Thirty Years Ago
The news last month was filled with "Special Reports" on the 30th anniversary of the end of Jim Jones and his "People's Temple". That was a point in history that was very close to me, since I lived in San Francisco at the time. I remember clearly where the Temple was located, and do remember a couple of people who worshipped there.
This low point in history really stands out in the end chapter 2 in First John. John cautioned the early church to beware of those who "preach a different gospel." His words struck clearly at people who lied about the Gospel, and people who fell for the lies. It was kind of like a parent saying to a child "didn't I tell you…"
I think that is one of the reasons I like First John – he keeps on saying over and over again, "I want you to know." It was not simply enough that you listened, but you reached the point where you knew something. Kind of like "knowing" arithmetic – someone can't give you the wrong change in the store, because you know that 25 cents plus 75 cents is one dollar.
The people who perished with Jim Jones were there in his "church" for many different reasons – they liked the music or the communal living or the "whatever." But shame on them for not comparing what he taught to the truth they knew.
Maybe that was it – they did not know the truth, and so they followed in the hopes of discovering the truth. They failed to read the truth for themselves – they listened to what Jim Jones had to say about the Bible. Read IT for yourself, and let the "Book" talk to you, then decide.