When I returned to the office after my vacation a few weeks ago, I walked in excited, carrying a movie I had viewed over the break. I said, "Jan, you've got to watch this! You're really going to like it. It's just what you've been looking for!" I kept up the enthusiasm until finally, Jan took the 85 minutes necessary to watch it. The movie was Unidentified, a thought-provoking dramatic film by producer and director Rich Christiano (whom Jan just interviewed this past weekend.) The DVD not only provides a balanced perspective of the UFO phenomenon, but also challenges viewers to consider life's most important question -- the destiny of their souls.
Olive Tree Ministries has wanted to find some product to present to ministry followers that would factually address this topic, but also one that wouldn't be viewed as fringe. That's a tough assignment because there are so many hoaxes and so much on this subject has been appropriately viewed as extreme. We did carry Chuck Missler's excellent book Alien Encounters for a time. It generated quite a bit of interest -- and some scorn. (I guess that's to be expected, even though Chuck's thesis included many facts, scholarly quotes, and scripture references that are difficult to refute.) But Unidentified, I felt, was just the ticket! A movie that was entertaining, inspirational and educational. There were a respectable number of intriguing facts behind the phenomenon sprinkled throughout the movie.
In the bonus feature, A Special Message From the Director Rich says, "A lot of people ask me if I believe in UFOs. I don't believe in aliens -- not even for a second. I do think it's demonic."
Many Bible and science scholars agree with Rich's conclusion. In his aforementioned book, Chuck Missler explains, "A number of UFO researchers have concluded that modern-day aliens may very well be the modern-day equivalent of fallen angels or demonic entities. Dr. Pierre Guerin, a well-known UFO researcher in the 1960s and 1970s, examined the nature and activities of aliens and concluded, 'UFO behavior is more akin to magic than to physics as we know it . . . the modern UFOnauts and the demons of past days are probably identical.'"
In the book, The Kingdom of the Occult, Dr. Walter Martin, with Jill Martin Rische and Kurt Van Gordon, say, "Christians may not have ready answers to every question about UFO sightings, but in the face of extraterrestrial doctrine, no question remains as to the source of their messages. They are driven by spiritual beings opposed to God's truth and thus, demonic in nature." Walter Martin is considered to be a world authority on cults and the occult and was the original "Bible Answerman" of the Christian Research Institute. He passed away in 1989 leaving a big hole in the world of apologetics.
This, in a nutshell, is what we at Olive Tree Ministries yearn to effectively communicate: These unexplainable incidents are demonic, end-time phenomena that are growing more pronounced concurrently with other signs of the coming Tribulation we see. There may be many hoaxes, experiences, and sightings that can be explained away, but there are a percentage of these that cannot be casually dismissed.
In his book, Dr. Martin eloquently states, "The Christian church simply cannot ignore the UFO subject any longer. . . Responsible Christian theologians, including the late C.S. Lewis, [also] called attention to the fact that it has tremendous implications for the Christian church." If what Dr. Martin says is true then we cannot -- we must not -- dismiss these phenomena out-of-hand any more. But what are the implications that we "simply cannot ignore?"
Chuck Missler explains. "One of the unexpected aspects of the 20th-century UFO phenomenon is that it has been embraced as a source of religious inspiration by more than 10,000 groups in a movement called the 'New Age.' . . . Although the New Age movement is a loose network of independent organizations, they share a number of common doctrines including: The belief in a central spirit being known as 'the Source' or 'the God of Force' [note shades of Daniel 11:38, which is an obvious reference to the antichrist], the belief in the god within, the divinity of man, the law of rebirth (reincarnation), the belief that Jesus and the Christ consciousness are two separate entities and that the Christ is an office rather than a man." Is this sounding familiar? Read on.
According to Doug Potter, author of the white paper "UFOs, ETs and the New Age: A Christian Perspective" that was presented at the 1997 National Conference on Apologetics, Cults and Other Religions, "Many people, even Christian teenagers, get hooked into the New Age movement as a result of their interest in the possibility of UFOs and ETs." And then he asks this searing question: "What is the Christian response to the New Age and the possibility of alien life?"
So you see, just as Dr. Martin challenged, we, as Christians, simply cannot ignore this subject or scoff at it any longer. Many who have close contact with a UFO or its inhabitants, adopt new and dangerous belief systems. It is another deception of the enemy -- much more, really -- that is drawing souls eternally away from the Truth, Jesus Christ. And the refusal of the church at large to even become acquainted with the valid aspects of this phenomenon means that it's open season for Satan and his minions on thousands of souls that the Body of Christ writes off as quacks and walks away from. These are souls for whom Jesus died.
The Bible admonishes us to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (I Peter 3:15). Might this include being ready to engage in a meaningful, educated discussion with someone who has been deceived by the "prince of the power of the air," who has been taken in by his wiles through a demonic UFO experience?
When the 85 minutes were over, Jan and Gail (our administrative assistant) both sat back in awe, and Jan said, "This movie has everything going for it!" High praise from Jan Markell. I hope you'll check out the movie with an open mind and heart. You'll find believable characters who honestly explore this issue, and some whose lives are eternally changed as a result. It is conservative, non-sensational, and believable. It packs an end-time punch in a cautious way and is a great evangelistic tool.
**If you're still skeptical, then listen to Jan's interview of Rich Christiano from Saturday, July 17, hour one, at "Radio Archives." Also, visit the Spiritual Deception area of our Web site.
Get Acquainted with "Understanding the Times" radio. We have just signed on to the Christian Satellite Network providing a new audience on 400 stations. We air live out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN on AM980, KKMS, and AM1280 "The Patriot." Our programming on those stations is live and simulcast, 9 to 11 a.m. CST on Saturday morning. They replay the program Sunday, 12 to 2 PM and Sunday, 8 to 10 a.m. respectively. You can always "listen live" on those two Web sites. For podcasting info via iTunes, visit this link. Our live, Saturday programming is posted to our Web site at "Radio Achives" Sunday evening. For a change of pace, visit our "To Make You Think" short video category here. NOTE: We continue to maintain the Caring Bridge site for updates on Jan's current medical issues. Checking that link or having Caring Bridge send you updates will take some pressure off of our office staff. As much as we would like to, we cannot reply to every e-mail but each one is read. To unsubscribe, scroll to the very bottom and click "SafeUnsubscribe." |
|
|
| Awaiting His return,
Jan Markell
You may pass on these items or have people sign up on our Web site. We update Headlines twice a day and you can access our radio programming from the last three years on Radio Archives. Also see the Web site for other options to catch to program, "Understanding the Times."
Please report e-mail address changes.
Also, we truly appreciate those who remember us prayerfully and financially. Donate on our Web site (gifts are tax-deductible with receipts sent out in January).
|
Olive Tree Ministries, Inc.
Box 1452
Maple Grove, MN 55311
763-493-3010 or 763-210-8291
|
The Christian Satellite Network |
On Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25, we launch "Understanding the Times" radio on the Christian Satellite Network. This allows us to reach 400 new cities. Find all cities listed here.
We air both Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM EST, 2 PM CST, 1 PM MST, and 12 Noon PST.
Please keep this latest radio outreach in prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity to spread the gospel and the truth further than we imagined.
|
|
|
|
Posts
