#350.23

"...Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of...Herod." Mark 8:15.

In a good sense, Jesus referred to it as the Kingdom in Heaven. (Matthew13:33), and it grows in each person and His corporate body wherein it is received. Whether as good leaven or bad, it changes the shape of its host by enlarging it.

"Many churches have been polluted by Babylon's religious and politic methods of ungodliness. They are synagogues and bastions built upon ungodly alliances" — End quote (paraphrased)

Some of what the early church had to be aware of were doctrines of error in the new religion that was sweeping the world; for example, the Christian Gnostics mixed Oriental philosophy with Christianity. A man by the name of Zoroaster had his flavor of leaven, and also Ammon who had incorporated Pagan precepts with the doctrines of Christ. Plato and his philosophy was another that some embraced. And we cannot omit what became a major tenant of faith for a large number of churches around the world that were influenced by one of the fathers of the Rome's Church. The doctrines of a variety of punishments after death were taught by various belief systems; but the one of eternal torment in hellfire topped the list. The major source was from Jerome and his Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. Dante Alighieri's "Devine Comedy" added fuel that doctrine of error. Both were major players of that infamous Leaven.

The unbelievers themselves confess to the invention of that doctrine, and of all the fabulous stories of the infernal regions. The honest scholars of religious dogma, even some perhaps not so honest, had stated that the whole thing was devised by and for the "Churches" as an engine to have dominion over the people.

And let me say this: those who read these few lines and still embrace the doctrine of eternal torment in hellfire due to not meeting the "conditions" of the God of "unconditional love," are willingly ignorant or are bowing as compliant servants to human lords, or both. Moreover, if they, or perhaps you, feel to have a good argument to believe in this ancient, pagan teaching, I challenge any of you to J. Preston Eby's studies on this page (https://www.godfire.net/eby/saviour_of_the_world.html ) as well as Dr. Thayer's book listed below:

Thomas B. Thayer, D.D. (1812 - 1886) wrote in his book, The  Origin And History Of The Doctrine of Endless Punishment, that the old fables of Hades and Tartarus (hell) were incorporated as a means of governing the gross and ignorant people. It is truly a wonder that there was not a mass exodus due to this point alone; for it was so opposed to the simplicity of the apostles' teachings. For that matter, it is more of a wonder why there has not been such an exodus since the Bible came into to hands of the brethren.

Additional leaven has been what is generally taught and believed; one of such is that "Lucifer" was cast out of heaven along with one third of the angels. The popular story, as we all have heard, states that prior to the Garden of Eden, "Lucifer," the so called, "archangel, led a rebellion against God and upon losing the war, he and his vandals were cast down to Earth. (THE LUCIFER QUESTION free upon request or online: https://www.godfire.net/Elwin/Lucifer.html

God then created man in His image and likeness, but evidently made the mistake of putting him on the same planet where the little devils seemly had free reign. It did not take long, as the story of this leaven goes, before Lucifer became known as Satan, pulled a fast one on the woman that God had created. He first tricked her to fall under the spell of sin and death, and she then persuaded the man to follow suit.

As the fable goes, this was Lucifer/Satan’s way of getting back at God for kicking him and his deluded underlings out of heaven. This insurrectionist is said to have brought chaos, darkness, sin, ruin, and death upon the Creator's beautiful handiwork in the earth, and all of mankind that came thereafter.

If such a scenario as this were true, we could imagine God wringing his hands and scrambling around to come up with Plan B. He, therefore, would have supposedly summoned Michael and Gabriel. Together with His two remaining, loyal "archangels," they regrouped and devised a means by which to hopefully regain control back from the devil.

This top-level plan was for God to send His beloved Son into the world to regain control of the earth and mankind. Ah, but after more than two thousand years, and with the major portion of humanity still being held in the clutches of this archenemy, it seems that the plan has not been that effective.

These thoughts, of course, have undergirded the teachings of religious scholars, preachers, and their students for centuries; but we say with assurance that such are widely erroneous. They make a mockery of the wisdom, the sovereignty, the omniscience, and the omnipotence of God. Such leaven of the Pharisees makes it look like He is like a fumbling, blundering, old foolish ignoramus who doesn’t know what in the world He’s doing! It is surely that, or they assume He will never circumvent the "free will" of any man or the devil.

Such a God could surely not give much hope to anyone, and now His children see the world going up in flames with very little wherein to place their hope and trust. Turmoil and insecurities are overtaking people all over the world of believers and unbelievers alike. Countless multitudes have put their trust in a pseudo God and Kingdom; that is, leaven which has been made by deceived men with absurd imaginations.

One part of the leaven that gained popularity since its inception was by a Jesuit priest named Francisco Ribera. This was in the early 1800s and is known as "the rapture." Afterwards, another Jesuit priest, Emmanuel Lacunza, built on what Ribera taught in his book,"The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty." He didn't use his own name, but wrote under the title and name, Rabbi Ben Ezra, a supposed educated Jew who had become a Christian.

Scotland born, Edward Irving, embraced Lacunza's book and taught the doctrine in open-air meetings. From there other influential ministers of the Christian faith followed; such as, John Nelson Darby, C.I. Scofield, and D.L. Moody.

There is not enough space or time in this short article to deal with what truly is the Kingdom of God; but we can be sure, the nominal church system is not it, and neither is it the United States of America as some suppose. Those who believe such dine from the leavened table of the Pharisees rather than from the banqueting table of the Lord.

Many over the years have understood what the leaven of the Pharisees is, which refers to religious dogmas, false doctrines, tenets of faith, ordinances, rituals, lies, and the likes; but what about the leaven of Herod that Jesus also said to be aware of? What could Jesus have been talking about? We don’t hear much about this; but it would be good if we knew.

While the Pharisees symbolize the religious world and those who teach and persuade their congregants to live by the Mosaic Law rather than by Faith, Grace, and Life in the Spirit. As for the leaven of Herod, from what I understand, it symbolizes man's government, his rule, his imaginations, lies, innuendos, slandering, accusations, his laws, and more. The short of it –– POLITICS! Politics is the chief source of Herod's leaven. It is very subtle with many people not realizing that his leaven is another religion replacing God with man, especially that of socialism.

For the most part, many of us have shed the religious trappings from our lives and no longer feast on the bread of the Pharisees' leaven, but more than a few have remained at Herod's table which has become like a religion to many of them. And unapologetically, I will say: When political figures, their rhetoric, and the Government is a person's light and lifeline, how grossly dark is that light and life. Jesus said very much the same in Matthew 6:23, "But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"

Unwittingly, many seem to still be feasting on the leavened bread of Herod, which is being served in abundance, and very often not as informative news but convincing propaganda. A lot of it has the flavor that is so repugnant that it defies description, and a large number love and swallow it without question, while asking for more.

It is amazing that they all think their table is the only one that is rightly spread. With the daily or weakly consumption of such leaven, they are totally blind to the truth and have no clue to what is good for them or the nation. The fact is, such political, and/or religious factions mentioned above, believe they are on target with their leaven being the primary ingredient served in every loaf they consume and offer to the people.

One or the other political parties may be closer to hitting the mark of truth; but regardless of their accuracy and the palatable flavor of their leavened bread, it is not that of the Kingdom of God. And sadly, there are few who see it or knows anything about this highest order of government.

God's Kingdom is not of this world. It is neither Socialist, Democrat, Republican, nor Independent. It is Theocratic! It is a Theocracy, and in it, God Rules through and by His Elect!

We might wonder how Christians could eat from Herod’s table? Most likely, because they believe the salvation of our nation depends on their ability to cage the lions of political powers and get them under the collective control of a people-led democracy or a benevolent government of Socialism that rules over the people. Some believe that the more "Christian-like the President might be, the sooner the nation will flourish as the Garden of Eden.

However, all the presidents as far back as they go, regardless of their supposed or real commitment to Christ, have promised paradise for the people if they are elected. A few have done better then most; but none have gotten us close to Paradise, not even close to the Kingdom of God. And to set our minds straight, such will never be the case under man's rule; for it does not work that way. The problem that has been caused by man will never be healed and set right by man.

I don’t think we have ever seen such frenzied political concern and frantic warnings in the nation as well as in the churches today. It is apparent that the leaven of Herod has infected incalculable numbers!

Quite a few of those in the Christian faith feel that: "Since this is a Christian nation, it is our Christian duty to elect a man or woman who will turn things around and bring God back into focus, then prosperity and honor will return to our country."

To a degree this is possible; for we have seen it firsthand; but take the diabolical teachings of WOKE, Radical Race Theory, LGBTQ, Transgender, and Drag Queens is a train wreck across the land. But to take them from our schools would make a major change to the good for our children and the entire nation; but this is still not the answer. For one, I would much rather have it that way rather than the way it is now. Even so, I believe it is as Barbara Allen said a few years ago in her letter to us: "The watchers have decreed! The heavens DO RULE! The ballots do not!"

No natural human being can legislate, much less, bring about the Kingdom of God. Although many know nothing about this grand Kingdom, they believe, as already mentioned, if the right man or woman is elected president and has the support of congress, that a utopian nation can be known –– but it will never happen! There will certainly be ups and downs, depending on who is elected; but that Utopian State will never be reached by any man or woman, even with millions of like believers together with them.

We should be a people who will not be deceived by political rhetoric or the news media's biased broadcasting. We are not to buy into the schemes of hirelings and their self-serving heads of State, nor should they be exalted as if they are special among men.

Most have been conditioned to believe that only politicians can solve our problems, and the news media, so called, are there to make sure you believe their propaganda; but when reality sets in, we see clearly that it was the politicians that often created the problems. They are masters of the craft. Therefore, rather than looking to today's president in this year of 2023, or to any others, as our source of deliverance, we will continue in our calling of Sonship. We will keep doing the work of God's kingdom until our goal is fully reached as the apostle wrote in 2 Peter 1:10: "Therefore...brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."

We will focus our attention on Jesus and be who we are in Him while pressing toward the mark, for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ. (Philippians 3:14). We refuse to be owned in mind or body by any party of Herod or other powers of today; for we are God's! Ambassadors! His sons! We are His alone!

Does this then mean that we must have nothing to do with politics? I cannot say. That is between each of us and what we know is right in the Spirit. Whether we sign petitions, carry signs in protest or support of some cause, write letters to congressmen, vote, or we do none of these, let us be free in the Spirit to do or be free not to do. Whether we do or we do not, it is to be without feasting on either the Pharisees' leaven or that of Herod's.

Regardless, can we not see that politicians are very often eager to maliciously fabricate those they deem to be their enemies? Isn't it obvious that they form evil caricatures of their opponents inside malleable minds? And they proudly do so while labeling themselves as the ones wherein lies the only hope for mankind. It's amazing, however, that some of those base politicians don't have to be fabricated. All they have to do is to open their mouths for their errant, incompetent character to be seen. That's just the way they are and seem to be unable to help themselves, while for more than a few others, it is clearly their game plan.

In closing, a word for us and them: "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.

Elwin R. Roach

Addendum:

By Dr. Donald Boyd, the leader of the Scottish Christian Party and vice-chair of the Highland Friends of Israel.
https://donaldboyd.org/2013/07/16/what-is-the-leaven-of-herod/

Elwin R. Roach