RELIGION AND POVERTY GO HAND IN HAND IN THE MINDS OF THE IGNORANT AND THE FOOLISH. Wise People Recognize True Religion Is The Quest For The Truth And Indentify False Religion As Man-Made Organizations For The Purpose Of Controlling The Masses. The political element of false religion informs us that it has nothing to do with the truth, because everybody knows truth sets us free from ignorance and foolishness.

As the Eastern world becomes more religious, will poverty go up?

Happy Riches answers requested by Jerome Volkmann

Poverty and religion are not synonymous. Poverty and control by people in the name of man-made religion go together. Man-made religion is false religion that is used to control the masses and keep them ignorant of what the elite think life is all about.

History appears to show that there has always been a hierarchy of classes within societies. These can be summed up as being five classes of people. There are the emperor or king and his ruling elite. The priestly class used for propaganda purposes. The merchant class who create the means for prosperity. The soldiers, tradesmen and farmers who protect, build and grow produce. The unskilled laborers.

The educated class are those who belong to the ruling elite and the priests. The merchants, soldiers, tradesmen and farmers have a lower education. The unskilled laborers have no education or sufficient to do their chores. Nothing has changed really, just the degrees of education and the complexity of the varying structures that form the broad categories (if you like) of caste.

Today in many societies based on the western model we see this as 1) the ruling elite, 2) white collar, 3) entrepreneurs, 4) blue collar and 5) the unemployed/semi-skilled underemployed.

The propaganda is the means used to control the masses, and fear is known to be the best means. Fear requires ignorance and pain. Without pain their is no fear. Without ignorance there is no means to amplify the fear so people will comply with their masters’ desires.

True religion, however, does not mean people are impoverished, rather that they are enriched. Those who have found the way to the truth about life, also seek to better and enrich the lives of others, who are less fortunate than themselves. Such individuals recognize the need for food, shelter and clothing, and that this comes from people being motivated to obtaining this. Education is required not propaganda—which is a means used to deceive and impoverish people who have a little wealth or are kept purposely poor.

Understandably, there are some religions that are designed to suppress the masses on behalf of the elite. The religions that historically—even today—that have most of the poor are Roman Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. True Christianity fosters a different spirit.

The suggestion that poverty will increase as the eastern world becomes more religious is a broad stroke. China has more Christians than any country—unofficially some estimates are over 300 million, but the true numbers, are difficult to pin down, with those in the underground church being truly committed.[1] The United States is supposedly a Christian nation yet has about 60 million committed Christians—and even that might be a little optimistic, because the United States public are becoming less religious. Although, Pew research estimate there are “122.7 million religiously affiliated adults for whom religion is very important”.[2]

China and United States have the largest number of genuine Christians among the nations, and these two nations have the largest economies on the globe. In fact, china's economy is expected to overtake the U.S. in 2018. Maybe this is because people in the USA are forsaking the Creator rather than seeking Him.

There a major difference between false religions and true religion. True religion is the quest for the way that leads to the truth, so a person can possess eternal life and the true riches that come with immortality.

The Richest Person On Earth Has Eternal Life Not Riches That Perish

Footnotes

[1] True Numbers, Issues & Persecution

[2] U.S. Public Becoming Less Religious

THE FIRST TRUE CHRISTIAN THEOCRACY WILL BE SET UP THIS CENTURY. In Fact, There Is Every Indication That This Will Occur Sometime In The Next Twenty-Five Years. However, this theocracy will not be located at the Vatican but in Jerusalem.

Why weren't there ever any significant Christian theocracies?

Happy Riches answers request by Ahmed Yousuf

There is going to be a Christian theocracy when Lord Jesus Christ returns to Earth to reign for a thousand years.

• Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city; but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:1-10)

However, until such time, anyone claiming that he is the Vicar of Christ on Earth is an imposter. 

When people speak of the Holy Roman Empire, this was not a theocracy of any sort, unless you call the kingdoms of men controlled by the god of this world a theocracy.

• In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

There has never been a Christian theocracy where Lord Jesus Christ reigns as the King of kings. Although, Lord Jesus Christ reigns in the hearts of men and women, for the Kingdom of God is within the individual, not without, nor part of this world. Therefore we learn that currently, the Kingdom of God is within each individual who allows Lord Jesus Christ entry. We learn of this in the book of Revelation:

• Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:20-21)
• Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
• And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.(Ephesians 2:1-3)

While at the present time Lord Jesus Christ exerts His influence from within the hearts and minds of people who desire Him to be part of their lives, there will come a time when everybody will be born into a theocracy of which the only King of kings reigns. This will last for one thousand years and those who are born into the theocracy will not be automatically born again for they will get this option at the end of their lives. Meanwhile, they will have no desire to sin because their will not be any influence by the current god of this world to prompt them to sin or deceive them in any way.

Today, we are born into the captivity of the Evil One, the Prince of the Power of the Air, who influences us with a deadly virus that leads to death. People disbelieve that the power of the Evil One is able to control the air, but when you learn how influenza spreads, you begin to understand how a sinful influence pervades the Earth and the Prince of the Power of the Air reigns, the god of this world. Just because people cannot see the god of this world they scoff. They scoff at influenza too, I expect because they cannot see it. They feel influenza, though. Likewise, we all feel sin, even though we may not like to acknowledge this fact—guilt is usually what we suffer, until we become numbed, hardened, and callous of heart towards our Creator; no longer capable of distinguishing the true from the false, the good from the evil, nor the right thing from the wrong thing.

When people have the flu, it will take its course and last a couple of weeks or more. When people give into sin, it takes it course and leads people to despondency and death. This is not going to happen when Lord Jesus Christ reigns on Earth; which will be the time of the only Christian theocracy.

The Ten Commandments Will Not Be Violated During The Christian Theocracy

I JUST WON 40 MILLION DOLLARS, SO WOULD I BE UNDER A MORAL OBLIGATION TO SHARE IT WITH YOU OR SOME NEEDY PERSON IS A QUESTION MANY PONDER. People Talk Of Having Power Ball Problems, Such As What I Am I Going To Do When My Helicopter Blade Breaks And I Was Just Going To Pick The Kids Up From School. I suppose the issue depends upon what is most important, fixing the blade or picking up the kids from school.

Do people who receive a large windfall gain like winning the lottery have a moral obligation to give away much of it to others especially the poor since they did not earn the money through effort or work?

Happy Riches answer requested by Ahmed Yousuf

The real question is not a matter of winning money, but what one does with what one possesses. In some respects, winning a lottery is the same as coming into an unexpected inheritance. The difference is, more often than not, people lust after the lottery win, whereas an unexpected inheritance is not the same as hanging out for someone to die, so the money can be spent.

The preacher of Ecclesiastes recognized the futility of some people having wealth (money and possessions); in particular, those who did not earn it themselves.

• So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind. I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me; and who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19)

This is largely because throughout the eons of mankind’s habitation on Earth, people are basically the same. Unless a person is trained how to do something, the person is useless, incompetent and inept when it comes to executing what is required. Likewise, when it comes to money, those who do not understand financial responsibility have not been trained in its worth. Most people are impoverished not because they do not have money, but because they do not understand they need to be trained in order to be responsible with any filthy lucre they have the privilege of being a steward. Consequently, they blow their dough faster than wind can uproot a tree on a sunny day.

• Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it. (Proverbs 13:11)

What people need is appreciation for the practicalities of being responsible for what they possess; and the understanding how to apply themselves to making wise decisions with what is otherwise an obstacle to securing eternal life, if they are not circumspect regarding the wiles of the Evil One.

• Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. (Ecclesiastes 7:11)

The same as wisdom is essential when one receives an inheritance, when receiving a large sum of money that could be a massive life-changer, one needs to appreciate personal responsibility is what really matters in all things. Otherwise what is suddenly got, quickly becomes someone else’s lot.

Jesus spoke of certain individuals, who forsake their family and their wealth for the sake of the gospel, receiving a hundredfold with persecution. This does not mean a person is going to receive 750 million dollars in a lottery, rather that a person has the responsibility of seeing to the welfare of those individuals. The film Its A Wonderful Life (starring James Stewart) illustrates this in a very powerful way.

The question is not a matter of whether one earns the money or not, rather whether one is responsible with the money one has got.

• He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:10-12)

If a person has not learned how to be responsible with the world’s goods, that person is not going to be entrusted with God’s treasure. God treasures the people who come to Him; we who recognize the futility of this world and its ways. Many are the people who say that when they win the lottery they will then help the poor. However, the poor are those who do not recognize that riches are not of this world.

But Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Theirs Are The True Riches Of Life

RELIGION IS REALLY THE QUEST FOR THE TRUTH, BUT JUST LIKE SCIENCE IT IS TAKEN OVER BY PROMOTERS OF MANMADE IDEOLOGIES. Instead Of People Being Taught Truth, They Are Taught Symbolism That Is Really Of No Value To Anyone Other Than Those Who Use It To Manipulate The Masses. Just as true science is about discovery and application of realities, so too true religion is about discovery and application of the realities of what is required to enhance relationships today and not possibilities that might occur in the future.

With hundreds of other religions in the world, what is it about yours that makes it right?

Happy Riches answers question by anonymous 

First consider how religion is defined.

American Heritage Dictionary definitions:

a. The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe: respect for religion.

b. A particular variety of such belief, especially when organized into a system of doctrine and practice: the world's many religions.

c. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.[1]

Collins Dictionary definitions:

1. belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny

2. any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief: the Christian religion.

3. the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers

4. (Roman Catholic Church) chiefly RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns: to enter religion.

5. something of overwhelming importance to a person: (football is his religion.)[2]

A definition from the Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary:

A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usu. involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code for the conduct of human affairs.[3]

None of those definitions clearly state the following:

Religion is the quest for the ideal eternal life, which involves three phases:

1. The ideal
2. The practices required to obtain fulfillment of the quest.
3. How the quests relates to the surrounding environment.

The Bible teaches us that eternal life is attainable, but we need to realize where it is found in order to know which direction we should travel.

• Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

The way to life eternal is via the truth. Truth is not something we like to admit about ourselves but this is essential if we are to enter into life. Jesus basically said that a wise man would do anything to enter life eternal rather than be satisfied with a temporal life governed by death.

• And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. (Matthew 18:8-9 )
• And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:16-24)
• And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations. (Luke 16:9)
• No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

The way to life is through the truth. The way to the truth comes through desiring to be wise. The wise acknowledge that death is not life, and people have no peace on Earth. Therefore if there is a reason for existence, by seeking the rationale for existence on Earth has to be the way to the truth.

Understanding the rationale for being born only to die and having to suffer has to set us free from the ignorance of not knowing this fundamental reason for the futility of our current existence.

Since only one person has been attested to having risen from the dead after paying the price for the existence of evil among humans, not to seek this person out would be unwise.

The Way To Life Is A Matter Of Desiring A Better Hope Than Being Born To Die

Footnotes

[1] http://merican Heritage® Diction...

[2] http://Collins English Dictionar...

[3] http://Random House Kernerman We...

THE DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE CAN BE CONFUSING. While The Holy Spirit Is Understood To Be Everywhere, In The Bible We Read Of The Holy Spirit Falling Upon People, Being Among People, And Being Within People. How can the Holy Spirit be everywhere and yet not be among some people or within people and felt or seen falling down?

What are the levels of Holy Spirit with biblical references (I need it in this context: Holy spirit in us, Holy Spirit within us, Holy Spirit upon us)?

Happy Riches answer requested by Seye Alabi

The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God. In respect to the Spirit of God, we learn there are seven different spirits.
• From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)
• And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)
• And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead’” (Revelation 3:1)

Some people think that these are different levels and there are seven levels that are to be experienced. To such individuals, they interpret the ladder that Jacob climbed as having seven rungs to Heaven.

Even when thinking of the Holy Spirit within us or among us or on us, we can speak of this being different levels of experience—which is probably what you mean with your question.

God thought all men should be saved. The Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, loved the idea and came down to Earth, so every person could be saved. The Holy Spirit has been instrumental in bringing the idea to fruition, providing people are willing to exercise obedience of faith.

• Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)
• And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

The Holy Spirit can come upon a person, but not reside within the person’s spirit. For we know the Holy Spirit can fall upon people, but whether they actually possess the Spirit may be another matter.

• But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)
• While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)
• As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (Acts 11:15)
• Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers .’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

When the Apostle Paul speaks of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, this suggests that the Holy Spirit is among those who are walking in the light.

• But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
• The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
• So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:1-3)

John the Baptist spoke of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus said that those who possessed the Holy Spirit would have rivers of living water coming out of their hearts. The book of Acts tells us that disciples of Lord Jesus Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit.

• I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33
• On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
• And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)

There appears to be different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These manifestations may each take on a different dimension within a person’s life. In fact the Holy Spirit may even fall upon a person and perform mighty works, yet the person may not be known by Lord Jesus Christ. If the Spirit of God is manifest among a group of people, this is because they are walking in the light, but this does not necessarily mean that everybody present is filled with the Spirit. However, if Lord Jesus Christ baptizes a person in the Holy Spirit, then this would have to be a different matter, because the person would have to be known by Him.

Learning about the Infinite God is not like reading a books and regurgitating what other men have written. Learning about the Lord God requires us to be honest with ourselves and demonstrate that we desire the truth rather than self-exaltation. For it is possible to know about God and not be known by Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of all men, even if all men are not saved.

The Ten Commandments Were Designed For You To Enjoy And Possess Life

THE ORDER OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IS OF GREATER IMPORTANCE THAN PEOPLE REALIZE. The Ten Commandments Are Written By The Very Finger Of God And Therefore You Can Expect There To Be Good Reason For Their Order. Like counting numbers and jumping around by saying “one. Two, six, seven, three, five, four,” instead of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, not appreciating the order of the Ten Commandments can lead to confusion of one’s relationship with GOD and understanding oneself….which probably explains the reason the world is in disarray.

Can the Ten Commandments be said in a random order?

Happy Riches answers request by Jaclyn Ooi

Whether you are asking about the possibility to quote the Ten Commandments randomly, or whether you are seeking to know what value exists in quoting them randomly, is a little unclear. Any one can quote anything randomly and out of sequence. The value in quoting anything is another matter.

Nevertheless, there is much to gained from understanding why the Ten Commandments are sequenced as they are. In fact, The Only Words Written By The Finger Of God elaborates upon the reason why this is so.

God Himself wrote the Ten Commandments. If the Creator of the Universe wrote the Ten Commandments in the order that they are found, there has to be a very good reason for this. The trouble for most people is they disregard what the Ten Commandments actually mean and the relevance these injunctions possess for their lives today.

The Bible is an amazing book. The Bible incorporates the plan and purpose of God for mankind. Those who dismiss it do so at their own peril. However, the Ten Commandments are the only words that were written by God Himself and, therefore, when people throw them out and dismiss them, we can be assured that those who dismiss even an iota of these words are definitely on the wrong track.

Actually the Ten Commandments are the very plumbline by which everything in the Bible is measured; not only everything in the Bible, every teaching and philosophy and ideology of mankind. More than this, the Ten Commandments are the very standard by which each one of us are measured, when it comes to our own lives. Therefore, if the Creator of Life wrote them in a particular order, it might just pay to meditate them in that order, so that one may experience the enlightenment as to why.

The Ten Commandments Are More Than A Set Of Rules, They Are The Ruler