Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner
By admin On July 21st, 2011This is a continuation of the “Moon Into Blood Part 1″ or you may go to “Moon Into Blood Part 3”
.
.
.
.
.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“It (God’s Covenant) shall be established…
for ever as the Moon…
and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.”
Psalm 89:37.
.
.
.
.
.
.
GOSPEL INSCRIBED ON THE MOON
.
The Bible states… “It (God’s Covenant) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven (sky). Selah.” Psalm 89:37
.
God’s Covenant (The Gospel) has been inscribed in the sky. In the night sky, predominantly. It has been established “as the Moon, and as a faithful witness…”.
.
There will be, “signs in the Sun… moon, and…stars” (Luke 21:25) just before the end, was a promise made by God.
.
But we didn’t know exactly what those signs would be (although many thought they knew).
.
Nor did we realize that these signs would be pointing us to present Bible truths!
.
Lunar_Eclipse_by_Jiyang_Chen & Wikipedia share-alike license. Click for link.
.
.
.
.
.
“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”
.
Listen to the following revelation concerning the evil which exists within the hearts of men…“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23
.
.
Please tilt your head to the left. Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose. 
(Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)
.
Do you see an angry look? His right eye-brow is raised as if he is judging.
.
This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox. Or maybe a wolf. Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox? Maybe even a dog. Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn. Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn. As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.
.
He is very moral, you see!
.
.
.
.
.
.
THIS BEAST WITHIN
.
Well, the Bible has much to say about Pharisees. And the Bible has much to say about wolves, and foxes, and dogs. And this wolf-face inscribed in the Moon has much to tell us about ourselves!
.
So if you are a truth-seeker, then this article will be an eye-opener, as we explore just what the Bible has to say about these things. And the fact is, this Pharisee Moon-Beast is in the heart of each and every human.
.
And so, if you (or I) find that this wolf-man has some things in common, please don’t despair! For God is giving us these signs, while there still is time. While there still is hope!
.
.
.
.
.
THE PHARISEES…
.
Now listen to this verse concerning proud scorners…“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Proverbs 21:24
.
Yes this wolf-like beast-face in the Moon, is what the Bible calls a proud Pharisee. They were the morality crowd! They were the finger pointers! They were the scorners! They had an evil eye against others! They didn’t realize that their own pride was even more reprehensible to God than the drunkenness, immorality, or sexual perversions of the unsaved world!
.
.
.
.
.
PHARISEES & SADDUCEES
.
There were two major groups spoken of during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry: The Pharisees and the Sadducees. While the Pharisees were very big on law and justice, the Sadducees were steeped in unbelief.
But that discussion of the Sadducees should be saved for the next section, “Moon Into Blood Part 3”.
But for now, this examination of this 2nd face in the Moon should continue.
.
Robert Salmon – Moonlight Coastal Scene – Wikimedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
WHICH WAY THE FINGER IS POINTING
.
It is true religion that says, “I am chief of sinners.” 1st Timothy 1:15. These are the words of Paul. Paul saw himself for what he really was: a dirty rotten sinner in need of a Savior!
.
.
It is false religion that says, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” Luke 18:11.
.
These are the words of this proud Pharisee in the parable of the Publican & the Pharisee (see Luke 18:9-14).
.
It is true religion that points the accusing finger at ‘myself’. It is false religion that points at the other guy. True religion understands that Satan is the “god of this world” (2nd Corinthians 4:4). But this Pharisee has lost sight of that fact. True Christianity desires to lead others to forsake this world and begin to live for Heaven. False religion wants to clean this world up, not realizing that sin is literally everywhere: because it’s the Devil’s world.
.
This scorner forgets what 1st John proclaims… “…and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1st John 5:19
.
Tissot The Pharisee and publican Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
PHARISEE SITS ON JUDGMENT-THRONE
.
.
But this Pharisee-Scorner enjoys sitting on his judgment throne and pointing the accusing finger down at others. But what this pseudo-Christian does not realize is, that it is impossible to be Christian, while at the same time, judging others.
.
Just listen… “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11, 12.
.
So this passage proclaims that whoever judges others, is trying to be God! Because only God is capable of judging a man’s heart. Of course, this Pharisee excuses himself, by saying that he’s only doing a public service by exposing the sins of others.
.
Tissot The Pharisee and publican Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
“THE HEART IS DECEITFUL…WHO CAN KNOW IT?”
.
.
Just listen to the following passage…“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9, 10.
.
So as this passage proclaims, “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?” But then it goes on to tell us, that God Himself searches the hearts of men (and women). God is the righteous Judge. And God will render back to us, according to our ways.
.
PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen 1888 wikimedia public domain
.
.
.
.
.
THE PHARISEE & THE PUBLICAN
.
.
Listen to this story of the proud Pharisee and the humble Publican…“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:11-13
.
That well-known story of the Pharisee and the Publican presents a basic concept between a correct spirit and an incorrect one. In this story, God presents these two characters, which seem to be polar opposites: the proud Pharisee and the self-abasing Publican. The first, the Pharisee, saw himself as self-righteous, while the Publican realized just what a great sinner he was! Pride is quite often hard to detect. But the Publicans were a scorned class of persons. They knew they were sinners!
.
Tissot The Pharisee and publican Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
PRIDE ESPECIALLY DISGUSTING TO GOD
.
.
The point to this story is that God abhors human pride. But God contrariwise, presents the proper attitude, by showing us the humility and shame-facedness of the Publican.
.
And this little parable ends with the following summation… “I tell you, this man (the publican) went down to his house justified rather than the other (the Pharisee): for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:14.
.
Here is a great big, giant concept, which Jesus presented. God loves a humble and contrite heart; but God hates human pride. And because our hearts are so easily deceived, we must exercise constant vigilance against such sins as pride.
.
Tissot The Pharisee and publican Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
“DOGS HAVE COMPASSED ME”
Psalm 22:16
.
Now listen to this rebuke by God against His professed people…“Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet My mind could not be toward this people…And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.” Jeremiah 15:1, 3.
.
So in this passage, God is using various metaphors to describe His punishment for a disobedient and world-loving people. And one of those metaphors is “dogs to tear”.
.
Not only could this Moon-beast be a wolf, but could very well could be a dog. This would harmonize with Scripture… “For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet…Deliver My soul from the sword; My darling from the power of the dog. ” Psalm 22:16, 20.
.
From this above passage, it looks like Jesus had to encounter those “dogs” when on the Cross, as He took our place!
.
Panhandler wikipedia public domain
.
.
.
.
.
PROUD MOCKERS
.
Every time this Moon-Beast mocks and scorns the drunkard, begging for a drink on the side of the road, imprisoned by his own addiction, this Moon-beast doesn’t realize how the Savior died for that drunken person too! In a very real sense, this scorner is mocking Jesus as He hung on the Cross for that drunkard!
.
.
When this proud Pharisee mocks and scorns those fat people he sees at the shopping center, he doesn’t consider that Jesus died for them too! Is he not really mocking and scorning the very One who bled and died on behalf of those drunkards and those fat people who are sadly addicted to the over-abundant supplies of debilitating substances in this opulent and decadent society?
.
Photo above – Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.)
.
.
.
.
.
MOCKING PEOPLE = MOCKING GOD
.
This Pharisee has forgotten the warning that says… “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:9, 10.
.
This Pharisee doesn’t understand that when he scorns people, he is also scorning God at the same time, the very One who created that man!
.
.
.
.
.
.
“EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPTS GOOD BEHAVIOR”
.
Perhaps this Moon-Beast listens to too many hyper-critical shows on TV or radio, instead of engaging his mind in prayer and Bible meditation. Listen to this verse…
.
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33
.
This Moon-Beast voluntarily exposes himself to evil communications. However, the Bible says those evil communications have a corrupting influence on people; in an ever-so-imperceptible manner, that one may not be aware of. Without realizing it, as he listens to these hyper-critical talk shows, this Moon-Beast has become critical and scornful at all the injustice in the world.
.
He has deceived himself, as this verse warns… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33.
.
Yes, with all the common talk and jesting that he listens to, this Moon-Beast takes no heed from this above verse that warns against the corrupting influence of such communications!
.
And what about this next passage?…“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee an evil mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.” Proverbs: 4:23,24.
.
Incredible! This verse warns him that the heart, above all things, must be protected.
.
Wolf by Alfred_Wierusz-Kowalski 1849-1915 Wikimedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPT
.
When this Moon-Beast, seeks after the companionship of television or radio, he slowly and imperceptibly becomes like the programs watched, or listened to, to a certain degree.
.
If the program is constantly pointing the accusing finger at others, this will rub off on the listener.
.
If the program displays murders being committed…the viewer becomes desensitized to violence and even murder.
.
If the show has joking and jesting, then the viewer tends to become a jester.
.
If it is sensual, his or her heart tends toward sensuality. If it is about atheistic and other faithless ideologies…it tends to inspire faithlessness within the viewer.
.
If it is filled with common and worldly chatter, the listener will speak as the world, instead of as Jesus. And on and on it goes!
.
.
.
.
.
.
“THEY HAVE NO CHANGES”
.
This Moon-Beast is a living fulfillment of that verse… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33. In the simplest terms, this Moon-Beast becomes changed into the image of what he fills up his heart and mind with. This, by the way, is the
essence of what the Mark of the Beast is all about: whose image have I been filling up my heart with?
.
And on Judgment Day, it says… “As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when Thou awakest, Thou shalt despise their image.” Psalm 73:20.
.
Yes, we’ve all wondered if God has been asleep on the job. But that Day is coming! And God will not be slumbering on that Day!
.
But this Moon-Beast neglected the change of heart, which God has commissioned all Believers to pursue.
.
Listen… “Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:19.
.
This Moon-Beast saw no great need to renew himself into the image of Christ. He has no true fear and trembling at God’s Word. His morality was good enough for him! Unfortunately, morality isn’t good enough for the Lord. And Judgment Day will separate the “morality crowd” from those who have devoted their lives to becoming changed into Christ’s glorious image.
.
For more on the subject of television, please read… “Television & The Image That Speaks”.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“GREEDY DOGS…LOVING TO SLUMBER”
.
“All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all DUMB DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are GREEDY DOGS which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” Isaiah 56:9-12.
.
God here, is not speaking of the people of the world. He is speaking of His own people! This Moon-Beast claims to be a child of God! He claims to be a shepherd, but he cannot understand! He is living in luxury and hoards up money, in a world where billions in other places would be happy if they could just eat the scraps that fall from his table! And this was one of the sins of the Pharisees. They loved money and the things it would buy.
.
Listen… “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous…” Luke 16:14.
.
Sleeping Dog, oil on panel painting by Gerrit Dou, wikipedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
RICH MAN COULD LEARN FROM DOGS…
.
Just listen to this passage from the parable of “The Rich Man & Lazarus”… “There was a certain rich man,
which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21.
.
This Pharisee-Scorner could learn a lesson from these dogs in this passage! At least the dogs licked the sores of Lazarus. But the Pharisee does not. In his own greed, he’s more interested in scorning others, than helping others, or praying for them!
.
Rich Man & Lazarus Wikigallery Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
“DELIVER MY DARLING…”
.
“Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.” Psalm 22:20
.
In this above verse, God uses such strange language… “Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.” Two questions need to be answered, and possibly three. First, it must be established that this most infamous Psalm is not only a Messianic Psalm, but actually the very Psalm 22, which revealed the inner thoughts of Christ as He hung on the Cross! So whatever conclusion we reach concerning this verse, it must be in context of Christ suffering on the Cross.
.
The first statement, “Deliver My soul from the sword” What sword would Christ be worried about, while hanging on the Cross? Is He worried about the sword of Satan and his followers? It cannot be speaking of the sword, the Bible, can it?
.
tissot As seen from the cross wikipedia US public-domain
.
.
.
.
.
WHAT DOES HENRY HAVE TO SAY?
.
But leaving that question aside, the next statement, “My darling from the power of the dog”. Such strange language! What is Christ calling “My darling?” Matthew Henry has a wonderful commentary on this verse, and so allow him to speak… “
.
.
“The Psalmist here calls his soul his darling, his only one (so the word is): “My soul is my only one. I have but one soul to take care of, and therefore the greater is my shame if I neglect it and the greater will the loss be if I let it perish. Being my only one, it ought to be my darling, for the eternal welfare of which I ought to be deeply concerned. I do not use my soul as my darling, unless I take care to preserve it from every thing that would hurt it and to provide all necessaries for it, and be entirely tender of its welfare.” (2.) Observe what the danger is from which he prays to be delivered, from the sword, the flaming sword of divine wrath, which turns every way.”
.
This commentary by that highly regarded theologian from the past, Matthew Henry, makes a beautiful analogy concerning how precious is the soul of Man! And since it is the only soul a man, woman, or child will ever have, it must be cared for and treated as the most precious possession one will ever have! And so, once again, the King James version got it right, when most of the modern translations missed it.
.
Matthew Henry Wikipedia Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
“BEWARE OF DOGS”
.
But this Pharisee Moon-Beast cares little for his soul. On the contrary, when the Psalmist says “Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.”, The Psalmist is referring to this Moon-Beast, who is in the image of a dog. Oh not really. But God has created this Moon-Beast to symbolize what the Psalmist was speaking of.
.
Oh yes, it was the Pharisees who were greatly responsible for putting Christ on the Cross.
.
Listen… “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. ” Philippians 3:2.
.
Oh yes, “the dogs”, that is, “the Circumcision” were the Pharisees. The Pharisees hated Christ with a passion. Like dogs, they wanted to tear Jesus to pieces. His total rejection of, not only them, but also His rejection of this world of sin, was more than they could bear! And this Pharisee Moon-Beast etched in the night-sky represents all Pharisees throughout time, including those who lived in Jesus’ day.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
GOD’S SWORD
.
And as to just what sword Christ prayed to be delivered from, Henry believed it to be “the sword
, the flaming sword of divine wrath, which turns every way.” And as we all know, Christ was suffering the Divine wrath of God as He hung on the Cross. So Matthew Henry makes good sense in his conclusion that the sword is speaking of the Divine wrath of God. And as we all know, God indeed eventually delivered Jesus from that sword, and also delivered Him from “the power of the dog”, that is, the Pharisees.
.
Coyote killing sheep wikipedia public domain
.
.
.
.
.
“I AM RICH…INCREASED WITH GOODS”
.
.
When God (or the Devil) brings riches and accomplishment and success, the tendency is for pride to set in. And pride begets judging. But pride, accomplishment, and success, also tend to give a false sense of security. These were the common-denominators of the Pharisee crowd. And this holds true for this Pharisee Moon-Beast as well! The Pharisees believed they had earned Heaven. It was impossible to convince them otherwise. Jesus had a number of confrontations with the Pharisees. And it was this group that Jesus spoke most harshly to. Well, as we know, it was chiefly the scribes, Pharisees and rulers who eventually had Him arrested and put to death.
.
Rich Man & Lazarus Wikigallery Public Domain
.
.
.
.
GOD’S WATCHMEN ASLEEP?…
.
Here again, we see that God compares even His watchmen of being like, “dumb dogs”…”His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all DUMB DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.”
.
The above verse is an indictment against this Moon-Beast. He is just far too complacent and sluggish in the priestly duties of prayer and watchfulness.
.
Listen… “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not He that ponders the heart consider it? and He that keeps your soul, does not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24;11, 12.
.
This passage lets it be known, that God is not going to excuse this second Moon-Face Beast for his ignorance about the things going on in other places, in this country and around the world. He has chosen His Elect to be watchmen. And if he doesn’t watch…well…as this passage below says…
.
“All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all DUMB DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are GREEDY DOGS which can never have enough.” Isaiah 56:9-11.
.
This verse should make anyone tremble to think how he or she has not been watchful, as God has commanded Believers to be. And this should make this Beast tremble, too! But it doesn’t. He simply goes on in his complacency and disregard of the fearful judgment hour he lives in.
.
And here is another very important verse about watching… “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:35-37.
.
This Pharisee would do well to really take heed to the warning from Jesus in this passage! “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” This warning by Jesus should make any Christian tremble!
.
Sleeping Dog, oil on panel painting by Gerrit Dou, wikipedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
THE MARK OF CAIN…
.
See that big black mark on his forehead? Doesn’t it remind you of the mark that God put on Cain’s forehead?
.
“…We should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother… Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:11, 12, 15
.
This Moon-Beast does not literally kill people. But he lacks the love of God. And just as the above verse points out, we are judged by God as a “murderer”, by simply hating our brother or sister…our neighbor… (“Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer”)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
PRIDE BIGGER SIN THAN DRUNKENESS
.
.
Oh yes, just like the first face, this second face is also appalled at the sin and degradation that is so prevalent in the world. But this Pharisee-Scorner doesn’t consider his own sins. And he doesn’t usually pray for those who are caught in the jaws of sin. He mostly just scorns them! He doesn’t normally weep before God’s throne on their behalf. He’s just disgusted that there are so many drunkards! So many immoral! So many beggars! So many…well… just plain ol’ bad people in the world! He doesn’t realize that his own sin of “Pharisee-Pride” is a far greater “stench” in God’s nostrils than any of those fleshly addictions of others!
.
Cain and Abel Titian – 1542-1544 AD – wikipedia – public dom.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE PROUD ARE IN DANGER OF HELL-FIRE
.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:21-22.
.
So this passage should forever dispel any notion in our minds that the sin of judging others is just a minor sin! Listen again to the last words from this passage… “but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
.
This Pharisee Moon-Beast doesn’t realize that by scorning others, he is merely proving to his own self, that he’s standing on the brink of Heaven’s judgment and Hell’s fire!
.
.
.
.
.
.
GOSSIP AND SLANDER
.
“…speak evil of no man…” Titus 3:2
.
Contrast this second face in the Moon with the first Moon-man. The first face (sketch to right) is sad and shocked at the condition of this planet. Tears seem to be running down his cheek. This 1st Moon-face sees a sad, sad, world down here. But he also sees that his own sins are just as great as everyone else’s sins!
.
But the second face (man/fox/wolf/dog) is just scornful. An evil eye is raised (notice his right eye-brow). He’s not weeping. He’s not praying for those who dwell on the Earth. He’s not mourning for his own sins, like the 1st Moon-face is mourning. He’s just criticizing. Listen to this next verse…
.
“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. HE THAT BACKBITES NOT with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbour, NOR TAKES UP A REPROACH against his neighbour.” Psalm 15:1-3
.
This verse tells us that this Pharisee-Scorner who mocks and slanders others behind their backs, will not be among the redeemed in God’s heavenly city. This 2nd Moon-Beast should be more like the 1st Moon-Face. For the 1st Moon-Face looks at this above passage and mourns, because he see that he falls far short of this lofty admonition, given by God Himself!
.
.
.
.
.
.
SLANDER & GOSSIP = CANNIBALISM
.
.
Just look at the beasts of the Earth! How often do you see a video of animals tearing one another apart. This Wolf-Beast does the same thing! Verbally! He might look in disgust at the cannibals in the heathen jungles. But so often, he too “cannibalizes” his own fellow church members around the dinner table as he “undresses” his victims with vicious gossip and exposing slanders. And just like the hungry wolf or coyote, many, many tear in pieces the prey, and swallow him down as they revel in their gossip.
.
Listen to Scripture… “There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.” Prov. 30:14.
.
Notice that this Bible verse speaks of the wicked unbelievers in terms of devouring the poor and needy. Yes, this Moon-Beast is a cannibal!
.
Coyote killing sheep wikipedia public domain
.
.
.
.
.
THE “BLAME GAME”
.
“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the (accusing) finger, and speaking vanity; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day…” Isaiah 58:9, 10
.
This above passage, from Isaiah Chapter 58, is part of a chapter-long recipe for how to cure a poor relationship with God. But one very prominent ingredient is found in the above verse which says… “If thou take away from the midst of thee…the putting forth of the (accusing) finger”.
.
Until this Moon-Beast stops playing this game of blaming others, he will not enjoy the rich relationship that a Believer has with the Lord. And he will constantly be suffering the sins of the flesh.
.
.
.
.
.
LABORING IN THE VERY FIRE
.
“Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?” Habakkuk 2:13
.
This second face, the Wolf Moon-Beast, gives ample evidence that his heart is not right with the Lord. He’s constantly pointing the accusing finger at others. This Beast is a master at playing “The Blame Game”. He does not realize that he is doing his finger-pointing, while standing in the very fires of Judgment Day! He does not perceive that the Lord’s fiery eyes of judgment are upon him only, judging him “every moment” (Job 7:18). And the Lord only sees his sins, and sees not the sins of any other! No, there won’t be any blame-games being played on that “great and terrible Day”. The only one doing any finger-pointing on that day, will be Almighty God!
.
.
.
.
.
“IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM…”
.
“A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:” Proverbs 14:6
.
This Pharisee-Scorner knows a lot of Bible verses. He can “hold his own” in most discussions of the Bible. You see, the Pharisees in the New Testament knew their Bible. They were the religious leaders of the people.
.
But the Pharisees lacked the wisdom required for saving faith. The above verse applies to our Moon-Beast… “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:” Proverbs 14:6.
.
And why can’t this Haughty Scorner find wisdom? Perhaps the Book of James says it best… “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6
.
When this 2nd face Moon-Pharisee reads his Bible, he doesn’t see that it points the accusing finger at his own self. On the other hand, the 1st-face Night-Watchman applies the rebukes and warnings and remedies found in Scripture to himself. Now this is a most important concept, and bears repeating: while this 2nd-face Pharisee applies the rebukes and warnings and remedies found in Scripture to others, the 1st-face the Night-Watchman applies them to himself.
.
Brooklyn_Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus (Les_pharisiens_questionnent_Jésus) – James_Tissot
.
.
.
.
.
I AM CHIEF OF SINNERS
.
In contrast to the 2nd-Face, Pharisee-Scorner, this 1st-Moon-Face, the Night-Watchman (sketch to the right) is very much aware of his own sins. Yes, this 1st-Moon-Face is painfully aware of his own sins.
.
He can truly say along with Paul… “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I AM CHIEF.” 1st Timothy 1:15.
.
Yes, an ongoing work is being accomplished in the Night-Watchman. A work of being purified in the fires of tribulation. You see, the Devil had long ago been granted permission by God to sift this Man in the Moon as wheat. And because of these trials, this 1st Moon-Face Night Watchman’s heart has become soft and meek, in the hands of his Heavenly Father, who ultimately has been in charge of the purification of this Watchman’s heart (see Malachi 3:2-4).
.
.
.
.
.
WE HAVE MET THIS MOON-BEAST,
.
AND IT IS ME!
.
And so, this 1st-face Night-Watchman is losing his own Phariseeism. The more that God chastens the Watchma
n, the less this Man-in-the-Moon desires to scorn others. He now sees the Phariseeism in his own heart. He now sees the lust in his own heart. He now realizes how faithless he is. And his Heavenly Father has allowed him to read all about Jesus in the Bible: so he understands the true standard of righteousness. And so this Night-Watchman (the 1st face) is fully aware of his own dirty rotten sins! He knows who the chief of sinners is…HIM!
.
.
.
.
.
2nd MOON-BEAST: TYPE-A PERSONALITY
.
This 2nd Moon-Beast prides himself as being a “Type-A personality”. And he is an admired member of the community. He is very prompt, and somewhat aggressive. He prides himself on his good work-ethics. He works hard and plays hard. He likewise runs a very tight ship, as they say. Very neat and clean and moral!
.
But let’s analyze this 2nd-face Moon-Beast for a moment.
.
.
.
.
.
.
GOOD WORK ETHICS, BUT WITH PRIDE, IS JUST ANOTHER SIN
.
While it is very commendable to be neat and clean and moral and hard-working, these virtues must be accompanied by the other Christ-like virtues, as well! Otherwise, all we end up with is Phariseeism.
.
Just listen… “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Prov. 21:4.
.
This verse not only declares that a high look and a proud heart are sin. But also it declares that even “the plowing of the wicked is sin“. And why not? Well even the Devil is a very hard worker! And so are his followers! And this Moon-Beast is one of them!
.
.
.
.
.
.
PHARISEE REGARDS HIS LIFE
.
AS THE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts… AN EVIL EYE, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23
.
Just look at this judgmental 2nd-face Moon-Beast with his raised right eye-brow. He’s judging! He’s judging everyone else who does not measure up to his own standards, in those areas where he excels.
.
You see, this 2nd Moon-Beast has set himself up as the standard of excellence, instead of Christ. He never judges others who have his own particular weaknesses. Oh no, no! But in the areas where he’s strong, these are the traits he judges the world by. After all, it’s no fun to scorn people who share “my” sins! It’s only fun to scorn the sins which are not so noticeable in “my” life!
.
.
.
.
.
THE BIBLE IS THE TRUE STANDARD
.
But if only this Pharisee would take his eye off others, and begin to look at his own self, in the mirror of the Bible, he might start to see that, in spite of his good qualities, he doesn’t measure up to the true standard, which is Jesus Christ.
.
This is because, along with that good work ethic, and so on, he has some other qualities which are not so Christ-like. Besides being a hard worker, and neat and moral, Jesus was also patient, non-aggressive, kind, slow-to-wrath, gentle, humble, sympathetic to the needs and even the desires of others; qualities which this 2nd-face Moon-Beast does not possess.
.
Quite the contrary, this Moon-Pharisee is subject to foolish-pride, fits of anger, judgmental-finger-pointing, impatience, selfish-opportunism, greed, sarcasm, lacking-in-sympathy, rudeness, and a host of other qualities which are normally associated with Satan’s character, and never with Christ’s. Yes, these are the sins associated with pride! Pride is the root, and these sins are the branches!
.
Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.
.
.
.
.
.
SOME SINS EASY TO SPOT
.
.
Drunkenness, gluttony, laziness, and other of the lower passions are quite often, easy to spot in others. Cigarette smoke, or alcohol on the breath are a dead giveaway in discovering such addicts, who are given to those lower passions. A big belly speaks for itself, doesn’t it? An unmown lawn, or an unkempt house are the tell-tale signs, which this Pharisee Moon-Beast loves to shake his head at, as he looks down in scorn upon this less-than-moral world.
.
But the sins of pride and greed are often applauded by society, and even looked upon as admirable traits. And so, the sins of foolish human pride, are quite often obscured to the general public because the Pharisees were usually, financially and socially successful people. Quite often, the Pharisees were the leaders of the community, and because of their success in society, they were often admired, and their impatience, judging, etc., were overlooked.
.
ABOVE PICTURES:
Highbrow_drunkard- cropped image – wikimedia-share-alike-license.jpg
.
.
.
.
.
CLEANLINESS IS QUITE OFTEN NEXT TO PHARISEEISM
.
John Wesley is purported to have coined the phrase, “Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness”, which was earlier found in various writings, howbeit in a somewhat different form.
.
Well, John Wesley was a great man of God, to be sure. But he really should have used the phrase, “Cleanliness is quite often next to Phariseeism”.
.
While outward cleanliness is very nice, unfortunately, this Pharisee Moon-Beast is more concerned about outward cleanliness than with his own inward filthiness! Instead of reading the Bible for the cleansing of his own soul-temple, he merely studies his Bible for the purposes of debate and strife and doctrines which have little practical everyday relevance.
.
Listen to the words of Jesus, from Matt. 23:25-27, concerning the Pharisees… “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
.
The Pharisees were great at washing, very often! Just listen to Mark Chapter 7… “For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.” Mark 7:3, 4.
.
Hamilton Portrait of John Wesley-1703-1791
.
.
.
.
.
FIRST CLEAN THE INSIDE
.
No doubt, if you have a chance to visit this Pharisee Moon-Beast, you will find his house swept and clean and in good order. And he will scorn all those whose houses are not clean and neat like his! If you see him walking through the mall, he looks great! But God looketh upon the heart of Man. And Jesus proclaims what is in the heart of Pharisees…
.
“And He (Jesus) saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23
.
This Pharisee Moon-Beast has cleaned up himself outwardly. And yet, inwardly he remains in his sins. Unlike the 1st Moon-Face, this 2nd Moon-Face has little time or inclination to plead for God’s cleansing of his wretched heart. He’s satisfied to be outwardly correct.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“GET OFF MY LAWN!”
.
Well, time passes quickly, and this Evil-Eyed Scorner Pharisee Moon-Beast finally grows old! But not gracefully! No, this scorner becomes what is commonly referred to as a “Grumpy Old Man”! Yes, all his self-righteous pride, only becomes even more pronounced, as he reaches his twilight years! And he becomes more outspoken, more judgmental, and more difficult to deal with! Most people who know this scorner, walk on eggshells around him, so as to not get “both barrels” pointed at them! And if someone even accidentally steps on his lawn, he’s out there yelling at them.
.
Solomon somewhat described this old Pharisee, by saying… “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them…when…the grasshopper shall be a burden,” Ecclesiastes 12:1, 5.
.
Yes, this ungracefully aging Evil-Eyed Scorner finds even a tiny grasshopper jumping on his lawn to become a big problem!
.
.
.
.
.
AMAZING (LACK OF) GRACE
.
.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23
.
This Pharisee-Scorner Moon-Beast knows very well that Salvation is by grace. And yet he secretly looks to his good works as if they will bring him glory, laud, and honor in the courts of Heaven. After all, they bring him glory, laud, and honor down here in the courts of Man!
.
.
And you can never convince him that his Pharisee pride will forever banish him from Heaven. He knows that Salvation is by grace. But what he doesn’t understand is, that he has never become “born again”. The great sin of this Pharisee is that he has never received a “new heart”. And so, it is not this sin or that sin which will send him to judgment. But it is because his outward morality has greatly disguised the fact that he has never become truly saved. You could say, that the orderly and successful life of this Pharisee-Scorner is his own worst enemy! Because it is this outward goodness which deceives him into thinking that he’s Heaven-bound, when in fact, this Pharisee Moon-Beast is on the Broad Way to destruction!
.
If you wish to read more on this subject of the Broad Way, just click this link… “Woman of Revelation 12 & The Narrow Way Stars”
.
ABOVE PICTURE:
Flickr…trials and errors The Roads to Heaven and Hell, religious tract, ca. 1896 share-alike lic.
.
.
.
.
.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
.
“Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matt. 23:26
.
As this above verse declares, fallen Mankind is more concerned with outward appearance than with the condition of the heart. And so often the Christian tries to clean up his or her outward appearance. But Heaven is totally concerned with the condition of the heart. And in the above verse, Jesus laid out the first duty of the Christian: to “first cleanse the inside of the cup.” 
And Jesus was speaking this commandment to the Pharisees, who were very clean and organized…outwardly. But Jesus is declaring what is truly the important work. Without Jesus, being neat and orderly is less than worthless!
.
The church-goer needs to, as Paul put it… “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2nd Cor. 13:5.
.
The church-goer needs to look into the mirror of the Bible, and do some honest self-evaluation of his or her life. And like Peter says, we must,“give diligence to make your calling and election sure:” 2nd Peter 1:10.
.
mirror wikipedia public domain