Previously the domain of Sailors, Bikers, and Criminals, Tattoos are the latest ‘must have flesh fashion’, and the current obsession with the egocentric 'me generation'. No longer taboo, Tattoos have become the ultimate form of self expression, especially among the young.
A church in Houston Texas, called Ecclesia Church, was the subject of a recent editorial in a Dallas, Texas newspaper.
The 'called out ones', call themselves an Holistic Christian Missional Church.The pastor Chris Seay thought it was a good idea to invite some of his congregation to get Tattoos in the Stations of the Cross, a celebration of Lent and Easter. He was looking for 10 candidates, and received over 50 members of the congregation nominating themselves.
If that's not bad enough, not one tattoo produced on the young parishioner's skins was anything representing the Roman Catholic Holy week. One tattoo was a Hamsa Hindu hand, the pastor's, a coffin at the bottom of a tree, and another young person's, a cross inside a skull. This is the Mother of Harlots spoken of in Revelation, corrupting the Church, leaving its first love, and giving into Heathen practices (Rev 17:5).
When asked how he and his fellow parishioners reconcile verses in Leviticus 19 with their art exhibit, Seay explained that the context of the verse is important, noting that verse 27 states that a man should not cut the hair on the sides of his head or the edge of his beard.
"The problem was not with tattoos, but with the fact that getting a tattoo or cutting your hair/beard was a symbol that identified you with the worship of pagan gods," said Seay.
"Tattoos do not carry any of that meaning in our culture and that is why we go to the barber shop and some choose to express their story with art on their skin."
"There are definitely some Old Testament passages that have something to say about (tattooing), but we don't think they have weight in this contemporary circumstance,” said Seay, a Christian author, Baylor University graduate and third-generation pastor. “If we thought the Scriptures were prohibiting it, we wouldn't be doing it.”
"Pastor" Seay gives us his view, that for him these verses in Leviticus carry no weight, Tattoos and the style of haircut we have, are not an issue. Craig Groeschel, who pastors LifeChurch.tv (also known as Life Covenant Church), is an American evangelical muti-site church with fourteen locations in five states in the US, who has a strong affiliation with Hillsong Church in Australia, suggests a similar thing.
Groeschel, Pastor of Life Covenant Church, did market research of non-churchgoers, and designed his church based on their response.
Groeschel advises “...that we shouldn't follow the practices of the Heathen, but Tattoos can be a witness, and it's a personal choice, and you need to be comfortable with your decision"
The argument seems to be that if the biblical advice is so long ago, and the instruction is out of step with current thinking, then we can assume it doesn't apply to us.
Although I've written about the music of Hillsong, this apostasy and deception concerning Tattoos is one of the most disturbing elements of the current falling away. It is one of the most divisive issues in the Body of Christ today!
Many Christians try to trivialize the issue, by saying these parts of the Old Testament don't apply anymore, without giving due diligence to what's being said. As long as you glorify God with your tattoo, they think it's fine! As we have seen, prominent Christians are doing the exact opposite, and ending up being 'inked' with occult symbols.
....and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel - Judges 1:10.
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes - Judges 17:6.
So much of this culture of tattoos is a resurgence of people's right to choose, one that says, "I'm free to do what I want, when I want". I won't and can’t back down on what I have concluded is the Tattoos' satanic origin. It's more than mere coincidence as less and less Christians know and read their Bibles, and more and more reject God, and His counsel, that these pagan practices are flourishing in our lifetime and within “our churches”.
To say that this trend is nothing more than a fad or fashion is to blur the lines between what is honourable and dishonourable; to fail to distinguish between the “holy” and the “unholy”.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God - Romans 12:1-2.
God declares that it is better to obey, than to sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22).
God commanded Saul to kill the Amalakites, to kill all the people, to destroy all cattle, and other livestock; But he kept some back, because the people saw value in the booty.
Modern Christians in the same way try to redeem things! For example if we use Rock Music, we can appeal to the young, and win more of them to Christ. So 'Christian' Casinos can win the gambler and the drunkard can they? The idea is absurd, and will inevitably bring God's judgement!
Some things, God doesn't want us to redeem, He doesn't want it 'Christianised'. He simply wants it put it to death!
It doesn't matter if it's a Tattoo of a cross, a scripture, or praying hands, God’s Word condemns it!
The Church's wayward and warped understanding of the scripture is an absolute, unmitigated disaster!
The church has taken on a 'Theme Park' mentality—I’ll choose whatever ethics I want, whatever scripture verses appeal to me, and if anything restricts this, I reject it. This is the Church of the Babylonian Captivity!
Pagan Piercings
Recently a woman wrote asking why I had not mentioned piercings in my article. This woman, who incidentally chose to get Tattoos as a Christian, thought I was focusing too much on Tattoos.
So should Christians have Tattoos and/or body Piercings?
We are confronted by a revival of the old tribal practices of body scarification, body piercing and body mutilation; nose rings, eyebrow rings, belly rings, tongue studs, multiple earrings, tattoos and other disfigurements– it is all part of an aggressive fashion statement which is challenging the Christian Church.
Some complain and say that most women in our society wear pierced earrings, and they attempt to use this as an excuse for bizarre body piercings.
The Bible forbids such mutilation of the body that God created.
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord - Leviticus 19:28 (see also Lev 21:5).
The present obsession with tattooing is a revival of tribalism. It involves a painful initiation rite, which produces identification with a certain tribe, clan or sub-culture.
Amongst the Nuba tribes in Sudan, multiple earrings, nose rings, body scarification and body painting are prevalent. The Dinka and Nuer tribes in Sudan are easily identifiable by the pattern of scars across their foreheads.
While Westerners rush into new age religions, body piercing and occultism, many in the tribes mentioned in Africa, and elsewhere, are being converted to Christ, and are abandoning the body piercing practices of their pagan past.
Piercings were fairly rare in the West. Then after World War II, it began gathering steam among the gay male subculture. The following testimony of a former Hindu confirms only too well that body piercings and tattoos are a form of witchcraft:
I entered a chat room, and they were discussing about tattoos and [tongue] piercing. One of the believers there was telling them it was wrong for Christians to get a tattoo. Since I was formerly a Hindu, I know tattoo is from Hinduism and also witchcraft. Also, Hindus pierce their tongue with small spears and prick the entire body with little hooks and go into trances. I have witnessed these things personally. [4]
This is one of the arguments thrown up as a reason to excuse or condone tattoos. "If you say Tattoos are wrong, but you wear clothes with mixed yarns then you are being hypocritical."
You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your livestock breed with another kind. You shall not sow your field with mixed seed. Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you - Lev 19:19.
The mixing of these things - different species of livestock, seeds, and fabrics - was usually seen by pagans to be a source of magical power. This verse seems to fit right into our modern time, when genetically modified seeds, cloning and other forms of experimentation may become tools of the coming Anti Christ.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's Commentary on verse 19 in Leviticus make some interesting suggestions:
This prohibition was probably intended to discourage a practice which seemed to infringe upon the economy which God has established in the animal kingdom. This also was directed against an idolatrous practice, namely, that of the ancient Zabians, or fire-worshippers, who sowed different seeds, accompanying the act with magical rites and invocations.
The reason of the prohibition was due to the practice of mingling seeds being injurious both to flowers and to grains.
They write in addition to Leviticus 19:19, Deuteronomy 22:11 informs us that a mixture of wool and linen is forbidden in clothing.
The law did not prohibit the Israelites wearing many different kinds of cloths together, but only the two specified; and the observations and researches of modern science have proved that "wool", when combined with linen, increases its power of passing off the electricity from the body. In hot climates it brings on malignant fevers, and exhausts the strength; and when passing off from the body, it meets with the heated air, inflames, and excoriates like a blister" [WHITLAW]. (See Ezekiel 44:17, 18).
Another helpful source is the great Maimonides, (aka Moses ben-Maimon). Maimonides was a pre-eminent medieval Jewish philosopher of the 12th Century. In his Guide to the Perplexed, he points out that ancient pagan priests used to wear wool and linen together, because they knew how to make use of it for occult practices, including idol worship and other terrible things.
God detests mixture, which is the very reason Tattoos are forbidden. They are never “Christian” and to try to make them such is to mix Pagan and Christian concepts.
Given all that we have learned so far, how are we to understand these verses in Leviticus?
If we invert God’s commandments as outlined in Leviticus 19 we end up with Witchcraft.
Remember, “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Sam 15:23).
In the above verses (26-32) of Leviticus 19 both Tattoos and Piercings are part of this demonic list! The scriptures clearly teach us regardless of any external source, that both have their origin in paganism. For this reason we cannot just bypass these verses because we consider them outdated.
So what is the main purpose for all these laws?
… the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
and again Leviticus 19:28
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
The phrase "I am the Lord" appears 16 times in chapter 19 alone, and an additional 34 times throughout the book of Leviticus.
This emphasis is to teach us the importance of obedience and worship, God's way. It is frequently used when a law is laid down by God, being an affirmation of His authority over our lives. God is concerned about our sanctification, as an integral part of our salvation, not as an optional extra. We are to be a distinct and unique people, set apart for God.
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I am the Lord your God; and keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctifies you - Leviticus 20:7-8.
You shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that you should be mine - Leviticus 20:26.
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He who has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conduct; because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16.
These “former lusts” include tattoos and piercings!
Scientific breakthroughs seen as beneficial to mankind are usually trumpeted with great fanfare in the media. Recently, for instance, a tiny, high-tech, electronic body monitor resembling a temporary skin tattoo was a top story on news sites worldwide.
This small skin tattoo, the Epidermal Electronic System (EES) consists of circuits which could contain electrodes to measure brain, heart and muscle activity, transmitting data wirelessly.
Back in the 1970s, Dr. Hanrick Eldeman, Chief Analyst of the Common Market Confederacy in Brussels, unveiled a plan to "straighten out world chaos," via a three-story computer complex located in the administrative building of the headquarters of the Common Market, in Brussels, Belgium. The plan projects a computer based system of digital enumeration of each human being on earth. The computer would give each inhabitant of the world a number to be used for each purchase or sale. This number would be invisibly tattooed by laser (or implanted with a microchip) either on the forehead or on the back of the hand, which would establish a foolproof credit card system.
Dr. Eldeman pointed out that by using three entries of six digits each, (in a version of the current Universal Product CodeUPC) every inhabitant of the planet would be given a personal, computerized number.
The Mark – both a passive transponder and an active homing device could keep precise track of everyone in the world at any point in time. The Kingdom of Antichrist is prophesied in the Bible to be the most repressive and the most controlling in world history, using such a homing device implanted under the skin of everyone on earth.
The prophetic Mark of the Beast will simply be a Satanic insert!
A Wired News article recently stated:
Security-Link, a subsidiary of telecommunications giant Ameritech, said the Satellite Monitoring and Remote Tracking system, or SMART, allows corrections officials to watch an offender's every move. It gives prisons and jails ‘the ultimate electronic monitoring solution when they need it most,’ said Security-Link project director Ed Maier.
Now you know why your cellphone is called a SMART phone. The computer chip in future smartphones will give your location down to a few centimetres.
A patent was issued in March, 1999 to Houston, inventor, Thomas W. Heeter. Heeter's patent "abstract" reads:
A method is here presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media. A bar code or a design is tattooed on an individual. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the tattoo is scanned with a scanner... Once verified, the seller may be authorised to debit the buyer's electronic bank account in order to consummate the transaction.
Right now there is a computer chip the size of a grain of rice (6mm long) that can carry all information on any individual and is self-charging. It is charged by the body’s heat, and after planners invested $1.5 million dollars, they found out that the best places to put this chip would be in the right hand or if that is missing or impractical, in the forehead. This chip will be injected in the hand or in the forehead in the same way as a shot. It has a microchip that stores nine items: name and a digital picture, digitized fingerprint data, physical description, your address and previous addresses, family history, present occupation and income, tax information and any money owed, your criminal record if any and your new social security number. There will be 18 digits, your zip code, plus the extra four digits after the dash and your social security number, burned on the chip. These 18 digits will be grouped in three groups of six numbers, (000000 000000 000000), 6+6+6! The "guru" of the "biochip-mark of the beast" teaching is Terry Cook.He writes: "It is my well-researched opinion that the Mark of the Beast, as related in scripture, is absolutely literal. Soon, all people on earth will be coerced into accepting a Mark in their right hand or forehead. I am convinced that it will be an injectable passive RFID transponder with a computer chip — a literal injection with a literal electronic biochip "mark". . . I believe that such an implanted identification mark literally will become Satan's Mark of the Beast, as we will discuss further in this chapter." (Terry Cook, The Mark of the New World Order p. 587) [12]
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six - Revelation 13:17, 18.
These words were written over 2000 years ago, and they validate, beyond question, the Bible's inspiration, accuracy, and inerrancy. They give details of a microcomputer chip implanted under the skin, and/or a three, six-digital unit that can be tattooed precisely as described in the Book of Revelation.
Computer chips are being placed in driver's licenses, passports, and credit cards as part of a new wave of security efforts. How far away is it before the hand or forehead will be the preferred placement?
Please note, Scripture says “the mark” will be received IN the hand or forehead, not ON (Rev, 13:16). Could this be because the Lord knew an insert would be used rather than a simple surface mark?
A website called Technical Jesus describes the purpose of these future advancements:
In the coming years we will be able to apply the full power of technology to spiritual growth and so enter a state of hyper evolution. There will be a safe and rational path to continually diminishing hardship, and eternal life. God's will in this matter is revealing itself in today’s quickening changes imposed by the forces that guide our society; science, technology, spirituality, and even economics. Humanity is about to merge with what is the Technical Singularity and so (shall) transcend this world. It seems the Bible prophecies will come to pass and the "Antichrist" will fully manifest, so be careful which path you choose...
Soon, a wise culture will use technology to apply the full power of love and so enter a state of hyper-evolution. They will enjoy continually diminishing hardship, and eternal spiritual growth.
The claims are that this new technology will lead directly to a tremendous spurt of "spiritual growth" in all of mankind. According to this occult view, the very physical interconnectedness that this technology delivers will increase mankind's "love" for one another. What kind of person is against "love"? Could the ploy for implanting everyone with the chip be an appeal to "LOVE", harmony and peace among all peoples.
The website continues; as an example:
...engineers build a church as a place of worship. They build roads to the church. They design modern modes of transportation for getting to the church. Then it is up to us to get to the church and use it in the spirit of love. This technology is just another church, a place to worship. The kingdom of God is within us all, so these technologies are expanding the environment. Yes there will be challenges, but God is all powerful love...
When all the peoples of the world have the mark (this chip?) in them, they will worship the beast! Before Antichrist and his minions can carry out their intentions most people will have to be convinced that they will by accepting the markreceive great and valuable benefits, including eternal life. Do you recall a similar lie Satan told Eve in the Garden?
"You shall not surely die ... you shall be as gods,..." - Genesis 3:4-5.
The essence of the biblically-prophesied "Mark of the Beast" is worship! Some have struggled to understand this aspect of the mark (chip).
The third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, ... the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name - Revelation 14:9-11 emphasis added
Thus you can see that the prophecy ties the taking of the "Mark of the Beast" with the worship of that Beast.
We are seeing so many End Times prophecies being fulfilled, the emergence of an electronic chip—an incredibly sophisticated insert that can fulfill every requirement of Revelation 13:16-18
This chip being touted at the occult spiritual level as having the capability to "save" all mankind. They will offer eternal life to the world without Jesus Christ.
The prospect is frightening. What person would not be attracted by this glittering promise? Truly, the End of the Age is upon us!
The good news (Gospel) is that the Lord Jesus Christ died as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world! He fulfilled biblical prophecy in that regard and assures us that the offer of eternal life rests in Himself. Those who trust in Him and His salvation receive “the seal of God”—not the mark of the beast cf. Revelation 7:3; 9:4.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.
He was whipped, wounded and scarred. Christ was pierced in His side, and blood flowed out. Christ was pierced in His head with thorns, and blood flowed. Christ the Lord was nailed. His body was pierced. Christ was held up, suspended, hung from a cross to die for you and me.
I have concluded from all my research that Tattoos, Piercings, and other forms of body mutilation are a copy—a corrupt counterfeit and perversion of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus!
And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire - Revelation 20:15.
There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, nor works abomination, or makes a lie: but they who are written in the Lamb's book of life - Revelation 21:27.
Where is your name? In which book does your name appear? Whose name will be in your forehead? We shall appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Will your destiny be eternal life or eternal death? The bible says that all have gone aside, all together become filthy:there is none that does good, no, not one. (see Psalm 14:3)
If we look at some of the Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:3-17
The First Commandment. You shall have no other gods before me. Some people make gods of themselves, of money, of their life's ambitions. Some people go year after year, never giving God a single thought!!
You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless. Have you used God's name or his Son's name as a cuss word?
You shall not kill. Have you had bitterness in your heart against someone?
You shall not commit adultery. Have you lusted in your heart for someone?
Have you coveted your neighbour's house, coveted your neighbour's wife, or anything that is your neighbour's?
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." - James 2:10
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." - 1 John 1:10
"And the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now (He) commands all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man Christ Jesus, whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead". - Acts 17:30-31
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:16-18
Christ paid the penalty of your sin, and mine.
By turning from our sin to faith in Christ, accepting him as Lord (owner of your life), and Saviour He will transfer your name into his Book of life, and save you from death and destruction. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Repent and turn to him today
Lance Goodall
