Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life

Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life The “Vapor of Life” is that essence of Biblical warning that tells us to understand the temporal nature of our ...
Author: Rodger McBride
8 downloads 0 Views 1MB Size
Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life The “Vapor of Life” is that essence of Biblical warning that tells us to understand the temporal nature of our lives. For the most part, we believe a long life is a life lived to the ripe old age of 80, 90, or a 100 years of age. But even if we lived to a Thousand years of age; in God’s eternal existence, this is as a Vapor. By the Watchman Dana G Smith Expose Newsletter#031112 Keywords: Prophecy, Bible, Vapor of Life, American Dream, vanity, mammon, things, success, musicians, Classics IV, Righteous brothers, Elvis, Cass Elliot, Lord, God, Jesus, Christ, Yeshua, Ha Massiach, Dante’s inferno, Unchained, Traces. Words: 4010 Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of Life is a combined look at people and events I faced over the years. In Prophecy we find that America has been warned for many years. In the Bible teachings we find that there is a God and as we humans live out our lives for him, we do so as a “Vapor of Life.” The “Vapor of Life” is that essence of Biblical warning that tells us to understand the temporal nature of our lives. For the most part, we believe a long life is a life lived to the ripe old age of 80, 90, or a 100 years of age. But even if we lived to a Thousand years of age; in God’s eternal existence, this is as a Vapor. In this journey of Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of Life we start when I was in the Navy, stationed on the West Coast at this Time. The years were during the Vietnam era, late Sixties.

Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of Life Jas 4:13- Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Jas 4:14- Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Jas 4:15- For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Prophecy , the Bible, and the American Way of Success: The exact year I do not remember. I was in San Diego and this day found me walking as I often did. It was not usual for me to go through a pair of shoes in a very short time. I would buy a new pair of shoes and before I knew it, a nice neat round hole appeared on the soles. This occurred because I walked a lot in the service. The walks kept me fairly thin. I tinkered playing an electric guitar and harmonica. It was there that I was based at a local Navy station. While there I was in Sig School where I was taught Morse code, flashing lights, semaphore, flags, and working with the Brass and understanding protocol. The area was great, I liked San Diego, and the weather was nice, although we saw lots of rain.

On this particular day the sun was shining and I had the weekend off. No watch duty for me, so off I went. I had my music with me as was the case. Here the music industry was moving from a 4 track to an 8 track tape. I happened to get in on that with an 8 track and in the slot was a song I Classics IV today on Facebook listened to a lot. It was Classics IV and “Traces”. A music industry online website remembered this jump in technology an article covered the industry news. The industry was then transitioning from 4- to 8-track technology, and the jump was huge. “We cut ‘Traces’ on a 3-track Ampex recorder that Jeep Harned, who was the head of MCI, had modified into an 8-track,” Bradley remembers [http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/audio_classics_ivs_traces/]

I had purchased the tape of Classics IV not realizing the upcoming stardom of the classic hit. It sold more than one million units and ended up with a gold disc awarded by the RIAA [Recording Industry Association of America. The song was a haunting melody that rose in a tone of melancholy. The lead singer at the time was Dennis Yost who had a “unique voice” and later became known as the “singer’s singer”. He was simply the lead singer with a “tear in his voice.” Indeed on the American scene and especially the Music scene many such singers have come and gone. Dennis Yost and the rest of the Classics IV group rose to the top. They had top hits, made lots of money, and had it all. They enjoyed life. They were talented, young, and very successful. In a few words it was a dream come true. The Band had formed in Jacksonville Florida in 1965 and had a name for “soft southern rock.” The sound was exceptional and Dennis Yost brought a power and a touch to this sound of the Classics IV. Their top hits, Spooky, Stormy, and Traces were released from 1967 to 1969. This was about the time that I was in San Diego. Speaking of “Traces”, an online Classics IV site makes this comment. THIS WAS THE CLASSICS IV'S HIGHEST CHARTING HIT. IT MADE IT TO # 2 IN 1969. LYRICS: ( Composer: Buddy Buie / James Cobb / Emory Gordy) www.TheClassicsIV.com]

I am always amazed at the natural talent of many people. Yet what amazes me even more is that they have this talent and don’t give God the glory. For when people sing in a Perfect way, it is mere Perfection for the rest of us who hear it. How many times I have seen artists and others with talent get into drugs, alcohol, and other traps of fame and fortune. Many times it seems that they sell their soul in order to get the success that the American dream means to many. Yet I also know when discussing Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of life, that many times; such stars, songs, and moments last only a Vapor in the overall scheme of things. I ask myself how can people be so talented and not be able to find the true God? How can they ignore what Life is really about? Yet I also know, God gives all of us a choice. The first stanza of Traces is as follows: Faded photographs covered now with lines and creases Tickets torn in half, memories in bits and pieces Traces of love, long ago, that didn't work out right Traces of love

Dennis Yost died at the age of 65 on the 40th anniversary of Stormy into the Hot 100’s top ten. He died of respiratory failure, December 7th, 2008. The Classics IV are still touring and have a new lead singer. Here we see the Vapor of Life. Let us hope in the final hours, this talented man came to know the God who gave him the talent. [http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/audio_classics_ivs_traces/]

Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of Life is at odds with America’s success and dream infused lifestyle. It is where God and mammon don’t mix, although some try to mix the two. It is where the choices are made and although people have God given talents, they fail to recognize who gave it to them. It was during those moments as I listened to Traces and Dennis Yost and the rest of the Classics IV that the moments were brought to a crescendo at the hearing of “the singer with a tear in his voice.” It is with sadness that the Vapor of life which catches us all, catch many who are not prepared for eternity. Luk 9:23- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luk 9:24- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luk 9:25- For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life, how it passes! I look back at the time in the service and there was good and bad times; like many things in life. But I see a young man who was raised a Methodist, believed in God, and knew Jesus Christ. I sang the bible verses “Yes Jesus loves me.” I said prayers nightly concluding “If I should die before I wake, then the Lord my soul to take.” But in youth we find recklessness, and in this we live our lives not considering tomorrow. Your young, go ahead, make the most out of it. I did not know the Lord as I do today, as Lord

and Savior. I was a young man caught up in life just as the Classics IV were. They had fame and were without God and I had a stint in the Navy and knew God but did not have the Savior per se in my life. In our journey let us set it for Feb 10th in the year 1955. I would have been three years old at the time. My family had been moving between California and Wyoming at the time. My Dad was a California gigolo according to my grandmother. He played golf, was thin, had a car, and in a photograph at the time, man he looked sharp. My mom was a farm girl and she fell headlong in love with this California boy. But grandmother never trusted Dad.

Unchained 1955 Release with "Unchained Melody" is first previewed

In the movies at the time was one film called “Unchained”. It was about a Prisoner who was at a medium security prison. He had a problem, which was to choose between finishing his sentence or escape to see his wife and family. In the end he tried to escape but was stopped by another man who beat him up and put him in his cell to keep him from making a mistake. In the movie, there was a song that played for the first time. This song was written by Songwriter Alex North who wrote the music for films such as “a Streetcar named Desire” and “Spartacus.” Hy Zaret a lyricist, added some words and the melody called “unchained” was sung for the first time in the movie by baritone Todd Duncun. [www.highbeam.com/doc/1G184116018.html?key=0142160D517E101068120C021E0E224E263C4D3C437779710F720E0B61651A617F137155]

Moreover, the song in case you don’t know is “Unchained Melody” and more than 670 artists have made millions from recording this haunting song written in 1955. It was recorded by the Righteous brothers and found hit status in 1966. Then 25 years later in the movie Ghost, it became a hit all over again. [Ibid] The song “Unchained Melody” became a hit for the Righteous Brothers duo of Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. But the most popular revival would come in 1965, with a new recording by the Righteous Brothers, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. It was released as a B side, but the trendy new sound helped the record find a new audience and reach No 4. It stayed in the charts for 12 weeks. [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1928]

Unchained Melody the first Stanza: Oh, my love my darling I've hungered for your touch a long lonely time and time goes by so slowly and time can do so much are you still mine? I need your love I need your love Godspeed your love to me The song Unchained Melody is still on Youtube and can be heard. It was sung by the duo, but Bobby Hatfield was the clear voice, the great voice that which took the lead in the song. Bobby Hatfield, another one of many who had great talent, a God given talent; yet his end in the Vapor of life came too soon. Bobby Hatfield died from what many believed was a heart attack. Yet this talented man, died at a Kalamazoo hotel just hours before he was to go on stage, dying from a complication of heroin and a heart attack. Righteous Brothers singer Bobby Hatfield's death was caused by cocaine and not just heart failure, according to the official autopsy report. Hatfield, 63, died Nov. 5 just hours before a Righteous Brothers concert. An initial autopsy found

Hatfield had advanced coronary disease. A heart attack due to the disease was listed on Hatfield's death certificate, according to the Associated Press. [http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jan/07/entertainment/et-quick7.4]

Bill Medley, the soul surviving member of the Righteous Brothers still tours and his daughter tours with him. He says he is having the time of his life, yet I wonder as I have; is he ready for the Lord when the Vapor of life ends. When the mortal coil of human existence disappears from this earth and the body returns to dust; what will be left? Trophies, inheritances, a life full of experiences, and what else? The question remains, here in Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of http://www.righteousbrothers.com/

life; is he ready? Was Bobby ready? Are you ready to meet the

Lord? On the journey of Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of life; I have looked at a couple of songs and the artists who performed them. These musical artists were very successful, and very talented. In the American Dream there is no room for the Lord God. We have made money and God duo companions for the most part. We cannot separate Life’s goals and successes from an understanding there is a greater power. This greater power for the most part is set on a shelf until it is needed. How many of us have done this? When we are ready, then we take the greater power down and dust it off. But the sad fact of Bible and Prophecy is this, our love, dedication, and salvation centers in on the Only Begotten Son of God and the Father. It centers in on your decision regarding your separation from God. It is true that time and our flesh tell us; you can always do this tomorrow, forget the God stuff and go have fun. Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life: The Way that seems right means death! Pro 14:11- The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Pro 14:12- There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death But for mankind there is a Bible Prophecy injunction called the Love of the truth, which is, the demonstrated Love of the Father and of the Son, who came and died for our sins. This is paramount to our relationship to God, for our sins have separated us from our God. This is the truth that misses out in the American dream. For we believe what we see, feel, touch, taste, and hear. Our flesh, life itself, and the American Dream bring us along a path that will separate us forever from our God. It separates us simply because we neglect the eternal for the current day and hour we are living in. We follow that path because it seems right to do so. But Caveat Emptor, “let the buyer beware” i.e. what you are being sold! Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life: Let me remind you again of Jesus’ words: Mat_16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mar_8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Prophecy, the Bible, and the Vapor of Life Illustrated: Not taking care of the important part of your life! Here are several scriptures that pertain to our Journey today:

Prophecy and the Bible: The fear of the LORD will prolong your days; but the wicked that ignore this, their days will be shortened! Pro_10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. Prophecy and the Bible: The Lord GOD does not have any pleasure in the death of the wicked! God sent his Son to die on the cross for your sins, so you would not die in your sins! Eze_18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Prophecy and the Bible: The Message of Ecclesiastes on the “Wicked” is clear! Although many have their hearts set on doing evil, yet their end is certain and

with the righteous, it shall be well with them and God. The days of the Wicked are not prolonged; the days of the wicked are a shadow! Ecc 8:10- And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Ecc 8:11- Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecc 8:12- Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: Ecc 8:13- But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. Consider the above scriptures and look at the following people, their lives, the Vapor of existence and then ask yourself about your own life and Vapor! We are clearly here today and gone tomorrow, are you considering your life today and for tomorrow? Many of these Musicians were very talented! Their lives came and went as a vapor. In many cases they did not live for God, did not know his Son; nor did they attempt to know. Later on in life, it is known some artists and Musicians do come to know the Lord. However, as the proof below show, many times with success, fame, and the American dream come drugs and death, while others make it through but are not happy, even in their own successes! Bobby Darin in 1972 said “I have life, but whether or not I am living is something else.” [http://www.bobbydarin.net/legend.html] It is a shame that with his talent, fame, and all he had, he did not know if the life he has is actual living or not! Life was to him, “Struggles, successes, and failures.” He said “living is what goes on between those things.” [Ibid, see picture below] His talent, fame, and what people expected took center stage over his life. In his case, you can see the dismay and doubt displayed in his statements. Almost like regret! After all, what is life really? Is it a top hit? Is it Lots of Money? Or what exactly is life to you?

1. *Janis Joplin; 1943-1970, Died of Drug Overdose Heroin, being mixed with alcohol, 27 yrs old 2. *Jimi Hendrix: 1942-1970; Died of asphyxiation of his own vomit after taking 9 sleeping pills, 28 yrs. old 3. Jim Morrison: Rocker went to a movie in Paris, listened to records, fell ill, and died of heart failure in his bathtube at age of 27 yrs. Questions still surround his death. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/200707-11-morrison-questions_N.htm]

Otis Redding: Sept 1941- Dec 1967; 26 yrs. old, Died 3 days later in a plane crash outside Madison Wisconsin after recording a number one hit, "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay". It was December 10, 1967. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G24.

3444701068.html?key=0142160D527E1B106D170D021E06680F333554354F3E34710F720F0B60651 B617F1371197357]

5. *Jim Croce: 1943-1973; 30 yrs. old; died in a plane crash less than an hour after finishing a show in Natchitoches, Louisiana. His next album was to come out the day after his death. Croce had three hits from this album and also "Time in a Bottle" became number one hit. All after his death! 6. Bobby Darin: 1936-1973; 37 yrs. age; http://www.bobbydarin.net/legend.html Darin's life was cut short on December 20, 1973, when he died following his second open heart surgery at the young age of 37. Legendary entertainer Bobby Darin had a wide range of talent. Born Walden Robert Cassotto on May 14th, 1936, Darin rose from poor beginnings in Harlem and the South Bronx. He also fought rheumatic fever as a child, which damaged his heart and plagued him throughout his life. As a result of these obstacles, he worked extremely hard to overcome them. Knowing his life would not be a long one, his ambition to succeed was fueled by an overwhelming desire to make it big in show business. [http://www.bobbydarin.net/darin2.html] 7. *Cass Elliot: 1941-1974; 33 yrs. old; She had just finished performing two sold out shows at London Palladium. She retired for the night, dying of a heart attack in her sleep.

There is an urban legend that Mama Cass died choking on a ham sandwich. This rumor came when the police who were first on the scene spotted a half eaten sandwich and speculated that she may have choked on the part that had been eaten. According to Wikipedia, the actual cause of Mama Cass’s death is rarely discussed. 8. *Elvis Presley: 1935-1977; died heart attack; age 42; It's often been rumored that he died of a drug overdose... but never proven 9. *Michael Jackson: 1958-2009; age 50; cardiac Arrest; drug related 10. Marvin Gaye: 1939-1984; 45 yrs., Shot to death by his father in 1984 after he tried to intervene during an argument between his parents. His dad Marvin Gaye senior plead guilty was given 6 yr suspended sentence. He died of Pneumonia in 1998. [http://www.cbsnews.com/830131749_162-20049687-10391698.html] 11. *John Lennon: 1940-1980; 40 yrs., was murdered by Mark David Chapman. 12. *George Harrison: 1943-2001; died of cancer, 58 yrs. old

13. Source of * is FamousDead.com

Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life: A man’s life is not in the abundance of things his possesses!

Luk 12:15- And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luk 12:16- And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: Luk 12:17- And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? Luk 12:18- And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. Luk 12:19- And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Luk 12:20- But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luk 12:21- So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life: Jesus is that Life! Joh_6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Joh_6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Joh_6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Joh_6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Joh_6:48 I am that bread of life. Joh_6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Prophecy, the Bible, and Vapor of Life: Dante’s Inferno In our next and final stop in this journey let us look at Dante’s inferno. The question of hell was paramount in his day. The question of punishment for the wicked and rewards for the righteous is an age old question.

“The Gate to Hell” from Dante's Inferno: http://www.danteinferno.info/, Gore illust.

Dante’s inferno is still read and studied today. It was the first attempt to describe hell and to warn sinners. But Dante also saw that he had to warn the church at the time, which he saw and wrote Dante’s inferno to send a message. In Dante’s world to put it simply, the sinners in Hell are all guilty of one or more of the seven deadly sins. Four of the circles of hell are devoted to punishing these sins in their various manifestations. (Circle 2-lust, 3-gluttony, 4-greed, 5-wrath). The remaining circles do not correspond exactly to the seven deadly sins [Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, pride]. Dante’s inferno stands as a hallmark of the enduring nature of a writers reach. But Dante’s inferno also marks a warning for our modern world. It is a warning to heed the things of eternity and to understand that there is a higher power, which we call God. That God has set a day in which he will judge the world. It is to that end, Dante’s inferno stands. This end is one day, in which, all people will stand before this God and be judged for their sins. This

God will judge saint and sinner; devil and demon; then set things in order. My friends, have you considered this in your own life? On the Gate of hell read this inscription in Dante’s book, Inferno: The Gate of Hell, Virgil leads Dante in; Canto III "Through me the way into the suffering city, Through me the way to the eternal pain, Through me the way that runs among the lost. Justice urged on my high artificer; My maker was divine authority, The highest wisdom, and the primal love. Before me nothing but eternal things were made, And I endure eternally." "All hope abandon ye who enter here"

Satan depicted in the Lowest level of hell, Gore illustrated

Jesus came to give you life and everlasting life at that; the words in John 1 say this: Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.