doing well.
I can see that you are beginning to truly understand the evils of the American Pantheon, even better than most Americans ever understood them. No doubt this is due to the excellent teaching of GS Ham and GS Smith.
I’m allowed to tell you to expect a guest at your digs in a few weeks.
Until then, abide in Christ.
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
26 Tammuz, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Abundant Name of our King and Savior!
Please find attached my third term paper, “The Religion of Professional Sports.” I plan to send you my weekly journal entries tomorrow, since I finished the paper a day early and the week has not ended yet.
Professor Johnson, this paper takes on one of the American pantheons that I find most appalling—the worship of sports and professional teams. This is the religion I found in the man-cave of the house I mentioned last week. The gentleman’s den was filled with hundreds of sports-related relics, from football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, car racing, and so on. Dozens of trophy idols lined his shelves, and balls and helmets and shirts signed by professional athletes. We actually found a preserved photograph that had somehow not faded, that seemed to show this man and some of his friends at a sports stadium, engaged in fanatic pagan worship rituals. They had taken off their shirts and painted their torsos with the colors of their gods, and were in the act of screaming and dancing in a hideous heathen style. If this is how the religion of sports was executed, then God was more than justified to destroy the United States. And to think these things were found in the home of a family who also considered themselves to be Christians!
How could someone be a Christian and a pagan at once? Matthew 6:24 says:
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
I just don’t understand how Americans could be so patently double-minded. And Mammon—the god of money—seems especially key to understanding late America.
You mentioned a special guest—yes, GS William Bradford did come to look at our proceedings. He shed tears over what he saw in our excavations and catalogue. He said he didn’t brave the terror of man, the terror of disease, the terror of starvation, the terror of the seas, and the terrors of depravation and loss, to help found a nation that would die of idolatry, greed, and wantonness. Very sobering words indeed.
It may not be good manners to comment on the work of another student, but just in a general sense, I was moved also by the work Miss Rhonda Davies has done in preparing her term paper regarding infant abortion—the unthinkable murderous offering to the god of Convenience. The American people were no better than the Canaanites of old—committing even the most hideous of sins.
Thankful for the peace of our Lord and Master,
Ariel Tzedekiah
1 Av, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings in the name of our Lord Emmanuel.
I have received your journal entries for last week, and have graded your paper, entitled “The Religion of Professional Sports.” I have given you a 97%. Congratulations! The 3 points marked off were mainly for grammar and formatting. Please find attached a notated copy of your paper.
I appreciate your paper’s content. It is sad that sports—the world of games people can play—can so quickly and easily become idolatry in a person’s heart, leading him (or her) to do many things that are unthinkable. Bodily exercise does profit a little, but never at the expense of spiritual commitment.
You and your class have been exposed to the horrors of abortion in late America. Yes, it was a major tragedy. This is one sin that those who named the Name of Christ usually did not commit. I have not finished grading Miss Davies’ paper, but it does bring back great regrets. I never had an abortion myself, nor did anyone in my family (to my knowledge), but it was going on all around us, and we took precious little action to stop it. It WAS our responsibility, and we failed. God made it clear in Proverbs:
Pro 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Keep up the good work, sir, and take heart in knowing that our Lord has made all things good in this present age. Make Him always your strength.
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
12 Av, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the most Exalted Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ the King.
Please find attached my weekly journal notes.
We have finally dug up and catalogued all the specified sites that had been marked off. Good weather has allowed us to stay ahead of schedule. As we go through and review everything we have found and learned, GS Ken Ham has brought in a work crew from the Maasah camp to clear away the kudzu and other vegetation covering the ruins of a much larger building a few hundred cubits away from our current dig site. We will get a chance to observe this other structure—whatever it is—before our time is up. Meanwhile, we students also have a good bit of time available to work on our final thesis paper for the class. I am at the stage of trying to figure out just how all the different gods, pantheons, and religions found in America at the time of the Rapture interacted.
So far, I have come up with a partial list of only some of the major religions (each with its own god, or pantheon of gods):
Wealth
Business and investment
Materialism (with a special subcategory for cars and other vehicles)
Sports
Thrill-seeking
Sexuality (including homosexuality and pornography)
Addiction (especially including alcohol and tobacco)
Food
Health and fitness
Personal Vanity (including fashion and style)
Entertainment (very broad)
Popular music
Hollywood / movie industry
Video gaming
Television
Politics and tyranny
Nationalism and patriotism
Racism, prejudice, and territorialism
Convenience
Security
Military, guns, and war
Humanism
Environmentalism
Science (and false science)
False theistic religions (including false-flag Christianity, Islam, non-Messiah Judaism, Spiritism, etc.)
Satanism (including Wiccan religion, Masonic order, and many others)
Pride
I’m sure I will find more things to add to this list, and most of these headings could have many sub-headings. As we have said before, the ways in which these false gods, pantheons, and religions interacted with each other is mind-boggling.
I am seeking the face of our Lord as I prepare my final paper. Beholding all this evil is depressing. I find solace in Christ’s peaceful Kingdom, and am thankful my life is now and not in the former age. I have much to contemplate on this Sabbath as it draws near.
In His Name,
Ariel Tzedekiah
14 Av, 244
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University
To: GA student Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
Greetings and encouragement in the Name of our Lord and Savior, the Mighty God, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Tzedekiah, it looks like you have a good handle on the false gods of America at the end of the Church Age. I regret that I and my people did not do more at that time to serve the Almighty and resist the forces of evil in our land. What effort would it have taken? How much more could we have done for Him, if we had just devoted even a half hour more of our time to Him each day? It is not ours to know what would have been or could have been—at least not distinctly.
I thank the Everlasting Savior that He cleansed me of all my sins—even these deadly sins of omission.
In His Merciful Name,
Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
26 Av, 244
Mr. Ariel Tzedekiah
Maasah Camp NA718
To: Prof. GS Jenna Johnson
Shalohm University, Beer Sheva
Greetings in the Name of the Eternal Only-Wise God our King, Jesus Christ.
Professor Johnson, please find attached my weekly journal notes.
I am nearly finished with my thesis paper. While it has been challenging to write it from a procedural perspective, it has been even more challenging from an emotional and spiritual perspective. I can see clearly why our Gracious Lord does not allow most people to study the subject of idolatry in depth. It is a most demoralizing and temptatious study, to say the least. While very rewarding and intense, these last few months have been by far the most difficult months of my life.
By 30 Av, you will have my paper, and the papers of the other sixteen students. All of us, I think, are grateful for the opportunity to partake in this expedition ordered by our Lord. I believe we have become much more sober and mature as a result.
This entire project has had one great effect on me, to be sure—I now have a far greater fear of the Lord, and a far greater fear of sinning against Him. A fear Americans evidently lost, or never had.
This past week we excavated the large building I mentioned a while ago. It did not take us long to find out what it was—a huge Baptist church. The culture of God was plentiful among the broken and mouldering artefacts of the building. We found the shards of beautiful stained glass windows, a metal cross, ornate stone work, bricks engraved with the names of donors, metal nameplates on the remains of pews, and even a few rotten hymnals and Bibles, somehow preserved. The building was clearly a prominent fixture on Wade Hampton Bouldevard in Greenville/Taylors—everyone who walked or drove by would see it.
As we picked away at the ruins, our group of archeological students came to a standstill and looked at each other, a moment of grave silence descending upon us. GS Ken Ham said softly, “Do you realize there were over a thousand churches within a hundred kilometers of this spot?”
None of us said anything for more than a minute, then it was one of the two glorified infants who broke the spell. Chinese lost child GI Ma Tian Li asked, “How could these things be? Side by side?”
GS Rachel Smith sighed and looked at the ground. “Not side by side. Both within the other.”
Seeking our Lord’s Compassionate Grace that such things may never happen again,
Ariel Tzedekiah
