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MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 31 July 2016 “Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28) Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore 509851 E-mail: [email protected] Sunday School: 9.45 am Sunday English / Chinese Worship Service: 10.45 am Sunday Chinese Worship Service: 7 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm

The Addictive Obsession over Pokemon Go – Go or No Go? Introduction There are weapons of mass distraction today and Satan has seduced many away from God and into the world. These are strange little creatures like Pikachu from Japan that have suddenly become global superstars. Most kids know the answer well. They are called Pokemon (short for POCKE (demon or) MONster and they have stirred up much interest recently. What is a Pokemon? 'Pokemons are incredible creatures that share the world with humans,' says Professor Oak, the leading authority on these monsters. 'There are currently 150 documented species of Pokemon . . . . Each Pokemon has its own special fighting abilities. . . . Some grow, or evolve, into even more powerful creatures with appealing powers. A popular game called Pokemon Go was launched, and had become an international phenomenon and is now available in more than 35 countries which is free to download from both the IOS and Android operating system. It is one of the first mass market video games to successfully blend the real world and the digital world together as many aim to nab all of the games’ creatures and it seems it can be used for dating purposes now as well (see The Strait Times, 28 July 2016). But is there a dark side to Pokemon Go? Are there diabolical elements to it that as Christians, we should be aware of? Michael Snyder noted that unlike most video games, Pokemon Go actually requires people to leave their homes, get some exercise and visit real places. This type of game is being called "augmented reality," and it is bringing people together in new and interesting ways. It can be addictive and it can adversely affect the mind and body. The Strait Times dated 16 July 2016 highlighted the danger of trespassing and injury as people are obsessed with the game 1

risking their lives and that of others. Occultic Elements Many do not understand the subtle peril of the supernatural powers they have confronted. Neither do most young Pokemon fans today. Unless they know God and heed His warnings, these diabolical forces can captivate and enslave children around the world. And if parents underestimate the psychological strategies behind its seductive mass marketing ploys, they are likely to dismiss the Pokemon craze as harmless fun and innocent fantasy. In reality, the game is far more complex and more insidious than we think. But much more alarming to many is the content of the game itself. As Mena Lee Grebin has pointed out, "Pokemon" actually comes from two Japanese words that mean "Pocket Monster". Meaning of the word Pokémon : a contraction of two Japanese words, "Poketto" and "Monsut," meaning “Pocket”. What has the Christian got to do with deadly and godless monsters and demons? Moses in Leviticus 19:31 says, ‘Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God’ and Paul warns us clearly in Galatians 5:19-21, ‘Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’ The definition of monster is a creature that is typically large, ugly and frightening. Synonyms includes rascal, beast, demon, brute, imp, devil. The evil one is using very attractive forms of interactive or role-playing games to enthrall and seduce unsuspecting children and youths into the occult world without them knowing it. Michael Snyder said that the Washington Post admits that there are creatures such as "a flaming demon" in Pokemon Go. As players progress through the game, they collect these monsters and demons, train them, and have them fight against Pokemon owned by others. Here is more from Ricky Scaparo : The Pokemons are supposed to be "monsters" that have special powers and share the world with humans (it is back to the Garden of Eden with the serpent waiting to deceive Eve). The idea of the game is to have the children learn how to collect as many Pokemons as possible, train them, and use them against other people's Pokemon by invoking the various abilities of each Pokemon creature. Pokemon can evolve and pass through various levels, 100 being the highest. Colored energy cards are sometimes used to aid the Pokemon. Some have claimed that it is only just a harmless, innocent game. But is it really? According to occult expert Bill Schnoebelen, Pokemon players engage in all sorts of interactive activities that would be considered deeply occultic if they were done in real life. Children everywhere are learning the pagan formulas for invoking "angelic" or demonic spirits through so-called multi level game, popular books, social media, movies and even television. It is not surprising that deadly explosions of untamed violence erupt from "normal" 2

teens in different countries. Defective Worldview Occult role-playing games can teach children dangerous lessons. They also add a sense of personal power and authority through personal identification with god-like superheroes. Through the demonic realm infiltrating today's technology, media, and multicultural climate, it makes harder than ever to resist its malevolent appeal. To be a winner within this system, the committed player must know and follow the rules of the game. Obedience becomes a reflex, strengthened by instant rewards or positive reinforcement. The rules and rewards force the child to develop new habits and patterned responses to certain stimuli. This powerful psychological process manipulates the child's thoughts, feelings, and actions, until his or her personality changes and, as many parents confirm, interest in spiritual things and family life begins to be affected adversely. These responses become increasingly automatic, a reflex action. Naturally, this can lead to psychological and emotional addiction, a craving for ever greater (and more expensive) thrills and darker forces and entanglement with the occult finally, even possible demonic oppression and possession for the unredeemed. The game of Pokémon is riddled with many occultic concepts. Concepts like "magical stones," teleportation, ghosts, all-seeing eye, psychic power and using spirits to achieve results in the real world are all given in this game. All these are contrary to the teachings of the scripture. The Pokémon games and comics teach a magical worldview that is completely opposed to the Bible. It is a worldview of pantheism and polytheism and the Magic Worldview is the idea, common to all occult belief systems, that there is not really any sovereign Deity over creation. Instead, creation is ruled by a series of occultic laws. The universe is like a cosmic vending machine. As long as you put in the right coin (ritual or spell) you automatically achieve the desired result and that is false and dangerous. Christian Parents’ Duty It is hard to teach restraint to children who are seeking for instant gratification. Wanting to please them rather than counsel or admonish them with God’s Word, many Christian parents even compromise their principles. Parental authority do not go well due to the fast-spreading views of social equality in the home taught through the media and schools. Yet, we must obey God. He has told us to train our children to choose His way (Proverbs 22:6), and we cannot turn back now to this if we want to honour God. You may want to prayerfully consider these suggestions. They may help you equip your child with the awareness needed to resist occult entertainment : 1. First, look at God's view of contemporary toys, games, movies and cartoons. As a family, read Scriptures such as Ephesians 5:8-16, 6:10-18 (the armour of God); Philippians 4:8-9; and Colossians 2:9. Compare them with the values encouraged by Pokemon and other role-playing games. 3

2. Share your biblical observations. Spark awareness in a young child with comments such as, "Did you know that in the Bible, serpents and dragons usually represent Satan and evil?" (and give them the texts as well). 3. To teach young children a Biblical attitude toward evil before they learn to delight in gross, ugly characters, make comments such as, "Who would want to play with that evil monster? I don't even like to look at him. Let's find something that makes us right before God." 4. Model wise decision-making. Tell your child why you would not want to buy certain things for yourself (i.e. buying a skeleton). When your child wants a questionable game or toy, ask questions that are prayerfully adapted to your child's age, such as: 1. What does this game teach you (about power, about magic, about God, about yourself)? Discuss both obvious and subtle messages. 2. Does it have anything to do with the supernatural power? If so, what is the source of that power? Does it oppose or agree with God's Word? 3. What does it teach about violence, horror or immorality and their consequences? 4. Does the game or toy have symbols or characteristics that link it to New Age or occult powers? Does it have an addictive nature? 5. Does it build godly character or the fear of God? Warnings from the Old Testament Moses clearly warns us of the dark arts of occultism in Deuteronomy 18:10-14 that says, ‘There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.’ These are darkening days of the far-spreading influences of the new age movement which is pantheistic and syncretistic in its nature. The dark arts of occultism are well blended with modern day mysticism. There is a revival of evil in our midst and believers have to be vigilant and watchful against the wiles of the devil (1 Peter 5:8). We are to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and withstand the forces of darkness with the pure gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The prophet Isaiah warns the people in Isaiah 47:12,13, “Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so 4

be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.” King Josiah led in the national revival of Judah and removed the occultic influence in 2 Kings 24:23, 24, “Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.“ Let us keep ourselves and our children away from these diabolical influence of these last perilous days. As parents, teachers and Church leaders, we need to be informed and aware of the insidious influence and warn, and counsel others of its diabolical effect. We live in a sinister world of seductive occultism that has enthralled many. The Church of Christ today needs to be discerning, vigilant and warn our children and members of the grave peril in these momentous days. Virtual Dangers Particularly disturbing is the strategy that it is targeted at young gullible children and youths who are being trained to "capture" demon-like creatures, train and control them, and use them against others. Many believe this very closely mirrors what many high-level occultists attempt to do with real demons. Here, we are actually preparing children with the dark arts for the occultic practices of the demonic world. Occultists attempt to do so with real demons. Here is more from Bill Schnoebelen : The magician works from within a specially prepared magic circle which supposedly protects him from the demon as long as he stays inside it. He uses special magical weapons like a wand, staff or sword to threaten the demon and make it do his or her bidding. Once the ritual is successful, supposedly the demon belongs to the magician to do his or her bidding—as long as the stipulations of their contract are kept by the sorcerer. Often the demon will grant the magician occult powers or give him or her special talismans to control others. This is a large part of dark magic. There is no difference between this and what goes on in the "make-believe" Pokémon universe! As the Pokemon Go craze continues to sweep the world (and is coming to Singapore soon), it is inevitable that this game will be hotly discussed in Christian circles. And just like with the recent revival of the latest Harry Potter book ’Harry Potter and The Cursed Child’, (launched on 31 July 2016, see Strait Times dated 1 August 2016, A3) which has mesmerised many children and a movie soon of it, some will become upset at the revelation that there might actually be something wrong with Pokemon Go (or Harry Potter ..Tract on this available from MBPC). But we all have a responsibility to evaluate what we are feeding into our minds, and this is especially true if you are a parent of young children and you need to know what they are playing. We need to pray fervently and seek the will of the Lord as God-honouring Christians. After examining its content, we should be keeping a distance from this malevolent Pokemon Go. As for me, it is a “No Go” for Pokemon Go.

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Conclusion We live in a world of moral and spiritual declension and deception. The evil one is seducing the people with all forms of malevolent devices, including the use of Pokemon in our handphones and computer games, unedifying internet websites, with new age practices like yoga, crystals, horoscopes through the social or mass media, the horror movies, videos, magazines, the pervasive cultic influences and the open and secretive occultic means of glamorised witchcraft and wicca as well (i.e. Halloween). Believers should not be ignorant of these. To be forewarned and forearmed and share with family, friends and others and fervently defend the truth against these diabolical movements of the last perilous days. May the Lord awaken, equip and enable Christians to fulfill these to the glory of this name and the edification and admonition of the saints. An obedient and faithful child of God has nothing in common with demonic games. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling within us and we separate ourselves from these unedifying games. Remember Romans 12:2, ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ It is possible, however, they can be negatively influenced by demons. To guard against these attacks of the evil one, we are told to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from us (1 Peter 4:7; James 4:7). We are also to put on the full armour of God, to withstand the wiles of the devil, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:10–18. If a believer persists in the occultic activities, God will discipline him as He does to all sons (Hebrews 12:5–11), and there would have been temporal consequences of sin, that we may have to bear up with. The only way of deliverance from the occult is through repentance of sins and belief and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16 says, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.’ He comes to break the bondage of sin and the stronghold of the evil one. Only a saving relationship with Christ our Lord can protect us. Obey His Word and submit to His will constantly. Flee from these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, truth, with those who call on God out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Timothy 6:11–12). Jesus Christ is the only way (John 14:6). Jack Sin (For works consulted and deeper studies, see Michael Snyder http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/58602-is-pokemon-go-evil-dangerous-or-demonic,. http://www.pokemon.com and http://www.wizards.com/Pokemon/Rules/Welcome.html, Jack Sin, Exposing and Examining the Cultic and Occultic Movements, 2000, 47-51,70-73 and The Strait Times dated 24, 28 and 31 July 2016, A6 and A3)

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An Important Biblical Stand Needed Today Introduction It is rare that someone in ecclesiastical authority these days dare to speak up or stand up for the Lord in an increasingly compromised ecclesiastical environment. Below is a recent article that sharply addresses the vital issue on the absolute authority of the Bible (i.e. it is being challenged) which is so vital today as we discuss various contemporary concerns confronting us. It is the key issue today, should we let the Word of God be authoritative in our family or church or college or should we over ride God’s Word for good relations with others, greater expediency and effectiveness in results? It is literally down to this that the church of England Bishop got his theology of the gospel right (i.e. it must have evangelical repentance which is missing today in many churches) and our understanding and relationship with experience and our culture. Today’s new thinking is to conform ourselves to the culture and jettisoned even fundamental biblical principles and belief and conviction in order to win the crowd and produce results. A new sense of pragmatism and utilitarianism have invaded the land and we are all adversely affected by it today in our churches and colleges too. In the name of missions and for the sake of efficiency and effectiveness in getting a good outcome, some are prepared to jettison our scriptural truths and precepts in order to be acceptable to the world. The exact opposite is true as given in Romans 12:2 ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God’ and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ Boldness to Speak Missiology which can be a sound study of the proper growth and expansion of the church from the book of Acts, has been the hot bed for many professors in seminaries and Bible colleges to propagate unsound worldly ideals and man centred business and marketing techniques and ways of growing and doing church work and in evangelism and missions that are workable today. This spirit is largely cherished and applauded by many missionaries, preachers and pastors. Many crave for approval from man and get it at a high price that has to be paid at the expense of the forsaken Word of God. Is it worth the exchange? Will we lose our testimony for Christ in the world today? It is a crucial question that we must ask and answer before God one day (2 Corinthians 5:10). It is refreshing to read this article below. I concur with his astute and sound conclusion and may we all take heed to it as well (and we need to pray for wisdom to defend the truth in these last 7

days. Rev Henderson concluded: “This current debate is, therefore, not so much about sexuality as the place, interpretation, and application of the Bible in our life as a Church. Its authority must not be superseded by pastoral, anthropological, and missional arguments, if we are to maintain a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the gospel, in this generation and for those who follow”. 2 Thessalonians 2:15, ‘Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.’ Jack Sin ‘The Authority of the Bible must not be Superseded’ The Rt Rev Julian Henderson became Bishop of Blackburn in 2013. The debate on sexuality within the Church of England actually centres on the authority of the Bible, which “must not be superseded”, one of its senior clergymen has said. Writing in the Church Times, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, outlined what he regards as the main arguments being put forward to challenge the Bible’s teaching on sex and marriage. Dismissing them each in turn, he said the Bible must remain the Church’s one true authority if Christians are to “maintain a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the gospel”. Authority Rev Henderson noted that one frequent appeal for change is often framed in terms of the “responsibility to show love, welcome and compassion to all, regardless of their sexual identity”. “This powerful voice of experience is, however, becoming a more important driver and authority than scripture itself in our ethical decision-making”, he said. According to Rev Henderson, another argument is that it is “unreasonable to ask for celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage”. “The call to deny ourselves and take up our cross”, he added, “is not popular these days, even though we often pray in our liturgy that we may be sent out as a living sacrifice for His praise and glory. But this is the call of Jesus.” ‘Salt and light’ Outlining a third argument, the Bishop said some members of the Church of England express a “concern to remain connected with our culture for the sake of mission”. But he stressed that the “Christian community has never been called to popularity” and that the 8

“gospel is an offence because of its call for repentance, and because of its focus on what Jesus has done for us that we could not do for ourselves”. Quoting the words of Jesus, he said: “Woe to you, if all people speak well of you” (Luke 6:26), and noted that the disciples were called “to be different, to stand out, to be salt and light”. Rev Henderson concluded: “This current debate is, therefore, not so much about sexuality as the place, interpretation, and application of the Bible in our life as a Church. Its authority must not be superseded by pastoral, anthropological, and missional arguments, if we are to maintain a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the gospel, in this generation and for those who follow”. ‘Shared Conversations’ The Bishop was writing as the Church of England’s General Synod undertakes what it is calling ‘Shared Conversations’, on its understanding of sexuality. The Synod is meeting in York between 8 and 12 July. (Taken from superseded/)

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/the-authority-of-the-bible-must-not-be-

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Theme for the Quarter :

Extraordinary Spiritual Examples in the Old Testament for our Emulation English Worship Service Rev Dr Jack Sin speaks on The Encouragement of Joshua (Scripture Text : Joshua 1:1-18; Responsive Reading : Isaiah 41:1-29)

[End of MM]

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