Brother Raymond
Voice In The Wilderness

Attn: For Immediate Release
Contact: Brother Raymond
http://www.theshofar.org
785-226-7066
halaka2004@yahoo.com
To: Leith Anderson President
National Association of Evangelicals
PO Box 23269
Washington, DC 20026
202-789-1011

PETITION CALLING FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS TO A PUBLIC DECLARATION OF REPENTANCE AND COMMITMENT TO RESTORATION

The last eight years of leadership in the American political realm has been guided by an administration that early in its inception was lauded as Christian. It is an undisputed fact that not only did the evangelical community play a huge role in electing George Bush to office, but many, including the Washington Times Bill Sammon proclaimed him the Evangelical President. Yet as the years passed, the lies and deceptions surfaced and the hallelujahs and amen’s have silently died down as the evangelical community slowly crept away distancing itself from the monster it helped create. Rather than admit self-deception, or worse, complicity it seems organizations such as the National Association of Evangelicals have chose to ignore the human rights abuses, stolen liberties, constitutional breaches and crimes the Bush Administration have committed. If this organization is truly representative of the Christian community why have they refused the partial responsibility they shoulder by supporting such atrocities?
In light of the recently released Senate Armed Services Committee report implicating members of the Bush cabinet in war crimes it seems public rebuke and repentance is in order. Just as we cannot in good conscience turn away from the facts that the American war machine has been kidnapping foreign nationals and holding them in secret prisons, waging illegal wars based on deception and misinformation, engaging in torture, human rights abuses, war profiteering and a multitude of other unchristian practices neither can we let the leaders of the Evangelical communities ignore their responsibility in putting this machination in action through aggressive political support. While we acknowledge that the NAE condemned the use of torture, this small acknowledgment did little to reverse the damage done to the testimony of Jesus Christ and the integrity of the American Church.
It is therefore this 21st day of Dec 2008 declared that those who are represented by the evangelical view of the Christian faith demand a day of public fasting, prayer and repentance be decided by the National Association of Evangelicals for the failure to be the voice of conscience to the Government whom they so vehemently supported and resolve to a plan of action to correct the injustices committed by the Bush administration while under the guise of being ruled by Christian principals and law. Let us truly become a light set upon a hill.

TO SIGN PETITION http://www.theshofar.org/?p=119#more-119

I encourage you to support this petition in the following ways.
1. Print out copies to be signed and mailed to the NAE
2. Add your name and comment to the online petition by clicking on the comment/no comment link
3. Send you name and contact info to halaka2004@yahoo.com which will be compiled into a single petition. We will forward the mass petition to the NAE
For a biblical view of the war in iraq complete with documented evidence of the deception perpetuated by the Bush Administration please watch, order, and screen for your Christian community,
Iraq: The Death Of Reason produced by Beit Shalom Ministries. To view film online click the link below.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5474824839851017106&ei=bTBCSd32JKeKqQPL9s2NDA&q=the

Preaching To The Poor

The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; Isaiah 61:1

It has been well over a year since I took my wayward trek across the country hoping to spark some introspection and discussion within the church as to why we were supporting such wicked activities by our government rather than being a holy and separate people. The only people in a large scale who seemed to understand the wickedness in high places where those who were serving the kingdom of darkness themselves by building agendas apart from the glory of God. For a season I was very discouraged and felt there was no hope. My own life fell into a cycle of despair and sin and I was broken beyond measure.
Recently as God has brought life again into my life, liberated me from some besetting sin, and renewed my vision I realized one area where I had gone astray. Jesus did not come for the rich, proud and full. America has begun to reap the harvest of her rejection of the Lord which will continue until we repent or are destroyed. Yet there is a world out there starving for the gospel, in need of basic necessities, and I feel it is high time to shake the dust from our feet and go to people who will bear fruit for the kingdom.
This spring, God willing I will be traveling to Cambodia in order to link up with a ministry who seeks to preach the gospel, feed the hungry, save girls from prostitution, and build the kingdom where the evil of communism has destroyed a country. We will be making a film in order to bring to the American church the need for many harvesters. While we continually try to convert those who could care less for the gospel our brothers and sisters in Messiah are starving for the word, resources and fellowship from those of wealthier countries. This does not mean a prophetic work is not needed in our own country, or that there are not any poor areas which we can go here, but I feel it pressing to go to the poorest of poor.
When I started Beit Shalom the scripture which guided our vision was Isaiah 58,

[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

Somehow we were sidetracked into political wrangling and fruitless declarations. America is and will continue to lose her rights and morality because they have no foundation in Jesus. The one problem I always had while working with different groups is that they were correct about the evil of what was going on in this country without realizing the why. While they were fighting the beast there was ignorance to the fact that because they rejected Jesus and the law of God they were part of what was wrong.
I remember one event in Kent Ohio. We had a large group of people and they kept asking us what we should do. I began a political diatribe but my heart was crying out to exhort them to seek the Lord for forgiveness of our national and personal sins. To weep, in dust and ashes, and seek the mercy of God upon our people rather than march in the streets. Nevertheless I failed my Lord.
Over the next few months the focus of this website is going to change. I desire to use my blessings as being born in America to go to the persecuted, forsaken, and poor as the Lord provides and allows it. I feel it is biblical that greater blessing of the Lord will come from focusing on those whom HE came to preach to. How often in our day to day lives do we obey this command?

“Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14

Recently I listened to the following groups of sermons and I encourage all to hear this brother’s testimony of how he was driven from the church because of his heart to the poor and now has been blessed to bring the gospel to the world.

http://www.obeyjesus.net/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,97/Itemid,35/

It is my vision to see an army of soldiers for the Lord going out into the front lines, establishing bases of prayer and evangelism seeking to support our brothers in the midst of the battle and minister to the suffering. No longer do I desire to cling to a political view and system which from its inception was doomed to failure because all institutions of men will give way to the kingdom of Messiah. If our walk and ministry seems fruitless, maybe its because we are picking from a barren tree. I am not encouraging anyone to forsake the calling the Lord has on your life, but if you desire to join me in this endeavor please call or write so that we can walk to together. I pray never to been seen as some great man of God attacking the evil institutions of the world, but a feeble brother who has failed and suffered under his own sin, seeking others who wish to endure hardship in order to bring the gospel to the ones who are ready to receive it.
I am not a minister, but a slave to the kingdom. I am not my own, but purchased with the precious blood of Christ.

Sincerely,

Brother Raymond Schwab
noachmattathius@gmail.com

http://www.theshofar.org

Brother Raymond

God Given Rights

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness -Declaration of Independence-

Many Christians today, and throughout history have lived by these words burning in their hearts as if they were penned in the Holy Scripture themselves. When we, as American Christians, feel these God given rights have been trampled upon or are being stolen from us there rises up an indignation which has led to wars, tumults, violence, and political unrest. Indeed those rights which the forefathers of this country fought so valiantly to defend are fading into historical memory as a new tyranny asserts itself upon humanity on a global scale. There have been cries of a need for a new revolution and as this country wages war across the globe it is under the premise that we must fight to the death to live out this political ideal, and grant others the right to do so as well. Yet, my Christian friend, I ask you one question as you load your guns and prepare to fight the beast of tyranny once again. Where in the life and teachings of Jesus are these inalienable rights given to us by God declared in the bible. Let us take them one by one.

Read more! »

As I sit here and write this I am both outraged and deeply mournful of the apathy in the American public. Today, during a congressional hearing Scott McClellan, former White House press secretary testified that the war in Iraq was sold to the American people through lies and deceit. Never, in the five years we as a country have been prosecuting this war has any information been conclusively proved otherwise. Every new grain of evidence points to what a great travesty and crime has been committed upon the world, and the main culprits are the American people themselves.

In the middle of testimony Mr. McClellan declares that the real intention behind the war was to use Iraq as a linchpin to bring Democracy to the Middle East. Yet this was not the justification listed in the Congressional Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq.

A war of conquest to enforce through bloodshed upon one nation the will and philosophy of another nation or people is not an activity a Christian should ever place his hand to. We can continue the self deception that these men are just doing their jobs, following orders, acting on false information but it is each citizens personal responsibility, especially soldiers who are sworn to protect the Constitution, to get the facts before committing such a grave act as invading another sovereign nation. And if, by chance many in the military were deceived now that the truth is bright as noonday, continuing this action is criminal, immoral, unjust and another evidence that God's just wrath is swiftly coming upon this nation. The blood of the Iraqi people and young men whose lives were sacrificed based on lies cries out to the God of heaven.

I write this mainly to the Evangelical Christians who have grown strangely silent in these last days of the Bush presidency. Christians, who were so idolatrously patriotic and brainwashed, convinced that the Commander in Chief was one of ours that they refused to listen to the facts. Now organizations such as the National Association of Evangelicals quietly plug along as if they never peeped a word. There is no call for mourning or repentance, no retraction of their former foolishness, no call for justice.

None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. Isa 59:4

When the storm clouds of war were brewing 70% of evangelicals supported military action in Iraq.

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Isa 59:7-8

I declare with full conviction that as I have stated from the beginning real Christians do not choose war and if we as a people do not become quick to judge ourselves Gods judgment will overtake us. What we have done to the Iraqi people will be done unto us and our self-imposed ignorance is no longer a cloak to cover our wretchedness.

For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. Isa 59:3

According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. Isa 59:18

Judgment begins at the house of the Lord brothers and sisters. Now our silence has become complicity. Like the cowardly nationalistic church of Germany during the atrocities of Hitler we have given assent and endorsement to murder, thievery, and dishonored our call to be salt and light.

Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones?
Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?
No, in heart you work wickedness;
You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth. Psalm 58:1

This statement is a call to repentance. I pray for all of you who understand what I say to print out this email, make a package of information with some video's and spread them in your churches, give it to your pastor and confront anyone who calls themselves a follower of the Prince of peace to openly repent of this travesty. From the beginning the Church of the risen Lord has played a critical part in creating this mess and we should be the first to bring healing, restoration, and be a source of light and truth. Send this message far and wide, if we do not turn from this it will be the destruction of the church and nation.

If you disagree you know not what spirit you are of for the son of man came to save life not destroy it. May God repay your idea of freedom and justice back into your own homes and lives as we have helped do to the Iraqi people. Then may it bring compassion and a returning to the Lord that he may have mercy on you. For the time of His return is nigh and the night is coming where no man can work. HEED THIS WARNING:

Because you have delighted in lies and have no love for the truth God will turn you over to great delusion so that you may be condemned who have no love for truth but take pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Let all who name the name of Messiah depart from iniquity and walk worthy of our calling. The chaff will be purged and may we all pray to be found worthy to stand at the coming of the Son of man. I weep at the noose I see tightening around the globe as the antichrist prepares his revealing.

PRO WAR IS ANTI-CHRIST

May the Lord confirm this word in your heart and guide you all in how to respond.

Recently I ran into an article with the following title,

Iraq Forever: Going back on our Word

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/366109_pacted.html

This statement alone proves that the media in this country are complete idiots or evil propagandist. All one has to do is research Neo-Con think tanks like Project For A New American Century to see that an American foothold in the Middle East was something planned as early as 1998
In the document Rebuilding America's Defenses the PNAC group, which includes the likes of Jeb Bush and Dick Cheny, clearly outline a pan for American global supremacy i.e. the American Empire. Not only is PNAC a clear declaration of our intentions in Iraq but the fact that the American military has been building 14 permanent bases and the largest US Embassy in the world leads one to believe we never meant to leave in the first place. Yet the majority of the populace is silent. We have become people who despise truth which shakes the foundation of our comfort and it is this spirit which compelled the Pharisees and Jewish leaders to crucify the Messiah Yeshua. Because men hate truth God has turned this nation over to deception so that it maybe destroyed.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

When God prepares a nation for destruction it begins with the removal of upright people from positions of authority.

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come]. Isaiah 57:1
The Lord removes all those whom are noble so that fools and wicked ones rule over the populace.
For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children [to be] their princes, and babes shall rule over them Isaiah 3:1-4

Because people lack a desire for God ruling over them and fail to govern themselves according to His law He removes His word and power from the people

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: Amos 8:11

This state leads to oppression and the eventual destruction of that nation

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. Isa 3:5

Paul wrote in the book of Romans that the Old covenant happened as an example for those whom the end of the age has fallen upon.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Corinthians 10:11
If any seek to know what the future of this country is all they must do is look to Israel of old. The princes and judges take bribes, the firstborn are sacrificed on the altar of abortion, sodomites and fornication is accepted as normal, and those who seek to depart from evil make themselves prey to the wicked. It is high time for the church of the risen Lord to gird herself for the tribulation coming upon the face of the earth. Judgment begins at the house of God and when we see, that throughout the country the masses reject any semblance of reality or truth we know it is Gods hand sending delusion to prepare for the judgment.
We need prophets to raise up and hew the people with the words of the Lord. Isaiah was called to preach, not to cater to those who hate God as the seeker friendly and purpose driven lie churches do. When he asked God how long he was to preach to such a generation of vipers the Lord responded,
Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, Isaiah 6:11

By realizing God's word does not return to Him void we must acknowledge this may mean the word was sent for judgment, as to Pharaoh and to harden the hearts of the people. If men reject the risen Lord there is no hope for them and the nation that forgets God shall be turned into hell according to the psalmist. Let us march, soldiers of the cross, and prepare to suffer as our brethren do around the world. In Columbia, China, India, Iran, Iraq, and many other places men and women are laying down their lives and being tortured, murdered and cast out for the name of Yeshua. To whom much is given much is required and maybe we should stop trying to fight a culture who hates the light in order to focus our resources on our brothers and sisters who are fighting on the front lines. If they do not want God in schools then let them take him out, and let our children come with Him. If they do not want him in the courts of law then let us reject that apostate system and come out from among them. Let Lot be pulled from Sodom so that their perverted, God hating institutions can crumble around them while we build cities on a hill which cannot be hidden. This country has crossed a point where I believe, like God commanded Jeremiah, we should not even pray for this people, but be watchful and ready for our Lord is coming soon.

Shalom