In my last issue I wrote an article on "Satan Clause" which was intended as a satire of Santa while exposing some spiritual truths. My son told me that some people would be offended by it. He was right.

Susan writes, "Your report on "Satan Claus" was way over the top, and totally unacceptable. Everyone, or almost everyone KNOWS the meaning of Christmas, and kids do not "worship" Santa or their christmas lists. I am very sorry if you or the author of the story was "traumatized" when they learned that there was no actual Santa Claus, but for goodness sakes, tone down your hatred of a man that doesn't exist (Well, Saint Nichols did exist, but you wouldn't care about that story)! After all this is the CHRISTmas season, a season to remember that peace and love were born on that day. Anyway, your article was totally insulting and degrading. Goodbye. Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours. May you find peace in the new year that you apparently lacked in this year. "

She totally misunderstood the intention of the article. Interestingly enough, I had more people open that issue than any other issue of Sight Unseen and only 2 unsubscribed.

---------Evil Does Not Exist?-------

As a student of the Holy Bible and a researcher of the occultic world view, I have to visit sites that have views that completely contradict what the scriptures say. If there is anything in the Holy Bible that is not true then none of it is true and we have no purpose. Fortunately, that is not the case. Since most of mankind generally ignores the Word of God, they invent their own philosophies and reasons for living.

After researching Near Death Experiences, I have come to the conclusion that Satan is at work in some of them with the purpose of deceiving mankind. Judge for yourself.

Near Death Dot Com said this about Satan, "The overwhelming consensus in NDE research is that Satan does not exist - at least - not the Satan described literally in the Bible. Nor does evil exist - only mistakes for which we are allowed to make for the purpose of instruction."

If the Bible teaches us that there is a powerful evil force called Satan and if the Bible is truly the word of God, then why should we question his existence? After all, the evidence of evil can be seen everyday on your local news channel. People are being murdered everyday. How can a lone gunman gunning down dozens of students who were just trying to go about their daily routines not be an act of evil? How can 19 religious fanatics hijacking planes and destroying the lives of over 3,000 people who were just working their regular routine not be an act of evil? Those were just mistakes that God allowed? Satan had nothing to do with it?

The scriptures tell us that "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Are people who research the NDE's trying to prove the existence of an afterlife acting out their faith or are they displaying their lack of faith?

It has been said the greatest trick of the devil has been convincing the world he doesn't exist. Trying telling that to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. If the conclusion of Near Death Experience research is that there is no such thing as Satan,who would have anything to gain from that except Satan himself? Remember the Near Death Experience is not death and doesn't prove anything.

What I found at the Near Death Dot Com was a bunch of new age teachings that completely contradict scripture. The concepts of evolution and reincarnation are included in many of the NDE's. Both of these concepts are refuted by the word of God. The issue comes down to who are you going to believe, the word of God or the testimony of a person who claims to have visited the "other side"? Here is a quote from Jayne Smith at this NDE site, "There really is no sin as it is known in the world. The only thing that has any meaning in the spirit world is what we think. The very core of our being is perfect love and light."

If there is no sin in the world, then the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross to atone for our sins is pointless. Now who would want you to believe you don't have a sin problem?

Kevin Williams, who writes much of the material for Near Death Dot Com, believes that of the 1,000's of NDE's he has researched, Satan, if he existed, would have appeared at least once as himself. Since Satan has not made himself known to the near death experience, Kevin has concluded he doesn't exist even though many NDE's have had hellish experiences.

Again, to comes down to who are you going to believe? The word of God speaks of an evil being named Satan who tempted Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days. This same Satan was offering Jesus all the kingdoms of this world if Jesus would only bow down to him. "10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew 4:11 The fact that Satan was offering Jesus the kingdoms of this world shows that Satan currently has dominion over these same kingdoms. Since Satan is a very powerful spirit being, it would be no problem for him to give bogus and fake experiences to those who claim to have had a near death experience.

Why wouldn't Satan reveal himself? Don't you think it is in Satan's best interest to make the world think he is a fairy tale?

Even though I found contradictions to the word of God at this site, one scriptural truth was proclaimed throughout the site: We are own worst enemies when we are acting selfish. That is exactly what scriptures say caused the fall of Lucifer. He became selfish.

Why did Jesus die on the cross? To pay the price for our sins. What is the root cause of sin? Selfishness. The love of money is the root of all evil but the love of money is rooted in selfishness. The current "prosperity" gospel that is taught in so many churches today is errant because it makes God someone you can bargain with for selfish gain and focuses your attention of making your life better on earth instead of getting you prepared for an eternal life with Jesus.

Does Satan exist? Read the following verses and draw your own conclusion.

2 Cor. 2:11 "0 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."

2 Cor. 11:14 "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."

2 Thes. 2:9 "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,"

Rev. 12:9 "The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."

Rev. 20:2 -3 "2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time."

Kevin Williams has concluded that evil doesn't exist and that Satan is fairy tale based on his research with Near Death Experiences. I believe Satan has used the Near Death Experiences to deceive Kevin Williams and many others who subscribe to new age teachings. The question is: Are you going to believe Satan's lies or God's truth?

Copyright 2007 by Gary Goodworth