Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!SDSUMUS!D2MG
From: D2MG@SDSUMUS (Kurt Evans)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: Symbols - MJM
Message-ID: <13JAN90.22570822.0007.MUSIC@SDSUMUS>
Date: 14 Jan 90 02:53:55 GMT
Sender: Practical Christian Life <CHRISTIA@FINHUTC>
Reply-To: Practical Christian Life <CHRISTIA@FINHUTC>
Lines: 17
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In-Reply-To:  In reply to your message of SAT 13 JAN 1990 16:16:00 CST

Mike M.,

     I pretty much agree with your position on the power of symbols.
In 1 Corinthians 8:4, it says, "An idol is nothing in the world" (also
translated "an idol has no real existence"), which I take to mean that
it is physically powerless unless demons choose to change their behavior
in response to it.  It seems unlikely that they would do so apart from
some kind of human faith being placed in it.

     Many Christians believe the mark of the beast will be one of the
occult symbols such as Nero's Cross (also known as the "peace symbol"),
which society is seduced into accepting.  I think this idea is certainly
plausible, but I also think Christians should keep an open mind about
end-time prophecy.  God will show us clearly what we need to know when
we need to know it.
                                       In Christ,
                                       Kurt