I thought the key to understanding the past was to identify something present throughout all time as a focal point. Using that as a reference, it would then be possible to see how everything relates to it and get a kind of story-board perspective so that all the events contribute to the big picture and nothing is left out. I was right.

        This focal point turns out to be not just a study in time but the center of a controversy that reaches back long before the earth was established. It focuses on a group of immortal beings so powerful they could create life or take it at their discretion. Now what is revealed is the most marvelous story anyone could possibly imagine.

         Evidence exists indicating powerful beings have been on earth in the past. Art, Literature, Science, and Common Logic are sources that bear witness to the presence of highly intelligent and powerful beings that left their marks on our world.   The most obvious questions would be; Do these people really exist? Who are they and Where did they originate? What effect did they have on our past? But most importantly, Where are they now and What are they doing?

Do these people really exist?

        They say the past is the key to the present. It would be if we could see clearly what really was the past, but it provides little real evidence of significant events in a form we can understand. Most of the physical evidence we have from the past has been classified and stored as antiques in various museums, and if that evidence is interpreted the same way as before, it will produce nothing more. But if examined without prejudice, it may provide some answers to questions long overdue.

         While I don't believe he understood the parameters of what he was pursuing, Eric Von Daniken included evidence in his book that indicated powerful and intelligent people were on earth ages ago. One example was the map discovered during World War I, which made of celluloid, depicts a view of the Arctic Continent without ice from a location about five miles above Cairo. Some obvious questions arise when we think about it, since at that time there were no cameras, celluloid, or ice penetrating radar.

         Another interesting story comes from the New York Herald Tribune on June 11, 1958. A story was written about a series of excavations conducted by archeologists in Mongolia, Scandinavia, and Celon, in which similar artifacts were discovered as those found among the Eskimos. The Smithsonian Institute, who sponsored the study, concluded the Eskimos had inhabited Central Asia and specifically the warm tropical paradise of Celon. Their question was, Why would a people living in a veritable Garden of Eden go and live in a frozen wasteland that is the North Pole? The Eskimos, however, have an answer passed down in legend, that is; they were deported by a flock of giant metallic birds. How would a primitive people describe aircraft?

         It is common knowledge that at 7:17am local time on June 30, 1908, something occurred in the Tungus area of Central Siberia. A catastrophic mid-air explosion was witnessed, the likes of which had never even been imagined. Witnesses 250 miles away said they saw a fireball crossing the sky that was so bright it made the light of the sun seem dim. The force was so great that horses were thrown down 400 miles away near Kansk. S.B. Semenov was sitting on his steps 40 miles away when the flash and heat came. "My shirt was almost burned on my body" he later said. He was hurled from the steps and left unconscious but alive. Tungus tribesmen told scientists, who reached the site long afterwards, that 1500 reindeer had been wiped out.  Considerable evidence exists to support the theory that it was a nuclear blast. First, the pattern of destruction in the shattered forest is more consistent with the shock waves produced by an atomic bomb than with those of a conventional explosion. Secondly, the earth's magnetic field was disturbed at the time of the explosion, as it would have been by a nuclear blast. There was the extreme intense light generated, and later, tiny green globules of melted dust called 'trinitites', characteristic of a nuclear blast were found. Finally, much later, two men examined the area after nuclear bombs had been dropped on Japan. They reported plant mutations in both areas were similar. Question is; Who set off an atomic blast on earth in 1908, before man had the technology?

         The Egyptian Empire once ruled much of the East. A common symbol depicted with their gods and in the Book of the Dead is a staff with a hook on top. It represented sovereignty and wisdom to the Egyptians. In America, Chief Red Cloud held an identical staff, as did most of the Indian Chiefs, and it has the same meaning! It is the same staff we see associated with the Wise Men in Bethlehem. Imagine the chances of these three different cultures having this same object and associating it with the same abstract idea. To avoid misinterpreting these patterns, let us compare some ancient literature.

The Ancient World           

         When considering written material as evidence, we should consider the circumstances of people during the time that evidence came about. In Ancient times, maybe one in ten thousand people could read and write. Having such a valuable skill, Would they write fairy tales, or Would they record history? Considering some of the punishments for dishonoring the gods in those days, it is not likely any would chance offending someone for the sake of humor or entertainment. People with those skills usually held positions and earned a living using them. So if they were going to speak lightly, they probably would not choose the gods as a topic. Perhaps the most famous writer of those times was Homer.

          "Goddess to god, you greet me, questioning me? Well, here is truth for you in courtesy. Zeus made me come, and not my inclination. Who cares to cross that tract of desolation, the bitter sea, all mortal towns behind where gods have beef and honors from mankind? But it is not to be thought of, and no use for any god to elude the will of Zeus"...."Oh you vile gods," says Calypso," in jealousy supernal! You hate it when we choose to lie with men - immortal flesh by some dear mortal side."

         (Vile gods?) These words contain relevant information. First, only someone who has been at sea would describe it as being 'desolate.' Most people would describe it as beautiful or peaceful. Only a sailor knows the desolation that is the open sea. And how many people would have been both a scholar and a sea traveler in those days? Secondly, there is a distinct bitterness to the speech of Hermes, as if he doesn't really like Zeus and is offended at having to come at all. Calypso is sleeping with a mortal man, and she points out that she knows the other gods hate it when she does that. What kind of attitude is this for gods to have? That seems more like the way children would act. If one were making up this story, surely they would make the gods more perfect.

          Gen 6:2, "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."  Gen 6:4, "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same were mighty men which were of old, men of renown."

          Homer also writes about giants and gods and men of a renowned nature, and it is not likely he read the Pentateuch. The Hebrews would have killed anyone who entered the temple, much less looked at that book in those days, and it was not published at that time. Homer describes Zeus and Poseidon and the rest as supernatural people with great powers and intelligence far beyond that of men. Strangely enough, he describes them fighting among themselves with proud and arrogant personalities. These may be the same gods the writer of Job is speaking of -

          Job 4:18, " Behold, He (God), put no trust in His servants and His angels He charged with folly..." Folly is defined; "a foolish or ruinous undertaking."  It might be considered foolish or ruinous to attempt to take the kingdom of God by violence, against the One Who created them. Considering the Hebrew religion and the Torah, it does not appear these gods would be allowed to remain in the Kingdom acting like that.

          The Apostle Paul wrote, 2Pet.2,4 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned....", but cast them down to hell, and delivered them to chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..."

         It is recorded by Jude, a brother of James, Jude 1:6, "...And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto judgment of the great day."

         These Bible verses are basically telling us there were some extra-terrestrials who were exiled to earth against their will.

Who are they and where did they originate?

      By whatever name, it appears some very powerful people have been here in the past. Who are they? If we study the ancient writings, we find fascinating stories that rival story themes of today. Egyptian stories include one where Osiris is killed and his body parts are scattered around Egypt by his arch nemesis Set. His wife/sister then goes about trying to find all the parts so she can put him back together. These Egyptian gods act a lot like the ones Homer wrote about; one god does something then another gets offended and undoes it. The Norse gods act the same way, always fighting with one another and getting offended, exacting revenge, and trying to prove something. Interestingly, all these gods act the same and have the same character faults. It sounds like the folly described by the writer of Job. They all tend toward lubricity, fornication, and murder, so they would not be popular with a creator who demanded perfection. These ancient writings may help us understand what has happened in the distant past.

      Luke 10:18, "Jesus said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven"

      Revelations 12:9, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 1. And I heard a loud voice (John, the writer speaking), saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night. 11. And they overcame him by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death. 12.Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitors of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down into you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

      This is about the clearest story we will find describing how powerful people came to be here on earth. It resembles the stories of Homer in recounting a war of the Gods, yet these records do not focus on the violence and brutality like Homer's.

      The only literal account of powerful people in history concerns gods of one culture or another. In the eyes of the Ancient People, the gods were immortal people who look like us and have the same character faults, but with immortality and power.

      The Bible records scores of contacts with Angels who look just like men. According to the Bible, man is made in the image and likeness of God. What is more, There must be many gods, otherwise, How could there be a Most High God? If we understand what the Bible says, we see a war in a place filled with gods on both sides, and a group who lost a battle, and were castaway on this planet until the end. And if there were not such gods in our midst, why would the Most High make a commandment to Moses to stay away from other gods besides Himself? Throughout their history the Hebrew people were punished repeatedly for following after other gods. It's not likely God would have punished his people for following gods that did not exist.

      We see these legends in every culture relating to a group of gods who seem very similar. We have physical evidence that proves someone with godlike powers has been here in the past.  There may be a reason everything in the Old Days had some religious meaning and pleasing the gods was foremost on people's minds, maybe the gods visited them. The Bible records numerous times The Most High God visited the Hebrews. There is no reason to think the Rebels would not visit people as well.      

Babylon, Egypt, and the Law

      Because of technology the world is a very different place now than six thousand years ago, but people are much the same and they behave the same. It appears many things we do may be very, very old and may have come from a source of intelligence that could redefine the term 'alien'.       

      Fairy tales began in the darkness of the past, amid a religion from the beginning of recorded history. Ancient Babylon and Egypt are where many things began in our world. Considering the evidence, it appears we can trace the rituals of many of our religions to the very beginning of civilization, and unfortunately, what we now regard as entertainment may be considered worship by the Creator.

      According to many records, civilization as we know it began in the walled city of Babylon. The metropolis of the Babylonian Empire was located on each side of the river Euphrates and was originally called Babel. It was said to have been one of the largest, most magnificent cities ever built. About fifty-six miles around, it covered over two hundred square miles. It was founded by Nimrod, son of Cush, son of Ham, son of Noah. Originally built about 2230 B.C., it was taken by the Persians in 538 B.C., and now it is a barren ghost town, and only a small sign marks the location along a public railway. The historian, Herodotus, who traveled extensively and witnessed the Mystery Religion in many countries, wrote that Babylon was the source of all idolatry. Today the name alludes to excess and wickedness. Babylon lasted from 2230 to 538 B.C., that is 1692 years. Rome only lasted about 900 years, and the United States has only been here just over 200 years. As time goes on, the cities and civilizations of the world seem to be falling faster.

      In the Old Days, religion had a very different meaning. People may have had contact with their gods in person. Religious rules would have been the same as law to these early people, in fact, records indicate there was no distinction.

      " If a man caused a finger to be pointed at a high-priestess or a married lady and has then not proved (what he charged) they shall flog that man before judges and shave half his head...

If a priestess or a high-priestess, who is not dwelling in a clositer, opens an ale house or enters an ale house for liquor, they shall burn that woman...

If a man has stolen property belonging to a god or a palace, that man shall be put to death and he who has received the stolen property from his hand shall be put to death...

If a woman has procured the death of her husband on account of another man, they shall impale that woman..."

      Burning a Priestess for entering an ale house and death for receiving stolen goods seems a little extreme nowadays, but there were other laws that seem more fair than ones we have today. Under the code of Hammurabi, the state was not an entity to be supported and all fine money for an offense was given directly to the victim. It is also easy to see how serious these people were about their gods.

      Every culture in the world had gods. Most had many gods, and several had the same ones with the same or different names.       

      Isaiah, a Hebrew prophet, writing around 700 B.C. said concerning Babylon, Isa 13:11, "And I will punish the world for their iniquity..." 47:12," Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. 13. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy councils, let now the astrologers, the prognosticators, stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee."

            It is no secret how the Babylonian Mystery Religion spread throughout the world. Moses wrote, Gen.11:9, "Therefore is the name of it is called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."  No doubt the Babylonians believed in their gods. Evidence abounds in their laws where death penalties protected the temple customs. Astrology and harlotry began as part of the Babylonian worship. All the women had to lay with a stranger at least once in the temple to avoid sterility. Since a stranger was never in the temple, for a price, a priest would take the place. And the temples became centers for commerce and loaned money with up to 20% interest. 

      There are not many records left from Babylon, but education and record keeping were used at least in legal matters. However, the nearby Egyptians were remarkably advanced during the same time period.

The Egyptians

      If that is so, who preserved the information? Everyone except Noah and his family died in the flood and he certainly didn't write that. It would have to be people who were not condemned to die as mortals.

      It has been said the later interpreters of the book were of two schools of thought; those who credit the Egyptians with a number of abstract ideas about God and the creation of the world and the after life, and those who consider the mind of the Egyptian more of a savage nature, to whom occasional glimpses of spiritual light was given from time to time.  Looking in the book, the last seems much more likely.  

      The Book of the Dead is not written with understanding of the subject matter. What we see in their religion is a set of rules and paraphernalia that is one-dimensional, as if it all came from a book and no one had any real understanding of it. Some conflicting ideas exist like, the idea that fawning at the feet of their gods (while in their presence) will get them sufficient credit to enter heaven where they will be judged for their sincerity. Or that salvation can be purchased with gifts, lies, and supplications. While it occasionally uses phrases and words associated with amazing revelations, there is no development from idea to idea. It sounds very much like the writer does not understand what is being discussed. Often, a book would be written for someone too quickly or by a person who could not read, usually an artist, and the writer would simply fill in the name on a copy already written. Sometimes an entire section may be missing or one chapter repeated. In the Paprus of Ani, one chapter is written from back to front and ends with the title, indicating people simply purchased or hired someone to do their religious duties; reminiscent of an old catholic maxim from the dark ages: High money, high mass; low money low mass; no money, no mass.

1. A natural body..................................Khat

2. a spiritual body.................................Sahu

3. a divine substance........................AKH

4. a double..............................................Ab

5. a soul..................................................Ba

6. a shadow............................................Khabit

7. an eternal intelligence.........................Khu

8. a form..................................................Sekhem

9. and a name.

      Only after the deceased was properly supplied with food and materials for these parts could his trek through the Underworld begin. It is clear that although the Egyptians believed in a resurrection of the soul and body, they also thought the sun (Ra) rose from heaven (Annu) and set in the Netherworld. It appears they had no idea they were on a round planet. Much of their concept of good centered around food and water, while the bad were usually things that could hurt them like snakes and crocodiles from the Nile.

      Following are some examples from the Book of the Dead.

(From the Paprus of Ani)

"Chapter CXLVI The first pylon. Words to be spoken when [Ani] cometh unto the First Pylon. Saith Osirus Ani triumphant; Lo the lady of terrors, with lofty walls, the sovereign lady the mistress of destruction and uttereth the words which drive back the destroyers who delivereth from destruction him that traveleth along the way. The name of the door keeper is Neruit.

Picture: the second pylon which is guarded by a lion headed deity seated in a shrine upon the top of which is a serpent.

      Some similarities between the Egyptians Religion and Christian Religions include allusions to a day of judgment, an underground place called the Netherworld, the tree of life, the concept of good and bad behavior affecting the judgment, a lake of fire for sinners, and the presence of a soul, to name a few.

      It appears the origin of these ideas may have been the same in the distant past, like the Rebels were once part of the kingdom of heaven. Interestingly, many personal values must have been the same then as now as evidenced by The Negative Confession:

"...I have not done iniquity.

...I have not robbed with violence.

...I have not made any to suffer pain.

...I have not robbed.

...I have done no murder.

...I have not defrauded offerings.

...I have not done harm.

...I have not robbed God.

...I have told no lies.

...I have not snatched food.

...I have not worked affliction.

...I have not trespassed.

...I have not slaughtered the cattle which are set apart for the gods.

...I have done no evil.

...I have not laid waste to ploughed lands.

Hail Strider, who comest fourth from Bast, I have not been an eavesdropper.

...I have not set my lips in motion against any man.

...I have not been angry without a cause.

...I have not committed adultery with the wife of another man.

...I have not caused terror.

...I have never uttered fiery words.

...I have not stopped my ears against the words of right and truth.

...I have not stirred up strife."

      The Jewish confession near the time of death, called the Vidui, is just opposite this one. They confess how bad they have been in hopes of getting forgiveness from a merciful God. It appears the one this Negative confession is directed toward may not exercise forgiveness.

      To preserve the corpse as a home for the soul, so that it would not wonder forlornly about the earth, mummification was practiced. The entrails and the heart were removed from the corpse, which was then swathed in linen bandages and given an elaborate burial. The dead led a sort of double life, and had to be supplied with food, implements, and most particularly the Book of the Dead.

      The deceased, who was the focus of each book, progresses step by step using many prayers and charms and magical formulae through various levels of the Underworld. After some period of time amid much testing and begging and lying about how he lived his life, the deceased may be admitted to the Judgment Hall of Osiris. There he would be judged and afterwards either thrown into a deep ravine, to be eaten five days a week by snakes with steel teeth and crocodiles with seven heads covered with scorpions, Or, he would be admitted to a nebulous heaven eating and drinking forever. He would then sit beside god on a throne decorated with lions faces and hoofs of bulls. He thirsts not, nor hungers, nor is he sad. He eats and drinks what the gods eat and wears the same type clothing - white linen and sandals. Note the statement that the gods give to him of 'the tree of life', which they themselves do eat. (Many such concepts are common among other religions, as if these things really exist somewhere.) He eats the bread of eternity and drinks the beer of everlastingness.

      Whether the principal religion of Egypt was polytheism or monotheism, and it is not clear, (like nowadays) the rich appear to have tried taking advantage of both - in spite of the conflict.

      So in Egypt, a fully developed writing system and religion is discovered by the people of the first Dynasty, already so old it was hard for them to read. If we assume these people were placed here and given these things, it would not surprise us to see them. But if we try to figure a way these things might have developed, there is a problem with time. Languages may or may not develop at all, but if they did, they would certainly take a long time in the making , and there is just not enough time. It's unlikely the Egyptians developed these ideas, or invented the mathematical equations they are usually credited with, since they are hardly the most inventive people in the world today, and they haven't come up with much of anything in all the years since. It is far more likely they were aided in the distant past.

      Like nowadays, the Egyptians built huge temples and honored their kings and heroes but gave only lip service to their gods. They were content to let the old religion stand and simply use it like a rubber stamp for thousands of years. They never appear to have reconciled the text they inherited but, instead, they only added to it in the form of fairy tales. 

The Bible

            If we accept the proofs within material like the Book of the Dead, we must also accept the same kind of proofs within the Bible. It frequently quotes other books within as authoritative, and the records, history, and genealogies are all more or less capable of being verified from outside sources, and no material discrepancy has ever been found or proven.

            One of the principle versions of the Bible is the Targums, a Chaldee word signifying "interpretations." Following the Babylonian captivity, which ended B.C. 536, changes in language necessitated interpretations of the Scriptures.

            The Septuagint, one of the most important versions of the Bible, known as the LXX, is a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek and dates from about 300 years before Christ. According to tradition it was prepared by seventy two elders at the request of the king of Egypt. At that time Greek was the language most generally understood, hence the service rendered by this version in making possible the wide circulation and reading of the Old Testament, preserved it in a language more perfect than its original tongue.

            Another fact having an important bearing upon the preservation of the Bible is the agreement of the Samaritan Pentateuch with the Septuagint Version. The former dates back to the period following the Babylonian captivity more than 500 years before Christ. It is in perfect agreement with the Jewish version of the Old Testament. The significance of this is more obvious when attention is called to the fact that between the Samaritans and the Jews existed a bitter hatred. This fact would stand against an assumption that the agreement between the two copies was the result of design.

            Assyrian rulers mentioned in the Old Testament have been found engraved on stones and plates of clay recovered from buried libraries, so that now we have a verified and almost complete list of Babylonian and Assyrian monarchs which compare with those listed in the Old Testament.

            In addition, when we consider the attitude of the Jews toward the Scriptures, it is most unlikely the texts could have been altered, since they would sooner have died than condemn their souls by changing one jot or tittle of the text.

            The existence of the New Testament is attested by Christian writers, who give quotations, beginning with the immediate successors of the apostles. Polycarp, who heard John, does not quote the names of sacred writers, but his productions contain many direct references to their writings. Irenaeus, names the writers as well as the books of the New Testament. Clement, an Alexandrian, does the same thing a generation later. Reportedly, about the end of the third century, a persecution was started in which a demand was made that the Scriptures be given up. The questions which arose in the minds of many made it necessary to show what books were to be regarded as apostolic. A lengthy inquiry was carried on, with the result that our New Testament arrangement was placed as it now stands.

The Kingdom of God

            The Bible is filled with interesting bits of information, including Information about the Rebels. Generally speaking, according to the Bible, several thousand years ago, powerful, immortal and very intelligent people chose to use this planet to cultivate souls for an eternal kingdom that already existed. It describes these immortal beings coming and going and walking up and down in the earth. The Bible vaguely describes the home of these immortals as 'Heaven.' Apparently, Heaven is a hidden place, since not even the chosen people knew where it was located.   To the ancient Hebrews, there were three different heavens. The First Heaven was located where we are and where the birds fly around. The Second Heaven was where the sun, moon, and stars are located. The Third Heaven was the place where God dwells. Beginning with the Creation, the Bible describes events that occurred between God and man.

            The word God is both singular and plural, used to refer to the Most High God, or the family, race, or kingdom of God; which would include all those who were created, adopted, and begotten. (Begotten means generated by natural birth). He is the father and founder of the kingdom of heaven. He is the Most High God. Of course there are less high Gods as well to include the 'whole host of heaven.' There are also the sons of God, who are His family. Then there are the Rebel gods who fell and now live on Earth but are bound in chains of darkness.

            The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testaments, representing the last two deals between The Most High God and His people.  To summarize the story, the Bible follows the plight of the Hebrew people, probably because they were the Chosen of the Most High. Through many trials and tribulations they trek through the land in search of the country they were previously promised. The same pattern occurs over and over as the Hebrews lose faith and fall away from their God. Each time, they suffer until they are redeemed back into reconciliation with Him. The Hebrews were required to follow rules in addition to the Ten Commandments. Since no one could actually keep these rules, it was required they make regular sacrifices to atone for their transgressions. Every so often a group of priests would kill animals and burn them on an alter to cleanse the people of their sin. But this system became corrupt, as people would often travel many miles to the temple, and it was much easier to carry money than farm animals, and most sacrifice animals had to be raised within a short distance of the Temple. Naturally, the merchandising of animals at the temple became a profitable affair, and the changing of money from neighboring countries turned into a concession at the Temple.

            Apparently, the Rebel gods were doing similar things around the world with people only they often required human sacrifices in large numbers. Also, what occurred in their temples was quite different, and resembled what Americans would identify as a party.                          

            Then many things changed. The Most High begot His Son; The Son, then rejected by the chosen people, allowed himself to be killed as a sacrifice for any who believed on him in the future.

            Around this same time, the Bible reports there was a war in heaven and the Rebels were cast out into the earth against their will. Apparently, the war did not last long. It is recorded that many of those who rebelled were locked away in chains of darkness. The Hebrew word for that darkness is translated, ignorance. One warning says they are here in the earth, and the inhabitants of the earth should mourn because they are among us, and they know they only have a short time before they will be punished.

            According to the Bible, the children of the Rebels will be allowed to live here with us until the last day, when they will be judged and cast into a lake of fire. At that time, the believers will inherit the earth as all the unbelievers will be taken up and killed, and then judged and cast into the lake of fire with the Rebels, which is the second death. In the end, the kingdom will be cleaned of all Rebels, replenished with loyal souls, and will last forever.                    

             After the Son died and rose again many things changed. The chosen people are no longer identified by a racial bloodline, but by one that only God can see in the heart, so all who believe are now Jews. The main responsibility identified for the believer is to believe on The Son who died as a sacrifice once for everyone. Whatever shortcomings they lack following the rules now are covered by the sacrifice of the Son, instead of an animal sacrifice. The Temple was destroyed and the money stopped coming in. The nearest thing to a temple became know as a Church. Then people began making their own rules about how to live and still be a believer, even though the original rules did not change.

            Religious leaders took liberty as a license and changed most of the rules. So those merchandising the gospel were able to make up new ideas in order to get their hands back in the pockets of the people.