What the World Needs Now

To borrow a radio news phrase: If you miss a week on the local poker circuit, you can miss a lot.  We were reminded of that today, as the Sunday 2:00 p.m. freeroll has moved to 4:00 p.m. -- a little late for our schedule.

At least we could play in an online tournament.  And we came upon something surprising at National League of Poker, which we simply had to chat about:

Me: 　Hmm - my screen shows an ad
Me: 　"How Jesus Christ can bring you peace"
The ad apparently was placed on NLOP by the Latter-day Saints church.  We don't agree with everything the LDS teachers, but this allowed us to start a conversation -- and it brought a response:

Gou: 　I thought that was Obama
Me: 　Guess not. :-/....
Me: 　Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
No one responded to that - but that's how the Bible describes Him:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Jesus is given several titles here, and a couple of them may seem confusing. But we want to focus on the last one - "Prince of Peace."  The news of the last week was filled with deadly violence around the world.  If ever this world could use a "Prince of Peace," it's now.  And the Bible promises Jesus - but not in the way you might think:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war. - Revelation 19:11 (KJV)

Verse 16 identifies this "Person" as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."  And another part of Revelation makes the identity clear....

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords and King of kings.... - Revelation 17:14 (KJV)

The "Lamb" of God we call Jesus is coming to bring peace -- but did you notice He'll "make war?"  He'll be using language the nations of this world sadly understand too well:

And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations.... - Revelation 19:15 (KJV)

In poker terms, Jesus is going to win the final showdown of this age -- and punish the losers.

One way to be part of God's ultimate peace is to get on the side of the Prince of Peace.  Have you repented of your sin, and turned to Jesus for salvation?
 

Something extra?

We mentioned Thursday night's poker table touched on a wide range of religious topics. At one point, a man brought up the Church of Jesus Christ-Latter Day Saints (known by many as Mormonism).

"This man says he finds a plate with an alphabet only he can read," the man said skeptically. "And that's supposed to be the word of God?"

Many Christian believer would agree with that skepticism. They might quote from the Old Testament to support that view....

See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. - Deuteronomy 12:32

....except that verse refers to rules for worshiping God. It doesn't really address what book is "the holy book." (Remember there was no New Testament at that time, not to mention most of the Old.)

This year marks 400 years since the King James Bible was published. The Book of Mormon was published long after that. Yet if you put the two books side-by-side, you'll discover some chapters are repeated word-for-word. The ones that are not are the ones which makes LDS controversial.

We told the skeptic about our stay at a hotel years ago which had a Book of Mormon in the dresser drawer, alongside a Gideon Bible. One Saturday afternoon we compared the two -- and within one hour, we concluded the Book of Mormon was a "bluff' in poker terms. In other words, it's a work of heresy. Read our online study to find out why we say that. And if you have questions, leave a comment for us to address.