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Every December, millions of people go through the custom of taking evergreen trees from groves and standing them up in their homes, churches and offices, decorating them with all kinds of ornaments to celebrate the Christmas holiday.
But might there be something wrong with this popular tradition?
Now, a best-selling Christian author says God has made it clear in the Bible that He has no liking for this ancient practice, with Scripture indicating it will be put to an end by the Almighty Himself.
"People really need to crack open their Bibles and read the words on the page, because Scripture is filled with God's own comments about decorating green trees, calling it a worthless custom," says Joe Kovacs, author of "Shocked by the Bible 2: Connecting the Dots in Scripture to Reveal the Truth They Don't Want You to Know."
"And, what's even more shocking to some, God says He's going to do away with this ancient heathen practice that millions of Christians have adopted."
The first chapter of "Shocked by the Bible 2" has an in-depth examination of what Holy Scripture says about associating green trees with the worship of the Creator, providing numerous Scriptures expressing God's displeasure with the custom.
"Many are stunned when they find out how many times the Bible mentions 'every green tree' and 'groves,' and how God's own people became mixed up with the detestable practices of pagan, God-hating nations," says Kovacs.
Here's just a small sampling of the Bible verses cited in "Shocked 2":
are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? (Isaiah 57:4-5 KJV)
And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree (2 Kings 17:10 KJV)
He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. (2 Chronicles 28:4 KJV)
Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. (Jeremiah 3:6 KJV)
Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:13 KJV)
Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. (Jeremiah 17:2 KJV)
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. (2 Chronicles 33:3 KJV)
Kovacs points out that in the famous 10th chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, God Himself actually tells people not to copy what the heathens would do with tree decoration: "Do not learn the ways of the nations ... For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter." (Jeremiah 10:2-4 NIV)
"It's quite fascinating that people both today and back in ancient times have this strange habit of doing the exact opposite of what God instructs," Kovacs noted. "God teaches us not to do some specific action such as cutting down trees, making them stand so they don't fall over, and decorating them with silver and gold. And this is the very thing people who claim to be worshiping Him do, all the while claiming to be honoring Him somehow. Clearly, we're living in Opposite World."
And among the most surprising points is the assertion in "Shocked by the Bible 2" that God will stop the popular tradition of tossing tinsel, garland and other ornaments on trees.
"Everyone should revisit the 14th chapter of Isaiah with their spiritual eyes wide open," says Kovacs, "because it focuses on the final outcome for the devil, the enemy of God who is also called Lucifer, the wicked, the oppressor and the king of Babylon in that same chapter."
Kovacs says one passage of Scripture is of particular note, describing the rule of the devil coming to an end, when the entire Earth will be rejoicing and celebrating:
And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. (Isaiah 14:3-8 KJV)
"The final portion of this passage is extremely eye-opening," says Kovacs. "Once the wicked oppressor, better known as Satan the devil, is done for, even the FIR TREES will be rejoicing, because no FELLER, which is a person who cuts down trees, is going to chop them down for Christmas trees any more.
"Go to Google images and look up what a fir tree is. It's your typical Christmas tree.
"Thus, when Satan is personally cut down like the millions of green trees he prompted to be chopped down over thousands of years, then all the remaining fir trees on this planet will in essence be rejoicing, since the devil will no longer be around to inspire people to chop down trees for holiday decoration! This has been in Scripture for thousands of years, and now you're finally seeing it with your own eyes, perhaps even grasping its staggering meaning for the first time at this very second."
This notion of trees singing for joy when Jesus returns to Earth for the time of judgment is repeated elsewhere in Scripture, written in songs by King David:
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD, For He is coming to judge the earth. (1 Chronicles 16:33 NKJV)
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. (Psalm 96:12-13 NKJV)
Within just hours of its official launch, "Shocked by the Bible 2" rocketed to the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on numerous Amazon's best-seller lists, especially in Christian Historical Theology. The top two positions reflect purchases for Kindle and hardcover editions.
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The new book is receiving high praise.
Eric Metaxas, the best-selling author of "Martin Luther" and national talk-show host, says "Shocked by the Bible 2" "reveals fascinating truths in Scripture that are routinely overlooked."
Rabbi Eric Walker, the host of "Revealing the Truth: Headlines, Heartlines, and Biblical Truth" says, "Putting this book on your coffee table is a great way to get a conversation going about God."
Pastor Dan Catlin of "Messiah's Branch Prophecy Hour" says: "So much in the Bible that just passes us by, Joe points out some very, very, important things that will leave many shocked so to speak! The book is riveting and will hold you on the edge of your seat!"
Listen to Joe Kovacs discuss many Bible shockers from "Shocked by the Bible 2" in his interview from Messiah's Branch Prophecy Hour:
Michael Savage, the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author and national radio talk-show host, raves: "'Shocked by the Bible 2' is a must read for every God-fearing, Bible-loving reader. If you believe there is a 'grand design' created by the One True God, this book will become another light along your path."
"I am so excited that people still hunger for God's glorious truth," said Kovacs. "Because there seems to be a famine of understanding among many when it comes to the instructions of God in Scripture. I pray this book will fill readers with God's Holy Spirit so they're filled with the very thing that will provide them everlasting life."
"This new book is definitely more advanced than the first 'Shocked,' because it's time to grow and mature into the person you're meant to be, making the transition from spiritual milk to spiritual meat. There are tons more facts we all need to know. I was even shocked by the Bible while writing this sequel."
"There is an extraordinary purpose to the Word of God, and this book will help you understand that purpose. Now that you know how to read the Bible, accepting it for what it says, this book will connect the dots on a variety of issues that will give you a much greater understanding of what God intends for us. We all need to keep growing spiritually, and if we avoid studying Scripture just because we think we know it already, then we are in danger of stopping our growth process. We need to put what is on the page into practice, letting God's Holy Spirit guide us as we continue to have our personal character perfected."
The book asks:
- Did you ever wonder if you were getting the whole story when it comes to the Bible?
- Might there be some crucial information withheld from you?
- Could the powers that be in major religions actually be broadcasting a false message when it comes to God's glorious truth?
As stunning as it may seem, what's written in Scripture is often the polar opposite of what's taught in many churches. The Bible says the devil deceives the whole world. He has cleverly tricked billions of people, and that includes countless Christians who profess their faith in Jesus.
In this latest work, Kovacs digs much deeper into the Good Book, connecting the dots from hundreds of Scriptures, many of which are rarely, if ever, discussed in public. He cracks the window into the spirit dimension by revealing not just the physical meaning of any given verse, but the spiritual meaning as well. Readers can finally get a clear glimpse into the unseen world where God dwells to understand what has previously been shrouded in mystery and confusion.
Among the issues Kovacs takes head-on in "Shocked by the Bible 2":
- The heart of the gospel has been secretly hidden in a small book that many people think should not even be in the Bible
- There are three words of Jesus that most Christians don't believe
- The intriguing meaning of shaking the dust off your feet
- •Satan's destiny is not what most people think
- •The destiny of unrepentant evildoers is completely different from what most churches teach
- •Some prayers are detestable to God
- •Important Bible themes are secretly embedded inside famous Hollywood productions such as "The Matrix," "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "Star Wars," "The Big Short," "Blade Runner," "Groundhog Day," "The Truman Show" and "The Walking Dead"•
- The Bible explains who creates and allows evil (Hint: It's not the devil)
- •The possible day of Satan's destruction revealed
- •The biblical origin of the fear of the number 13 and perhaps Friday the 13th
- Worshipers of God did unspeakably evil things to their own children
- The world's most famous prostitute was never actually a hooker
- •There is a resurrection no one talks about
- •There is more than one chance for people to repent
- Judgment Day does NOT mean that everyone is thrown into a fire
- The most shocking statement of the Bible is avoided and suppressed by most pastors
- •Believers have an important job to do once Jesus returns
- •Jesus is not the only judge of the world
- •Did Jesus really nail the law of God to His cross?
- •The reason why people will want to obey God in the future
- •Deception began long before Adam and Eve were created
- •God has a serious problem with "every green tree" used to worship him
- There's an important reason why God allows evil, and many pastors don't even know what it is
- There is an unknown sin that is killing millions of Christians
- The future way Jesus is going to "fulfill" the law
- Why the Bible talks about "Another Jesus"
- •The true meaning of the phrase: "a little lower than the angels"
- The Bible says flesh-and-blood humans are meant to be changed into spirit beings
- •There is a time coming when there won't be darkness of night anymore
- •The mystery of Enoch is no longer a mystery
- •Today's society is Opposite World
- Plus many more ...
Kovacs stresses: "I really want people to read the words on the pages of their own Bibles, and believe them. It is when people don't believe the Word of God that confusion and errors are created.
"Many don't realize that the Bible is more than an ordinary book. It is actually a code. It is the code for living now in this physical world, and the code that will get us into the spirit world. It is a map, like a treasure map that has tremendous riches awaiting us at the final destination in the kingdom of God. If we don't follow the map's directions, we'll never reach the destination with the treasure, which is everlasting life."
NOTE: Media wishing to interview Joe Kovacs can contact him here.