The Treasure Hunt

VEGETARIANISM PART THREE

March 29, 11:33 am

Finally, I am through with this post, and I must admit that I am glad to be done.

VEGETARIANISM PART THREE

This post, which (in my mind) began as (perhaps) a three-part blog... has become a book. In the past, except upon a rare occasion, I always tried to limit my posts to 2,000 words or under. If it became necessary to write more than that in order to make a point... I added parts two... three... etc. With those numbers in mind, this post could be parts three through ???????.

However, I didn't want to drag this out any longer: because after I publish this particular post I am through talking about this subject online... at least for awhile. I have somewhat of a short attention span and because of that after a little time I start to become bored speaking about the very same thing... over-and-over.

Through the years I have found that if I am passionate about a topic and I (both) believe and enjoy what I am saying, (and can keep myself interested) usually I can hold someone else's interest as well. Dr. Hyles paraphrased another preacher from the past and made this point succinctly. In explaining why people loved to hear him preach: he said, “Every week I set myself on fire... and people come just to watch me burn!”

To this point I have had a lot of emails about what I have thus far written, and believe me when I say, “a lot.” And I have been encouraged to finish this as many have said they keep looking for the next post and it's not up yet... sorry... I have a real life also and have been busy. (lol)

Yet, as I sit here and collect my thoughts in order to type... I find that I am growing a little weary with the subject matter at hand and because I do not want to bore myself, (or you, the reader) after I am done typing this... I am done talking about it. However, for any who might read this post and still need clarification on a point, or still might not agree or not understand something I wrote... of course I will answer any and all emails about this subject. And I know you have my address, because I read all of the emails.

I would also like to say that as I have given statistics in past posts and I will give more in this one about vegetarianism being healthier... even though I quit eating meat back in '94... I should not be included in averages about which lifestyle (meat or non-meat) is better for you? Because of my other poor food choices, I would have been as likely to die from heart-disease or cancer as someone who eats Big Mac's like they are popcorn. Let me explin why.

In the recent past, a typical meal for me would have been: 2 slices of Swiss cheese on rye bread with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. On the side I would usually have a pickle, olives, and I would cut a small wedge of extra sharp cheddar cheese: then I would have found a cheese I like to melt, such as mozzarella and I would use this as a dip... for salt-and-vinegar chips. (salt-and-vinegar!!!) Of course, my drink of choice would be Vernor's soda pop. So, at least until a few weeks ago, my lifestyle in food choices would certainly have skewed any test results for "true" vegetarians who were doing it for healthful reasons. However, a couple of weeks ago Missy approached me about going on a vegan diet and we have been doing that together since then. So, after awhile I will let you know how that goes... and if I feel better because of it?

So, grab a snack and drink (hopefully a healthy one) and sit down and with Bible in hand... read: here goes. Now, before starting... where did I put that gasoline and those matches?

For this post I must admit that I will be going places I never dreamed would be necessary in order to make the point that eating a plant-based diet was (in the past) and still is (today) healthier for humans: I always thought that was a given; evidently though it is not: so, in order to show that to be true I am hoping to prove with Scripture (and in this case medical science also agrees) that there is absolutely no difference between the flesh of a human and the flesh of an animal. Again, I thought that was already understood?

At the very least I thought this truth was already understood by those who believe the Bible, as with the truth expressed about which food choice is healthier, (I already had thought was a given) this point about animal and human “flesh” having no discernible difference in their composition must also be in doubt? At least it is in doubt by those who “preach” on several different websites I have recently been to and have read their stated views on practicing vegetarians. These people “preach” as if eating meat is somehow “proof” that you are saved? That type of “preaching” is blasphemous and ridiculous to the point of really not needing an answer. I can say with no fear of being wrong that most Christians would not even believe the blasphemous websites I have been reading in order to try and be sure I am covering what is falsely being written on the web about the “choice” to eat meat or not.

Maybe, in this post, I can sort through some of the nonsense I have found published on those websites... and with the Bible, statistics, and personal observation prove what I have been writing about this subject... as before, I guess that we'll see.

Also, when I write that we are not any different than animals, of course, I am only meaning in the creative act. Genesis 2:7a: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground...” (FORMED MAN FROM DIRT) This is describing, in part, the act of creating man. Genesis 2:19a: “And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air...” (FORMED ANIMALS FROM DIRT) This is describing, in part, the act of creating animals. Again, we (humans) are far more important than animals, but... all of us were created with the same material: earth... simple dirt. In fact, even what sustains our material bodies are the same, I will prove that later with the Bible, and modern science agrees on this point as well. If you are wondering why I am wanting everyone to understand that our physical bodies have the same properties as a typical barnyard animal... well, you'll just have to wait until I am ready to explain farther into this post: but, it will be an important point that (evidently) needs to be made.

As far as humans being more important than animals, I will let Christ speak to that subject before I continue. Luke 12:6-7: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (...YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS...)

Before starting on the topic at hand I want to say that, so far, no one has emailed me with the correct answer to my mathematics problem I offered at the end of part two. I am confident that there are people reading this who are much better at mathematics than I am and because of that not much work would be involved for a free dinner. I await the correct answer.

I will begin this part by looking at men in the Bible who chose to be vegan, or vegetarian, even though they had permission to kill certain animals and eat them. After that, I will examine verses in the New Testament that at first blush, and to the casual reader, might appear to be something that they are not? Again, we shall see.

Daniel is one of the princely Hebrew children taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar who was the king of Babylon. The story I am going to tell is found in Daniel chapter one. In verse three the king speaks to the master of his eunuchs, Ashpenaz, and had him save alive the young men who were skillful in all wisdom and in whom no blemish was found. His purpose (verses four and five) was to have them stand before and minister to the king. This was to happen at the end of a three-year period. The list of chosen young men included, Daniel, (Belteshazzar) Hananiah, (Shadrach) Mishael, (Meshach) and Azariah (Abed-nego). Of course, the names in parenthesis are the new names that Ashpenaz gave to the four Hebrew children.

Verse number five tells us that the king had appointed a daily ration of his meat to feed the captive children with. This next part is an important point and I will explain it before moving on. We don't know exactly how many Hebrew children were taken into captivity... I would imagine though that it was a large number. We only know that the Bible states that “among these” (verse six) of those taken into captivity were the four children I am going to speak about. So, the king's daily provision of meat was offered to all of the captives: and all of them except for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah chose to eat the meat which was offered. What follows is the point I want to make before moving on: eating meat or not, as it was in Daniel's day and as it is today, is a personal choice.

Daniel 1:8-21: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (9) Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. (10) And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. (11) Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (12) Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. (13) Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. (14) So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. (15) And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. (16) Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. (17) As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (18) Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. (19) And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. (20) And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (21) And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”

Verse eight is the key to the entire book of Daniel, and in fact it sums up his life and service to God.. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Just so there is no doubt about what the four Hebrew children ate: pulse is, “sowing seed... leguminous plants, peas, or beans herbs, or vegetables grown from seeds.” Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were now practicing vegans. Of course we do not know if this was a new choice for them, or if they didn't want to defile themselves (verse 8) with the king's meat because they were already practicing vegans in their own home-land of Judah, before they were taken into captivity, the Bible doesn't say. Either way, now they were definitely vegetarians. I also have no way of knowing if this vegetarian choice was a lifetime commitment or if later in life it changed and one or all of them ate meat? We do know though that at the least it was for a many year period, as it was three years before they could even come into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar.

Also keep in mind that at the end of this ten day test the vegetarians countenances were healthier in appearance than those who had consumed meat. (15) “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.” There are no deleterious health effects from choosing vegan fare!

Of course, this was not just for a period of ten days only: for at the end of the contest Melzar took away all meat from Daniel and his friends and from that point and onward, their only food was pulse, (sowing seed, leguminous plants, peas, or beans herbs or vegetables grown from seeds). Daniel 1:16: “Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.”

Again, read carefully that part: the vegetarians countenances were “fairer and fatter in flesh than all of the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.” However, just because vegetarianism is healthier, I guess (according to some on the web) it also needs to be asked, does it displease God to choose a non-meat diet? Well, let's take a look. An angel appeared to Daniel long after he had chosen a non-meat diet, let's see what happened? Daniel 10:10-11a: “And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved...” (O DANIEL, A MAN GREATLY BELOVED) Evidently Daniel's food choice (vegetarianism) had not displeased God.

In the perfect world, which was the Garden of Eden, man and animals were vegan. When God fed His children in the wilderness... again vegan. Think about this: It has always been that whenever God supplied food for His creation He gave them what is best for their health and well-being, which is vegetarian food. However, whenever man eats and fends for himself he sometimes chooses poorly and eats what is less healthy for him, and in many cases this is meat.

This blog has become so long (in part) because I am trying to answer and cover many of the points that have been brought forth on posts, emails, and (of course) a few of the websites that I have been to for further study. The posts and emails that I have personally received (from those who agree with what I have written and those who disagree with me) have all been well-stated and I could tell that a lot of thought and effort had gone into their writing. And many of them brought up good and valid points that I am hoping to address throughout this blog.

One of the points brought out was how do we know that “Manna” was vegan, or meat- free? I believe that is a fair point and should be answered. I can only say two things for certain about that. The people (children of Israel) who were consuming this food did not recognize it as a meat source: for they were crying out for meat. And, more importantly, God did not recognize it as a meat source either. He didn't tell Moses to explain to them that they had already been eating meat: instead, He said... OKAY, IF THEY WANT MEAT (THEN) I”LL GIVE THEM MEAT... “UNTIL IT COMES OUT AT YOUR NOSTRILS!”

As the Manna from God fell each day from Heaven it was collected by the children of Israel and was their sole food for 40 years. God always chooses what is best when it is He who is choosing. However, because He gave us the ability to exercise freewill, more often than not man chooses badly. (Remember the Garden of Eden?) God planted all of the wonderful trees that were pleasant to the eye and good for food. But, (in that same Garden) God also planted one very bad tree. Why? It is because God always wants us to choose.

Also keep in mind, whenever I say that man chooses poorly I am not only speaking about what we ingest, many other choices in life are made poorly as well. Also, that is the only thing I am trying to do with this blog... offer choices: remember, I'm not now, nor have I ever said that we are not allowed to kill animals and consume their flesh. I am (though) attempting to offer another choice, and ask the question; which choice is better for your health?

It also seems to me from reading some mail I have gotten that a few are troubled by the idea that God would “allow” us to eat, or make any choices (really) that ultimately brings us harm? Beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing until the end of the book of The Revelation.... in fact, almost every single chapter in the Bible, God is doing just that: allowing man to make choices which ultimately leads to happiness, unhappiness, long life or shortens life. Even our eternal destination is a “choice.” Life is all about choice. I am just trying to ask people to choose well and “perhaps” live longer?

Recently, in our kitchen, I tried to replicate the Manna that was fed to God's children by His hand (for a forty year period). Now, I'm quite certain I didn't even come close to doing that, but it was fun and it tasted good. The only descriptions given of God's food was that it was... small, white, round, and it had the taste of coriander seed, honey, and fresh oil. Now, I looked it up to make certain I knew what coriander was and I found that it is in the family Apiaceae. It is also known as Chinese parsley or (particularly in the Americas) cilantro.

When the children of Israel first saw “it” covering the ground they said, “Manna.” Manna actually means, “What is it?” So, in the kitchen I tried to make my own... “what is it food?” I was also looking for the same response as I offered it (individually) to my family. To the which, if they asked the right question I was going to respond with, “Exactly.”

For my experiment I used a small, round, white, rice-cake. I then cut up (into very small pieces) fresh cilantro and I mixed this with honey, and for my oil I used extra virgin olive oil. I very thoroughly mixed this concoction together and then I buttered the rice cake with this and I put it into a 350 degree oven and baked it until the cake was turning a light-brown and the honey was starting to run off of it.

I then began offering small bites to everyone... the first one with the correct response was Hallie. “What is it?”

“Exactly,” I said. She looked at me quizzically as she popped it into her mouth.

I offered it to my wife, three daughters, and the rest of the grandchildren. Other than Hallie, only Aaron and Ethan also correctly asked, “What is it?” (Both of them chimed in at almost the exact same moment as I reached it out to them.)

“Exactly,” I said. They looked at me with (a) “Grandpa's weird” look as they also began to eat.

Even my feeble attempt at making Manna tasted pretty good: but, I wonder what the real thing must have tasted like? I think it also would have tasted sweet just knowing that this food was literally from the hand of God. Whatever was in it (though) was enough to completely take care of their bodies physical needs.

It is also of the utmost importance to realize that there were a lot of animals in their camp and traveling with them on their journey, and I'll prove that with the following verses. However, even though for many hundreds of years they had been permitted to eat meat... during the time God was feeding them, it was again vegan fare. However, after 40 years the children of Israel began to complain to Moses that they wanted “meat.” They were tired of this diet, even though it was God's choice for them. Of course, we know the outcome: God gave them what they wanted, which was meat; but, at what cost? Let's see what happened.

I will begin with the outcome, then I will go back and with verses tell the story. Numbers 11:33: “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.” Read again: “AND WHILE THE FLESH WAS YET BETWEEN THEIR TEETH, ERE IT WAS CHEWED, THE WRATH OF THE LORD WAS KINDLED AGAINST THE PEOPLE, AND THE LORD SMOTE THEM WITH A VERY GREAT PLAGUE.”

Numbers 11:4: “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?”

The children of Israel also complained about not having other things to eat as well... garlick, leeks, etc. However, God knew their heart and the main thing they were rebelling over (at this time) and that was meat. And we know that God correctly understood their main desire because He could have just as easily provided garlick and leeks as He did the meat, but He didn't. He was going to give them flesh to eat, and lot's of it! Before moving on I would also like to make the comment that God described what they wanted, which was meat... as “lusting.” Again, re-read the above verse: Numbers 11:4.

Numbers 11:4-34: “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou lavest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh that we may eat. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.”

Now I wanted to bring out what I was speaking about before quoting the above verses. That is, they had had permission from God to eat meat for the last several centuries.... and they had “meat on the hoof” traveling with them: yet, God fed them vegan fare for forty years. Verses 21 and 22a: “And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them...” Besides, even if they had not had meat with them and the Red Sea (fish) near them... God could just have easily provided them with “meat” as He finally did when they lusted. Again though, His divine will was always a vegan diet. Those who eat meat do so permissively... and that is fine! Because, HE HAS PERMITTED IT!!!

Now, let's look at another man who chose not to eat meat. And this man, on no lesser an authority than Jesus, was the greatest man who ever lived: John the Baptist. I am not implying, nor do I believe that his choice to not eat meat made him a great man. What I am saying is that his choice to not eat meat... and again... it is a choice, did not hurt him in the eyes of God: nor did it harm his testimony with the world. Matthew 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Mark 1:6: “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;”
Luke 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.”

The reason I quoted that verse is because when I was doing research on this article I actually found there are websites that teach that if anyone chooses to not eat meat, that it is a doctrine of devils. I guess, to the people on those sites God giving permission to eat meat has been perversely twisted into Him giving us a “commandment” to eat meat, which is ridiculous! I should have known that was out there anyway, because the same type of “teachers” (on their web-pages) who are bringing this forth today were also accusing John of the same thing 2,000 years ago. Now, let's look at the Lord's answer to these false accusers.

Luke 7:34-35 “The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.”

Now, read them together, their complaint and His answer and you will see that these false accusers were really just condemning Christ and His followers: because eating meat and drinking wine or choosing to do neither... they were still being accused! Luke 7:33-35: “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.”

Please keep in mind that whether we eat or not: we are to do all to the glory of God. It is a CHOICE! All that I am trying to say... is eating meat the healthiest choice? At this point I must say that unless a person is obtuse, when I am done it will be impossible to deny which diet is healthier and gives the longest average life... eating meat, or being vegetarian?

I hope everyone is also aware that there is coming an extended period of time here on this Earth, 1,000 years to be exact, that both man and animal will again be vegetarian: it is referred to as the millennial kingdom on Earth.

Revelation 20:1-3: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” This is speaking about the 1,000 reign of Christ on the Earth. Now, let's see a description of that time.

Isaiah 11:6-9: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

Isn't that something? When the Earth is “full of the knowledge of the LORD...” there is no violence or killing: neither man or animal, and no flesh is eaten!

The next passage adds a little more light on what it will be like on Earth during that time. This description has often been called the “Peaceable Kingdom,” as it will be like it was supposed to be on Earth during Eden and as it will be in Heaven, no killing! Isaiah 65:20-25: “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.”

Notice that during that time we are (again) going to “plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.” (21) and in verse 25 we will (again) see the “true nature” of even the most ferocious of all meat-eaters: animals such as the leopard, wolf, and lion. They will revert back to the gentle creatures they were in God's perfect Garden: Eden! Isaiah 65:25: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”

Apparently the main difference between me and a lot of other people (and you will know which side you are on after reading about this difference) has to do with the thoughts you already formed after reading the above verses. For some, they think it strange that a wolf would lie down (in peace) with a lamb, and they think it would be a strange sight to see a lion eat straw and grass like a bullock, or a leopard at peace with a calf: whereas, I think it strange that animals are not already at peace with each other and that the lion eats meat instead of grass; because I know that in the beginning that is not what he was created to do!

Sometimes “proof” of which lifestyle is healthier (vegetarian or meat-eating) comes down to what we see around us... but do we believe it?

What follows will be some medical information I am including in order that when I show my “proof” of which is healthier, it will be a little easier to understand. I am writing this to reinforce the Bible record that there is no difference between man and animal. Again, I am only speaking about our physical flesh: i.e., these “coats of skin” we all wear.

I will begin by writing about Dr. Joseph P. Vacanti and a particular lab mouse. Vacanti is the chief of pediatric surgery at Mass. General Hospital for Children in Boston. (This doctor has been taking cells from the bodies of humans, in this case cells from a human's ear and he grafts them onto the back of a mouse. And it grows perfectly well. The idea behind it is to be able to grow damaged human body parts on a host animal and then severing the new growth, ear, etc. and attaching it to a human being who has had that same part damaged.) This is one of his quotes about this experiment: “Ideally, it would be indistinguishable from a normal ear. We actually used human cartilage cells in a human ear shape, and then planted that on the back of this mouse. The human cartilage cells grew into a human ear.” Within a year he plans to regrow an ear on a human in a similar way. “We can give somebody back their own face that's been either ravaged by cancer or destroyed by a terrible accident or injured by war.” (If anyone cares to see this for themselves, that is a small mouse with a perfectly formed human ear growing out of its back: there are many news story videos on the web.)

Now, the above story shows human cells being grafted onto a mouse, now, let's see the reverse: animal parts being used on human beings.

Evidently, pigs are huge helpers when it comes to healing. “Believe it or not, their genetic makeup is pretty close to humans,” said Dr. Samer Mattar. Surgeons use material made from the pig's small intestines to repair torn muscles caused by hernias. Pig powder is regrowing severed fingers at the University of Pittsburgh. “The simplest applications involve just being able to spread a powder or a particular form of the powder on the wound site so it can affect the wound healing process,” said Dr. Steve Badylak. (Again, many videos of this are available on the web.)

Transplantations between two different species, such as pigs and humans, are known as xenotransplantation. Pig skin and pig valves have for many years been used in human transplants. The procedure is relatively common regarding the transfer of nonvital organs. Scientists have used xenografts from pigs to shore up rotator cuffs and replace defective heart valves. Through the use of non-live tissue, doctors don't have to worry about rejection or infection. Basically, the human body simply absorbs the pig tissue and your heart or shoulder is almost as good as new, doctors say.

After he broke 41 bones, including his rotator cuff, in a boating accident, Thomas Archibald said his shoulder could fall out of its socket when he was only sitting. Dr. John Itamura, an orthopedic surgeon at USC repaired the rotator cuff using what is commonly known as the “pig patch.”

And of course, who could ever forget “Baby Fae?” If you were alive in 1984 (I was at HBC) the two biggest stories during that fall were Ronald Reagan being re-elected and Fae Beauclair having her failing heart replaced with the healthy heart from a baboon. Of course, hers was not the first full organ to be transplanted from an animal into a human being: it was just that hers got the most publicity and she lived 21 days before her body finally rejected the baboon's heart and she died.

Keep in mind that this type of rejection is also common whenever it is human-to-human transplants as well. Where I work there is an older man who works in tools and late last fall he had a kidney transplant. Several weeks ago he told me that he has to take seven pills every single day for the rest of his life in order to keep his body from rejecting the donor kidney. Five of the pills he takes are for rejection, and two of the pills are to offset the bad effects from the first five pills: no kidding. As an aside: he also said that the cost for these seven pills that he takes daily are more than three-thousand dollars each month.

Of course, the first reason I am telling you this (animal parts being commonly used on humans) is to show that we (humans and animals) have the same common ancestor... dirt! The second reason I am telling you this is because some were unmoved after reading part two of my blog where I stated that there are more than three-dozen countries on Earth where their people outlive, (by many years) Americans. I further stated that the main reason for this is that countries where they have very long life expectancies are vegetarian, or very nearly so. In all cases though, very little meat is consumed by all of the people in those nations. (Presently, America ranks 38th in life expectancy and third in total meat consumption: and first in per-person meat consumption. Are you beginning to see a correlation? Can anyone say: heart disease and cancer??

So, I thought of another way to try and prove my point. Keep in mind that God makes no distinction in the creative process between man and animal. Modern medical science also makes no difference in that they frequently use animal parts in human beings. Most of the time it is tissue, tendons, valves, and animal parts like those. However, they have made complete organ transplants from animals to humans. In other words, physiologically we are very much like animals. With that thought in mind, please read carefully what follows: please try this next test on your own.

Go to your local zoo and find every animal the zoo has on display that are from the same continent. Pick your continent, it doesn't matter, what I write now holds true for all of them. The reason I want you to keep animals grouped like that is so that (in nature) all of them would be living in the same test area. Therefore, they are all exposed to the same weather: heat, cold, wind, rain, etc. They are also all exposed to the same parasites, bacteria, and are drinking from the same waters. In this way no animal has an advantage or disadvantage over another one... except in their choice of foods.

Now, find out what every single animal in your test group eats: separate the vegans and vegetarians (non meat-eaters) from all of the animals who consume meat. Now, just check life-expectancy for every single animal both in the wild and in captivity. Do you know what you will find... and this will be found WITHOUT EXCEPTION: animals who eat a plant-based diet will outlive their meat-eating counterparts... EVERY SINGLE TIME! And it's not even close, sometimes the discrepancies in life expectancies range from to 2x to 3x longer for non meat-eaters compared to those animals who eat meat.

I'll give you a few examples: but, feel free to look these up and prove it to yourself. Lion, meat-eater... 15-18 years in the wild, and up to 30 years in captivity. Tiger, meat-eater... 12-15 years in the wild, and up to 18 years in captivity. Wolf, meat-eater... 6-10 years in the wild, and up to 15 years in captivity. Leopard, meat-eater... 10-12 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.

Gorilla, vegan... 35 years in the wild, and up to 50 years in captivity. Horse, vegetarian... 40 years. Camel, vegetarian... 50 years. African elephant, vegetarian... 60 years in the wild, and up to 80 years in captivity. Rhinoceros, vegetarian... 30 years in the wild, and up to 45 years in captivity. Hippopotamus, vegetarian... 40 years in the wild, and up to 50 years in captivity. Look, I could go continent-by- continent and animal-by-animal and show this same truth. Vegan and vegetarian animals outlive animals who eat meat!

Their bodies, according to God and science are just like ours. That is why I wanted to show those facts. If anyone does not want to believe the statistics which prove that humans who are vegetarian outlive those who eat meat, then perhaps you will understand it best because of the animal kingdom.

Let me present it like this... let's reverse it. Let us pretend that government statistics all over the world would state that people who ate the most meat lived the longest lives. Let's further pretend that these same statistics showed that people who ate the most fruit and vegetables had the most heart disease and died earlier than their meat-eating counterparts. Wouldn't you find it somewhat incredible if those who ate fruits and vegetables tried to deny or disbelieve those facts? Wouldn't you further find it incredible that those who ate fruit and vegetables and died the earliest would try to say that their diet played no part in their shorter lives? Wouldn't you want to remind them that, “we are what we eat.” Let's pretend something else.

What if all of the longest-lived animals on Earth were meat-eaters? What if all of the biggest animals on Earth were meat-eaters? What if all of the strongest animals on Earth were meat-eaters? What if seven of the ten animals on Earth with the highest tested intelligence levels were meat-eaters?

But, here is the problem for meat-eaters: at least it's a problem whenever we stop playing with certain facts and “pretending.” All around the world, people who live the longest lives on planet Earth are either vegan, vegetarian, or they eat very little meat.

The longest-lived animals on Earth are vegan or vegetarian. The largest animals on Earth are vegan or vegetarian. The strongest animals on Earth are vegan or vegetarian. And, of the top ten animals that have been tested with the highest intelligence levels... seven of them are either vegan or vegetarian. Now, those are the facts. Wouldn't any person (with that much information and who is rational and thinks in a logical manner) just have to believe that diet is playing a part in all of this? WE ARE WHAT WE EAT!

Let's recap. First: From creation until (approximately) 1,700 years later... all of God's creation were vegan. Secondly: 797 years after God gave His children permission to eat meat... He again feeds them His choice for food... in this case it is called “Manna” from Heaven. (This is a non-meat food!) Abraham was born 292 years after the Great Flood and Moses was born 425 years after that, and he led the children of Israel into the wilderness after he had turned 80. So, 292 + 425 + 80 = 797. (I wrote that last part just so you would see how I arrived at the 797 figure.) Thirdly: Four Hebrew children, including Daniel, are practicing vegans and their countenances are “fairer and fatter” than those who chose to eat meat. Fourth: The greatest man, apart from Jesus, who ever lived... John the Baptist, chose to not eat meat. Fifth: Right here on Earth, and during the millennial reign of Christ, ALL OF GOD'S CREATION WILL AGAIN BE VEGETARIANS!

In part two of this post on vegetarianism I looked at Acts chapter ten and I explained that it had almost nothing to do with eating meat. It was an allegory explaining to Peter that what God had cleansed (Gentiles) were no longer to be considered unclean by faithful Jews. Gentiles were now to have the Gospel of Christ preached to them as well. Many times Scripture can be lifted or read out of context and it will appear as if it is teaching about one subject, when it is really shedding light on another subject or problem. Let's see if this is what was happening in what I am writing about next.

Let's look at some more New Testament verses. I Timothy 4:1-4: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”

Before explaining the above verses I would like to say something about PETA. I believe that most of what is stated is nonsense and somewhat crazy. However, I have never even heard them approach to the error that is being taught in the above verses. Make sure that you are not misreading a particular conjunction in verse three: … ”Forbidding to marry, AND commanding to abstain from meats...” Keep in mind that word is AND, not OR! This is not speaking against an individual or group that is teaching that practicing vegetarians are healthier... this is speaking against an individual or group that has created not one, but two false doctrines... AND... is preaching them as a Gospel doctrine. “...Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats...”

I think that whoever was preaching this false doctrine in Paul's day were harbingers of a very large religious group today. What religious group instantly comes to mind whenever you hear about people who are forbidden to marry and told to abstain from meat? Can everyone say, “celibate priests and fish on Friday?” I too believe that the Roman Catholic Church is teaching a “doctrine of devils.” But, trust me, telling people that eating a plant-based diet is healthier for our physical bodies has absolutely nothing to do with I Timothy 4:1-4.

In fact, other than the Bible and the verses found in I Timothy (and) apart from the catholic church, I have never heard anyone else who is teaching this particular false doctrine: i.e., “forbidding to marry and not to consume meat.” In addition, for myself I have always said that a person who eats meat has done so with the permission of God. Just to be sure of this fact I went back and re-read posts one and two... ugh... it was hard enough writing them, but it was a chore to have to read them over. However, I found (that) three separate times in the first post I stated the truth that God has given permission for man to consume meat. In part two, and quite by accident because I had no intention of making certain I stated this truth a particular number of times, I happened to say (exactly) three more times that man is allowed to eat meat. And, to the best of my knowledge I have never said that man should not marry... and that is saying a lot as yesterday was our 36th. wedding anniversary. Just now though, as I'm thinking back on all of those years... I would like to reconsider and say that maybe it would be a good thing if man did not mar... no, I guess I won't go there. (lol)

Remember: it is important to keep in mind that whether you eat meat or not... in the eyes of God, it makes no difference whatsoever. I Corinthians 8:8: “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.” Therefore, I say it is okay to eat all of the meat you want, or eat none at all,,, neither of those things are what commends, or makes us acceptable to God!

Romans 14:2: “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.” If all you do is read this verse, with no context, it could appear two different ways: a meat-eater is stronger: (physically) or (perhaps) more spiritual. Of course, when taken in context it means neither. I'll explain shortly. First though, let me show you why we are taught that in order to have proper understanding of Scripture we are to have verse-by-verse comparisons. That is what Isaiah 28:10 states. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Notice that the above is not a misprint... “precept upon precept, precept upon precept” ... “line upon line, line upon line” ... that is how the Bible is to be studied. And don't forget, “here a little, and there a little.” Make sure that you are comparing one revealed teaching to be sure it lines up with other revealed truth. If it doesn't, it isn't the Bible that is in error... it is your understanding of what you have read. I'll give you just one example to show how that lifting verses out of context can lead to bad theology.

Would everyone agree that the Bible teaches that wine and strong drink are mockers and can be a stumblingblock and an enemy of man? Would everyone also agree that we are to love our enemies? Therefore, it “must be” correct theology that we are to love wine and strong drink? Hey, now that I think about it... sounds right to me. (lol)

Now, (hopefully with Bible in hand, as I asked you to do before beginning to read this post) read Roman's chapter 14 in its entirety, then compare it to the teachings found in I Corinthians chapter eight, where people were eating and drinking such things as had been offered to idols. Now, some did not understand their Christian liberty and because of that they were (in fact) able to do this if they wanted to do it? However, because they did not have this understanding... they were offended in their spirit as they saw other believers doing those things. Now, read (hopefully with new eyes and a better understanding) Romans 14:1-3: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”

Now read Romans 14:13-23: “ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

Now, let's look at I Corinthians 8:4-13: “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

Keep in mind that Paul (by the Holy Ghost) was the writer of both of these epistles and one of them was to the church at Rome and one of them was to the church at Corinth. He certainly wasn't implying or teaching that if you are weak in the faith that you would only eat herbs. If that were true, why did he finish with, “...if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” So, Paul would have, in essence, become one of those “herb eaters.” No, what he was stating and the correct teaching is this: Many of the early converts carried a lot of their heathen practices over into their new Christian walk. And before you are too hard on them... how many worldly practices do you still incorporate into your daily Christian walk?

Some of these early believers were still having fellowship with those who were making drink and food offerings to idols... who were no gods: then, they would eat or drink the food that had been offered on some false altar. But, Paul knew and taught about Christian liberty and these false gods actually meant nothing... offer food and drink to them, or not... it made no difference. Read again, the above verses. There is one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ... “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled...”

He goes on to say, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”

Again, just like the other verses we have spoken about. When they are actually studied, they have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not eating meat is healthier for a human body. In this case these verses are only teaching that some early Christians still thought that pagan images had power and food and drinks which had been offered to these icons were now somehow made “unclean.” Paul was simply saying, “So what?” These blind, deaf, and dumb idols are only gods, not God. However, some people didn't have enough faith to understand this difference and they were offended in their spirits: and their lack of faith caused them to sin. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

I am not certain if I have answered all of the verses that some who wrote to me asked about or not? I think I have but I never kept the emails nor the posts and I can't be certain. If I have not answered all of them, please email me and I will try to answer what you wrote or asked about as well.

For this next part I am going to give a warning before I ask anyone to read what follows. Here is that warning. If you presently eat meat and are not willing to make a big change in the way that most people in America eat meat today... then do not read what I am going to type in a few minutes: I mean that. I am going to begin this section with a series of asterisks, just like this: ************. After my comments are complete I will do the same thing: that is I will place another series of asterisks ************ when I have finished those thoughts. In this way you will be able to easily see the area that I am requesting you not to read... that is, unless you are willing to change the manner and the way that you consume meat.

The reason for this is that I believe there is a grave difference between sinning willfully or sinning ignorantly against God. Sadly, I must admit that I have done both. When we all stand before Him one day I believe that (as believers) it will be better if most of the time that we offended and sinned against Him it was through ignorance and not willful disobedience.
Before beginning this section I prayed and asked the Lord to block those people who read my blog from reading this next part... if they were not willing to change, that is even if they learned an important truth. Remember, all that you have to do in order to skip this next part is to scroll down until you come to the second set of asterisks. However, if you think that you might want to read what follows all that I ask you to do is to first pray and ask for understanding. Then, be certain that you are willing to make a change, that is, if a change is required? Ready?






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When I stated that there is no difference between a man and an animal in the act of creation, I was only meaning that physiologically there is no difference... a lump of clay is a lump of clay: whether that lump was used to create a man or an animal. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) “AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” Now, physiologically there is no difference between the bodies of the beasts of the field and the body of man: however, the above verse states the key difference. Humans have that “God breathed life.” We are living souls housed in these bodies of clay. Now, that is the difference between us and the animals... our souls, I wanted to be certain everyone understood that very important difference before I continued. However, that set apart, both our flesh as humans and what animates the flesh of animals are exactly the same. In a minute, I will explain why that is so important.

I thought the best way to explain this was by giving you something to imagine. For the more squeamish in my reading audience it will not be pleasant thoughts that I am asking you to envision. I want you to imagine a man and his pet dog. He is searching for the mystery of life... literally. So, he hires a team of talented surgeons and he gives them only one order. “Remove every part from my body, and every part from the body of my dog that is not absolutely necessary to sustain life.” He wants to find out where his “life” is found.

They start small: fingers, toes, ears, and nose, paws... and a little bit more. “I'm still here,” he says. The dog barks mournfully: they become more aggressive: hands and feet, arms and legs, tail and scalp. “I'm still here,” he says. Now the doctors are getting a little miffed at his smug tone: tongues and eyes, tonsils and voice box, appendix, kidney, spleens, ribs and lung... on and on they go... operating madly. Now, when they are done all that is left on the two tables are very small amounts of living flesh. Both man and dog are blind, deaf, dumb, and can't communicate in any way... yet, they are very much alive: breathing on their own and with the leads hooked to their heads the doctors know that both have full and active brain activity. Now, admittedly, if the doctors kept “hacking” away... eventually they would “find them” and they would die. But, I know an easier way if someone really wants to know what gives everything on Earth its “life.” ... just look in the Bible.

You see, “life” is not found in any of our appendages, or our organs... all “life” is in the blood! And God commanded, in both Testaments, that we are not permitted to eat the “life” with the “flesh.” Deuteronomy 12:16: “Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.” Keep in mind that the very first verse given, after God permitted man (Genesis 9:3) to eat the flesh of animals was Genesis 9:4. “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.”

Leviticus 3:17: “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.”

Leviticus 7:26: “Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.”

Leviticus 17:10-16: “And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.”

Deuteronomy 12:16: “Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.”

Deuteronomy 12:23: “Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.”

I could go on for a very long time recording verses that prohibit eating the “life” of an animal, which is the blood of the animal. God has given permission to eat the flesh because there is no animation there. The flesh became animated when the blood was supplied.

Read an account in I Samuel 14 about a group of men who were famished and what they did. Keep in mind that they were starving, yet, it was still sin for them to eat the flesh which was mingled with the blood. I Samuel 14:31-34: “And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.”

(I want everyone who chose to read this part of my blog to (please) read this story in its entirety. Then, I'll draw out a few verses to discuss.) Acts 15:1-35: “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”

As I begin to discuss a few verses keep in mind an important truth: there are many practices in the Old Testament that we, as New Testament believers do not need to follow. There is a sundry list: I will name just a few. Today, we can wear clothes on our bodies that are made with mixed cloth. We do not need to practice circumcision. We do not have to keep the Sabbath Day. There are dozens of things like that, which we no longer honor. Why?

The reason we do not practice these things is that they are not brought forth into the New Testament. I'll give you a test to try with your own pastor. After reading this blog, go to your preacher and ask him this question. How do we know (for sure) that circumcision and keeping the Sabbath are not for us in this age? I GUARANTEE THE FOLLOWING. First: he will name several other things from the Old Testament that people are no longer, in our age of grace, required to keep or practice. Then, he will say, “If it is not brought forward into the New Testament from the Old Testament, then, it no longer applies to us today.”

If you try this test it is vital that you do not say ahead of time what verse it is that you are actually wondering about? Because, (though it a sad commentary) if he knows before-hand what you are looking for... he will begin to waffle before he ever begins. I have seen it happen many times in my life. Everyone seems to be dogmatic about what they believe... that is until what they practice in their daily lives or walk with God might have to change if they accept certain revealed truth.

If it were possible to combine the speed and skill of Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps and give it to a single person... in at least one discipline... there are many preachers out there who could beat even this super-human guy that I am (for this blog) naming... “Spitzphelps.” The discipline I am referring... the backstroke! Faster than the eye can see... they will begin to backpedal.

I have also found that whenever preachers start to waffle, or begin to lie,,, they develop what I like to think of as their “radio voice.” Whenever I have debated with men like this in the past... and after I have properly set them up... universally I see what I have come to recognize as their “tell.” Though I no longer play, I know from personal experience that in a card game being able to recognize a player's “tell” was the difference between winning and losing. Because, in essence, no one is really playing against the cards, you are playing against people. Here is the waffling preacher's “tell.” Now, you (the reader) will have my “secret” and the main reason as to why I was somewhat successful in live debates. Imagine that your preacher, in his normal voice, has a voice-range that falls between Mickey Mouse and Mike Tyson: he is perhaps castrado?

Now, after setting a waffler up with an honest question, listen to his voice begin to fall in octaves as he struggles to answer your follow-up question. Perhaps another honest question like this: “Okay, if Old Testament teaching brought forward is how we know what ought to be practiced by the church today, why do we no longer practice Acts 15:19-20?”

As their voice deepens, so too do the big words begin to fall out of their mouths. “Well, um... you see... when a person, skilled in understanding Scripture, such as myself, will properly exegete ( Exegete is a word they learned in a liberal seminary and they hope that you don't know what it means.) a verse like the one you mentioned... it doesn't really mean what it says.” (Sort of strange how that works, isn't it? It is only the verses they do not want to live by that seems to be the very ones which do not actually mean what they say.) (lol) He continues, “You see, (he is now tenor, and racing toward baritone) in the original Greek (which no man living has ever seen) it actually means such-and-such. Besides, (he finishes with) in the Masoretic text in Hebrew (a language he does not read, speak, nor understand) it really means “this.” By this time he is lower than bass. In fact, just before he finishes if you close your eyes you will swear that you are listening to James Earl Jones... your waffling preacher is now in his full-flung glory... he is using his “radio voice!” Remember this truth... the bigger the lie he is telling, the deeper his voice will have become.

Now, if your pastor answers like I assure you they will, (things not brought forward we do not have to honor) then he will be correct. But, the reverse of that is also true. Whatever things are brought forward and re-taught as doctrine... WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HONOR!

If they would cut through the baloney and ever decide to be honest, then they would say, (and in their normal voice, if they started out sounding like Mickey, they would finish sounding like Mickey) “The Bible means what it says. However, because I am a sinner living in this body of flesh... I do not always obey God. I wish it were different, but I am weak and I hate this body of sin. One day though, I will have a glorious new body and never sin against God again.” Now, that I could respect, but to accept what you like from the Bible and reject what you don't like is totally unacceptable to both God and man!

Now, let's look at the above verses found in Acts chapter 15. The new Gentile converts (that wild olive tree that had been graffed into the good olive tree by God – Romans 11:17) had been doing many things that were offensive to the Jewish believers. Much of what they were doing had been forbidden in the Old Testament and had never practiced by the Jews. Example: eating meats and drinks that had been offered to idols and not being circumcised. These practices, along with other things, were causing great angst for the early church leaders. Now, this is very important to know. ALL of the writers of our New Testament Bible, along with ALL of the church leaders came together to talk and pray about these things.

(At this time, if you did not have this understanding before, please re-read Acts 15:1-35.) At the “end of the day” and after much prayer and by authority of the Holy Ghost... these leaders gave a charge as to the only “burdens” that needed to be laid upon the church in the New Testament age: i.e., Gentile believers; (Just so that you will know... that is us... non-Jews were the Gentiles) “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Now, that statement is found in verses 19-20.)

Now, found in verses 22-32 you will see that they were ready to send their message to the Gentile believers. Notice by whose hand this message was carried to the Gentiles... Paul: the writer of half of our New Testament Bible. Now, the message: “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.”

So, if you believe the Bible, and if you do not then you have wasted your time in reading this, you would have to admit that these practices have now been re-established in the New Testament church age... THEY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD!!!

I suppose all that remains is to make certain that we know what is meant by, “...meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication...” in order to do that we need to look backward to the Old Testament. I hope that everyone already understands that almost 100% of the New Testament is quoting or re-quoting verses from the Old Testament: both Testaments “prove” each other. (The one by looking ahead, and the other by looking backward.)

If you are really interested in knowing the truth, what I propose next should not be a chore, especially since I have already given a sundry list of verses. But, look these up for yourselves. Find in the Old Testament occasions where meat and drink were offered to pagan gods. Find the many prohibitions against eating blood... the “life” of an animal. Find out why God did not want them to eat things that are “strangled.” (I'll give you a hint on that one... it has to do with mingling the meat with the blood.) And the longest list... find the many warnings against “fornication.”

Here is another simple test you can try. Turn in your own KJV Bible and read the verses in Acts that I have spoken about. Then, look at the subject reference that is found in all study Bibles. Example: usually I carry a Scofield reference Bible to church. I don't agree with all of his findings, but I have found him to be very thorough and on most points I agree with him. (I only wrote that so you would know that I am not holding up all of his positions simply because I carry a Bible that he footnoted.)

Read Acts 15:29 and see what list of things Gentile believers were warned to stay away from... as practicing Jews already stayed away from. Now, check where the reference sections refers you to for further study? Please, don't take my word for this... do it in your own Bibles. When you read that you are to keep yourself “...from blood, and from things strangled...” see if one of the reference verses that you are referred to is Genesis 9:4? Why is that so? It is because after God gave man permission to eat the flesh of animals... He also disallowed them from eating the “life” (blood) of animals. Genesis 9:4: “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.”

Remember my illustration of a person wanting to find out where their “life” comes from? It is always and forevermore the blood. An adult male (depending on body weight) has about 5 quarts of blood coursing through their veins. Open an artery and lose no more than two of that five and quite possibly you will have your answer as to where God established life (both) for man and animal. Lose three of your five quartz... and you will DEFINITELY KNOW the answer to the question!

If you have read this... at your own peril you will continue eating your meat mingled with blood. If you are already born-again I do not mean “peril” in the sense of loss of salvation... if you are saved, that would be impossible with God to lose what He has paid for and what He has gifted to believers. But I do believe you would be at peril in the following way. You cannot (as a believer) continue in known and un-confessed sin and still live a long life. Verses such as I Corinthians 11:30 let us know that God can take people home earlier than what ought to have been.

Today, all processed meat such as hot dogs and other foods have ground up internal organs in them that would have been full of blood. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, that is still forbidden to eat it that way. So, if you are going to eat meat... do it... and thank God for it... but do it the right way. Buy meats that have been prepared kosher. In this way you are not eating “the life of an animal with the flesh of an animal.”

I am very certain that since '94 I too have been guilty of this, even though I eat no meat. I try to be careful in what I have eaten in the past. However, even in certain cheeses there are products that are used in the binding process. Many times this is animal rennet that has been used to produce casein, and rennet is (of course) a product used from the stomach lining of certain animals... cow, sheep, etc. So, I too have most probably been guilty. However, I freely admit that I am a saved but sinning sinner. I don't like it... but I do it!

My hope is that in all things, everyone who reads this chooses well and lives long lives!





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I will finish this up with another reason why it would be best to not consume meat... at least meat with all of the chemicals that are processed into the meat in order to give it a longer “shelf life.” These chemicals are very harmful to the human body. Let me illustrate that truth with cigarettes and tobacco use.

I hope everyone who reads this has the understanding that smoking cigarettes is harmful to the human body. I also hope everyone also knows that nowhere in the Bible is the use or non-use of tobacco even mentioned. Not unless you believe in Genesis 24:64 when it says... “And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel...” that those last four words (lighted off the camel) were her taking a smoke-break: other than that “possibility,” (lol) tobacco is, of course, not mentioned in Scripture.

Even though tobacco is not mentioned in the Bible: preachers are correct to decry its use. It is because doctors correctly state that they know its use is linked to heart disease and certain cancers. Before I explain something important about this post and tie these two behaviors together, ingesting something that is harmful or smoking something that is harmful... let me make the following observation. “It is always easy to justify certain behavior we allow in our own lives while we condemn the same type of behavior in someone else's life.” Do you know who said that? Me of course... I just now wrote it, but it is so good that I will say it again. “It is always easy to justify certain behavior we allow in our own lives while we condemn the same type of behavior in someone else's life.”

Can you honestly say that there is any difference between ingesting something, or smoking something: if, in the end, they are both found to be harmful? What I also find odd is that there are people who will accept the authority and knowledge from doctors whenever they report that studies show that people who smoke will get and die from certain diseases that non-smokers usually do not get and therefore do not die from. Yet, these same doctors will state that people who eat a lot of meat will get and die from certain cancers (prostate/colon, etc.) that those who eat little or no meat will not get and therefore do not die from.

In the first case people will say, “amen” to the doctors reports against cigarettes. In the second case people will say, “no way” and disbelieve these same doctors when they say to lay all of that red-meat aside and do not eat it. Do you suppose that it has to do with what I wrote above. “It is always easy to justify certain behavior we allow in our own lives while we condemn the same type of behavior in someone else's life.”

Is it possible that some have the same addiction to meat that another has to cigarettes? And, if you do not believe that we can do anything to prolong our lives, such as eating better or by not smoking: then, the opposite has to also be true: neither can we do anything that would shorten our lives. So, I guess, for some, correct theology must be: Luke 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.” For those who believe this way... just don't read verse 20... you probably won't like the outcome.

Apart from cigarettes being unhealthy... isn't there one other reason that preachers always give as to why they should not be used... "poor use of God's money." So, does anyone reading this believe that it is economical to buy McDonald's food? I mean, all of these restaurants have a several hundred percent mark-up on their foods. So, cigarettes are unhealthy and you are wasting the money God has given you. So, a Big Mac is unhealthy and you are wasting the money God has given you. Honestly, I am asking you... isn't it the same thing?

I will leave this post up for awhile and I will wait and see if anyone sends me the answer to the mathematics problem I posed in part two of my post... if none responds to the challenge, I will record the answer in my next post on whatever subject I might find that interests me... it could be anything... except anything that has to do with food. (lol)

You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com

posted by Robin Johnson @ 11:37 AM