Jan-Feb, Year of Our Lord, 1999
Number 991
February 19, 20 and 21 at the Cal Expo; 1600 Exposition Blvd; in Sacramento, California.
Submitted by WD, Colorado:
"This reminds me of the battle of the Kingdom of Heaven with the world. Jesus is the lighthouse!"
U.S. Naval ship with Canadian Authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995
U.S. Navy: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
U.S. Navy: This is the Captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again you divert YOUR course.
U.S. Navy: This is an aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees North, that's one five degrees North, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
In my hands is an old, beat up Bible. Somebody has been thumping it too hard and it is falling to pieces. This particular Bible has subheadings for each chapter. At Romans 13 it says, "Submission to the State." Wow, that really strikes a strong cord in me. Now those words are not part of the Scripture. They are just someone's opinion of what Romans 13 says, but does it?
Romans 13 is the scripture that stumbles so many people when they try to "come out from among them." How can they "come out" and "obey them" at the same time?
The harlot churches like to promote Romans 13 as meaning, "Obey Caesar," or "Obey the law of the land." How else can they interpret it? They have yoked themselves with Caesar through State incorporation. Their very life comes from the State. If they do not obey Caesar, Caesar will withdraw their corporate charter and they will die. State incorporated churches have only one choice if they are to survive: promote obedience to the State.
Barclay's
commentaries, which are used as a textbook in Sunday Schools,
shows the typical attitude about Romans 13. Barclay says, "At
first reading this is an extremely surprising passage, for it
seems to counsel absolute obedience on the part of the
Christian to the civil power. But, in point of fact, this is a
commandment which runs through the whole New Testament." According
to Barclay, Romans 13 commands "absolute obedience on the part of
the Christian to the civil power." With commentaries like this, it
is no wonder that Romans 13 was Hitler's favorite Bible passage.
Absolute obedience means obeying the president and every bureaucrat under him. "Obey all these people who do not confess Jesus Christ. After all, God has set these men over us." Are we to obey anyone who claims to be a higher authority? Let's take another look at Romans 13 and rightly divide the word of truth. Paul Revere, Pastor
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power.
2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.
3 For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don't want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well.
4 The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose.
5 Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.
6 Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God's work, serving you.
7 Pay everyone whatever he ought to have: pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.
How are we going to overcome Romans 13? What was Apostle Paul really saying? The best way to bring understanding on Romans 13 is to ask, "Who was apostle Paul writing to at Rome?" The answer is found at Romans 1:7: Paul was writing to all those in Rome who are "beloved of God, called to be saints." He was not writing to the general population at Rome. He was specifically addressing the "called out ones," the Body of Christ.
If
apostle Paul was advocating obedience to secular authorities, then
Caesar would have no cause against him. Why would Caesar have Paul
beheaded if he was promoting obedience to Rome?
The world loves its own. If Paul belonged to Caesar, Caesar would not want to kill his own. If Paul was promoting "be subject to Caesar," then Paul would be Caesar's friend. You would not kill your own. You don't destroy the very instrument that advertises for you.
The truth is that Apostle Paul was beheaded for promoting a rival government known as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. Already this new government was turning the world upside down. Caesar had Paul killed to help stop this threat to Rome's power.
If Romans 13 does not mean "obey the State," what does it mean? Romans 13 means, "Remember them which have the rule over you," as you will also find at Hebrews 13:7. Since Paul was addressing the saints at Rome, it is logical that he would instruct them to submit to those who look after their souls. It is a reminder to be obedient to the authorities God has placed over His people. For they are truly the "ministers of God to thee for good." Unlike worldly rulers, God's ministers are not a terror to good works but to the evil. Therefore, "do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same."
Romans 13 is probably the most devastating thing to a Christian in the hands of the ungodly. It sounds so convincing to obey those who appear to be in power. For too long, secular governments have used Romans 13 as a club to beat Christians into obedience to them. Just because a group maintains power through their guns and jails, does not mean God put them there.
God said there are powers not ordained by Him at Hosea 8:4, "They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not."
God didn't put them in power over the righteous. That's Satan's idea. The righteous don't need worldly, filthy authorities, which are no authorities at all. Do you think that they can instruct the righteous? They themselves steal. They themselves are perverts. And they presume to instruct the righteous? I don't think so.
Apostle
Paul had many troubles with worldly rulers. He was given 39
stripes five times by the Jews, beaten with rods three times, in
perils by his own countrymen and by the heathen, and frequently in
prison. (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-26). In Damascus the governor
kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to
apprehend Paul. "And through a window in a basket was I let down
by the wall, and escaped his hands," wrote Paul at 2 Corinthians
11:32. That is the same Paul that wrote Romans 13. He was forced
to flee from the civil authorities, those "powers that be"
that people say are ordained of God. Sorry folks, this does not
compute. When Paul says, "the powers that be," he is saying the
powers that be powers, are ordained of God. In other words,
the only true powers are those that God ordains.
The crux of the matter is this, Does Paul in Romans 13:1-7 argue that the civil government of this world has legitimate authority over the people of God? We believe that the obedient, called-out people of God are not bound to obey manmade civil governments. God's people are answerable to God above all else and are bound by His commands. At the same time, God's people are not to use their liberty as a cloak to do evil, to foment rebellion or waste time trying to influence the politics of the governments of this world. Furthermore, we believe Paul in Romans 13:1-7 is referring to the spiritual leaders of the Body of Christ, not the civil authorities of this world.
If Paul is saying, "Obey the civil authorities," then he has a conflict in his life. Is Paul promoting Caesar or separating from Caesar? If Paul is promoting Caesar, there is no way I want Paul in my Bible. He can't work for Caesar and Jesus Christ. Caesar already has his writings, they are called "revised statutes" or the "law of the land." You can have them if you want. I would rather have God's Word. Actually that which is called the "law of the land," is the law of the devil. The term is used in the U.S. Constitution, where men claim that their laws are the supreme law of the land (See U.S. Constitution, Article VI).
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40). Do you know what that represents to a Christian? These two commands are the Supreme Law of the Land. If you believe that something else is the supreme law of the land for a Christian, someone has deceived you. It was a thief who drew you away from the true Supreme Law of the Land (see John 10:8).
If you have the two great commandments, how much allegiance do you have left for the worldly rulers of this dark age? Let me tell you, you have ZERO allegiance to Satan and his agents. All your time is spent "loving God" and "loving neighbor," and there is no room left over for obeying Satan and his minions.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1 John 5:19
As true followers of Jesus, we are led by the Spirit and our lives reflect the fact that we belong to another kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. Our stay on earth is only transitory. As citizens of Heaven, we are bound to submit and pledge allegiance to the King of Heaven and His government over us. We are not bound to obey the government of some nation just because we happen to be living within their so-called "borders."
Remember, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof" (1 Corinthians 10:26). Yet there is a pack of thieves out there who have divided up the earth and perverts are ruling over it. And they are doing it at the egging on of Satan himself.
Romans 13 has been wrongly interpreted by ruling secular governments to mean a Christian must submit to them. This misinterpretation forms a powerful weapon to neutralize and misdirect the power of God's Kingdom.
As the followers of Jesus Christ, we belong to another Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom has its own government, its own laws, and its own leaders. Apostle Paul was not commanding us in Romans 13 to submit to the civil authorities of the kingdoms of this world. He was commanding us to submit to the authority of God's leaders who oversee the "called-out ones."
It is a fallacy that Paul was commanding Christians at Rome to submit to the secular government. It is time that Christ's followers renounce their allegiance to the ever-changing governments of men. They must set an example that there is a higher and more perfect form of government, the Kingdom of Heaven.
Of course there will be consequences. Jesus was brought to Pilate to be crucified on charges of "perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King" (Luke 23:2). We, too, must be willing to sacrifice even our very lives to proclaim God's sovereign rulership over us.
When we boldly declare that we belong to God's Kingdom, we are left with no choice but to trust God for His provision in the face of a hostile world. We quickly learn that our safety is in our obedience. To trust in carnal weapons and physical force is vanity. We serve a living God. He is well able to make a way for us regardless of how much the modern day Nebuchadnezzars rage and threaten to destroy us.
Christians are in no way bound by the Scriptures to obey and support the manmade governments of this world. We are bound to live peaceably with all men to the greatest degree possible. Yet our loyalty, allegiance, and obedience must always be found at the feet of Christ. Our goal is to see souls brought to Christ. The more fully we separate from the world and consecrate ourselves to God, the more power we will have to infiltrate the hearts and minds of men with a living example of the Gospel. The world must see that God does have a people on this earth, and that His power dwells in their midst. Let us commit ourselves to His kingdom and be His people.
Warning: Beware of the Living Bible and the Good News Bible. They are merely Bible paraphrases, not translations. The wording is not true to the original Hebrew and Greek. The scriptures are perverted to support secular Christianity.
You're
traveling down the road in a Heaven vehicle and a cop stops you.
When he sees your Heaven Passport, he says angrily, "I've had it
with you people."
You can tell he's lost all patience. Sarcastically he says, "I'll make you a deal. I will let you make one statement. If your statement is true, I'll throw you in jail. If your statement is false, I'll shoot you on the spot."
After making your statement, the cop has no choice but to let you go. What statement did you make?
Throughout history, oppressive regimes have tried to suppress or outlaw the Bible. In the "land of the free," the adversary is more devious. Bible paraphrases change the Truth of God into lies to support the State's agenda. (See Romans 1:25)
The words chosen are not Bible words, they are statists' words. The changes are subtle, but the effects are dramatic. For instance, in the Living Bible paraphrase of Romans 13, we are told that if we refuse to obey the "law of the land," we are refusing to obey God. This is just another clever means of persuading Christians to take up citizenship with the kingdoms of the world.
The Living Bible paraphrase also says "the policeman is sent by God to help you." Is this job of "policeman" created by and for Jesus Christ, or was it created for "other purposes?"
A policeman is a mere man, but he must conform himself to the office of policeman. It is a role similar to acting in a play. A playwright creates the role and determines how a particular character will act. The State creates the role of a policeman and determines what type of behavior he is going to have, what uniform he will wear, and what laws he will enforce. Whoever takes the role of policeman, must perform the particular job as specified. Otherwise, he's fired. It does not matter what his moral convictions are. His office dictates his behavior.
Our job is to determine whether the policeman truly is sent by God, or whether he is a stranger. A stranger we are not to follow. We are to flee from him (John 10:5).
The
King James Bible talks about "a minister of God" (Romans 13:4) who
praises that which is good and executes wrath upon him that does
evil. The police see themselves as a revenger of evildoers. Yet
look at the evil acts the police themselves commit, both in
Biblical times and today.
Before we examine whether or not Romans 13 is referring to modern-day police, let's first look at the role of the police during the first century. Then we can see what roles the modern day police are playing and whether they are the "ministers of God" referred to in Romans 13.
A study of the atrocities committed by the police in the Bible would be as painful as it is dramatic. Examining just the New Testament, here is a list of crimes committed by the police.
Admittedly, most of these crimes were committed by the police on the orders of the king, the governor, or the Sanhedrin. But the fact remains: the police referred to in the New Testament are often involved in carrying out very evil deeds. Observe the role the temple police and Pilate's police played in the crucifixion. In the New Testament the police contribute more often to disorder than to order. Above all, it was the police who participated in the major disorder of all time - the execution of the Son of God.
The book of Acts records the Apostles "going against the decrees of Caesar" (Acts 17:6-8) and being cast in prison. They were certainly not "obeying the civil authorities." Apostle Paul, the author of Romans 13, was imprisoned numerous times for going against the Roman State. Paul was even scourged and beheaded by the civil authorities. Was the Roman centurion who scourged and beheaded Apostle Paul the "minister of God" sent for our good, as referenced in Romans 13:4?
Apostle Paul said rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Certainly, then, Paul must have been doing evil and the rulers did not use the sword in vain against him? Or was Apostle Paul speaking in Romans 13 about different rulers and powers, separate from the secular authorities?
It appears the police of today are performing the same duties the Roman police performed almost 2,000 years ago. The City and State authorities today get disturbed when we say there is another king, one named Jesus (Acts 17:7). They send out their police to arrest us because we are going against their decrees. They cast us in prison for obeying God, rather than men, just as the Roman police did to the apostles (Acts 5:29).
In Marion County Jail, one of the guards mockingly said to Abraham, "Oh, we don't want to hurt one of His little ones." Another policeman told him, "We've been sent by God to punish those who do not obey the civil authorities."
Police officers not only do the "dirty work" for secular authorities, they also mock us and our King. They seem to be repeating the same atrocities that the first century police committed. Their job descriptions were written long before they were even born. We are not wrestling with men. We are wrestling with the office. (Ephesians 6:12)
In reality, the police then, and now, are not carrying the torch of God. They are carrying the torch of their own bellies, their own interests, not the interest of God. And they are using force to get their own way, destroying the prophets who are carrying the message of Christ. Much can be written on the subject of psychological warfare, beatings, imprisonment and other tactics used by police - both in the first century and now. In a sense, and to a lesser or greater degree, the police in every nation continue to crucify Jesus Christ.
We
conclude that Paul in Romans 13 is not referring to the civil
authorities as the police of today would like us to believe.
Both the Roman guard who beheaded Apostle Paul and the police
of today punish those who do good, while they themselves do evil.
In reality, we believe Apostle Paul is referring to the fact that
all of us, including the Roman guard and the police of today, are
subject unto the higher powers, the heavenly ones, "for there is
no power but of God." In Romans 13, Paul is instructing us to be
subject unto these heavenly powers.
The Compton's Encyclopedia says under Police: "Police patrol the streets day and night looking for trouble." That sounds like the Book of Job, Chapter 1 verses 6 and 7: "One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, 'Whence do you come?' Then Satan answered the Lord and said, 'From roaming the earth and patrolling it.'" (NAB translation) It sounds like police are not sent by God, but by Satan.
"You would not believe the change in this married couple who attend our church fellowship," said an excited man on the telephone. "They are in their eighties and both of them were hunched over and in much agony from arthritis. After taking this tonic for a few weeks, their spunk has returned, their pain is greatly diminished, and they act 30 years younger."
The man who gave us the tonic recipe said it was developed by a naturopathic physician. It contains foods that have been eaten for centuries and are easily obtainable. All of the foods contain powerful antioxidants that fight disease and help cleanse the body. Those who have tried it are experiencing favorable results. I've found it clears up nasal passages, allowing much deeper breathing.
Recipe:Place in blender the following ingredients:
1 bulb garlic (contains many cloves), peeled
1 small yellow or red onion, peeled and cut in 1 inch chunks
1 piece of fresh horseradish (about the same size as the onion) peeled and cut in 1 inch chunks
1 or 2 fresh, small hot red peppers, most of seeds removed and cut in 1 inch pieces
1 piece of fresh ginger (about the size of the onion) peeled and cut in 1 inch chunks
apple cider vinegar to cover (about 2 cups)
Tip: If you prepare ingredients in the order listed, the ginger will help eliminate the smell of garlic and onions on your hands.
Three Week Cleanse:
Week One - 2 Tablespoons of tonic each day with meal.
Week Two - 3 Tablespoons of tonic each day with meal.
Week Three - 4 Tablespoons of tonic each day with meal.
After the third week, 2 Tablespoons a day may be taken with meals as a maintenance dose.
If you have a longstanding condition such as arthritis, you may gradually work up to 8 Tablespoons (1/2 cup) of tonic daily. Since the tonic is made up of fresh foods, not manmade chemicals, it may be taken daily as long as you are continuing to obtain benefits. Dosages may be divided, taking half a dose twice a day with meals.
Hints: This tonic smells like a Chinese restaurant and is very potent. To make it easier to drink, put measured amount of tonic in glass with an equal amount of water and drink it down; or mix tonic with an equal amount of food such as rice, beans, or potatoes and eat the tonic. Another idea is to mix the tonic with raw honey. Avoid taking the tonic on an empty stomach because it may cause digestive upset.
All the herbs are raw and full of enzymes and other nutrients inherent in the plant. The raw apple cider vinegar acts as a natural preservative and carrier for the herbs. The herbs chosen are some of the most powerful plants for cleansing and healing the body. Their known benefits include lowering blood pressure, cancer-prevention, expelling mucus from lungs and relief of headache and joint pain.
Shopping List:The following amounts will make several 1-quart batches of tonic:
garlic - 1 pound
yellow or red onions - 2 pounds
horseradish - l pound
hot red peppers - 1/2 pound
ginger - 1 pound
raw apple cider vinegar - 2 quarts (from Health store)
Athens Daily Review; Wednesday, December 2, 1998; Athens, Texas 75751
By Toni Garrard Clay
For the Gray family, it's nothing less than a holy war. For county law enforcement, it's a pain in the neck.
It is the arrest of Racheal Elaine Gray Dempsey, a 24-year-old who lives just outside Trinidad with her parents and other family members. But don't call them Trinidadians, or Texans or even Americans for that matter. They are residents of the kingdom of heaven, represented in this world by the Embassy of Heaven Church based in Oregon.
It's the Embassy of Heaven which issued the license plates on the Buick Regal Ms. Dempsey was driving last Friday evening. The Embassy of Heaven also issued the driver's license Ms. Dempsey presented to the Tool police sergeant who pulled her over.
And it's the Embassy of Heaven documents that landed Ms. Dempsey in jail, where, according to her mother, she is currently fasting in protest of her "illegal incarceration" - an incarceration the inmate and her family refuse to end by posting bail. That would mean recognizing the state.
Ms. Dempsey's fateful run-in with authority took place around 8:30 last Friday night. Sgt. Martha Decker was patrolling Hwy 274 when she noticed a southbound car with no license plate light. Falling in behind the car to get a better look, she was unable to recognize the plates and instigated a traffic stop. "When we stopped, then I could read the license plate," says Decker. "It said, 'kingdom of heaven' where the state would be."
Asked for her license, the driver, Ms. Dempsey, presented a kingdom of heaven identification card, which offers no indication of age.
"I asked her for her date of birth. She refused to give it," Sgt. Decker recounts. "She said she didn't have to." By state law, however, she did, and in addition to refusing to identify herself at the time, Ms. Dempsey also presented motor vehicle registration papers and a vehicle certificate of title issued by the Embassy of Heaven - a series of events which led to her arrest.
Transferred to the Seven Points jail, Ms. Dempsey was arraigned the next morning on two charges: tampering with a government record and displaying fictitious vehicle registration. Her combined bond was set at $3,000. For $300, her family could get Ms. Dempsey out on bail.
"That would be putting her back in the system, and we're not in the system," says Alicia Gray, Ms. Dempsey's mother and fellow kingdom of heaven member. "Anything she signs or anything she does puts her back in the system. We are out of the corporate government system of the United States."
Thus a stand-off is born. Refusing to recognize the authority of the state of Texas, Ms. Dempsey declines to cooperate with the jail's standard procedures - procedures which in all likelihood would get her out of jail. On the other hand, the Henderson County Sheriff's Department - where Ms. Dempsey was transferred on Saturday - can't very well let her go without following procedure.
"One of my duties is running the jail, and my duty is to keep people here until they get legally discharged, either by making bond or by order of the court," explains Sheriff H.B. "Slick" Alfred. The former Texas Ranger, known for his no-nonsense approach to law enforcement, is less than amused by the situation. Ms. Dempsey is being treated "like any other prisoner would be treated," he says.
That is, fairly, like any other prisoner would be treated if he or she refused to answer any questions or submit to standard testing. "She is being held in a separation cell until she complies with all booking procedures," explains Capt. Tony Allison, jail administrator, "which includes medical and suicide screening and classification procedures."
"Racheal has done nothing to deserve this," says Pastor Paul Revere, founder of the Embassy of Heaven Church. Born "Paul De Revoire", Revere was a systems analyst for the Oregon Department of Transportation before he and his wife changed their names and founded the Embassy of Heaven Church in 1987, located about 20 miles east of Salem, Oregon. Church doctrine teaches complete and total disassociation from any earthly government - no public schools, no debts, no social security number, no corporate jobs.
"We do not need the state of Texas' recognition to exist as the government of Jesus Christ," says Revere. "We're acting in the authority of the kingdom of heaven to issue these documents. They are real, lawful documents."
Not so according to the Texas Attorney General's office. "Separation of church and state does not mean that because one adheres to a religious view, one is exempt from state regulations," explains Assistant Attorney General Peter Haskel. "Separation of church and state has nothing whatsoever to do with the need for a driver's license or insurance."
But Revere and church members represent a growing national trend of people disassociating themselves from government - or at least trying to. The Embassy of Heaven's mailing list, says, Revere, numbers one thousand, and approximately 400 people have "heaven-issued" documents for passports, driver's licenses and vehicle plates. In and around Henderson County, there are "several" church members, says Mrs. Gray, a number she declines to estimate.
"We're not fighting against flesh," she says. "The United States is not of God any longer, and hasn't been for a long time. If someone doesn't stand up to them . . ."
That someone, she says, is her daughter, who has chosen to give up food in protest of "what they're doing." According to Mrs. Gray, her daughter is a missionary of the church and not under any state's jurisdiction.
Revere sees Ms. Dempsey's ordeal as a necessary step to promote the kingdom of heaven. "Racheal's duty and whole duty is to remain as gentle as a dove," he said.
"Bottom line - it's a bunch of malarkey," says Haskel. "We don't recognize the church as a temporal authority with the power to issue licenses."
So how can this matter be resolved?
"She'll get out," insists Mrs. Gray. "I don't know how. Only God knows that."
Racheal Dempsey's arrest attracted the attention of Jeff Davis, the host of a controversial Austin-based radio talk show called "On the Edge." Davis mentioned the arrest on his show and sent a message saying, "We need help for a young 24-year-old lady from Tool, Texas. Miss Racheal Dempsey is being held at the Henderson County Jail in Texas for driving with a false license plate. We are asking people from around the nation to contact her mother, Mrs. Gray and offer any assistance. Also we are asking people to call the Henderson County Jail to inquire about Racheal's release."
Chief Deputy Ronnie Brownlow of the Henderson County Sheriff's Department confirmed Sheriff H.B. "Slick" Alfred received several phone calls either urging or demanding her release.
Five days after Dempsey was arrested, she was released from the Henderson County Jail. The county attorney's office dropped the standing charges. "We decided these misdemeanors as presented to us were not appropriate charges," said Assistant County Attorney Barry Bilger. According to Bilger, state law indicates tampering with a government record and displaying fictitious registration applies only if the documents in question are designed to appear legitimate.
"The license plate clearly states it is issued by the kingdom of heaven," said Bilger. "Her driver's license and registration indicate the same things."
But all is not over. The county attorney's office has met with the district attorney's office and determined Ms. Dempsey has, in fact, committed a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
"We do think (the kingdom of heaven plates and documents) fit better under another charge - tampering with physical evidence," Bilger explained. Tampering with physical evidence is a third-degree felony offense.
According to Bilger, the case now belongs to the district attorney's office and will likely be presented to a future grand jury for consideration.
Less than a week after Racheal Dempsey's release from jail, her dad, John Joe Gray, was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 8 by the Seven Points Police Department on arrest warrants out of Malakoff for failure to appear in court, no valid driver's license and no proof of insurance. Gray is now out on bond. [Compiled from articles in the Athens Daily Review.]
The Gray family received extensive radio, television and newspaper coverage for the Kingdom of Heaven. But now the devil and his imps are ganging up on this family kingdom under God. He's shaking them up to see if they will remain on the Rock. Will the devil's imps succeed in pressuring the family back into submission to the State? Will the Grays sell their birthright in the Kingdom of Heaven for a mess of State pottage? Will Racheal's faith hold strong even if felony charges are brought against her?
What about the loss of possessions? Racheal's car is still at the impound lot. Emmets Wrecker Service (903) 432-4645 won't release it until it is licensed and registered with the State of Texas. John Joe Gray's pickup is being held at the Seven Points Police Department (903) 432-3178 under a police hold. If these vehicles cannot be released unless the Grays submit to State licensing, what will they do? Pray that they have faith to let the vehicles go, if need be, knowing that God will provide replacements.