GOD'S PERFECT GLORIOUS CHURCH !!!
by
john roy bohlen & John 5:30
GOOD QUESTIONS:
Question: Can there be such a thing as a "Perfect Church"?
Answer: Of course! Otherwise we would have to change the Bible's promises to read like this: "I can do some things through Christ." And, "Some things are possible with God."
Question: How can we find such a church?
Answer: Read this book!
Contents
TONGUES: WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY.. 82
LOVE AND BODY STEWARDSHIP. 103
Verses on Discipline and Self-Control 113
OTHER IMPORTANT SCRIPTURES ON APOSTLE.. 122
APOSTLES NAMED IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL 12. 123
THE PROS AND CONS OF POINTING OUT TO PEOPLE.. 125
SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMATION.. 130
THE AUTHORITY OF A KINGDOM APOSTLE.. 146
REQUIRED SCHOOLING FOR A KINGDOM APOSTLE.. 146
Psychic Silliness and Mumbo-Jumbo. 150
GIFT MINISTRY WRONG TEACHING.. 151
AUTHORITY/SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIPS. 152
A LETTER TO SOME DEAR ONES. 270
DO!!! OBEY!!! DECIDE!!! CHOOSE!!! 315
Dear Heavenly Father, Precious Papa Yahweh, Daddy God of All: 315
THE DEAD MOUSE AND THE PRANSOME HINCE.. 316
THE HISTORICAL BEGINNING OF TABERNACLES. 349
THE HISTORICAL OBSERVANCE OF TABERNACLES. 350
THE MEANING OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. 350
WHEN TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. 351
THE HISTORICAL FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES. 352
A FASCINATINGLY ‘GLORIOUS’ STUDY.. 365
THE FEAST OF GLORY - TABERNACLES! 365
9 February 1999, by John Roy Bohlen. 373
ILLUSTRATION OF THE THRONE-ROOM... 373
THE FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES FOR THE CHURCH.. 386
THE COMING WORLD-WIDE REVIVAL!!! 387
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GOD’S GLORY.. 394
Comments About John Bohlen
John Bohlen is a person of unquestionable integrity who has dedicated his life to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
John’s message about the King's Greatest Secret has blessed many throughout the United States, and his book are in great demand in Africa as well as in the United States. In the opinion of many, John is one of the foremost authorities on the concept of the Kingdom of God
John is an active speaker who has blessed audiences in four continents with his Spirit-led messages about Kingdom living, and what the Kingdom of God really is.
My wife and I have had the privilege of contributing to the Great Commission Ministry and felt that it has been a good investment in the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Robert Benedict
- President, Resource Development Consultant
THE PERFECT CHURCH!
When I was 21 years old, while in a chapel service as a student at Bethany Fellowship Missionary and Bible Training Center, we were invited to sing the song, " 'Tis A Glorious Church, Without Spot Or Wrinkle". I clearly remember, though it has been almost 50 years since that day, that I laughed at the ridiculous assertion that the present day Church was spotless!! The fact was and is, that the Church is filled with wrong doctrines, unbelief, wrong thinking, immaturity, sin, division, worldliness, luke-warmness, faults, spots and wrinkles! How in God's Name, is the Church going to become pure??? The Truth is:
Eph 5:27 “That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” KJV
Jesus Christ is promised a perfect Bride!
Jesus Christ is worthy of a perfect Bride!!
Jesus Christ is going to have a perfect Bride!!!
Matt 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father Which is in Heaven is perfect.” KJV
This book is about the transition that is going to take place within the next few short years, to document how the Church can and will be transformed from its present state of lukewarm-ness to a state of purity and power, "without spot or wrinkle"!!!
THE KING'S GLOROIUS CHURCH!
Introduction
What would happen if a person suddenly decided to base his whole life on the Bible?!!! What would happen if a whole society did the same thing? What would happen if a group of people decided that they will belong to a church that does what the Bible says? We already have those who are called: ‘Bible Churches’, ‘New Testament Churches’, ‘Churches of God’, ‘Assemblies of God’, ‘Churches of Christ’ and ‘Churches of God in Christ’. We have ‘Christian Churches’, ‘Kingdom Churches’, ‘Kingdom Halls’, Luke-warm Churches and Spastic Churches.
But what would happen if a church decided, I mean, REALLY DECIDED! I mean RADICALLY, INTENSELY RUTHLESSLY DECIDED to have a church based ENTIRELY on the Bible!!!!! Would you like to be a member of this kind of church, and worship as God wants, and be ministered to as God wants, and be loved as God wants, grow in God as He wants' and be commissioned, empowered and sent forth as He wants?
You can do it!!!!!!! You can be part of this kind of adventure! Your church can do it! Your whole denomination can do it - BUT you are really going to have to be determined!! You are really going to have to make up your mind. The Bible says that all things are possible with God. Is having a “Perfect and glorious Church” possible? The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ”. Does that include having, or being a part of, a “Perfect, glorious Church”?
What would happen if you decided to pick up a Holy Bible, would decide to live your life, base your life, your decisions, based entirely on the Bible, BASED ON THE BIBLE!!! My friend Leonard Ravenhill, in his book, Why Revival Tarries, says, “One of these days, some simple soul
will pick up the Word of God, read it, believe it, and then the rest of us will be embarrassed.”
But even more, I have often wondered what would happen if a group of people, of whatever size, would gather together and decide to be a church based solely and entirely on the New Testament, without influence of any other ‘theology’, or doctrine! What would happen if ANY group of people decided to say, “We will worship God and relate to each other EXACTLY the way the Bible says that we should. We will run our church just the way the Bible says!!!”
I challenge you to do it! I dare you! I double dare you!! For this is exactly what we have dedicated our lives to! When I was very young, I determined to live my life based on the Word of God, the Bible, the New Testament. Wow! What a glorious adventure! My wife has done the same. Then, we together decided to base our marriage and family life on the same. Then, we decided to be a part of churches that do the same. And now, for many years, we have embarked upon a tremendous adventure of establishing churches that conform to the will of God as indicated in Scripture, and to helping already established churches be restructured and changed to conform to the will of God according to the New Testament pattern. If you want help with this, let us know.
What would happen to your church? How would it be different if suddenly your church decided to throw overboard every habit, every doctrine, every practice, every belief, every way of doing and believing that was not mentioned, practiced, taught or preached in the New Testament!!!!!!! What if your church decided, really decided that, from now on, they will practice and become what the New Testament says should be, in a “Perfect Church!”?
In these next pages, we will present some ideas from the Scriptures that will give us some perspective, hopefully, from God’s (and the Bible’s) point of view!
The Bible says (Eph.5:27) that when Jesus comes back, He will have for Himself “A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.” !!!
Would you like to be a part of such a church? Would you like to be a member? You can! Would you like to be a part of this glorious Church that He intends to present to Himself! This book tells you how your church can be like this! Or, if your church refuses to be like this, then this book tells you how you can find such a church. Or, if you cannot find such a church, then this book tells you how you can see this kind of church be established in your neighborhood, and built in such a way that it will be this kind of church! Are you interested? This book will tell you how.
“Christ also loved the Church & gave Himself for It.!” “That He might present It to Himself a GLORIOUS Church, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, or ANY SUCH THING; but that it should BE HOLY and WITHOUT BLEMISH!” Eph 5:27
Col 1:22 “In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:” KJV
1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as He Which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy’.” KJV
Matt 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Heb 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” KJV
Jude 24 “Now unto Him That is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” KJV
1 Thess 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He That calleth you, Who also will do it.” KJV
FACT: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS PROMISED:
A PERFECT BRIDE!
FACT: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS WORTHY OF:
A PERFECT BRIDE!!
FACT: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL HAVE:
A PERFECT BRIDE!!!
When I was a child, one of my pastors told me a lie. He said, "If you could ever find a perfect church, and you joined it, it wouldn't be perfect any more!"
This book is really volume 5 in a series of books about “The Perfect Church.” In 1979, when there appeared to be no (none that I knew of) books on The Kingdom Of God, the Lord directed that a book be written called, How To Rule The World, or Seek 1st The Kingdom Of God. One cannot have, or be a part of, a “Perfect Church” unless, first of all, the individual member of the Church has become what God wants. Therefore, How To Rule The World could be considered The Perfect Church - Volume 1.
Secondly, unless relationships among Christians and fellow believers do become what God wants, our Lord Yahweh promises to “come and smite the earth with a curse.” So, we believe that God instructed us that a book
be written, teaching us how to all be rightly related to each other, called, The Cult Of Cannibals. Hence - The Perfect Church - Volume 2.
Thirdly, unless marriages become what God wants, there can be no “Perfect Church.” We all are aware of the husbands and wives who are hurting in their relationships, and who hurt each other, not knowing how to properly relate. Thus, we wrote a book about how married people can live happily ever after. We called it, The Sexual Ministry., or, Happily Ever After! Hence, The Perfect Church - Volume 3.
We are all aware of families who fight and bicker all the way to church, then smile sweetly and religiously when they get to church, so a book was needed to show families how they could be rightly related in their walk with God; thus, The Perfect Church - Volume 4. We called this book, How To Raise ‘Purfect’ Kids!
In order to get “the whole picture,” we recommend that the Dear Ones obtain and digest the contents of these other books, as it would have made this book too fat, thick, expensive and redundant, to have re-introduced that material here. If you are interested in obtaining any of these books, or if you would like to contribute so that these books can get into the hands of many Dear Ones, many who will never otherwise get them, you may write to us at: The Great Commission Ministries, 9473, Co. Rd. D, Webster, Wisconsin, 54893.
In this book, we concentrate on the Church - and how it can be what God wants it to be. But know this: A church can never be what God wants it to be, if its individuals, its marriages, its families, and their interpersonal relationships are not pleasing to God. That is why we are recommending these other books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
God has used John Roy Bohlen in a ministry that founds and fathers churches, something like the apostles in the New Testament, and as an overseer of churches, a pastor, a counselor, a teacher of classes and seminars, and an author of things relating to marriage and family, the Kingdom of God, relationships, discipleship training, actualizing of one’s potential, development in ministry, evangelism, worship, and living happily ever after. His books include How To Rule The World, or Seek 1st The Kingdom Of God; a handbook on marriage titled The Sexual Ministry; a book, How To Raise ‘Purfect’ Kids; a book of Poetry, another on True Adventure Stories Out of Africa, another, called Fasting Journals, a detailed account of some of John's 40 day fasts, a handbook on relationships called The Cult Of Cannibals; and a small book, a chapter repeated in most of the other books, The King’s Greatest Secret!. This last book tells us how any one can be consistently gloriously victorious. There are other small books or articles on the following subjects, "Law, Grace and Law", "Hell", "Tongues", "Head Covering", "Victim's Mentality", "Glory", "The Feast of Tabernacles", "Female Circumcision", "The Song of Solomon", "Sexual Withholding", "Body Stewardship", "God's Feelings", "Priorities", etc.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
John Roy Bohlen is nothing much, nothing at all without Christ. He likes that Scripture, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able ministers...” II Corinthians 3. So John thinks that if he has done something good or has accomplished something, all the credit belongs to God! He only takes the credit for anything not of God. That way he repents, and receives forgiveness. But here is a little account of some of his adventures with the Lord thus far in his lifetime.
Raised on “back woods” farms in southeast Iowa, (the only running water they ever had was when he or someone ran and got it), John grew up being deeply hungry to know God and walk close with Him. I suppose he had a head start in this, because his folks, family and ancestors, as far back as they can trace, also had a deep love for God, and were born again. So, there were many times out under the stars, over on the river bank, up in the barn, or down in the woods, when, with his Bible, John would hunger and yearn for deeper fulfillment of the will of God in his life. He yearns still. But oh, the adventures! Mightily, he was met by God during his senior year at Bethel College in St Paul. He tells about it here in this book. He received his B.A. in philosophy and psychology under Dr. Bob Smith in 1961. John met Karen at Bethany Fellowship Missionary Training Center in Minneapolis from which they graduated in 1964, when they were also married. “Lady K.” (Karen), is also a Registered X- ray Technician, and gives training to women in their ministry to their husband, children, churches and world. John has an Assistant Professorship from Liberty School of Ministries, an honorary Doctorate from Mt. Olives College and Seminary, and was conferred an honorary high chieftaincy from King Adeosun in Nigeria. For nearly 20 years, John has been asked to be a guest lecturer for the Astronomy Department at Bethel University, one or two classes, each year. Just recently, John was awarded an earned Doctor of Divinity degree, by the Bible Way Institute International, in Stevensville, Texas, headed by Dr. L.D. Kramer.
God has used men like Leonard Ravenhill, Alan Langstaff, Dr. Bob Smith, along with many foundational ministries, prophets, intercessors and enemies as an encouragement. John was a deputy probation officer for L. A. County for 6 years, and has known various phases of construction and real estate. The Bohlen’s have helped establish and/or ordain a number of churches or ministries in Arizona, Nebraska, Vermont, New York, California, Minnesota, etc., and pioneered and pastored inner city churches in Phoenix and Minneapolis. John and his ministry teams have ministered in Brazil, Mexico, Jordan,
Israel, Austria, South Africa, Lesotho, Ghana, Benin Republic, England and 21 ministry trips to Nigeria in 20 years. 40-day fasts and much seeking of God resulted in the establishing of ministries focusing on the Great Commission, Knowing the Will of God, and Actualizing Our Potential in God. John is presently a chaplain with the Burnett County Sheriff's Department in Wisconsin, and is a commissioned chaplain in Nigeria.
John and Karen have a lovely family: Joseph and his precious wife, Michelle and their seven children are serving the Lord in Bismarck, North Dakota; Kari is married to Michael Robin and are part of our own
Great Commission Ministries, and have a young baby; Dawn Joy and husband, Pastor Timothy Fox, pastor a church in Portland, Oregon, and have birthed their first baby, and are expecting their second. Son Joshua and Tara and their 2 daughters are serving the Lord fervently, also in Bismarck. The family has traveled extensively and they ministered the Word, sang as a family, conducted seminars with others of a similar vision on: The Great Commission, Finding and Fulfilling Our Destiny in God, Marriage and the Family, Church Growth and Renewal, Discipleship - Leadership Training, Body Stewardship, and Life Priorities.
As we have said, John has also written a book, How To Rule The World or Seek 1st The Kingdom of God, which has had tremendous receptivity around the world! It is an excellent handbook on discipleship and is also ideal for a teaching series. Other books are available on marriage, The Sexual Ministry, and the family, How To Raise ‘Purfect’ Kids! (These may be ordered from K.O.G., P.O. Box 7123, Mpls., MN., 55407.) A 6 hour Seminar on God’s Priorities, divided into 30 minute segments, will soon be available on video tape, God providing. The book, How To Rule The World or Seek 1st The Kingdom Of God, is also available on tape, as well as other tapes, such as “The King’s Greatest Secret!”, “Helping Heal Hurting Humpty-Dumpty Hearts,” “I Corinthians 14:26,” etc.
John and Karen welcome you to visit them at the Great Commission Ministry Center. You may call them at 715-866-4060.
QUESTIONAIRRE
This questionnaire has a two-fold purpose: # 1. As a teaching aid to help one ask questions so that when the answer comes, it will remain more firmly fixed. 2. To provide a “before and after” perspective so that progress may be more fully appreciated.
1. Is it possible to have a Perfect Church?
2. Define the word, 'Perfect'.
3. Define: a. Cult, b. Occult, c. Christian?
4. How does one become a Christian?
5. Do apostles exist today?
6. If so, could you name any?
7. Be honest: If Jesus Christ or the Apostle Paul, as strangers, dressed up in modern suits, came into your group or church, would they be allowed to minister?
8. What percentage of the world's population would you estimate, are Christians?
9. Are people who are not born again, Christians?
10. WHAT GROUPS OR DIVISIONS DOES GOD SEE AMONG CHRISTIANS WHEN HE LOOKS UPON THEM TODAY?
11. WOULD IT EVER BE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO EAT WITH SOMEONE? IF SO WHEN?
12. WOULD IT EVER BE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO ALLOW A CHRISTIAN TO BE IN YOUR HOME, OR TO FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM OR TO NOT ALLOW THEM INTO YOUR CHURCH?
IF SO, WHEN?
13. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT?”
14. WHAT IS A “HERETIC”?
15. COMPARED TO ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT GOD, HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?
16. WHAT DOES IT MEAN, “JUDGE NOT, LEST YOU BE JUDGED”?
17. HOW DOES ONE “TRY THE SPIRITS”?
18. WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS DECEIVED?
19. WHAT WOULD YOUR REACTION BE IF SOMEONE ACCUSED YOU OF BEING DECEIVED? ARE YOU?
20. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DECEIVED?
21. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WRONG DOCTRINE” AND “FALSE DOCTRINE”? IF SO, WHAT?
22. HOW CAN A PERSON TELL IF ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUP OR TEACHING OR BOOK IS NOT OF GOD?
23. WHAT DOES JESUS MEAN: “IN AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE DONE IT UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE MY BREHTREN, YOU HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME.”?
24. WHO ARE THE “BRETHREN,” IN THIS CASE?
25. UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS SHOULD YOU “BREAK FELLOWSHIP” WITH A FELLOW MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?
26. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE IF YOU HAVE A GRIEVANCE OR PROBLEM WITH YOUR FELLOW MEMBER(S) IN THE BODY OF CHRIST?
27. IF YOUR BROTHER “OFFENDS” YOU, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
28. IF YOUR BROTHER HAS SOMETHING AGAINST YOU, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
29. IF YOU HEAR, BACKBITING, GOSSIP, TALE BEARING, OR SLANDER, ETC., WHAT SHOULD YOU DO, IF ANYTHING?
30. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR MINISTER IS WRONG, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
31. IF YOU WERE PASTOR OF A CHURCH, OR WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A HOME GROUP, WOULD YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO COME TO IT, OR MINISTER, IF THEY DISAGREED WITH YOU ABOUT THE FOLLOWING THINGS?:
(1) THE RAPTURE
(2) WATER BAPTISM
(3) ETERNAL SECURITY
(4) PROSPERITY
(5) SURVIVAL OR FOOD STORAGE
(6) CONFIRMATION
(7) THE TRINITY - Vs “JESUS ONLY”
(8) CHURCH GOVERNMENT
(9) DIVORCE
(10) IF THEY BELIEVED THAT WE MUST KEEP THE OLD TESTAMENT LAWS AS A MEANS OF PLEASING GOD
(11) MOVIES
(12) AURAS
(13) JERRY FALLWELL
(14) TONGUES
(15) HAVING JEWELRY, CARS OR RADIOS
(16) SNAKE HANDLING AS PART OF THEIR WORSHIP
(17) THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
(18) DOESN’T BELIEVE JESUS WAS ACTUALLY GOD
(19) BELIEVES THAT WE CAN BE LIKE GOD OR PERFECT THIS SIDE OF DEATH
(20) IS THE BIBLE THE WORD OF GOD
(21) IF YOUR FRIENDS WERE SUSPICIOUS OF THIS PERSON
(22) IF YOU HAD HEARD BAD THINGS ABOUT THIS PERSON
(23) IF YOU HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS PERSON BEFORE
(24) IF THEY DID NOT BELIEVE IN “ETERNAL SECURITY”
(25) IF THEY BELIEVED THAT A CHRISTIAN COULD BE DEMON POSSESSED
(32) TRUTHFULLY, DO YOU THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
Chapter One CUT IT OUT!
One of the most amazing things in the Church today are those pompous dear ones who single-handedly take it upon themselves to decide what in the New Testament is for today, and what isn’t! Folks can be downright capricious, illogical and inconsistent when it comes to deciding which parts of the New Testament they are willing for themselves and others to believe. Tell me, is there any place in the Bible, without twisting the Bible to believe that pet lie, that says that homosexuality or adultery or imperfection is o.k.? Is there any place in the Bible that says that miracles or tongues or apostles or perfection or walking and talking with God is “no longer for today?”
As we have stated elsewhere, there are some real “cut ups” in the Body of Christ today! They take their theological scissors and simply “cut out” those portions of the New Testament with which they disagree. A classic example we have given is the book of I Corinthians that, ironically, begins with the statement: “To: all saints everywhere who call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus!” Pretty plain and clear and explicit isn’t it!?. Yet, the Book of I Corinthians is a perfect example of what we are discussing. Got your scissors handy??? We’ll start with chapter 11. Long hair is no longer convenient for some women and short hair is no longer stylish for some men, and hats for ladies are certainly out of style, so let’s cut the first half of chapter 11 out. It simply “no longer applies.” The Bible doesn’t say that it no longer applies. You decide that it no longer applies, based on what is convenient for you, and on whether or not something is “in style.” But there is some good stuff in the last part of chapter 11 about communion, and I like communion, so let’s leave that in. But chapter 12 talks about apostles and prophets and tongues, and everybody knows they don’t exist today ‘cause I don’t know any, so let’s cut this one out - snip, snip, rip, rip. But the love chapter is next, and everybody loves love, so let’s leave that one in. But chapter 14 talks
about tongues, and tongues is controversial, and hard for smart people to understand, so let’s cut that chapter out. But 15 talks about the resurrection, and I want to be resurrected, so let’s leave that one in - - - - - - -.
Let’s review: (Got your scissors ready?) Want to lose your life? 10? In! 11a? Out! 11b? In! 12? Out! 13? In! 14? Out! 15? In!
Is there any place in the Bible that says that the day of miracles is over? If there is not, (and there isn’t), then please let’s not rip off or deceive the dear ones by telling them so. Revelation 22:1 says, “And if any man shall take away from the words of this Book of this Prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book.”!!! Infernal security people - beware!!!
14 Kinds of Perfection
Some years ago, I wrote a book called, How To Raise ‘Purfect’ Kids. The reason that I misspelled the word 'perfect', was because so many people in the Body of Christ, and in our society, are actually strongly opposed to the idea that any of us can be perfect in any area of our lives. Yet, the Bible uses the word “perfect” on many occasions, telling us for example that God called Job perfect, and that Jesus commanded us to be as perfect as our Heavenly Father! Here, then is an explanation about our, the Lord, the Bible, and those of us who use the word “perfect”. . .
“BE PERFECT! EVEN AS
YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,
IS PERFECT!”
Matthew 5:48
FOURTEEN KINDS OF PERFECTION
1: THE 'GOD KIND' OF PERFECTION.
2: THE 'BIBLE KIND' OF INFALLIBILITY PERFECTION.
3: 'SINLESS PERFECTION'
4: 1 JOHN 1:9 “CLEANSED FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS”.
5: THE “KING’S GREATEST SECRET!”, OR SANCTIFICATION:
6: MATURE or COMPLETE
7: GLORIFICATION: (Please see our article on GLORY!)
8: ALL THAT WE WILL EVER KNOW OR EXPERIENCE IN THIS LIFE:
9: CORPORATE PERFECTION: BRIDE OF CHRIST - WITHOUT
SPOT
10: THE “AFTER I’M DEAD AND IMMORTAL” PERFECTION
11. THEORETICAL PERFECTION:
12. SUPERIORITY PERFECTION
13. “GOD LOVES YOU WHERE YOU” ARE KIND OF PERFECTION
14. THE “ABIDING IN HIM” PERFECTION
Question: When God commands us to be perfect, is He kidding?
The word “PERFECT”, as it is found in the Bible (NAS)
Lev 22:21
Deut 32:4
1 Sam 14:41
2 Sam 22:33 (NIV)
1 Chr 12:38
1 Chr 29:19
Ezra 7:12
Job 22:3
Job 36:4
Job 37:16
Ps 18:32
“It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way PERFECT.”
(NIV)
Ps 19:7
Song 5:2
Song 6:9
Isa 25:1
Isa 26:3
Ezek 16:14
Ezek 27:3
Ezek 28:12
Ezek 40:47
Matt 5:48
Matt 5:48
Acts 3:16
Rom 12:2
1 Cor 13:10
Phil 1:6
Phil 3:12
Phil 3:15
Col 3:14
Col 4:12
1 Tim 1:16
Heb 2:10
Heb 5:9
Heb 7:19
Heb 7:28
Heb 9:9
Heb 9:11
Heb 10:1
Heb 11:40
Heb 12:23
James 1:4
James 1:17
James 1:25
James 3:2
1 Pet 5:10
I Jn 4: 18
Gen 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, (and) PERFECT in his generations: Noah walked with God.” (ASV)
Gen 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said unto him, ‘I am God Almighty. Walk before Me, and be thou PERFECT.’ “ (ASV)
Lev 22:21 “And when a man offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to fulfill a special vow, or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it must be PERFECT to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.” (NAS)
Deut 18:13 “Thou shalt be PERFECT with Yahweh thy God.” (ASV)
Deut 32:4 “The Rock! His work is PERFECT, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” (NAS)
1 Sam 14:41 “Therefore, Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, ‘Give a PERFECT {lot.}’ And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.” (NAS)
2 Sam 22:24 “I was also PERFECT toward Him; And I kept myself from mine iniquity.” (ASV)
2 Sam 22:26 “With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful; With the PERFECT man, Thou wilt show Thyself PERFECT;
(ASV)
2 Sam 22:33 “It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way PERFECT.” (NIV)
I King 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be PERFECT with Yahweh our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” (ASV)
I King 15:14 “But the high places were not taken away: nevertheless the heart of Asa was PERFECT with Yahweh all his days.” (ASV)
II Ki 20:3 “ ‘Remember now, O Yahweh, I beseech Thee, how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a PERFECT heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight.’ And Hezekiah wept sore.” (ASV)
1 Chr 12:38 “All these, being men of war, who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a PERFECT heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king.” (NAS)
1 Chr 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a PERFECT heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever.” (ASV)
1 Chr 29:9 “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a PERFECT heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” (ASV)
1 Chr 29:19 “And give to my son Solomon a PERFECT heart to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do {them} all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.” (NAS)
2 Chr 15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was PERFECT all his days.” (ASV)
2 Chr 16:9 “For the eyes of Yahweh run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is PERFECT toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” (ASV)
2 Chr 25:2 “And he did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a PERFECT heart.” (ASV)
Ezra 7:12 “ ‘Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, PERFECT {peace.} And now - “ (NAS)
Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was PERFECT and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil.” (ASV)
Job 1:8 “And Yahweh said unto Satan, ‘Hast thou considered My servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.’ “ (ASV)
Job 2:3 “And Yahweh said unto Satan, ‘Hast thou considered My servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst Me against him, to destroy him without cause.’ “ (ASV)
Job 9:20 “Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be PERFECT, it shall prove me perverse. 21 I am PERFECT; I regard not myself; I despise my life.” (ASV)
Job 9:22 “It is all one; therefore I say, ‘He destroyeth the PERFECT and the wicked.’ “ (ASV)
Job 12:4 “I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and He answered: The just, the PERFECT man is a laughing-stock.” (ASV)
Job 22:3 “Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or profit if you make your ways PERFECT?” (NAS)
Job 36:4 “For truly my words are not false; One Who is PERFECT in knowledge is with you.” (NAS)
Job 37:16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, the wonders of one PERFECT in knowledge.” (NAS)
Ps 18:23 “I was also PERFECT with Him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” (ASV)
Ps 18:32 “It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way PERFECT.” (NIV)
Ps 19:7 “The law of Yahweh is PERFECT, restoring the soul; the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.” (NAS)
Song 5:2 “I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my PERFECT one! For my head is drenched with dew, My locks with the damp of the night.’ “ (NAS)
Song 6:9 “{But} my dove, my PERFECT one, is unique: she is her mother’s only {daughter;} she is the pure {child} of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines {also,} and they praised her, {saying,}” (NAS)
Isa 25:1 “O Yahweh, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy Name; for Thou hast worked wonders, plans {formed} long ago, with PERFECT faithfulness.” (NAS)
Isa 26:3 “The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in PERFECT peace, because he trusts in Thee.” (NAS)
Ezek 16:14 “ ‘Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was PERFECT because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,’ declares the Lord Yahweh.” (NAS)
Ezek 27:3 “ ‘And say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrance to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, “Thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘O Tyre, you have said, “I am PERFECT in beauty.” ‘ “ ‘ “ (NAS)
Ezek 28:12 “ ‘Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘You had the seal of PERFECTion, full of wisdom and PERFECT in beauty.’ “ ‘ “ (NAS)
Ezek 40:47 And he measured the court, a {PERFECT} square, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide; and the altar was in front of the temple.” (NAS)
Matt 5:48 “Therefore you are to be PERFECT, as your heavenly Father is PERFECT.” (NAS)
Matt 19:21 “Jesus Yahshua answered, ‘If you want to be PERFECT, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.’ “ (NIV)
Acts 3:16 “And on the basis of faith in His Name, {it is} the Name of Yahshua Which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which {comes} through Him has given him this PERFECT health in the presence of you all.” (NAS)
Rom 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and PERFECT.” (NAS)
1 Cor 13:10 “But when the PERFECT comes, the partial will be done away.” (NAS)
Phil 1:6 “{For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will PERFECT it until the day of Christ Yahshua.” (NAS)
Phil 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained {it}, or have already become PERFECT, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Yahshua.” (NAS)
Phil 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as are PERFECT, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.” (NAS)
Col 1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone PERFECT in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (NIV)
Col 3:14 “And beyond all these things {put on} love, which is the PERFECT bond of unity.” (NAS)
Col 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Yahshua Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand PERFECT and fully assured in all the will of God.” (NAS)
1 Tim 1:16 “And yet for this reason, I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Yahshua Christ might demonstrate His PERFECT patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (NAS)
Heb 2:10 “For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things, and through Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to PERFECT the Author of their salvation, through sufferings.” (NAS)
Heb 5:9 “And having been made PERFECT, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.” (NAS)
Heb 7:19 “(For the Law made nothing PERFECT), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (NAS)
Heb 7:28 “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, {appoints} a Son, made PERFECT forever.” (NAS)
Heb 9:9 “Which {is} a symbol for the present time . Accordingly, both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot make the worshiper PERFECT in conscience.” (NAS)
Heb 9:11 “But when Christ appeared {as} a High Priest of the good things to come, {He entered} through the greater and more PERFECT tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation.” (NAS)
Heb 10:1 “For the Law, since it has {only} a shadow of the good things to come {and} not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make PERFECT those who draw near.” (NAS)
Heb 10:13 “Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice He has made PERFECT forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: - “ (NIV)
Heb 11:40 “Because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made PERFECT.” (NAS)
Heb 12:23 “To the general assembly and Church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made PERFECT,” (NAS)
James 1:4 “And let endurance have {its} PERFECT result, that you may be PERFECT and complete, lacking in nothing.” (NAS)
James 1:17 “Every good thing bestowed and every PERFECT gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” (NAS)
James 1:25 “But one who looks intently at the PERFECT law, the {law} of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.” (NAS)
James 3:2 “For we all stumble in many {ways.} If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a PERFECT man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (NAS)
1 Pet 5:10 “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself PERFECT, confirm, strengthen {and} establish you.” (NAS)
I Jn 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but PERFECT love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not PERFECTed in love.” (NAS)
In discussing or reading or thinking about “PERFECTion”, it is important to understand how the word is used. Thus, we would like to point out at least 14 ways that the word “PERFECTion” is used.
NUMBER 1: THE GOD KIND OF PERFECTION. I hesitate to inform you, that we will never be God. The Bible states that we are “partakers of the Divine Nature”, and that “For me to live IS Christ”, and “We have the mind of Christ.”, and, “As He is, so are we, in this world.”, etc., but, we will never beeeeeeeeee God, never be all-knowing, all-powerful, or be everywhere present. We will never be, as they say in seminary: omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent. One problem is, that we occasionally run into people who THINK they are God, or that they know everything there is to know about God. (No) We can never attain to this kind of PERFECTion.
NUMBER 2: THE BIBLE KIND OF INFALLIBILITY PERFECTION. The Bible is a unique Book. In its original languages, it is PERFECT and complete. Our words and our writings will never attain to the Bible status. However, and this may sound like heresy, there are times when our words can be MORE anointed, MORE practical, and MORE up to date. Please allow me to explain: (And, may God Himself spank you if you take me out of context.) Let’s say that you are sending someone a letter of encouragement. You open your Bible and flip the pages, and take a random verse from some place in Scripture, say, “Judas went out and hung himself” - then, you quickly randomly pick another, “Go thou and do likewise”! and another, “Whatsoever thou doest, so quickly.” Perhaps, God Himself wants you to tell the person, “The Lord, thy Shepherd, does lead and feed thee.” Tell me, which of the two words is more “anointed” more “practical”, more up to date, MORE of God? Yet, this current “word” will never be “on par with”, or “as infallible as”, or “in the same category with” the Bible. (No) We will never be “the inspiration-of-the-Bible- kind of PERFECT”.
NUMBER 3: SINLESS PERFECTION is an idea that will never come to its own time. “Sinless PERFECTion” as it is commonly understood, is that state of being that has reached the place where it is no longer possible for us to be able to sin, where we cannot sin, and where it has become impossible to sin. The angels had not sinned, yet one third of them rebelled. Adam and Eve had not sinned, but then they both chose to. Jesus could have sinned if He had wanted to. Otherwise the temptations of Christ would have been a silly game. The existence of love and the ability to choose to love, always presupposes the necessity of always being able to choose to NOT love, which is sin. Because I believe that we will always have the ability to choose to love, I believe that the ability to choose to not love will always be a necessary possibility. Therefore, I do not believe that this kind of “PERFECTion” is either desirable, or possible. (No).
NUMBER 4: 1 JOHN 1:9 “CLEANSED FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS”. (Yes) If you have confessed your sin and have been cleansed from ALL, not “much”, or “most”, but “cleansed from ALL unrighteousness”, then “How much unrighteousness do you have left in you???” In Matthew 5:48, Jesus commands all of us to be PERFECT. God expects us to walk righteously all of the time. Again, the question can be asked: If you have the Word of God, the Blood of Christ, the Life of Christ, the Power of God, the Spirit of God, the armor of God, the intercession of Christ, the filling and baptism of the Holy Spirit, the prayers of the saints, the shield of faith, the armor of God, the escape that Christ provides, and the weapons of our warfare, “How long can you live without sinning?” 5 seconds? 5 minutes? 5 hours? 5 months? 5 years? 5 decades?. “There has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, Who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above what you are able, but will, with the temptation, provide a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” I Cor.10:13 God wants us to get clean and stay clean, all the time. This one gets a "yes"!
NUMBER 5: THE “KING’S GREATEST SECRET!”, OR SANCTIFICATION: (Yes) (Please see our book, The King’s Greatest Secret!) When Jesus died on the cross, He not only took our sins, and the penalty for them, so that we could be forgiven, and He took our sicknesses, so that we could be healed, but He also took our SELVES, so that we can know and reckon on the fact that we are crucified, dead and buried with Him, along with all everything negative, nasty , inferior, inadequate, weak, failing, imPERFECT, etc., so that He Jesus Yahshua is actually available to BE our Life, BE our PERFECTion, BE our adequacy, BE our sufficiency, BE our righteousness, BE our Life. Thus, if Jesus IS OUR LIFE-”, then, in a sense, His PERFECTion becomes our own - so much so, that it becomes impossible to separate our life, our attributes, our PERFECTions - from His!!!!!!! (except in those areas, and at those times that we are less than He is). Folks need to stop excusing themselves for sinning, by saying things, like, "I'm only human.", or, "Everybody sins." There is no excuse for sin. God cannot forgive what we are excusing.
People will challenge me by asking, "Don't you sin?" My answer is, "We don't recommend it." If I answer, "Yes, I sin." They will say, "See there? It's not possible, (and therefore, I have an excuse to sin!" But if I answer, "No, I do not sin.", they will call me a liar.
In John 5:14 and 8:11 Jesus told the people to Not sin any more! Was He telling them to do the impossible? Was He joking? God commands, "Be clean, that bear the vessels of Yahweh." Isa.52:11
NUMBER 6: MATURE or COMPLETE: (Yes/No) In Phil.3:12 and 15, Paul uses the word ‘PERFECT’ in 2 different ways: In verse 12 he says he’s not PERFECT, and in 15, he says that he is! Paul uses the same word in the same way when he says that it is his goal to “present every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus”! Col.1:27, 28
NUMBER 7: GLORIFICATION: (Yes/No) (Please see our chapter on GLORY!) “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are transformed into THE VERY SAME IMAGE, from glory to glory.”, 2Cor.3:7-11, 18; To paraphrase verses 7 to 11, Paul tells us, ‘Remember when Moses went up on the Mount, He saw the glory of God? When He saw God, Moses’ face began to shine like the sun at its brightest, so much so that when he came sown from the mountain, he actually had to put a towel over his face so people could stand to look at him.’ And then, 4 times straight in a row, the apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes the promise that this experience that happened to Moses was NOTHING compared to what is available to us today!!!!!!! “Who He justified, them He also glorified”! Rom.8:17-30. “As He is, so are we, in this world”! I Jn.17:b Walk, even as He (Yahshua) walked”! 1 Jn.2:6b We believe that this experience is a present potential reality. We believe that the reason that John bowed down to the brother in the Lord, the fellow prophet/servant, in Revelation 19:10 and 22:8,9, was because John could NOT tell the difference between the person he saw there, and the One he saw in Revelation, chapter 1!!!
NUMBER 8: ALL THAT WE WILL EVER KNOW OR EXPERIENCE OR SAY OR DO IN THIS LIFE: (No) Phil.3:12 Paul said, “The time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, hence forth the crown is laid up for me - - “ We have not done all that we are going to do in this life, have not said all that God wants us to say, gone every place that He wants us to go, become all that He intends that we become, learned all that we are going to learn. Thus, we are not PERFECT or complete in the sense that we cannot learn any more than we know, or in the sense that we have done all that God wants us to accomplish for Him, before we die.
NUMBER 9: CORPORATE PERFECTION: THE PERFECTION OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST “WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE” (No) Eph. 4:11-15 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”! Jesus Yahshua is promised a PERFECT Bride - He is worthy of a PERFECT Bride, and, by God, He is going to have a PERFECT Bride!!!!!!! Rev.21:2,9,17. “Husbands, love your wife, as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, - - that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph.5:25 We are not there yet, but are progressing, and Christ will have His PERFECT Bride!
NUMBER 10! THE “NOW I’M PHYSICALLY DEAD AND IMMORTAL” STATE OF BEING. (No) The Bible states that when we die, this corruption will put on incorruption, and that this mortality shall put on immortality, that we shall be changed, as in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, for we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” I Cor.15:53-58, I Jn 3:2,; Rom.8 Note also, 1 Cor.13:10-12, where it refers to “when that which is PERFECT is come, then that which is in part will be done away”, and “then, face to face”, and “then shall I know, even as I also am known.” “Now unto Him Who is able to keep us from falling (or stumbling) and to present us FAULTLESS before the Throne of His Glory with exceeding great joy - - “ Jude 24. We are not dead yet, so we have not yet reached this kind of PERFECTion.
NUMBER 11: “THEORETICAL” PERFECTION: (No.) There’s no such thing! Some people have been taught a false doctrine that makes them believe that somehow, God comes to pretend that we are without sin, even if we have sin. The Catholic doctrine says that stern Jesus sees us through the loving eyes of Mary. The Protestant doctrine says that the stern Heavenly Father sees us through the loving, but blood colored eyes of Jesus - as PERFECT, even when we have sinned. Both concepts are dead wrong! If I get a wrong spirit toward my wife, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the mother of Jesus, the great Cloud of Witnesses, and the devil all know that I have a wrong attitude toward my wife, until or unless I repent, both to my wife and to the Lord. Only then God washes me clean, and I am clean, not because God is pretending that I have no sin when I do, but He knows that I don’t, because He has cleaned me, and has taken my sin away. There are also those who believe the heresy that God has already forgiven my future sins, and though God has taken the penalty for my sins, they are not forgiven until I repent for them. The possibility exists that if I sin deliberately or willfully, that I can get to the place where, as the Bible says, “There remains no more sacrifice for sins.” (Hebrews 6 and 10) God has not programmed or planned that I commit sin in the future. If we do sin, it is because we chose to do so, or, at least chose to not take the way of escape that is promised in 1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” (NAS)
NUMBER 12: “SUPERIORITY” PERFECTION: “I ain’t PERFECT, but, I’m more PERFECT than you.” This kind of PERFECTion has to do with a sometimes very subtle, “I know better than you.” “I am more spiritual than you.” “I am better than you.” or, even, “I am more humble than you.” Sometimes, just for fun, I will tell a person, “I’ll bet I love you more than you love me.” Sometimes, a close friend or member of my family will respond, “Yes, you are probably right.” Yet, the Bible commands: “Count all others, as better than yourself.” Phil.2:3 How can we do this, especially in situations where the other party is definitely in sin, yet, we are not. How do we consider, esteem or count all others as better, when we DO know more, have more experience, knowledge, intelligence, capabilities, health, education, or authority, etc. The answer lies in the fact that we all deserve an eternity in hell, and that any good thing we are and have, is only by the grace and mercy and kindness of God, that anything we do have is not by our doing, apart from God, and these things can be taken away at any time. Also, the Bible declares that “To whom much is given - of him shall much more be required.” If we know more, we are not superior, but are more responsible. Luke 12:48
NUMBER 13: THE “GOD-LOVES-YOU-WHERE-YOU-ARE” PERFECTION: (Yes, potentially.) Take a couple who have a child. He or she is well behaved, sweet, precious and loving. But it may not be potty trained, may not know how to talk or walk, dress itself or tie its shoes. This child is PERFECT in its own state of growth and development. We are not unhappy because the child is immature in these things. Nor is God unhappy with us because we haven’t learned everything there is to know about God yet, or because we haven’t done everything we are going to do in the future. We can waste ourselves worrying about this, instead of simply enjoying Him, enjoying the journey. This does not mean that He is happy with us, if we are sinning. As His Word says, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11. Remember: we CAN abide in that state of “having done all - to stand.” Eph.6:13 - “ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Rom 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." KJV But God is not happy when we sins, and, if we do, the "wages of sin" is still deadly death.
14. “ABIDING IN HIM” PERFECTION: (Yes, potentially.) When all else is said and done, there is no substitute for simply abiding in Him, sitting upon His lap, remaining in His Presence, walking in the Spirit, here, in the Secret Place of the Most High, under the Shadow of the Almighty, living within the circle of God's arms, listening to His heart-beat. Having been born again, Spirit filled, Sanctified, totally committed, King’s Greatest Secret, or even “glorified” - all of these, or any other revelation or experience, can be no substitute for being up-to-date resting, walking, remaining, residing, abiding, in Him in each present moment. The good news is, that we CAN and MUST be led by the Holy Spirit, consistently, or we cannot properly call ourselves “the Sons of God”. Romans 8. This is basic. Here, the Bible says that if we fail to abide in Him we will be cut off, cast out, thrown into the fire and burned. (So much for infernal security.) Let’s abide in Him, consistently!
John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine, ye “ are -” the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” (KJV)
I Jn 2:6 “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (NAS)
Matt 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect,
even as your Father Which is in heaven is perfect." KJV
Chapter ____
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THE KING'S GREATEST SECRET ! By John Bohlen & John 5:19, 30 . Copyright ©1993 by John Roy Bohlen Entire reproductions of this message are encouraged. You are hereby given permission to copy, record, teach, preach, share, memorize, handwrite, read, type, fax, or otherwise tell this secret to others. You are commanded by God to teach this secret to others in the Great Commission. Matthew 18:18-20. These things that you have learned and received from me, commit thou to faithful ones who shall be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number ISBN#0-9607702-4-0 Published by, for, and on behalf of the Kingdom of God GREAT COMMISSION MINISTRIES TABLE OF CONTENTS Mount Po-Po-Kat-A-Pe-Tel, or "The Long Distance God" The Road To Hell is Paved with Good Intentions How Long Can You Live Without Sinning? If God Didn't Make Little Green Apples in Minneapolis Are You Ready to Die - Then Live!!! The Greatest Moment of My Life Are You Filled With God Right Now? The Third Coming of Christ?!?!! The Illustration of the Cross and the Mirror "As Christ Is - SO Are We - In this World"
THE KING'S GREATEST SECRET!!!! A SECRET! The GREATEST secret! God's Greatest Secret! The best Secret you could know but almost no one knows this Secret! That’s why it's a Secret! God kept it a Secret until just the right time! Now is the time! You may be one of the very first to get in on the secret - until now, one of the very few. The Bible calls it "The Mystery of the Gospel of the Ages"! Mystery means " A Secret"! Gospel means "Glorious Good News"! Since this "Secret" comes from The KING of Kings I call it "The King's Greatest Secret!" If you learn this "Secret: IF YOU GET THIS SECRET!!! When I tell you this "Secret", you may be tempted to say, "Oh silly, I already know about this." But do you know that lass than 1 in 10,000 born-again believers knows this "Secret"? This "Secret" is also a "mystery"! That's why you will need to pay close attention and pray especially that God will help you solve this mystery, and help you learn this special "Secret"! Let me ask you a quick question that will help you know whether or not you already know this "Secret". Quickly list the most important things that Christ Jesus took of yours with Him to the Cross. Most Christians will rightly say, "Yes, He took my sins, so I can be forgiven." A few more will rightl This "Secret" is also a "mystery"! That's why you will need to pay close attention and pray especially that God will help you solve this mystery, and help you learn this special "Secret"! Let me ask you a quick question that will help you know whether or not you already know this "Secret". Quickly list the most important things that Christ Jesus took of yours with Him to the Cross. Most Christians will rightly say, "Yes, He took my sins, so I can be forgiven." A few more will rightly answer, "Yes, He took my sicknesses, so that I can be healed." Please stop for a moment to answer this question. WARNING! Jesus prayed a strange prayer: He "rejoiced on Spirit" and prayed, "I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent (of intelligence, discernment and learning), and have revealed them unto babes, (the child-like, the simple, the unskilled), for so it did seem pleasing in Thy sight." Matt. 11:25 & Luke 10:2 Can you imagine Jesus and the Father getting a kick out of telling a "Secret" that children or retarded people understand, but remains hidden from the smart, the educated, the wealthy, the wise? There is a strange and mysterious quality about this "Secret". It can stand in plain sight for all of a person's life, and one might get the "Secret". As we said, less than 1 in 10,000Christians know this "Secret", even though it is I plain sight, in the New Testament, which means that there is no small chance that you will know this "Most Important of Secrets!". It is even possible that you will still not know the "Secret" even after you read this little book. We have done our very best to make this "Secret" plain, but God has packaged this "Secret" in such a way that you must really pay attention and sincerely ask God to make the mystery lain and understandable. Everything that we have and are from God is BY HIS MERCY, GRACE, PITY, LOVINGKINDNESS, TENDER MERCIES, LOVE, GRACIOUSNESS, GOODNESS, and CONDESCENSION - every heartbeat, every breath, every good thought, every kind deed, everything we give God or others - "God has worked in us, both to will, and to do of His good pleasure." And this is no exception. This grace must be coupled with your intercession - if necessary, we encourage - every heartbeat, every breath, every good thought, every kind deed, everything we give God or others - "God has worked in us, both to will, and to do of His good pleasure." And this is no exception. This grace must be coupled with your intercession - if necessary, we encourage you to beg God, and plead with Him, with thanksgiving that He graciously grants you to know - this "Secret". We encourage you to seek God, very respectively, with great persistence - until God graciously, in His great love for you, reveals it to you. Here it is then:
God has a "Secret"!! He would like to tell it to You! The angels and men of God wanted to know this "Secret", but God wouldn't tell them for thousands of years. Then God told "The Secret" to the Church through the Apostle Paul and other apostles and prophets. That "Secret" was lost and forgotten again during the dark ages, but now is being told again in this special time to the Church. It's "the King's Greatest Secret!" It needs to be told so very much. Almost no one in the Body of Christ today knows "The Secret". We have ministered in many churches across the country and in most of them we ask a certain question o find out if they know "The Secret". In very few places where we have ministered, did they know. The question we asked them was,: What did Jesus take of ours with Him to the cross?" Will you take a minute to answer this before you continue? We get answers, all of them correct but not complete, such as "He took our sins, our sicknesses, our worries, burdens, fears etc." We say, "That's true that He took these so we can be forgiven, healthy, and without worry (some folks cast their burdens upon Yahweh, the Mighty Right NOW God, but as a fisherman casts, they sit and reel these burdens back to themselves.) But the people still have not told the main thing Christ took with Him to the cross! I suppose the reason they do not know, is that it requires a revelation from God, or one who has a revelation from God, to share "The Secret, before they can know. What a Wonderful Mystery!
We believe that more than 9,999 Christians out of 10,000 relate to God in one of the following incorrect ways: They relate to God "long distance". That is, they envision God as living way out beyond Mount Popokatapetel somewhere and that if they pray real long and loud and hard, that maybe God will hear them, and that may be, but less likely, the answer will get back. An old song says that Jesus leans out over the battlements of heaven and yells down the distance, "' Hold the fort, for I am coming', Jesus signals still. Wave the answer back to heaven, ' By Thy grace we will.'" The other incorrect concept of God, (we shall see in a moment why these are incorrect) is that of "A little bitty God inside of a BIG person with still BIGGER problems." We invite Jesus to come into our hearts, and so He does, not as our very LIFE, in most cases, but as a sometimes-thought-of "Guest". (I don't like, nor will I say that prayer, "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest…") I don't want Him to be a guest, I want Him to come I as the Resident President, the Master, my very LIFE!!! But some of us, when we pray come I as the Resident President, the Master, my very LIFE!!! But some of us, when we pray Jesus hiding way down deep in our hearts somewhere, we get our own echoes back as if we were talking into a well. But God wants to be very Very VERY much more real to us than these. As my friend, Chuck Dodge, says, "God has a consuming desire to make Himself real to us and to live His life through us. In order for Him to really become our Life, we need to correctly; and in order to relate to Him in a really healthy way, we need to know "The Secret"! THE SECRET! "The Secret" is found in plain sight in a multitude of places in the Bible, especially in places like John 17, Ephesians, Romans, Galatians, Colossians, etc. BEWARE that when you hear this "Secret" you not think too lightly or casually. The proof that you got "the Secret" will be that you will be able to consistently keep your heart and attitude and spirit right. In fact, if you REALLY get "the Secret", as the following scriptures indicate, there will be o difference between Who Christ is at the Father's right hand, and Who He is ----- in you! "The Secret Mystery" is this: When Christ went to the Cross, He took US with Him there! When He died, WE died! When He was buried, WE were buried with ALL of our insufficiencies, inabilities, and instabilities!!!! Everything negative, nasty, weak, or sinful about us, He took US to the Cross. Oh, Dear One, if you grasp hold of this "Secret", it will make the difference between you trying to speak good things, and Christ speaking His words through you. Lord Jesus, please make this plain and understandable. We believe together that You will make the Mystery clear. “I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father for thus it was well pleasing in Thy sight!”(Matthew 11:25 and Luke 10:21 KJ) Please let me tell you more about “The Secret.” When the Lord Jesus Christ went to the Cross, He took you with Him there! YOU WERE THERE when they crucified my Lord! Christ looked ahead into the present time and saw you and decided that He could not help you any other way, that He could not beat or bless you into being what He wants you to be, could not educate or “religious” you adequately, but that the only hope for you was to take you with Him to the Cross, and kill you dead, along with all of your negative nature and qualities, and bury you. Unlike many self-help books, Chris does not try to get you to “hype” or hypnotize, “con” or convince yourself into thinking that you are really good or nice, adequate or O.K., but that you are horribly hopeless and hideously helpless, apart from Christ taking you to the Cross with Him and putting all of your self to death and burying it in the tomb with Him. So you do not need to kill yourself or commit suicide, nor do your friends, because Jesus Christ lovingly killed us softly already. But that is not the end of the story! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! When Christ rose from the tomb, HE RAISED US UP as a whole, new, beautiful, wonderful, adequate, sufficient, glorious, superior, perfect, able, stable, secure creation in His image in newness of Life so He can come into us and BE our Life, Live your Life, BE our perfection, BE our righteousness!!! Perhaps you would like to see this “Secret” in the Scriptures. Because of this “Secret”, the following Verses can be attainable in the practical realm of the nitty gritty now:
Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME!!!! In Colossians, God says that CHRIST IS OUR LIFE! The Bible says, "For me to live IS Christ." (Phil. 1:21), and "We HAVE the mind of Christ." (I Cor. 2:16). And "A He (Christ) is, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD" (I John 4:17). Oh Dear Heart, I pray fir you with deep, unutterable longing and faith "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him! I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may KNOW…" (Eph. 1:17, 1 My son, Joshua, points out here that if you really get this "Secret", that most of your deepest questions will be answered as Jesus is the "Yes" of God (2 Corinthians 1:17-20). THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD EXCUSES Do you realize that if God Himself stepped down from a fluffy white cloud and offered an easy way for us to be consistently victorious, that many Christians would simply not be interested?! The "Good News" message, (that we can walk before the Lord consistently pleasing in motive, thought, word and deed), would be, to many "Christians", very "bad news". A major reason is that they would have to change their "doctrine" and when it comes to doctrine, some folks would rather go to hell than switch! But after we're born again it's very important that we don't begin to make excuses for not measuring up to God's will for us, because, contrary to what we have been taught, there is no excuse for not doing the will of God! I've often wondered what would have happened in the Garden of Eden if Adam would not have made excuses, when God came and asked him why he "messed up". Instead, Adam said, "The woman!" (Then he added) "Whom YOU GAVE to me…" I wonder what would have happened if Adam would have said, "Lord, please don't blame Eve. Let all the blame be upon me. She's the weaker vessel, and I should have been looking out after her." Or, what if Eve would have said the same? Instead, she blamed the serpent. The only good thing I can think of to say about the devil is that when God came to him, he didn’t pass the buck or try to place blame, (Never mind the fact that he didn't have any place to pass it!) But it is impossible for us to be both EXCUSING and REPENTING at the same time. God will NOT forgive what we are excusing. Most Christians have been brainwashed, hypnotized, or otherwise programmed into thinking that "nobody's perfect." The excuse, "I'm only human after all….." is typical, but definitely counterproductive. Remember, the Lord gives His Word, many victory promises: I Corinthians 10:13 says that, "There is NO temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but GOD IS FAITHFUL, Who will NOT let you be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation, also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." And in II Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, Who ALWAYS causes us to TRIUMPH IN CHRIST, and make manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.” (Victory=Always=everywhere!!!) And Romans 8:37, “... In ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM that loved (loves) us!” And, Philippians 4:13, “I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me!!!” But, so many of us, if we were honest and consistent with our own system of unbelief and wrong doctrine, have CHANGED these very Victory Scriptures to read OTHER THAN Intricately interwoven into the fabric of our thinking is some wrong doctrine that has been spuriously spread throughout nearly all of Christendom. Protestants and Catholics, EVERY denomination - it seems that hardly anyone has been spared. This doctrine of the dualism of nature, concerns our attitude toward our bodies, toward pleasure, our flesh, perfection, victory, - towards Life itself! A fresh revelation realization of “The King’s Greatest Secret changes all this.
The Church was fully free of faulty thinking in this area until about the fourth and fifth century after Christ, when a funny but phony philosophy of “dualism” infiltrated the Church from a man called “the father of Christian philosophy and theology”. He introduced a warped way of thinking into the Church that was not corrected by the theologians or philosophers that were to follow. Here is the man, the doctrine and the correction to his approach. Mark Twain allegedly wrote in his memoirs. “Went to church today. Preacher preached on sin. Only problem was, I couldn’t rahtly tell whether he was for It. ‘r again’ It!” You know? Sometimes a body can’t tell by looking at some Christians’ lives and doctrines whether or not they’re in favor of sin or against it, either!!!
I John 1:9 says that ‘If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, - and will cleanse us from - (not “much”, or “most”, but) - “ALL” unrighteousness!!!” Let’s say you Just “1 John 1 :9’ed” it. How much righteousness do you got left in yuh? Doesn’t it say “cleansed from ALL”?!. How long can you stay cleansed from all unrighteousness through the power of God, and by the Strength. and through the Life of God lived through you??? 5 seconds? 5 minutes, by God your Strength? 5 hours, through Christ your Power? 5 days, with Christ as your Life? 5 decades, with Jesus Christ AS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!!!?!. (Please refer to the above list of Scriptures here. Or would you rather continue on in your excuse-making and sinning?) GOD MADE LITTLE GREEN APPLES IN MINNEAPOLIS There is a false doctrine called “sinless perfection” that teaches that we can reach a LIE #1: ‘Impossible to sin.” = ‘Sinless perfection” CRISES AND PROCESS So, there is both a crisis and a process to every experience that we are to have in God : the New Birth, the Lordship of Christ, Sanctification, (dedicated and made holy), the Holy Spirit, etc.
You simply: #1. Know and “RECKON YOURSELF TO HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST’ (Rom. 6:6 - this is the crisis), and #2. Then “CONSIDER AND RECKON YOURSELF (here is the process) AS DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, SELF AND satan, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord!!! (Rom. 6:11) ALLELUYAHWEH!!! THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE In November 1960, my friend, Patty Troug at Bethel College told me, “John, as long as So, I decided to do three things:
Charles Trumble, in THE LIFE THAT WINS , says that on this third step of faith, everything So, I remember reaching out my hand to the Lord God and saying, CATACLYSMIC REVOLUTION Anyway, no sooner had that thought crossed my mind about praising a haystack (indicating the lacking emotional level of positive feeling), when Christ BECAME my Life!, and I have never been the same since! It seemed like a great dam broke on the inside, and there came explosively gushing over me, and through me, and to me, and from me, and upon me, and around me, from deep within and from high above came This is what is known by various terms such as The Second Blessing’, the “Fullness of the Spirit’, ‘The Exchanged Life’, ‘The Transformed Life’, “Walking in the Spirit’, and “Abiding in Christ”. The question for all of us, no matter what our theological background is: Are you FILLED WITH GOD RIGHT NOW? Jesus said, “He that believes in Me. out of his innermost being shall gush forth flooding torrents of Living Water continuously.” Talkin’ bout you?
THE THIRD COMING OF CHRIST?!?!!. A friend of mine was in a church meeting, when someone died. There was a nurse present who verified the lack of respiration and breathing, the bodily functions ceased, the color of death was present. The people continued to worship while the ambulance was coming. About 15 to 20 minutes later, the man opened his eyes and lived a wonderful life for many more years. His granddaughter had had a dream just two weeks before that her grandfather was going to die in church, and that he would come back to life. THE THIRD COMING OF CHRIST! Assume with me for a moment that God wants to return to the earth in a THIRD Way. He came as a Babe, and He’s coming in the clouds. But pretend with me, that between His 1st and 2nd coming, He wants to come in a 3rd way. Imagine that this time, He wants to do it like this: Suppose someone is sitting in church, and has a cardiac attack, and dies, God forbid. Instead of rushing to give the person ‘artificial rescuperatlon”, the rest of the people, if they notice at all, think that that person just fell asleep for a minute. Suppose that before anyone else knows of this, Christ comes in to this person, blinks open his eyes, and starts walking around in his shoes in disguise, incognito, speaking, talking, loving, LIVING, His LIFE, --- the very LIFE of Christ Himself! INFERIORITY COMPLEX They tell about a man who was down at the altar praying. ‘Lord, show me I’m nothing,
A BEE IN YOUR BONNET Did you know that Christ is NOT interested in HELPING you to be righteous, or wise, or holy, or victorious, or successful, or strong, or alive, apart or distant from Himself?? He wants to BEEEEE your Righteousness,BEEE your Wisdom, BEEEEEE your, Strength, BEEEEEEE your Life, BEEEEE your Everything. He doesn’t want to HELP you say good words, or pray, or be disciplined, or heal, or bless, or love, as something distinct, distant, or apart from Himself. He wants to pray His prayers through you by the Holy Spirit, to say His words through you, to bless with His blessing through you, to Heal with His Healing through you, to love with His love through you. Christ wants to BEEEEEEEEE all that He is, on location through you!!! Do you see the difference?
I was counseling with a 70 year old woman who had problems. She had a ‘glory spell” when I told her about ‘The King’s Greatest Secret”! She said, “I was born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit when I was 10 years old and have been walking close to God ever since. But in all the 60 years I’ve walked with God, I’ve never once heard these truths, that Christ can actually BEEEE my LIFE!!” When a person truly comes to know this wonderful ‘Secret”, then the transformation in a person’s life should be just as great as if Christ Himself actually BECAAAAAAAME that person’s very LIFE!!! Interested?! Interested in sharing this ‘Secret”? Are you interested in helping us share with others, this ‘Secret”?! THE FOUNDATION STONE! This ‘Secret” is so very very foundational to virtually every other truth in Scripture. For example, with regard to prayer, we must believe for Christ Himself to be on location, praying His prayers through us, according to the will of the Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. With regard to miracles or a ministry, we are to believe that Christ is on location, ministering and BEING that ministry through us. We want Jesus to BE the parent through us, BE the spouse ?!! We can have an experience GREATER THAN if we had a heart attack and Jesus Christ came into our newly dead body and started living in the earth disguised AS US, because, If you have any questions about this, please leave no stone unturned until you know deeeeeeeeep within your heart - - - this “Greatest Secret of the King”, if you can’t get “the Secret” through reading these words, and carefully praying your way through the Scriptures listed, then, please get in touch with us - because this MUST become absolutely clear to you, absolutely workable! It’s the Key literally to EVERYTHING you are in God. THE MIRROR AND THE CROSS Instead of a crucifix, I’ve often thought of having a cross with nothing on it except a mirror, as a reminder that you were ‘there and with Him when they crucified my Lord”! You were there and In Him when He rose up from the grave!!! What would happen if Christ came to the earth to live In disguise In someone before Will you pray with me now, very sincerely –very earnestly? ‘Lord God of the impossible, now and forever, please come and be made all glorious In me and be marveled at In me. I believe, Lord God, I believe, for You to live your life-IN ME I ask You, Lord Jesus, to come Into my heart and Life and BE my Savlour. I receive You AS my Lord, as the Commander and Boss of my life. I thank You for taking me with You to the Cross, to the death. and to the grave. I reckon my old life to be crucified! dead! and buried! I consider my New Life to be risen! Ascended! Seated! Glorified! and Reigning! In You, and You In me - Right Now! In THIS world! In My life! As My Life! FROM NOW ON! And to tell this Secret” to:
‘AS CHRIST IS - SO ARE WE - IN THIS WORLD! Who would dare to put an upper limit on the marvelous possibilities of this spectacular truth!, this ‘Mystery of the Gospel of the Ages!, this ‘King’s Greatest Secret”!? AS CHRIST IS - SO ARE WE - IN THIS WORLD!!
CONCLUSION What would Jesus do If Christ were my life?
HAPPILY EVER AFTER !!!!!!! |
THE
GIFTS
OF
THE
HOLY SPIRIT!
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Have you ever met any guys who thought they were God’s gift to women? Well there actually are those in the Body of Christ who are “God’s gift to the Church” as His Own special gift ministries - namely, the Apostles, the Prophets, the Evangelists, the Pastors, and the Teachers. We will be talking about these special gifts to the Church.
“Fear not little flock. It is the Father’s good pleasure to GIVE to you the Kingdom Of God!” Luke 12:32
“He HAS GIVEN us all things richly to enjoy.” 1Tim.6:17
“He HAS BLESSED us with ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3
“He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly.” Ps.84:11
“He who spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not also with Him FREELY GIVE us ALL things.” Rom.8:32
“All things are yours, and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Cor.3:21,22
“To him who overcomes, I will GIVE to rule over the nations with a rod of iron...” Rev.2:27
“For God so loved the world, that He GAVE: His only begotten Son.” John 3:16
“Seek ye first the Kingdom Of God and all these things, SHALL BE ADDED unto you!” Matthew 6:33
“Delight thyself in the Lord, and HE SHALL GIVE THEE the desires of thy heart.” Ps.37:4
“Give, and it shall be given unto thee, good measure...” Luke 6:38
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“For to one IS GIVEN by The Spirit THE WORD OF WISDOM; to another THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE by The Same Spirit; to another FAITH by The Same Spirit; to another THE GIFTS OF HEALING by The Same Spirit; to another THE WORKING OF MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY; to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to another kinds of TONGUES; to another THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES. I Corinthians 12
Wouldn't it be fun to find and be a part of a church like this, with members like this?!.
1. THE WORD OF WISDOM
2. THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
3. FAITH
4. THE GIFTS OF HEALING
5. THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
6. PROPHECY
7. THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
8. THE GIFT OF TONGUES
9. THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
We are going to begin with number 6:
6. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
DEFINITION: OR, WHAT IS PROPHECY?
DEFINITION: “THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY” Rev.19:20
I Corinthians 14:3 says, “But HE THAT PROPHESIETH SPEAKETH UNTO MEN TO EDIFICATION, EXHORTATION, AND COMFORT.”
Prophecy is: "God saying something to someone through someone." This is simple definition, but the number and variety of ways God has of speaking to people or a person, are as varied as the entire spectrum of the varieties of communication. For example, there is prophetic prayer, prophetic preaching, personal prophecy, Biblical prophecy, predictive prophecy, prophecy of encouragement, prophetic drama, prophetic story telling, prophecy through music, prophetic testimony, prophecy to inanimate objects, conversational prophecy, prophetic questions or answers, etc. Prophecy may come forth in as many ways as there are ways and methods of communication. Not all prophecy is predictive. Not all prophecy is of God. Just because a person says, "Behold, I say unto thee, saith the Lord . . . !" does not mean that what they are going to say is said by God. On the other hand, a simple conversation may be infallibly of God, as was the case when the high priest, in John 11:49-51, was calmly discussing the death of Christ. The priest was totally unaware that he was prophesying! In Numbers 22, God even prophesied to the prophet through a donkey!! If God can prophesy through a donkey, then He can prophesy through you!
There are many examples of prophecy through mime or drama. In Ezekiel, chapter 5, God instructed Ezekiel to lay down for over a year, on the ground in public, and do various kinds of prophecy through drama. Talk about the longest running show on Broadway!
WHO SHOULD PROPHESY?
Moses said, “Would God that ALL YAHWEH’S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS, AND THAT YAHWEH (God) WOULD PUT HIS SPIRIT UPON THEM.” Numbers 11:29.
The Bible says, “For you may ALL prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” I Corinthians 14:31.
WHY WE SHOULD PROPHESY?
1. BECAUSE GOD COMMANDS US TO! 1 Cor.14:37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”!
Then, the Bible goes on to say in verse 38: “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” Next, the Bible commands in verse 39, “Therefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” KJV
God says, “Wherefore...COVET TO PROPHESY .” I Cor. 14:39a.
God says, “DESIRE (or, covet earrrrnestly) spiritual gifts, but rather ESPECIALLY THAT YOU MAY PROPHESY.” I Corinthians 14:1b. (Amplified Bible) (rrrr is mine J )
2. TO EDIFY PEOPLE AND BUILD THEM UP: I Cor. 14:3a
3. TO EXHORT AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE. I Cor. 14:3a
4. TO COMFORT PEOPLE AND CHEER THEM UP. I Cor. 14:3a
“But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” I Corinthians 14:3a.
5. TO EDIFY THE CHURCH AND BUILD IT UP! God says, “But HE THAT PROPHESIES, EDIFIES (builds up) THE CHURCH. I Corinthians “For GREATER (unless the tongues is interpreted) IS HE WHO PROPHESIES... THAT THE CHURCH MAY RECEIVE EDIFYING.” I Corinthians 14:5b.
6. BECAUSE PROPHECY IS THE GREATER GIFT. God says, “ WOULD THAT YOU ALL spake with tongues, but rather THAT YOU PROPHESIED, for greater is he that prophesieth...” I Corinthians 14:5a.
7. TO CONVINCE UNBELIEVERS THAT GOD EXISTS, AND THAT HE IS PRESENT. (See the following).
8. TO INSPIRE UNBELIEVERS TO WORSHIP. God says, “But if ALL PROPHESY, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, HE IS CONVINCED OF ALL, and he is judged of all: and thus are THE SECRETS OF HIS HEART MADE MANIFEST; AND SO, FALLING DOWN ON HIS FACE HE WILL WORSHIP GOD, AND REPORT THAT GOD IS IN YOU OF A TRUTH.” I Corinthians 14:24,25.
THE IMPORTANCE THAT PROPHESY
SHOULD PLAY IN OUR LIVES
God commanded Apostle Timothy, in I Timothy 1:18, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, ACCORDING TO THE PROPHESIES WHICH WENT BEFORE ON THEE, THAT THOU, BY THEM, MIGHTEST WAR A GOOD WARFARE.” And again in chapter 4:14 - “NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE WHICH WAS GIVEN BY PROPHESY, WITH THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY (that is, the elders).” (Note especially - “NEGLECT NOT!”
WHY PEOPLE DON’T PROPHESY
(or move in other gifts of the Holy Spirit)
1. They don’t know they are commanded to, supposed to, privileged to, called to, able to, chosen to.
2. Fear:
A. Of making a mistake
B. Of grieving God
C. Of looking bad
3. Disobedience
4. They haven’t done their homework. They don’t know how to listen to, or hear, from God.
6. They don’t know enough of the Word.
7. Sin in their lives that disqualifies.
A. Makes them feel guilty
B. Takes away their confidence
C. Makes it so they should not prophesy
8. They are not full of God.
A. Baptized of Holy Spirit "He gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." Luke 11:13
B. Full of Holy Spirit - "Be ye being filled with the Holy Spirit." Eph.5:18 Amp.
C. Anointing -"The anointing that you have, remains and abides with you." 1 John 2:27
9. Ignorance: They haven't been taught how to prophesy. Don’t know how to be led by God in whether or not to speak up in the first place, continue or stop in the second place.
PROPHESYING TO INANIMATE OBJECTS
The young prophet prophesied to the altar. 1 Kings 13.
The following examples from the Book of Ezekiel. Prophesy against the forest. Prophesy unto the mountains. Prophesy upon these bones. Prophesy unto the wind. Ezek 6:1 “The word of the LORD Yahweh came to me: 2 ‘Son of man, set your face against the mountains of Israel; prophesy against them 3 and say: “O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD Yahweh. ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD Yahweh says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: “I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.” ’ “ ’ “ (from New International Version)
Joshua prophesied to the moon and the sun, and they stood still! Josh.10:12.
Jesus prophesied when He spoke to and commanded the wind, the waves, etc. Mark 4:39 Indeed, everything He said or did was Prophecy!!!
PROPHESYING ACCOMPANIED WITH MUSIC &/OR INSTRUMENTS
I Chronicles 25:1 indicates that at the height of his kingly rule in the glory of the kingdom, David commissioned certain ones who should PROPHESY WITH HARPS, WITH PSALTERIES AND WITH CYMBALS.”
Do you remember that David repeatedly drove the evil spirit away when he played on his harp in the presence of demon possessed King Saul? 1 Sa.16
Elijah called for the man to play a harp before he would prophesy. 2 Ki.2:15.
2. THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE: is a God-given knowledge of any given situation or person. It is insight, awareness, knowing, that is from God. I was ministering in Virginia, when a teen-ager stood before me for ministry, and God supernaturally told me that the girl was being sexually molested by her father. I had no way of knowing in the natural. With the pastor present, the girl admitted that it was true. The word of wisdom is God’s answer as to how to handle the problem. Another time, God revealed that a man was emotionally crippled because of his shortness of stature. Then the Lord revealed what to do about the matter, and the man was healed. God has used the word of knowledge in many situations, by imparting knowledge of facts that could not have been supernaturally known. A number of times, when I was ministering in Africa, God revealed that the host pastor was committing sin. The Lord supernaturally revealed to me what the sin was, how to confront and how to handle the situation. God wants all of us to be used of Him in knowing and doing things, by His Own supernatural leading and revealing. The day of the 9-11 Trade Center crises, God supernaturally spoke to certain people to not go there that day, and some heard, and some obeyed. In John 12:29, God spoke from Heaven, but some thought it thundered. How sad, for God to speak to us directly from Heaven, and we only hear static, because we are not tuned in. Can God be blamed for negative things that happen to us, if He is shouting to us, and we do not hear or heed? At other times, God may talk to us through someone else, but we do not hear or heed, because we think that it is only a human being, or a donkey that is talking to us. If the mighty prophet Balaam had not listened to what God had to say to him through his jack-ass , both his ministry and his life would have been lost. May God give us ears to hear, and a heart that will obey!
THE WORD OF WISDOM
Now we will talk about 1. THE WORD OF WISDOM: The word of wisdom is a supernatural God-given awareness of what to do or say or be, in any given situation. The word of wisdom is a gift from God to enable us to know what to do or say or think, about any situation. This is a wisdom from God, that does not come from the natural, but is supernaturally given. The word of wisdom is the knowledge of what to do about a word of knowledge. When I was young, the Lord taught me that "a revelation of a wrong does not constitute a commission to right that wrong". It is one thing to come to know something, but another thing to know what to do about it.
THE GIFT OF FAITH
3. FAITH: The gift of Faith, is a special gift of faith for a specific situation. It is an endowment, a gift, a boon, a blessing for something, or someone, like the woman who touched the hem of Christ’s garment. Like the men who let down the bed through the roof, like David running to kill Goliath, like the harlot who begged the spies to save her when they returned. In Africa, we sing "I've got confidence." (co - fee - days)
THE GIFTS OF HEALING
4. THE GIFTS OF HEALING: All of us have, perhaps, known times when there was a need for healing and when prayer was made, nothing happened, of which we were aware. But there are times when we have done something, and God simply supernaturally brings about the healing. Sometimes the difference between God healing and a miracle from God is very fine, as every healing is a miracle. But there have been many instances in which someone who was not expected to be restored, like Hezekiah, and, in answer to prayer, the person was restored, “from that very hour”. See our section on Healing.
THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
5. THE WORKING OF MIRACLES: A number of years ago, our friend, Apostle Ed Stube prayed for a man who had to be carried everywhere because his legs were shriveled up stumps. Ed told me that he (Ed) had no faith, but out of sheer obedience to God, he prayed for the man, and, while the multitude watched, the man’s legs grew out to normal, and he began running and leaping and praising God. That, my friend, is a gift of the working of miracles! I once prayed, with another brother, for a woman who was afflicted with massive internal cancer. God instantly healed her. On another occasion, we prayed, and God supernaturally removed several hideous burning, biting, and beating scars that were widely spread over this same person's body..
6. PROPHECY: We have already covered this one.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
7. DISCERNING OF SPIRITS: is the God-given awareness of what ever spirits, good or bad, are motivating or empowering in any given situation or person. The discerning of spirits could be also understood to mean the kind or quality or motivation behind a person’s human spirit. Please understand: the discerning of spirits, is NOT, I repeat, is NOT the same as "the gift of suspicion"! Here is a poem that helps one to know the difference:
SUSPICION!
John Roy Bohlen
In the Body of Christ, there is a special “gift”,
It is known as: “The Gift of Suspicion”!
It is one of the gifts of the Evil spirit.
Fueled by hate and ugly superstition.
It was this trait, Jesus faced in the crowd,
This “talent” led to His crucifixion.
This thing stops Love's flow in the Bride of Christ,
This powerful “Gift” - Suspicion.
Some folks think this gift is to be admired,
To be carefully sought and greatly desired.
They think God is mightily moving through them,
Think it's right to suspect, point out fault, and condemn.
Perception, Awareness, Revelation, Knowing,
Inspiration, Discernment, Wisdom, God showing,
These are of God, but suspicion is of satan.
Even God, faced with this, experiences frustration.
Would you be happy if others are suspicious of you?
Believing a lie, and denying what's true?
Criticize your best intentions, and
Distrust your motivations?
Love thinks the best of every person,
Accepts the best of the loveliest version,
But suspicion rejects before love has ere begun,
Was impossible for acceptance for even God's Son.
What do you do if they're suspicious of you?
Let Jesus be your Life, all life through!
Overcome evil with good, each minute, every hour.
Love them in return, praise God with might and power!
This is an area where most mistakes are made in the Body of Christ. There are those who believe themselves to be really spiritually perceptive, but who, in their immaturity “judge unrighteous judgement”.
TEACHING BY NEGATIVE EXAMPLE
You can be more wise if you have had the privilege of being victimized by others who have done this to you, because, sometimes, the best way the Lord has of teaching us is by negative example. Sometimes the Lord will take us through, or allow is to go through, an unpleasant situation in order to insure that we do not treat others the way we ourselves have been treated.
“GOD TOLD ME …!”
An old apostle gave some valuable advice over 40 years ago. He said that it is better to not say, “God told me this!”, or “God told me that!” etc., but to instead say, “I believe that God told me this, or that.” But not, “I think God told me this.” “God told me” is too strong, is a claim to infallibility, and forces your revelation upon people, whereas, “I think”, can be too week. No one can argue with you, if you say, “I believe - --”
But, many people, in their immaturity, want to prove or demonstrate or show off their ‘spirituality’, perhaps, because they are suffering from feelings of inferiority, or inadequacy, and are trying to overly compensate, so as to prove to others that they really are spiritual and mature. But, one who is truly mature, does not feel the compulsive need to prove their spiritual maturity. Therefore, we believe that it is best to say, “I believe that the Lord showed me - - - “
FALLACY: “I am only entitled to 3, (or, ‘several’ gifts of the Spirit).”
1 Cor 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” KJV Some people believe that, on the basis of this verse, that each person is only entitled to 2 or 3 of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the first place, ‘several’ here, does not mean 2 or 3, as you can see by the following translations:
1 Cor 12:11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” NAS
1 Cor 12:11 “All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as We wills.” RSV
1 Cor 12:11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” (NIV)
In the following verses, the Bible says, that, “God is no respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; James 2:1; 1 Peter 1:17; 2 Peter 3:11.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are like spiritual tools that every household should have available to them. Again, we ask the question: What is the best spiritual gift? The answer is: The best spiritual gift is the one needed most at the time – the gift that the Holy Spirit is directing should be used at a specific time for a specific reason. We believe that every household should have a tool box that should include the following items: a hammer, a measure, a screw driver, a saw, a drill, a pencil, etc. In that same manner and for the same reason, every person should be able and equipped to move in all nine of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, “that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Tim 3:17 NAS
May God mightily bless you, as you step out in faith!!!
THE GIFT OF TONGUES
“Forbid not speaking in tongues”! 1 Cor.14:39
What’s this business about the gift of tongues? The idea is as strange to some long standing Christians today as if the whole idea were a new one. The only thing is, the phenomenon of tongues has been with us for 2000 years!
It’s really not difficult. The gift of tongues is simply the supernatural ability to speak in a language not naturally learned. The purpose of this shall be presently seen.
TONGUES: WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” Acts 2:4
“Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and marveled, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking, Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?’ “ Then it lists at least 16 different language groups besides the aforementioned out of every nation under heaven and goes on to say:) “‘Hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God!’ They all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Others were mocking and saying, ‘They are full of sweet wine.’ But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them -” Acts 2:5-8, 11b-14
“And these signs WILL accompany those who have believed: in My Name they will cast out demons, they WILL speak with new tongues;” Mark 16:17
TONGUES
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God,” Acts 10:44-48
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.” Acts 19:6
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given:
1) the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another
2) the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another
3) faith by the same Spirit, and to another
4) gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another
5) the effecting of miracles, and to another
6) prophecy, and to another
7) the distinguishing of spirits, to another
8 ) various kinds of tongues, and to another
9) the interpretation of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:7-10
TONGUES
“And God has appointed in the church,
first apostles,
second prophets
third teachers,
then miracles,
then gifts of healings,
helps,
administrations,
various kinds of tongues.
29 All are not apostles, are they?
All are not prophets, are they?
All are not teachers, are they?
All are not workers of miracles, are they?
30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they?
All do not speak with tongues, do they?
All do not interpret, do they?
But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.”
TONGUES
20 “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, ‘By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,’ says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe. 23 If therefore the whole church should assemble together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40. But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.” I Corinthians 14:1-40
Let’s take a positive approach! So very many people have two motives or mentalities when the subject of tongues is approached. They either; 1. Start by trying to prove that the Gift of Tongues is no longer for today or for, us, and 2. By trying to point out all of the negative aspects of tongues.
What would happen if we took the approach that first of all, this gift - is a gift from God!!! Let’s take a positive approach and consider some of the positive things God has to say about His gift of tongues. Otherwise, we can be like a grumpy person who is given a precious and costly gift from a very important and loving and special Person - but when we receive the gift, we only grumble, and murmur, complain and criticize.
Before we consider these positive attributes, let us first deal with several lies, fallacies or misconceptions about the “Gift of Tongues”.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE “GIFT OF TONGUES”
1. THE MISCONCEPTION THAT “TONGUES IS THE LEAST OF THE GIFTS”.
Many people refer to tongues as “the least of the gifts”. Their attitude seems to be, “least but not last!” or “Not last, but least.” There is no place in the Bible where it is stated or implied, hinted at, suggested, or insinuated, J that “tongues is the least of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” In the comparison of tongues with the gift of prophecy, the Bible states, that tongues, without interpretation, is not as good a public gift as prophecy, simply because not as many people are blest, because they cannot understand. But the Scripture immediately explains that there is essentially no difference in value between the two gifts - if there is interpretation with the tongue. The implication seems to clearly be: “Tongues with interpretation - is equal to prophesy!” T + I = P. Study 1 Corinthians 14:1-20.
One reason these “anti-tongues” people give as “logic” for their “thinking” is that in a couple of lists, tongues is mentioned last or toward the last - and therefore - should be least. But if this “logic” is followed, then the last item on other lists, should also be least - like love, in I Corinthians 13, or faith in Galatians 5, or love in 1 Peter 1. Get the point?
Think about this: Suppose a lover gives a gift to his or her loved one, three gifts, and the receiver of these gifts is overheard saying, “Well, this particular gift is the least of them all”. All of God’s gifts are important! They are all wonderful. I don’t want God to hear me thinking, “Well, this insignificant, poor unimportant gift of God is just about the least gift I can think of.”
What is the best gift of the Holy Spirit? Think about this for a minute. I have asked this question of groups to whom we have ministered. We get various answers, like “prophesy”, or “love”, or salvation”, or whatever. I like to think of the gifts of the Holy Spirit like spiritual tradesman’s tools. Thus, the answer to this question, “What is the best gift of the Holy Spirit?” would be: “The most important gift of the Holy Spirit is the one that is needed at any given moment, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.” Obviously, one does not need a hammer, when a board needs to be sawed, nor a saw, when a nail needs to be driven. When the situation calls for a message in tongues, then tongues is the most important gift, etc.
Again: The Bible nowhere states, or implies, that the gift of tongues is the least of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. THE LIE THAT: “TONGUES IS NOT FOR TODAY”
TONGUES” = “Love (charity) never faileth” but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.: 1 Corinthians 13:8. The problem is that prophecies haven’t failed. knowledge hasn’t vanished away - and that which is perfect has not yet come!!! What on earth, (besides the devil), possesses people to believe that tongues should not be included in our every day working tools of the Kingdom!!! There is absolutely NO place in the Bible where anyone can find any hint that tongues is not supposed to be for today.
If I were the devil, I would make up a doctrine like “dispensationalism”, that causes people to believe that miracles, supernatural healings, apostles and prophets. and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for today!!! By doing so, I would have just as damningly destroyed sections of the Bible as if I had taken acid, an ax, fire, dynamite, or a scissors to the Bible!!! And if I would have wanted to destroy certain important ingredients to one’s faith, I would have chosen these: the Christian’s most important and effective tools to world evangelization and growth!!!
3. THE MISCONCEPTION THAT: “THE PROOF OR EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TONGUES”.
There is a denomination I know, that believes that, before a person can claim to be “born again”, that they must: 1) be baptized in water, 2) by immersion, 3) in or into the Name of Jesus only, 4) using the exact phrase “for the remission of your sins”, 5) be baptized in or by the Holy Spirit, with, 6) the “evidence” or “proof” of the gift of tongues - - -. I think that it also helps if a person has become born again, by asking Jesus to take over as Lord and Savior! But I think they think that 7) it is also necessary to act, talk and dress legalistically, I think maybe that they think that 8) membership in their church is also necessary!!! Reminds me of that joke about; we had to be quiet so as not to shock the Baptists (or whoever) who thought that they were the only ones in heaven.
I disagree. I believe the Scripture that says, “These signs shall follow them that believe - has reference to every one having, as part of their heritage and inheritance, the ability to speak in tongues, potentially. But few of us live up to our potential. Thus, only a small percentage of us enter into all God has for us, including these things we are discussing.
We do not believe that tongues is a proof of anything. We personally know of people who “speak in tongues” but whose lives are a disgrace to the Name of Christ. One can speak in “tongues” and be demon possessed, or a wife beater, or the worst of persons. On the other hand, we know of the very best of Christians, whose lives are filled with grace and love and power and self-control, but who have not learned how to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in the speaking of another language, supernaturally. Yet, this gift of tongues is very lovely, and is intended by God to be useful to Him, to they themselves, to the Body of Christ, and to the Kingdom of God.
4. THE “JIGGLE MY JAW” MISCONCEPTION
One of the main hindrances to moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the misconception that, in order to do so, God must first slap us silly, and then “jiggle our jaw”! They believe that somehow, God must put us into a kind of trance, or at least, take over our will, and then make us do something contrary to our “normal” expressions and behavior. There are those who have somehow become convinced that, in order to speak in tongues, they have to work themselves up emotionally, foam at the mouth a little bit, get almost out of breath, go higher in volume and pitch, faster in speed, shake and sway, roll their eyes back in their head, and then, scream or vomit out a message in tongues or interpretation or prophesy in King James’ English. The Bible says that “The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets.” 1 Cor.14:32. This means that we are to be in full control of our faculties at all times, and that as co-laborers together with Christ, God speaks to our spirit and mind, and then we chose to speak, as we are led, much the same as when someone asks us to say the table prayer over our food. The flow of inspiration, the mechanics, the flow of thoughts are exactly the same, and the words are to come, in exactly the same way. The same thing is true of prophecy, the gift of interpretation, singing a psalm, bringing a word of wisdom or knowledge, etc. Because of this misconception, that God must somehow “take over” our mind and mouth and tongue and will, is one of the greatest single reasons why more people do not move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
HOW TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF TONGUES
One only needs 3 things in the speaking of any language:
1) a tongue! a physical tongue (most people have one of these)
2) the Lord, (all you need to do is: ask Him, Jesus, in as Lord)
3) to know how to co-operate with the Lord in the speaking
THE “14 STEP TONGUES PROGRAM!”
We recommend that everyone do the following list of things:
1. Invite Jesus within, as LORD and Savior. Revelation 3:20
2. Dedicate your tongue and your all to Him: totally John 7:17
3. Confess every known sin, and be cleansed from all unrighteousness: 1 Jn.1:9. The devil cannot influence you, if you are clean and protected.
4. In Jesus’ Name, say, “I bind, cast out, off, and away from me, every principality and power, etc., into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, for His judgment.” “What ever you bind will be bound.” Matthew 18:18
5. Ask for the protection of the Precious Blood of Jesus. Hebrews 9:14
6. Learn “The King’s Greatest Secret!” Ro.6:6,11; Gal.2:20; Col.1:27; Jn.5:19,30 (See our book by the same title.)
7. Ask for the Baptism and fullness of Holy Spirit. “He gives the Holy Spirit to them who ask.” Luke 11:13 Receive by faith. Does the Bible say that if you ask, He will give? Then believe and receive. Don't wait for emotions or feelings to be the proof that you have received. Take it by faith, and live happily ever after!
8. In Jesus’ Name, command every sound and syllable to be totally glorifying to Him, and in Jesus’ Name, refuse any sound or syllable that is not. John 14:14 “If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it!” Then, when you step out in faith, you don't need to worry about saying something wrong.
9. Confess freely that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, and that He is come in your flesh. 1 John 4:2 Repeat: "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh!" and, "Jesus Christ has come to live within my flesh!"
10. Accept Healing for your memories and emotions. Eph.4:23; Heb.10:16-22
11. In Jesus’ Name, break every negative bond from the past. 2 Cor.10:4 Repeat: "In Jesus' Name, I bind and break every negative bond from my past!"
12. Boldly declare, “Jesus is my Lord!” 1 Cor.12:3
13. Step out in faith and begin worshipping the Lord in tongues. Ps.81:10
14. Live happily ever after! 1 Thes.5:16-18
THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN?
Having taken the above steps, what is the very worst thing that could happen? Here is a short list of the worst things that could happen:
1. That you are not sincere, or, are not right with God, or, that you try to practice this, or any of the gifts of the Spirit, without having a sweet and tender, right spirit and heart attitude. Any negative or wrong heart attitude is broadcast through our every form of communication. The Bible says, "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." Isa 52:11
We must NEVER try to do or say anything when our hearts are not right and sweet. A Kingdom Principle to remember is: “Everything in our spirits and in our hearts, becomes broadcast in every thing we do and say.” Therefore, it is very important that we never try to preach or communicate or move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, if we are bitter, or critical, or arrogant, unloving, or, are in any way, aware of sin in our lives. The Bible says, “Let all things be done unto edifying (or building up or encouragement).” In other words, if what you have to share in a public Christian service is not going to encourage the people, then either 1) do not say it, or, 2) say it privately to the pastor or leader, or to the person about whom you have a problem. But, first if all, through repentance and humility, make certain that your own heart is right with God.
One of the worst things that can happen is:
2. That you do not try to enter in. Hebrews 5:14 Most people do not experience many good things, simply because they do not try, or dare to make the attempt. Heb 5:14 "even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
3. That you give up? My son Joshua has written a rap “Never Give Up, My Friends, No, Never!” The Bible is full of Scriptures that teach the principle of persistence. Gal.6:9; Heb.12, etc.
But let’s say that you make the attempt and only end up saying “gibberish”, or say something that means simply nothing at all in any language? What is God going to do in that case? Will He slap you? When a child is learning to talk, and finally at long last begins to talk, and instead of saying “Father”, in clear and concise English, says, “Da da”, do you, as the parent slap your child and demand that it speak clearly?? Oh no! You encourage the child, and, pretty soon, it is speaking clearly! Can you imagine after taking the above 14 steps with all sincerity, and boldly stepping out in faith, and saying something that means nothing, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will look over at you, trying your best, and they will say, “This person needs our help. Let’s go help him or her out!” And, so They do! The Lord will come into the situation and gently help and enable you to speak fluently in whatever language He desires you to speak.
4. That you let your (or somebody else’s’) natural mind talk you out of it.
One of the problems with speaking a different language is that our mouth and ear and tongue may not be used to speaking in a guttural, or sing-song or nasal kind of way, like many languages utilize. For you to try speaking German, French, Chinese, etc., calls for you to use vocal parts in ways that at first may sound funny to your ear. But, if you will gently relax your speaking parts, and sweetly allow the Holy Spirit to help you, soon you will be speaking fluently and beautifully in other languages. Yes, I said “other languages”. The Lord knows how to speak every language in heaven and on earth, so gently let Him speak however and whatever languages and sounds He wants to speak through you, including English or your native tongue. Amen.
Let me repeat step number 14. “Live happily ever after!” Amen!
THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
9. THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES: is the God-given ability to sense by faith, the meaning intended by a message in tongues, and the sharing of this meaning. It may not be a word-for-word translation. There may be times when an interpretation given, may not be the interpretation at all, but may be a good but unrelated prophesy. It sometimes happens that several people might participate in bringing one interpretation. If a message in tongues is brought, and there is no interpretation coming forth, the person who gave the message should be encouraged to “pray that he (or she) may interpret”. Otherwise, the leader should give the interpretation, so the message in tongues is not “left hanging”, uninterpreted.
Please keep in mind that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be a result of “stepping out in faith” and a matter sometimes, of 'trying our wings'. We must be patient and loving with each other. These gifts of the Holy Spirit can be imparted/received by the laying on of the hands of the apostles and prophets. I myself received the gift of the interpretation of tongues, and the gift of prophecy, when Apostle Edward Stube laid his hands upon me when I was about 22 years old. It is acceptable for you to seek such a person out, and request from them, the impartation of gifts of the Holy Spirit. Heb 5:14 says, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." KJV This means (among other things) that a healthy atmosphere should be provided to allow people to grow in their use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
HEALING AND HEALTH
60 Ways to Receive Healing
When Christ died on the Cross, it is important to know that He took with Him, three things, so that we would not have to suffer in these three areas.
# 1) He took our sins and the punishment for our sins, so that we would not have to pay, because He paid. To receive the benefit of this provision, we simply apologize to God, for having acted sinfully, and invite Him to come live within us as Lord and Savior.
# 2) Christ took US with Him to the Cross, so that we could reckon our self completely crucified, killed, dead and buried with Christ, so that He could raise us up in newness of Life, in Christ Jesus. He raised us up a whole, new, beautiful, glorious, victorious, adequate, sufficient, able, stable creation, fashioned in newness of Life, so that He, the Lord God Creator King of Everything could actually LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US, consistently, unceasingly, increasingly. The way to appropriate this provision, first of all, is, to know that it is true, Romans 6:6, to know that you HAVE BEEN crucified with Christ, so that He can live His Life out through you!! Then, to know, Romans 6:11, and that we are to “consider or reckon (act like it’s true because it IS true), that our old inferior, sinning self, we are to reckon it completely dead, and receive Christ within us AS OUR LIFE, so that He can freely live His Own Life out through us, consistently. Amen.
# 3) A third thing that Jesus took of ours to the Cross, is: He took our sicknesses upon Himself so that we would not need to be sick or have sickness or infirmities. The Bible teaches us that sin IS in the atonement, and that, because He bore our sicknesses in His Body on the Cross, that we do not need to bear them. Two things are necessary for us to enjoy ANY provision God has made. 1) We must know the provision is available. 2) We must appropriate the benefits of the provision. As with sin, even though Christ paid the price for our sin, taking them with Him upon Himself on the Cross, we can still live in and bear the punishment for our sin. In that same way, even though Jesus Yahshua took our sicknesses upon Himself upon the Cross, we can still be sick if we do not know the provision is available, and/or if we do not act on the basis of the available provision.
FALLACY: The people asked Jesus the question: Who sinned? This person who is sick, or did his parents? Christ answered,
John 9:2 “And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3 Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.’ 4 I must work the works of Him That sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.” KJV
60 WAYS GOD PROVIDED
FOR OUR HEALING & HEALTH
To avoid trouble, it is wise to make a disclaimer when advising people as to their health. Note: We are NOT "practicing medicine" and are advising everyone to function under "the doctor's orders". We also acknowledge the Great Physician, and His Book of Life and Health, the Bible.
1. Communion - Wouldn't it be lovely if God had provided a medicine for us to take that would make and keep us healthy?? Well, He has! “For this reason, many of you are weak and sickly, and some have even fallen into the sleep of death, (because you do not properly discern the Lord’s Body).” 1 Corinthians 11:2 If we can experience physical destruction from not properly understanding Communion, then it stands to reason that we can experience positive things, physically, by properly understanding and appropriating the Communion. “The life is in the blood.” Lev.7:11,14 (Communion) Jn.6:53-58 When I partake of communion, I am taking faith that the Body and the Blood of Jesus is effectively going to every part and cell of my body and is doing its healing miraculous work! Amen. We fall short of communion's full potential and provision, if we ONLY see it as a "symbol". Jesus declared, "This IS My Blood!" and "This IS My Body!" Who are you or I to say that it is otherwise? In the Old Testament, if a husband was jealous, he could take his wife to the priest who would mix a poison concoction for her to drink. If she was guilty, her guts would fall out. Otherwise she would be o.k. When we eat or drink something, it goes to every muscle, cell, bone, corpuscle in our body. So, also, with the Body and Blood of Jesus!
2. Pray - “Whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Mt.21:22 Is this verse really true? Then, take it by faith.
3. Have faith, claim it. Mk.10:52; 11:23; Lk.7:50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:32;
4. Anointing oil - Mk.6:13; James 5:14,15 The greatest miracle of healing I ever received in my nearly 70 years, was when an old apostle of God anointed me with motor oil from his garage! I forget the brand.
5. Handkerchiefs - Acts 19:12 (see # 23 pg.3) Paul did not sell them!
6. 2 agreeing - Mt.18:19 Do you agree with me that this verse is true?
7. Refuse condition (Resist the devil) - James 4:7 Declare: "In Jesus' Name, I REFUSE this condition . . "
8. See self as seated in Christ above - Psalm 91; Eph.2 See our chapter, "The Throne-Room Mentality".
9. See Christ as Life and Health - “The King’s Greatest Secret!” - Gal.2:20; Rom. 6:1-11; Col.3:1-3; 1 Cor.1:30 Jesus wants to BE our health, and live within us AS our Healer.
10. Confess sin - James 5:14-16 Since "the wages of sin is death", if we confess and forsake our sin, we can possibly avoid death.
11. Yield completely to God - Rom.12:1,2; James 4:7,10 God does not take responsibility for that which does not belong to Him. If a life is 60% committed to God, then God assumes 60 % responsibility. We wish you "good luck" on the rest! But if a life is committed to God 100%, then God will assume TOTAL responsibility for your life. Many people blame God when things go wrong, when they themselves have not allowed God to have His full control.
12. Elders - James 5:14,15 "If any among you is sick, let him call for the elders", etc.
13. Go to Apostles, Prophets - Lk.9:2; Acts 2:43
14. Those with Gift of Healing - 1 Cor.12:9 There are those in Christ's Body, whom He has especially appointed to move in the gifts of miracles, or faith, or healing. It may be the faith of a child, or of a new or young believer. We counsel and encourage all who are sick, to allow themselves to be human "guinea pigs" as it were, and allow themselves to be prayed for by any and every Christian, for them to "practice their faith" so to speak.
15. Prayer warriors - Jam.5:15,16 The real meaning of Christ's words were "Ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep on knocking!" Mt.7:7
16. Body Stewardship, Eating properly - 1 Co.3:16-17 See our chapter on this. White sugar steals vitamins and minerals, etc. I ask people, "If I put toilet water and slop in the gas tank of my expensive car, what would you think of me?" Then I ask, "If you put the nutritional equivalent into your stomach, what am I to think of you?" Most people eat and drink things proven to be unhealthy, such as white flour, white rice and white sugar, then expect God to heal them.
17. Body Stewardship--Regular Exercise - 1 Tim.4:8
18. Go to Dr./Hospital - Mt.9:12; Col.4:14 God has provided both doctors and medicine and hospitals for one's healing. If God wants you to go to a doctor and take advantage of that method of healing and treatment, then one is foolish and presumptuous to refuse to go. We merely recommend one to pray first, not last.
19. Take medicine - “Take a little wine for your stomach’s often infirmities.” 1 Tim.5:23; Luke 10:33,34
20. Stay sick/get sicker - Thinking, acting or remaining sick is an option.
21. Be healed by dying - Job 3:11-22 Sometimes, dying is also an option. Phil.1:23 Sometimes dying is to be preferred.
22. Get better gradually - (let body heal itself.) Joshua 5:8
23. Physical objects that carry an anointing, (prophet’s staff, 2 Ki.4:29; prophet’s bones, 2 Kings 13:21; Hem of garment - Mt.9:20; The Apostle Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons. Acts 29:11-12
24. Fast - “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Mt.17:21 Fasting can stop many illnesses, solve many problems! See Dr. Sheldon's Fasting Can Save Your Life!. When a person fasts, blood pressure goes down, triglycerides, cholesterol, edema, blood sugar, etc. normalizes. The list of benefits is endless. But it is important to remember to resume eating when sufficient weight is lost, and it is important to remember to take as long getting back to "regular eating" as the number of days fasting. Most people can safely tolerate fasting ONLY on water. My fasting journals are also available.
25. Deliverance - Mt.12:22, 17:21 "In Jesus' Name, I bind, cast out, off, and away from me, (or, this person), ________." There are some who see demons behind every bush, and behind every sickness. But we are foolish if we NEVER see the enemy being the cause of ANY sickness. When he is, God has deliverance available.
26. Word of Knowledge/wisdom/discerment - Lk.13:16 Jn 5:6, 1 Cor.12 Each case may have a different solution in God. Be led.
27. Preached Word/Taught - “I sent My Word and healed your disease.” Ps.107:20; Mt.8:16 Acts 14:9-10 My favorite!
28. Confess “healing” Scriptures to build faith - Mk.11:23 Rom. 10:17 and 10:8 "If you confess with your mouth . . "
29. Presence of God--Direct - Ps.42:5 Sin and sickness cannot live in the Bright Presence of God.
30. Presence of God in others (Peter’s “shadow”) Acts 5:15
31. God’s Mercy--Pity - Ps.27:7; 33:18, 22
32. Seek 1st God’s Kingdom and His righteousness: Mt.6:33 If you do, God WILL provide ALL THESE THINGS!"
33. Delight self in the Lord--(Praise) - Ps.37:4 "And He will give you the desires of your heart." We are to give thanks ALWAYS, and IN EVERYTHING!!!"
34. Baptism by immersion - Mt.3:15 (Read “The King’s Greatest Secret!”) We die with Christ, old things are passed away, and are risen in newness of Life, with all things new. 2 Cor.5:17
35. Healing of memories - Casting all your care - 1 Pet.5:7
36. Receive forgiveness of sins - Mt.9:2;
37. Forgive others their sins against you - Jn.6:37; Mt.6:14
38. Persistent praying, Jas.8:16; 1 Ki.18:43 It is sometimes wrong counsel to tell people to just "take it by faith" and not allow any other to pray. If Elijah, in 1 Kings 18, had done that when he prayed for rain, it may never have rained. Or, if Christ had only prayed for the blind man, who, in Mark 8:24, after Jesus prayed for him the first time, was still not completely healed.
39. Obey God - Ps.18; 119:67, Deut.7; Jn.14:20,21; Jer.15:18,19
40. Cry to God - Ps.17:1; 18:6; 55:17; 57:2; 106:44; 107:19 There are many Scriptures that indicate that God responded ONLY when someone CRIED to God.
41. Lift up hands - Ps.28:2; 63:4; 134:2; Lam.2:19; 3:41
42. Be pure - Ps.34:15, 17; Jas.5:16
43. Wait on God - Ps.25:21; 27:14; 37:7,9,34; 40:1 There are MANY Scriptures that speak of this.
44. Hope - Ps.16:9; 31:24; 38:15; 1Cor.13:13
45. Honour father and mother, others, “That thy days may be long on the earth.” - Ex.20:12; Mt.24; 15:4; Eph.6:2,3 The clear implication here is, one's life may be shortened, if one fails to honour parents.
46. Become so full of God that there is room for nothing else. Eph.3:19 (Amplified Bible); Luke 11:13
47. The Glory of God - 2 Cor.3:5-18; Rom.8:29-31; 1 Ki.8:10,11
48. Know God - Daniel 11:32 Know God - do exploits!
49. Fear God - Eccles.8:12
50. Love God - Jn.14:21-23; Ro.8:28; 1 Cor.2:9
51. Rebuke sickness or symptoms Luke 4:39; Mk.4:39
52. Be still, rest in the Lord - Ps.46:10; Is.30:15
53. Ask in Jesus’ (Yah'shua’s) Name - Jn.14:10-19 Acts 3:16
54. Stand! - 2 Chro.20:9,17; Eph.6:13; Philippians 1:28
55. Be filled with the Holy Spirit -- Rom 8:11
56. Repent James 5:14-16
57. Alternative medicine: Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Acupressure, Herbs, Supplementation (B17, Essiac) etc.
58. Get rid of all bitterness
59. Worship: Job 1:20, 21
60. Humor: Laughter does good like a medicine. Prov 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." KJV Healthy endorphins are released.
BODY STEWARDSHIP
What would you think about a person who put toilet flushings and dirty water into the fuel tank of his $80,000 automobile, who then prayed that God would heal the car when it did not work properly? This is exactly what people do who eat or drink that which is not healthy, who then ask God to heal them. God says to us in the Bible, 1 Cor 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” (NAS)
LOVE AND BODY STEWARDSHIP
If I reeeeally loved you, I would want to take care of my body and do the right thing with it, in terms of good and proper and wise body stewardship. Stewardship means being like a servant - servant minded, with a keen and real and deep sense of responsibility over something, in this case, one’s own body.
Why is body stewardship so important? It is because your body has been given to you as a gift from God, with which you are able to do God’s will.
Let’s presume that God has finally brought you to the place where you are now totally, totally committed, as a life long life-style, to doing the will of God.
You need your body with which to do God’s will. It is something like deciding to take a person to another destination, that can only be arrived at by automobile. You will need a vehicle to take him or her there. You will need to treat that vehicle with respect and with a sense of responsibility, in order to do right by delivering your passenger. You must drive well. You must have enough gasoline. You must put the proper fuel into your tank, and have the other proper fluids in their proper places. It is exactly the same with your body.
Would you put a fuel into your tank that you know will negatively affect the performance and condition of your vehicle? Would you do that to your body? Suppose God gives you a vehicle that He wants you to be responsible for. Are you going to do things to that vehicle that will do it harm, will irresponsibly shorten its life span, will do it permanent damage, will cause to not go as fast, not last as long, not have as much power, not do as well as it otherwise might? Suppose that this vehicle is only on loan to you, that you are borrowing it, that it belongs to someone else? Will you be any more highly motivated to take even better care of it? Our bodies belong to God. You have given yourself to Him. You have declared that Jesus Yahshua, Father God, and the Holy Spirit is your LORD and Master. This means that you have promised Him that you will not do or permit or allow anything to happen to your body, of which God does not approve, or that would not be good for your body. If Jesus is your Lord, this means that you have given up all right to your own body, and that, from now on, you do not have the right over it, as to what it eats, what it sees, where it goes, etc.
In other words, from now on, you must not eat or drink anything of which God does not approve. And, God will not approve of you putting anything into your mouth that will hurt you.
Are you willing to commit to a life-style of not putting wrong things into your mouth? Yah, but what about if the stuff tastes really, really good? What if whatever it is that we are talking about has also become an addiction, a habit, a bad habit? Are you still willing to not put anything into your mouth that is not healthy for you? Why is it that we would not think of putting swamp water or toilet flushings into our fuel tank, when we think nothing of putting the nutritional same thing into our mouth and stomach and digestive system?
What if you put toilet flushings into your fuel tank on your car? The car would stop. It would eventually be ruined. What if you then “trusted the Lord” to heal your car? Would God fix your car if you did that? Let’s say that He took pity on you and did fix it. Will you go out and do it again?
That’s exactly what people do to their bodies, if they put things into them that they know are wrong for them. They mistreat and give wrong food and liquid to their bodies, their bodies get sick, and then, they expect God to heal them. If I drink poison battery acid on purpose, then ask God to heal me, drink more acid, and ask Him to heal me again, will He do so? That’s exactly what people do when they eat or drink or watch something that is not healthy for them, or is actually harmful for them.
The same thing is true of over eating. If God gives you a very fine automobile, a car that is top quality, but with it comes a warning that if you put more that 2000 pounds into it, that it will break. The springs will break, the wheels will fall off, the tires will go flat, the steering will go bad, and the car will have to be pushed, pulled or carried. The motor will wear out, and a new one will have to be put in. Knowing all of this, and you repeatedly overload the vehicle, what will God think of you?
Suppose that you live in an isolated mountain village that has only one car, and that car belongs to you. Suppose that car is needed to bring supplies: mail, medical supplies, food, clothing and building materials, and that you are responsible for all the supplies needed by that village and those needed by your family. You mistreat and overload your car and it breaks down. What will the village and your family and your spouse think of you? How can you say that you love them, and yet, act irresponsibly toward them? How can you say that you love your family, and do this to them? It is exactly the same thing, that if you say you love your family, but mistreat your body, that is responsible to feed and care for and protect them, and to be with them.
I used to weigh 344 pounds. (NOTE: Please see the up-date on this below!) This means, according to the weigh charts that I was more than 150 pounds overweight. Can you imagine carrying around that much extra weight, every place you go? That weight is equal to THREE 50 pound bags of sunflower seeds. Then I have the gall, the audacity, the inconsistency, the hypocrisy to tell them that I love them!!! I way, way, way overload the car, then tell the guy I am borrowing the car from, that I like him. The truth is, I do not like him, or at least I am not acting like I like him.
Any friend of mine, has the right to tell me, that I am a liar, and they are probably wrong for not doing so, when I say, “I love you”, to them, but to wrongly eat, or to over eat, or to be out of shape, or to be overweight. 1 Tim 5:8 says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (an unbeliever).”
I am not providing a healthy body for my family, nor will I be as likely to meet their needs, if I am overweight, or out of shape. I do not want to deny the faith. I do not want to be worse than an infidel.
I Jn 4:20 “If a man say, ‘I love God’, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God Whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
From now on, if I tell God or my friends that I love them, and I am in the habit of doing both, many times, I need to be demonstrating and proving my love for them, by being in shape, and by being the proper weight.
Mark 12:30 “And ‘thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength’: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ There is none other commandment greater than these.”
If I am going to love God with all my strength, I need to show my love to Him by having strength in the first place, and in losing weight in the second place. In my worship of the Lord, it is difficult to dance before Him, if I am out of shape and/or overweight.
UPDATE!
Several years ago, I did weigh 344 pounds! For over 30 years, I have had an insatiable, out-of-control, raging appetite. I would come home from eating an all-you-can-eat buffet, and open the refrigerator wondering what would taste good. My life was a cycle of 40 day fasts, taking only water, losing 50 to 80 pounds, then gaining it all back within a year or less. On the one hand, fasting can be incredibly healthy for a person, in terms of giving the body and the system a rest and a cleansing, but the weight gain was not healthy, nor the means by which I gained the weight. But then, on October 21, 2001, I discovered a secret, and I have not had a problem with my appetite since then. I discovered that the healthy sugars found in fruit, honey, etc., turn to fat. I discovered that healthy carbohydrates and starches, such as that found in grains and rice and pasta, in starchy or carbohydrate vegetables such as corn and potatoes (1/4th cup of sugar in one medium sized baked potato) turn to sugar, elevate the sugar in the blood, and turn to fat!!! I began eating a diet consisting of eggs, meat, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, salads, vegetables, dairy products. My appetite disappeared, my triglycerides went from 999 to less than 200. My blood pressure has normalized. My cholesterol levels are normalizing. I am down 30 pounds from 2 years ago, and am down over 15 pounds from October (8 months) thus far, and am continuing to lose weight. If you want an up-date on this progress, you may e-mail at
John 15:12 “This is My commandment, That ye ‘love one another, as I have loved you’. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
Experts have proven that refined sugar and white flour is not healthy. They can lead to many nutritional deficiencies, and can cause obesity, diabetes, heart problems, etc. For all intents and purposes, sugar is poison. Are you being a good steward of your body if you put this poison into your body? Sugar has zero nutrition. Even worse, sugar depletes vitamins and minerals from the body. Sugar contributes to an acid condition in the body.
Question: On the one hand, you may claim that Jesus is your Lord and Master: But, on the other hand, are you willing to put up a sign in your room, "Eat Only Healthy Things!!!", and then, for the Glory of God, the benefit of your loved ones, and so that you may fulfill the purposes of God for your life, are you willing to eat and drink only healthy things???
Salt, many preservatives, chemical additives, and food colorings are poison.
We recommend the following books that relate to Body Stewardship:
Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, by
How to Keep Healthy and Happy by Fasting, by Salem Kirban
Fasting As A Way Of Life by Allan Cott, M.D. (Bantam Press)
Fasting Can Save Your Life, by Dr. Herbert Shelton
Fasting and Miracles, by Mahesh Shavda
Food, Teens & Behavior by Barbara Reed, PhD (Natural Press)
Lick The Sugar Habit, by Dr. Nancy Appleton
Power Protein, by Dr’s Eades
Sugar Blues, by
Sugar Busters, by Stewart, Bethea, Andrew, Balart
The New Diet Revolution, by Dr. Aitkins
BODY STEWARDSHIP
Let’s suppose that God gives a person a great call and a great talent. But, suppose that person decides to be careless with food, and dies or becomes crippled and incapacitated before the call is fulfilled or completed, and, because of this, the talent becomes wasted and undeveloped and unused. The Bible says, 1 Cor 9:27:
In KJV: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
In NIV: “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
In ASV: “But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.”
In (NAS): “But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
Please notice, the word “buffet” is not to be pronounced or to be taken to mean, Buff-FAY!!!, but beat IT!!! J J J (So your body will be “buff”!)
My translation/explanation would go something like this: “I really discipline, and pound, and beat, and deny my flesh (like Jesus did, and like Adam should have done), and I insist that my body and my flesh DO what God wants me to do with it, because if I don’t, I could lose my life, and/or the quality of it, prematurely, and become like a piece of garbage or trash, fit for nothing but to be thrown away.” (jrb)
A famous evangelist is quoted on his death bed, as saying, to this effect, “Alas, I have a message to deliver, but my horse is destroyed.” He died before his time, because of poor body stewardship.
The Bible says, in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.” (NAS)
I define body stewardship as being the wise handling of our own bodies, so that they will be used to maximum efficiency for the Kingdom of God, as to the whole area of health, nutrition, self control, exercise, etc. We seem to understand the concept of stewardship as it relates to money. We understand “steward, -ess”, as it relates to helpers on an airplane. It can apply to a person who is hired or fired to or from a commission of responsibility, as in the parable of Jesus Yahshua.
We can understand the concept of stewardship in the area of possessions, as with a car, for example. If we took an $80,000 Mercedes automobile, and put muddy water in the gas tank, or where the oil should go, we would think that to be really stupid, but if we put junk food or liquid into our mouths and down our throat, that we know is not healthy for us, then ask God to heal us from sickness that is a result of our own stupidity - - ???
Our bodies do not belong to us, but to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible promises us that “He that destroys the body, him shall God destroy.” 1 Cor 3:16 “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (NIV)
Some people prematurely destroy their own body by improper eating or drinking, improper nutrition, etc. Some examples of this could be:
over-eating
eating too much of the following:
sugar: candy, white sugar, honey,
white flour: breads, pastries, pasta, cakes, cookies,
caffeine: coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, etc.
Salt,
Preservatives, food coloring, additives, chemicals like nitrite, nitrate,
BHT, etc., fake food,
Eating too much food that is healthy
Eating too little:
fruit
vegetables
salad
food
drinking too much:
sweets,
pop
alcohol
drinking too little water
Another kind of improper stewardship could be not getting enough of sleep or exercise or fresh air or bathing.
Another kind of stewardship could be to fast too long or improperly, or, not at all.
Another kind of improper stewardship would be to do things that are foolishly dangerous such as reckless or irresponsible driving, or of driving or flying or riding in vehicles that are not kept in good repair, or of allowing ourselves to be in places or around situations, people or animals etc, that are dangerous, out side of the will and leading of the Holy Spirit.
SCRIPTURES
Titus 1:5 “-- that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” (NAS)
Over the years, I have become increasingly convinced that body stewardship is to be considered a very extremely important part of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Verses on Discipline and Self-Control
Prov 23:1 “When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; 2 And put a knife to your throat, if you are a man of great appetite. 3 Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food. 4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. 5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. 6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; 7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, ‘Eat and drink!’ But his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments. 9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” (NAS)
Acts 24:25 “As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’ ” (NIV)
1 Cor 7:5 “Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (NIV)
1 Cor 9:23 “And I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (NAS)
1 Cor 9:26 “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (KJV)
1 Cor 9:27 “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
(NIV)
1 Cor 9:26 “I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.” (ASV)
I Cor. 10 (Read it all!)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, - - -6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. - - - 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (KJV)
1 Cor 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (KJV)
Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” (NAS)
Gal 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (NIV)
Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (KJV)
2 Tim 3:3 “- - without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (NIV)
2 Pet 1:5 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (NIV)
2 Pet 1:5 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (NIV)
APOSTLES:
Who Are They?
What Is One?
Where Are They Found?
Do Apostles Exist Today?
THE UNBLEMISHED BRIDE
THE FRUIT
FRUIT: QUALIFICATION OF MINISTRIES
“Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Isa.52:11
“Without holiness, no one shall see the Lord.” Heb.12:14
Dear One:
In this teaching we want to talk about the “Five-fold Ministries”, with an emphasis on the ministry of an apostle, as well as qualifications for ministry, whether we talking about a janitor, a pastor, a deacon or an apostle, there are certain qualifications that distinguish those Kingdom ministries from ministries that are not of the Kingdom of God, but that are “Christian”. By this we mean that God Himself makes a distinction and a differentiation between that which is pleasing to Him and that which is not. Sometime this distinction is by degrees and sometimes it is clear cut. When we use the word “Kingdom”, we always mean and are defining Kingdom as being whatever God is King of, or the Lord of. The Kingdom of God is simply nothing more or less than whatever God is the King over!
This principle applies as well to qualifications to be a Kingdom ministry. A Kingdom ministry consistently manifests the fruit of the King in his (or her) attitude and actions, in his (or her) demeanor and mentality, in the way one moves and is motivated. Here we refer to the Scriptures from Galatians that talk about the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:22,23.
SPECIAL GIFTS
Have you ever met any guys who thought they were God’s gift to women? Well there actually are those in the Body of Christ who are “God’s gift to the Church” as His Own special gift ministries - namely, the Apostles, the Prophets, the Evangelists, the Pastors, and the Teachers. We will be talking about these special gifts to the Church.
THE FOUNDATION
With this introduction, let me share something GOD SAYS MUST BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST TODAY!!! But, guess what? 99+% of the Christians don’t know or believe they exist!!!!! Even more than this do not know who they are or how to find one. Most of the ones who exist are reluctant to admit that they are apostles, which further compounds the problem!!!
Questions:
What is an apostle?
What good are they?
How can I meet one?
How are they chosen?
Where do we find them?
How should we relate to them?
How are they supposed to function?
How come nobody knows about them?
How much would an apostle license cost?
If apostles are supposed to exist today, where are they?
Isn’t the sign of an apostle someone who works miracles and has seen the Lord?
In Romans 11:13,14, the Apostle Paul said of his ministry as an apostle:
“I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I MAKE MUCH OF MY MINISTRY, in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.”
Romans 1:1 says, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel. “
1 Corinthians 1:1 says, “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” -
2 Corinthians 1:1 says, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” .
Galatians 1:1 says, “Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father.” - .
Ephesians 1:1 says, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God - to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 1:1 says, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”
1 Timothy 1:1 says, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ - “
Titus 1:1 says, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, - - according to the commandment of God our Savior. “
1 Peter 1:1 says, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the (scattered) strangers - . “
2 Peter 1:1 says, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. “
OTHER IMPORTANT SCRIPTURES ON APOSTLE
“And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone! “ Ephesians 2:20.
If a church does not have a living apostle, or apostles, as its present and on-going foundation, it has no valid foundation. Most evangelical churches today do not even believe in, and consequently do not know the about the existence of apostles, or how to find one.
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 3:10-15
Here, we see that Jesus Christ is also the Foundation. Keeping The King’s Greatest Secret in mind, any apostolic ministry is valid and “Kingdom”, the extent to which Jesus Christ, the Chief Apostle and High Priest of our calling, is the Life and Ministry of any apostle. Again, one’s ministry is valid, only to the extent that Jesus Christ is fulfilling His Own ministry through that individual, whether it be that of an apostle, a prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher.
“And in the Church, God has appointed FIRST OF ALL - APOSTLES, second prophets, thirdly teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets?” - 1 Cor.12:28-29.
Paul talks in another place about how the apostles are last in the parade. It is interesting, that from God’s point of view, the apostle is to be first, but in the Church today, man has the apostle rated as last, if he is rated at all, or known or believed in.
“In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.!!!” “In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20-22.
“And God has given, (is giving and will continue to give) Apostles and Prophets - .” Ephesians 4:11 - .
APOSTLE
Is there any place in the Bible that says that there is no longer any need for apostles? No.
Is there any place in the Scriptures that says or implies that there are no apostles in the earth today? NO!!!
APOSTLES NAMED IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL 12
The following men were referred to, called, or described as being apostles:
1. Paul & Barnabas - I Cor.9:5,6?; ; & Acts 14:14 & 4.
2. Matthias, in Acts 1:26, was appointed to be an apostle.
3. Possibly all of the Lord’s 4 brothers - For example, James, the brother of our Lord was named in Gal.1:19, as a genuine apostle - “But I did not see any of the other apostles, except James, the Lord’s brother.” But, in Matthew 10:2-4, neither of the two James’ listed there are the Lord’s brother.
4. Junia & Andronicus - Rom.16:7 Note: Junia has a feminine ending, therefore, it is likely that Junia, though a woman, was an apostle. Although the Word says that women should keep silent in the church, the Bible also tells us that we have no need for man to teach us.
I Jn 2:27. Here, I believe that God is telling all of us, men and women, to shut our mouths, unless God is leading and inspiring.
John 5:19, 30. If you can remember “The King’s Greatest Secret!” about Christ living His Life out through us, and being the Ministry through us, are the women to be excluded from this Secret??? If Jesus is to be allowed to live His Glorious Life out through the women also, who is there who will tell the Christ within the woman to shut up? In Christ there is no male nor female.
5. Epaphroditus - In Phil.2:25, the Greek word translated “messenger” here, should read “apostle”.
6. Titus - II Cor.8:23. Again, it should say “apostle”.
7. Timothy, Silas and Silvanus - I Thes. 1 & II Thes 2:6 (Implied)
8. The other apostles - I Cor.15:5-7. Although some of the above are vague in reference, there were many apostles besides the 12. In addition, please note that the Greek aorist tense is used in Ephesians 4:11 which makes it to mean that God gave, IS GIVING, AND WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE apostles and prophets, etc.
The word apostle simply means “sent one”. It describes any person that God specifically chooses, commissions and sends - to be an apostle, not based on any other qualification than simply: that God CHOOSES to choose a person to be an apostle. An apostle is simply a person, chosen and sent by God, to establish churches, ordain ministries, lay foundations of God’s truth in many hearts and in many places.
“MESSENGER . See ANGEL. 2. apostolos: Strongs # 652, “an apostle,” is translated “messengers” in 2 Cor. 8:23 regarding Titus and “the other brethren,” whom Paul describes to the church at Corinth as “messengers of the churches,” in respect of offerings from those in Macedonia for the needy in Judea; in Phil. 2:25, of Epaphroditus as the “messenger” of the church at Philippi to the apostle in ministering to his need; RV marg. in each case, “apostle.” See APOSTLE.” (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
THE PROS AND CONS OF POINTING OUT TO PEOPLE
THAT ONE IS AN APOSTLE:
There are at least two schools of thought with regard to telling other people that someone is an apostle.
The first school of thought is to minimize and soft pedal any title relating to apostleship. While it is true that “a man’s ministry makes room for himself (or herself)”, the second way of thinking must also be considered. One problem that arises is that there are many, who are either not apostles, false apostles, immature apostles, or non-Kingdom apostles, who want, either for purposes of control, ego fulfillment, financial gain, or what ever motive, to try to pass themselves off as apostles, much the same as a policeman who is either not a policeman, or who is not a very good policeman, wants to pass himself off as one worthy of respect, who is NOT deserving of respect, at least, as a policeman.. But, for example, just because there are deceivers or people who use their power to disadvantage in the car business, does not mean that we should stop driving a car, so also, just because there are apostles who misuse or abuse their claim to apostleship, false or otherwise, does not nullify the need for, or the benefit of true-hearted and gentle Kingdom apostles.
Another school of thought says that it really doesn’t make any difference if one announces his own ministry or not. One problem is that almost no one knows that the ministry of an apostle does, or needs to exist, today. And, among those who believe that apostles are supposed to exist today, since the Bible never hints or indicates that the ministry of an apostle should cease, hardly anyone can tell us where there is any true apostle!!!
It is important to remember that all of the titles of the ministries given in the Scripture are simply nothing more or less than job descriptions. A plumber makes no apology in telling people that he is a plumber. A pastor has no problem telling people that he is a pastor. An evangelist and a teacher have no problem telling people they are an evangelist or a teacher. A janitor has no problem telling people he or she is a janitor. But there is among Christians, and to some extent in the world as well, a hush-hush and an almost embarrassed and apologetic approach to the ministries of a prophet and an apostle. However, we see from Scripture, that the apostles were not apologetic in announcing to everyone that they, in fact, were called to the ministry of a prophet or an apostle.
Sometimes it becomes needful to know who is a janitor, a doctor, a plumber, policeman, when one is needed. Apology about one’s job description in case one needs to find an apostle would seem counter-productive.
In the majority of Paul’s letters, and the letters also from Peter, these apostles made no apology about their apostleship. Thus it is today, the apostles should not be embarrassed to be able in God to take their liberty in announcing, declaring, and defending their apostleship by the leading of the Holy Spirit. There is no question, Scripturally, as to an apostle’s right (or need) to declare his apostleship. The examples from the Scripture with regard to this are numerous: In Romans 11:13, the Apostle Paul says, “Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office, (or ministry).”
“Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, ... unto the church of God which is at Corinth ...” 1 Cor. 1:1,2
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God ... with all the saints which are in all Achaia.” 2 Cor. 1:1
“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father ...” Gal 1:1
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus ...” Eph. 1:1
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ ...” 1 Tim. 1:1
“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect ...” Tit. 1:1
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout ...” 1 Pet. 1:1
“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ ...” 2 Pet. 1:1.
TO OTHERS I AM NOT AN APOSTLE
Another point of view is that one should not brag about one’s ministry. In the Body of Christ today and in the world in general, there often exists a false humility. The apostle Paul dealt with this subject by making the statement, “If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 9:2. The apostle Paul also made the statement, “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet (or fit, or worthy) to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But, by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me has not been in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:7. In Galatians 1:1, Paul told us from where his apostleship came: “Paul, an apostle, sent neither by human commission, nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father , Who raised Him from the dead.” In 1 Tim.2:7 Paul says, “For this, I was appointed a herald and an apostle, I am telling the truth, and am not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles, in faith and truth.”
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I personally became aware of my call as an apostle very early in life. On both sides of the family, as far back as either Karen or I can trace, our ancestors were men and women of God, having known the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior since their earliest memory, and not seeing any future in backsliding or walking away from God. This is not to indicate that there has been no sin in our ancestry, but in each case, as far back as we can trace, our ancestors knew God from earliest recollection and walked with Him, having become born-again very early in life, and not walking away from the Lord. Backsliding or rebelling against God has always made about as much sense to me, as deliberately choosing to roll out of a speeding car onto the pavement. We just never saw any future in deliberately putting our hand on a hot stove or taking our elbow and rubbing it on the concrete just for fun. In other words, we never saw any future in shaking our fist in the face of God and backsliding or rebelling or taking a vacation from Him. It just never made sense to us, so we never did. Again, we are not saying that we do not have times when we have a wrong spirit or grieve the Lord, but as far back as Karen and I can trace, neither one of us have ever known a day of conscious rebellion toward God. We do not take the credit for this, nor is there any need for us to be arrogant, because God must get the credit for working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. What credit is it to me if I think it stupid to backslide? It is foolish to backslide.
In my own life, I have always known since earliest memory that God had His hand upon my life to be wonderfully used of Him to be a blessing to the Body of Christ at large. Since earliest recollection I have known that I was called to the regions beyond to help bring souls to Christ and to see churches established. I have always known in my heart that I would be used like the apostle Paul to see the Kingdom of God established in the earth and the Lordship of Jesus Christ effectively declared. Having grown up in a Baptist church, where they had not been familiar with the ministry of an apostle in a present-day sense, the details and ramifications of this in my youth were not entirely in focus, but the vision has always been there. As I became more familiar with the Scriptures and the ministries of the Spirit in their application for today, I have known more and more clearly that I would be used of God to fulfill the ministry of an apostle. Thus, it came as no surprise when we began experiencing lovely confirmations from seasoned, mature, and established brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ concerning the ministry to which God had called us.
SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMATION
1959: The first of these miraculous testimonies and confirmations came from some people that were probably not even born again. One day in my Junior College in Burlington, Iowa, the President of the college took me aside in the hallway and he said to this effect, “John, I have a sense and I have been impressed along with Miss Haskall (who was another college professor) that you will be one of the most influential men in our history from your generation of people to effect the history of the world.”
Please understand, Dear One, that I have not embraced these opinions about us, sight unseen. In every case I have listened carefully to what was said to me, and then held it in my heart before the Lord for His perspectivising.
1962: When I was a student at Bethany Fellowship, another confirmation came, in connection with a visit from a very precious apostle of the Lord, a Spirit-filled Episcopalian priest, Ed Stube. Ed was a contemporary in the early days of the charismatic movement along with people like Larry Christiansen and Dennis Bennet. These men were influential in this charismatic revival that was taking place around the world. Brother Stube was used mightily by God in Indonesia for miraculous creative miracles and signs and wonders. Brother Stube would be preaching or sharing and be given stupendous visions and panoramic revelations from the Lord concerning various things. He often would preach with eyes open and face aglow concerning that which God was showing Him in these visions from the Lord. On this occasion Brother Stube was visiting Bethany Fellowship as a special speaker. I had just met Brother Stube and we were fellowshipping in the lobby of the administration building during one of our breaks. Suddenly Brother Ed was given by the Lord a panoramic vision concerning the call of God upon my life. He insisted that a staff member be called to witness and be someone to stand by while this revelation was being shared, and so we saw Mike Lundeen, who was in charge of the print shop, to come over and stand by during this time of ministry.
Brother Stube went on to share with me that God had supernaturally called me to be one of some mighty apostles that God had raised up to go forth in the last days, working mighty signs and wonders and healings to people around the world and effecting them dramatically for the Kingdom of God. Brother Stube was used by the Lord to impart by the laying on of hands to me the ability to prophesy and move in the interpretation of tongues, along with my friend and brother Larry Hayes. Our friendship with Apostle Stube continued until his recent home-going. But his books and ministry continue strong, and we recommend his writings.
1964: On another occasion, Karen and I attended a ministry conference in Northeastern Minnesota, and after the meeting that we were attending, a man behind us spoke up and said, “My brother, I have a word from the Lord for you.” I turned around and looked into the weather-beaten face of this white-haired, steely blue-eyed apostle from God. Harold Davenport and his wife Elizabeth were themselves front-line apostolic missionaries in the region of El Pilar in Mexico, working in the back country, helping deliver babies and establish churches. But this was our first meeting and they had no way of knowing us in the natural. When he said he had a word from the Lord for me, I said, “Okay, I’m willing to hear it.” Then Brother Davenport began to speak words to this effect, “God has shown me that He has called you to be a mighty apostle of God, to go forth in the earth to be a channel of the Lord’s mighty signs and wonders and miracles and healings, to establish churches and to be mightily used of God.” Thus began a precious friendship with Harold and Elizabeth Davenport.
1967: In approximately 1967, we were standing in a church in Southern California, when a stranger behind me again spoke up and said to me, “Sir, I have a word from the Lord for you.” I turned around and on this occasion, again looked into the face of another seasoned man of God with white hair and a kindly countenance. He began speaking words to this effect, “God has shown me that He has called you to be one of the end-time apostles of God that He has raised up to minister mighty signs and wonders in the earth. You will be ministering in other countries and in other languages and to other groups of people. God will do mighty signs and wonders through you as an apostle who is gifted of God and called of God.”
Again, let me state that these prophecies have not effected or influenced me into having delusions of grandeur, (as far as I know J). I only share these things by way of conveying to you, Dear One, an example of how prophecies come and what they say. Please keep in mind also that none of these people that we are quoting had any way of knowing what any other person had to say. In no case did I change the direction of my thinking, nor did I run off and do things based on what these men had to say. Instead, these words that came through these men were merely confirmations and as it were, a nod on the Lord’s part that I was progressing properly.
This man was an apostle named Brother Hampshire, from England, who also went on to gently encourage and instruct me in the ways of lengthy fasting, and also recommended to me the books by Franklin Hall, from Phoenix, Arizona, on the subject of fasting. Although I had fasted for shorter periods, Brother Hampshire strongly encouraged me to go on a water-only forty day fast. This, the Lord, later enabled me to do, a number of times. Our daughter Dawn Joy has gone on two such fasts. If you want to read our fasting journals, contact our website
www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
When I was ordained to the office of a deacon, another precious apostle of God spoke and confirmation came concerning my apostleship. These words came forth then in 1969 concerning my ministry as an apostle, though I was being commissioned as a deacon at that time.
1969: The prophecy came forth through this apostle and said, “I have called you to be a mighty ministry of healing and miracles and signs and wonders as an apostle of God to other lands, other countries, other languages, other groups of people.”
1988: In about 1988, Apostle Alan Langstaff, a major leader in the charismatic revival that swept Australia in the late seventies, came to America to pastor a church in Minneapolis. When he was our guest speaker, during a time of personal ministry, he prophesied over me, during which time he said, “Like John of old, you were once known as a son of thunder, but now, you shall become known as an apostle of love!”
This same kind of prophecy has been confirmed time after time after time after time by prophets and prophetesses and apostles that had no way of knowing one another. Thus, by many witnesses these words have been a confirmation to my heart.
But, most of all, in addition to all of these words, the call itself, has come from God Himself. These words were merely confirmations to a call that God had already, previously, made real to my heart. This call came in the form of an “inner knowing”, and inner certainty. I believe that I was called and chosen from eternity past, to be a gentle but effective apostle of the Kingdom of God.. “By His grace, I am what I am.”
SEVEN KINDS OF APOSTLES
At this time let me share with you that there are, I believe, at least seven different “kinds” of apostles. First I would like to list these apostles:
1. A “Called-to-be” Embryonic Apostle
2. An "Apostle of the Lamb" - or The Original Twelve
3. A "Baby" or Beginning or young or emerging Apostle
4. An “R-Not” Apostle
5. "False" Apostle
6. "Non-Kingdom" Apostle
7. "Kingdom" Apostle
1. EMBRYONIC APOSTLE
By 'embryonic apostle', we are talking about apostles who have not come into their apostleship yet, but are “called to be” an apostle. In this section we want to include people like the apostle Paul who was called to be an apostle, who was set aside from his mother’s womb (Gal. 1:15-16 “But when He Who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles” (NAS)
Even when he was persecuting Christians, Paul, then called Saul, had, within his being, the call to be an apostle of God, though he was persecuting the Christians out of ignorance. A call from God can be over a person’s life for years without that person, or anyone else even knowing it. It was also like this with David before he became King, and with Jeremiah when the Lord spoke and said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jer. 1:5. And yet that prophet’s ministry was not expressed until approximately the time Jeremiah was seven years old. Thus, there exists in the Body of Christ those who are called to be an apostle, (or something else,) but who could not legitimately call themselves an apostle yet, because, as with David and with Joseph and an infant Jeremiah, because they were not yet functioning in their calling. It would have been premature for others to consider them an apostle, or for them to consider themselves an apostle, as their ministry calling was still in “embryonic” form. It had not come forth, yet. It is important that we differentiate between being “called to be” one thing on the one hand, and being "ordained" and "commissioned to", and "functioning as", on the other hand. Unless we keep these things straight, much confusion and frustration can result.
2. AN APOSTLE OF THE LAMB - or, THE ORIGINAL TWELVE
The original twelve apostles that Jesus chose were known as "the apostles of the Lamb". These original twelve have a unique place in the history of Christianity. The enemy, the devil, has stolen from the members of the universal Church, the Body of Christ, their awareness that there are apostles other than this. But as we have discussed elsewhere, in addition to the original twelve, there was of course, Matthias. The apostle Paul obviously was a fourteenth apostle. In addition to the original twelve there were many other apostles indicated in the New Testament, especially if one traces the Greek word for apostle, “apostolos”, each time it is used in the original Greek, but failed to be transferred over in our King James Bible. Thus, we see there were many other apostles listed even in the New Testament, including people like Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, Jude, the brother of Christ, James, the brother of Christ, Junia, and others. As we have elsewhere stated, there is NO VERSE IN THE BIBLE, that states, suggests, implies, or hints at, that apostles are to no longer exist, or were to cease to exist. There are those who wrongly reason that the need for apostles stopped because the Church got started. Apostles are more strongly needed now than ever before, because less that 5 percent of the world has been brought to Christ in saving faith. There are billions and billions who have never heard. Less than 10% of the World's population has become born-again. Less than 5% have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. The work and ministry of Kingdom Apostles is needed now more than ever!!!
At this point we recommend a book by Charles Trombley called Who Said, ‘Women Can’t Teach’?. Brother Trombley points out the fact that: listed among the apostles was Andronicus and Junia. And this may come as an observation that is too extreme for people to digest, but the name 'Junia", who was numbered among the apostles, was a woman’s name! Rom.16:7. The point is made, though, that there were a significant number of apostles listed other than the original twelve apostles of the Lamb.
3. 'EMERGING', 'BABY', or YOUNG APOSTLES
We have already discussed one who is 'called to be an apostle', but is not functioning as one, and we have discussed those who were known as 'the apostles of the Lamb', but we want to now discuss this third category of what we call 'baby' or 'emerging' apostles. By this we mean that there are those who are called to be an apostle and are beginning to function as an apostle, but who are not yet mature or experienced in their functioning as apostles. We need to be especially patient with these “baby” or fledgling apostles. On the one hand, we do not want to be ruined by paying too much attention to them, in their immaturity and inexperience, and on the other hand, we do not want to disregard what Apostle Jesus has to say to us through them. On the one hand, we do not want to be overly awed, but on the other hand, we don’t want to miss what the Lord has to say to us through them.
If a 'baby apostle' does something that is immature, or does something that reflects a lack of experience, we want to be careful not to label them as 'false apostles', or “non-apostles” simply because they over-stepped their authority or declared or did something which was immature. Just because the apostle Peter denied the Lord, did not make him a false apostle. If a little child who is learning to walk and talk, stumbles or stammers, we do not reject them as false or non-people. Instead, we are patient with them in their immaturity, until they can walk and talk in a more mature manner. Just because Peter, right after having been given the keys to the Kingdom, was wrong, in trying to discourage Christ from going up to be crucified, did not make him a false apostle. These valid apostles, prior to the resurrection of Christ, did many things, on many occasions, that reflected immaturity and apostolic “babyhood”. But their immaturity did not make them false apostles, nor did it disqualify them as apostles. Later on, we see how they increasingly developed in their maturity and commitment and knowledge and revelation. Let’s be praying, Dear Ones, that God will continue to raise up these apostles to be Kingdom apostles that follow the Lamb, wherever He leads - in attitude, actions, motivation, integrity, and love.
4. “ARE-NOT APOSTLES”
The Scripture says that there those “who say they are apostles and are not”. Rev. 2:2. We have met a number of dear ones across the miles and across the years who have claimed to be something that they were not. One cannot become a ministry simply by printing a business card, announcing themselves to be one ministry or another. One does not become a medical doctor, MD simply by putting up a sign. There are those today who are moving among the Body of Christ who say they are apostles, but are not.
Let me give one example from my own experience: My friend Wells Wright, and I were ministering in Phoenix, Arizona. To the meeting came a sloppy, lazy man, approximately 30 years old. In his tow was a younger couple who were completely deceived by this fellow who had announced himself as an apostle. He had no job, but instead, was living with this couple, who supported him, fed him, bowed and scraped to him. This man was not an apostle, was not doing the works of an apostle, had not the integrity or the experience as an apostle. This man had proclaimed himself as an apostle, but was doing so as a means of mooching, sponging and leeching off of a gullible young Christian couple. This “r-not apostle” was not an apostle, not a 'false apostle', not a 'baby apostle'. He was a lazy, irresponsible person, hiding behind a self-assumed title. Perhaps someone had given him a prophecy. Perhaps he half believed it all himself. Wells and I flatly declared to the man, in the presence of his two followers: “Sir, thus saith the Lord: ‘You are not an apostle. Instead, you are shiftless and irresponsible. Stop mooching, sponging and loafing. Go to work. Get a job!’ “
5. FALSE APOSTLES
Someone has said that the most effective kind of false apostle or prophet, and the most dangerous, is an apostle or prophet who was once true, and at one time moved in an influential ministry as a true prophet or apostle. These are the most dangerous. I understand that Jim Jones of the Guyana Massacre, was, at one time, a powerful man of God who worked mighty signs and wonders. We have known over the years, directly or indirectly, of those who once had mighty and powerful and influential ministries before the Lord, but who, because of arrogance or unteachableness or exclusivity or immorality or drunkenness, etc., like Saul of old, and like Samson, and like other precious men of God, got farther and farther away from God and eventually became false ministries. Saul, for example, who was originally anointed of God to lead the people, ended up as a murderer. He became demon-possessed, consulted a witch, and committed suicide. He was once a great king and was mightily anointed. Like Saul, there are many mighty ones today who have fallen, and in many cases have become false. The Lord tells us in Heb 6:4-6: “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.” (NAS)
Heb 6:4 “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly Gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.” (NAS)
In Heb 10:26-31, and in verses 35-39, God says: “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him Who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - - - “35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, He Who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My Soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (NAS)
A DANGER
There is a problem that exists in the Body of Christ today that causes us to relate to ministries after the flesh. That is to say, we need to have a special revelation discernment ability from God in knowing how to relate to people as ministries. There are two dangers; the first is that we allow 'big name' ministries or 'colossal apostles' to influence our lives more greatly than God intends. It is possible for us to allow ourselves to be influenced by apostles that have gone bad. The same is true of all ministries. It is possible for us to be overly impressed by credentials, outward signs and mannerisms and track records. It is possible for us to be unduly influenced by a person’s fame and past record of influence and outreach.
But it is possible for these men to have lost their walk with God and to have become false. Often, this descent into falsehood does not take place suddenly, but over a period of years, and sometimes decades, beginning with just 'a little' dishonesty or just a little immorality or just a little excess in drinking or perhaps 'just a little' arrogance or exclusivity or unteachableness or perhaps 'just a little' tendency toward having a wrong spirit toward people. And if the fear of God and the voice of God is not allowed to come through to convict and bring people to a place of life-changing repentance, (the only kind there is), unless they repent, they’ll perish.
To these apostles or other ministries, the Scripture also potentially applies, that:
1) “Because thou art lukewarm - I will spew thee out of My mouth.” Rev. 3:16.
2) “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Heb. 10:26.
3) “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb. 6:4-6.
4) .. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 1 John 5:16. An example of an apostle gone bad - at least an example of a false apostle, of course, would be Judas. Let it be known, there are those who have functioned as apostles who are no longer true apostles, but have become false. Only a revelation from God, by the true discerning of spirits, and not the gift of suspicion can reveal who these false apostles are, because many of them are still functioning as “true apostles”, but who, in reality, are false..
Over the years, Karen and I have known too many ministries who had titles, position and name, had a following, had written books, were highly respected by many people, but who, inwardly, or in their private lives were an assortment of wife abusers, adulterers, alcoholics, deceivers, arrogant and unteachable. To this day, though many have died, they have had, and do have, the respect of many.
6. NON-KINGDOM APOSTLES
Here are 7 definitions of the phrase “The Kingdom of God”.
1. The Kingdom of God equals Kingdom of Heaven.
2. The Kingdom of God is the will of God.
3. The Kingdom of God is the leading of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Kingdom of God is always a right heart attitude.
5. The Kingdom of God is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
6. The Kingdom of God is whatever God is the King of.
7. The Kingdom of God is where ever God is King!
Rom 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (NAS)
By “non-Kingdom” apostles, we mean those apostles that are legitimate, bonafide, ordained, commissioned, functioning apostles of God, who are carrying the anointing of an apostle, but, who, to whatever extent, are not doing what the King wants in attitude or action or motivation or mentality or heart condition.. Most of the apostles in the earth that I know today are, to a greater or lesser extent, in this category of non-Kingdom apostles. Let me explain by again emphasizing the definition of the word “Kingdom”. By “Kingdom” we mean, whatever God is the King of. I know of many apostles in the church today who are arrogant, unteachable, bullying in their manner. They are brusque, impatient, condescending, lacking in love, - yet they are functioning as apostles with an anointing as an apostle and an authority. They do the work of an apostle, they supervise works, at times, having other apostles and prophets under their jurisdiction, yet they are failing to be Kingdom apostles in the sense that to one extent or another their attitudes and actions and words and motivation are not what the King wants. Thus, to that exact same extent, they are "non-kingdom".
Peter was not a false apostle when he a) denied Christ, b) when he acted wrongly with the Gentiles when Paul had to confront him, and c) when he discouraged Christ from going up to be crucified. But at these times and under these circumstances, it is indisputably the case, that to a great extent, Peter was not functioning as a Kingdom apostle. In each of these cases, Peter was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!!!!!! Peter was manifesting fear, doubt, selfishness, and deception. Jesus had to say to him, “Get thee behind Me satan.” Matt. 16:23. Today, I have seen apostles that I would consider valid apostles but who have, in many ways and at many times, failed to function as the King wants them to function. And when any of us function in a way that the Lord is not being King over, then in those moments and at those times and to that extent, we fail to be “Kingdom”. We have defined the Kingdom of God as being anything God is the King over. One is not "Kingdom" if one is not being influenced by the King.
Let me give some examples: When we moved to Minneapolis in 1976, the Holy Spirit led me, I believe, to get together with a well known apostle in the Minneapolis area. From the moment we first met, the Lord revealed to me the man’s hideous and terrifying arrogance. He was critical of others to the extreme. In the restaurant, from before we were seated, to the time that we left, my apostle brother consistently manifested an arrogant, down-his-nose criticism of practically everyone that was not his friend, and even of some of those who were. I was grieved in my spirit and felt compelled of God to give him a word that I believed was for him from God.
I said to him, “I believe that I have a word from the Lord for you”. He said, “What is it?”
The man was of a religious nature and his spirit was oozing with legalism. I felt motivated, I believe, from the Lord, though I may have been mistaken, to share this word with him in a way he would never forget or get away from. I believed that the Lord motivated me to give the word in this way so that he would be shocked into dealing with this word though he might struggle and strain to get away from it. And so I took courage and spoke to him in this way, ‘Behold I say unto thee’, saith the Lord, ‘You are too damn proud!’ “
He reacted arrogantly, angrily, critically, revengefully and condescendingly.
There are many situations where apostles are not open to be teachable, even in the presence of other apostles or prophets or prophetesses. For example, I have a dear apostle friend of mine who has really never been under authority. It was very difficult for him to be teachable, although he said that he wanted to be teachable. Yet when I, or others have approached him, on many occasions to try to help him be less offensive in his ministry and less abrasive in his sharing, this man has been filled with too much pride and has been too unwilling to be taught. This condition lends itself to being self-deceived and arrogant. This condition results in increasing amounts of blind spots, and this man became increasingly unaware of his own deception. This man since, has died, and he died a slow and agonizing death. After he died, his wife was glad that he had died, because he had treated her abusively. When I called to console her, she said, "I'm glad he's dead!" Had he been an apostle? Oh, yes! He did all of the works of an apostle! He was publicly and was respected. He prayed for others powerfully. He preached very impressively. He had many tapes and writings. Was he a “Kingdom Apostle”? In the most important areas? No. I could go on and on, citing other examples, just like this, of "big name ministries" who have an outward ministry that is very impressive, but, who privately, do not have integrity or a track record of a right heart attitude. They will be severely punished at the Judgement Seat of Christ. "It will be known, on That Day!" This kind of person will have the worst kind of punishment.
Often, a kind of rejection and persecution complex develops because people are rejecting a person, not because of the good that he preaches, but because of the mistakes that he makes and the blind spots that he has. This condition, of course, paves the way to an unhealthy spiritual condition that often results in a person being pushed over the line to the place where they become a false apostle that may eventually be unsalvageable or unredeemable for the Kingdom of God. This is why it is so terrifyingly important that we remain teachable.
7. "KINGDOM APOSTLE"
Now we come to the last category of what I have called “Kingdom apostles”. A Kingdom apostle is one who DOES what the King wants, who has the ATTITUDE that the King wants, who has the condition and QUALITY OF SPIRIT that the King wants. A Kingdom apostle is one who is loving, humble, teachable, loving, tender-hearted, easily entreatable, loving, sweet in his spirit, is one who has a right spirit, is one who is patient, is loving, is one who does not abuse his authority, is one who does not think of himself as a colossal apostle, is loving, is one who has integrity of the highest caliber, to the deepest innermost part of his heart, is one who humbly counts all others as better than himself, is one who sees himself as the loving servant of the Dear Ones in the Body of Christ, is one who uncompromisingly does the will of God in attitude and action, and is one who is loving. (This emphasis on love is intended.)
Some may think that this is quite a tall order! But the way to be a Kingdom apostle is to do what the writer of Hebrews said, “Consider the Chief Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus!” Heb. 3:1. The only way to be any kind of a valid ministry is for King Jesus Himself to be fulfilling His valid ministry in an unhindered, unfettered way through that Kingdom ministry! One’s apostolic ministry is valid, and “Kingdom”, only to the extent that Jesus Christ is fulfilling His Apostolic Ministry on location within that person! Please be referred to our book, a previous chapter in this book, The King’s Greatest Secret!. The Bible says that this Mystery is now being revealed to the Church through the apostles and prophets. Thus, we believe that another characteristic of a true Kingdom apostle, is that he KNOW and live and be able to effectively share The King’s Greatest Secret!
THE AUTHORITY OF A KINGDOM APOSTLE
In our book, The Cult of Cannibals, a handbook on relationships within the Body of Christ, we deal with the use, abuse and misuse of authority. If you would like a copy, you may order it from us here at the Great Commission Ministries, P.O. 7123, Minneapolis, MN 55407-0123. (Until further notice, we are out of print on these and need to print some more! Would you please pray that God will enable us to do so. Amen.) Meanwhile, you may download this book, and our other books and articles, from our website, at:
www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
REQUIRED SCHOOLING FOR A KINGDOM APOSTLE
"TRIED IN THE FIRE"
I heard Chuck Swindol, over the radio, quote A. W. Tozer as having said, “God cannot use an man greatly, until He has first hurt that man (or, allowed that man or woman to be hurt) deeply!” (My parenthetical comment.)
One of the inevitable characteristics of a mature Kingdom Apostle will be that he has been tried in the fire and tested in God's crucible. “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made A SPECTACLE to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are FOOLS for Christ, but you are so wise. We are WEAK, but you are strong. You are honoured, but we are DISHONORED. To this very hour, we go HUNGRY and THIRSTY. We are IN RAGS, we are BRUTALLY TREATED, we are HOMELESS. We work with our own hands. When we are CURSED, we bless; when we are PERSECUTED, we endure it; when we are SLANDERED, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have BECOME THE SCUM OF THE EARTH, the REFUSE OF THE WORLD.” (1)
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (2)
“We are HARD PRESSED ON EVERY SIDE, but not crushed; PERPLEXED, but not in despair; PERSECUTED, but not abandoned; STRUCK DOWN, but not destroyed” - (3)
“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in GREAT ENDURANCE, in TROUBLES, HARDSHIPS and DISTRESSES, in BEATINGS, IMPRISONMENTS, and RIOTS; in HARD WORK, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS and HUNGER,” - (4)
“Through glory and DISHONOR, BAD REPORT and good report; genuine, yet REGARDED AS IMPOSTORS, known, yet regarded as UNKNOWN; DYING, and yet we live on; BEATEN, and yet not killed; SORROWFUL, yet always rejoicing; POOR, yet making many rich; HAVING NOTHING, and yet, possessing everything.” (5)
“For - this body of ours HAD NO REST, but we were HARASSED AT EVERY TURN, CONFLICTS on the outside, FEARS WITHIN.” (6)
“I have WORKED MUCH HARDER, been IN PRISON more frequently, been FLOGGED more severely, been EXPOSED TO DEATH again and again. Five times I received - the FORTY LASHES, minus one. Three times I was BEATEN WITH RODS, once I was STONED, three times I was SHIPWRECKED, I SPENT A NIGHT AND A DAY ON THE OPEN SEA. I have been CONSTANTLY ON THE MOVE. I have been IN DANGER from rivers, IN DANGER from bandits, IN DANGER from my own countrymen, IN DANGER from Gentiles, IN DANGER in the city, IN DANGER at sea, IN DANGER from false brothers. I have LABORED and TOILED, and have often GONE WITHOUT SLEEP; I have known HUNGER and THIRST and have often gone WITHOUT FOOD; I have been COLD and NAKED. Besides everything else, I face daily the PRESSURE OF MY CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES”- (7)
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in WEAKNESSES, in INSULTS, in HARDSHIPS, in PERSECUTIONS, in DIFFICULTIES. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (8)
(1) 1 Cor.4:9-13
(2) 1 Cor.9:19
(3) 2 Cor.4:8,9
(4) 2 Cor.6:4,5
(5) 2 Cor.6:8-10
(6) 2 Cor.7:5
(7) 2 Cor.11:23
(8) 2 Cor.12:10
“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:” 2 Tim.3:10,11.
2 Tim.3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Heb.11:35-40 “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;” (38)
(“Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be perfect.”
Hebrews goes on to encourage us to not faint or be weary, or despise the chastening and scourging and shaking of the Lord, and not be bitter, but to be content with such things as we have. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (14) For here have we no continuing city, (no fixed resting place - Bas) but we seek one to come. (15) By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” Heb.13.
“NOW THE GOD OF PEACE - - MAKE YOU PERFECT IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELL PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”!
I Corinthians 15:30 - “And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? (do I put my life to hazard every hour?)” - Con
[“do we live dangerously every moment?”] - Ber
{“face peril”} - Knox
(32) “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus” - .
In Romans 8:15 to 18, God says: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; IF SO BE THAT WE SUFFER WITH HIM, THAT WE MAY BE ALSO GLORIFIED TOGETHER. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
MAJOR SILLINESS IN THE CHURCH & SELF APPOINTED PROPHETS or APOSTLES
Psychic Silliness and Mumbo-Jumbo
Most Christians hate anything having to do with astrology, and rightly so! Their hatred of astrology stems from the excuses and categories that result from this demonic way of thinking. For example, because a person comes to believe that if they are born during a specific time of year, that this somehow entitles them to abuses of behavior and character weakness and faults that they excuse and allow within themselves.
UNCHRISTIAN TEMPERAMENTS
But the same problem exists in a couple of other areas that we do as well, that are considered Christian. One example of this is an extreme teaching of what is known as the temperaments consisting of character traits like choleric, sanguine, melancholic, spastic, etc. While it is admitted that some good can come from the study of personality characteristics such as this, the faults and flaws of the teaching should also be seen. The basic premise that Jesus Christ was a balanced combination of all the good in all the four personality characteristics, one goes on from this basic premise to then label each person as being the extreme of one or the other of these personality characteristics. For example, a choleric personality can excuse ones self for being abrupt, abrasive, mean, bad, and nasty in a single-hearted desire to accomplish certain goals. A melancholic personality can excuse ones self for being negative, complaining, critical, morbid, sad, and depressed, simply because they come to believe that this his or her personality. People don’t seem to understand that if Jesus Christ IS their life, their life also will be a balanced combination of all that is good and sweet in the life of Christ and they to that extent then will be like Christ in their personality.
LAME-BRAINED
There are those who would put themselves or others into a left brained or right brained category. Supposedly the right brainers are those who are more sensitive, more artistic, etc., while the left brainers are the thinkers, etc. But, if you ask them what category was Christ in, they will admit that Christ was a perfectly balanced combination. It seems to me that be more like Christ we become, the less of a lame brain we will also be. As it says in 1 Cor 2:16: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (NAS)
GIFT MINISTRY WRONG TEACHING
The same is true in an unbalanced teaching of the ministries of the Spirit. For example, people who are mean, bad, and nasty, abrasive, impatient, and bullying, tend to use the teaching with regard to the ministry gifts as being an excuse to believe that they are called to be a prophet! Those who tend to be sissies, wimps and timid, often accept an unbalanced teaching on the ministry gifts as an excuse by saying, “my ministry is the gift of mercy”. The fact of the matter is that God calls every ministry, regardless of who it is, or what it is, to be sweet and teachable and loving and gentle and edifying and encouraging and humble! He calls all of us to be humble and loving.
I could go on to give many examples of those who are called to be the ministry of a prophet or the ministry of an apostle, the ministry of a pastor, the ministry of a teacher, who are not teachable. They are not humble. They are not gentle and entreatable. They abuse their authority. They consider themselves superior to those who are not in their camp. These ministries to that extent, in direct proportion to their failure to be humble and loving and teachable, are NOT Kingdom ministries!!!
On the other hand, to the extent that a person is loving and tender and gentle and loving, and teachable and sweet and entreatable and kind and a servant, and who is loving - called and led by God: to that exact same extent and in direct proportion, is one who is a Kingdom ministry.
Let me talk to you face to face, my brother and my sister, those of you who are among the five-fold ministries. Dear Pastor, if you are not teachable, if you are not humble, if you are not entreatable, and if you are not loving, then to that exact same extent, you are NOT “Kingdom”! God does not care if you are pastor of thousands of people or if you have a television outreach numbering in the millions or if your surrounded by a million (or even a few influential) “yes-men” - if you have lost the ability to love the stranger and to be taught by those that you have come to consider jackasses, then you have lost or are lacking the Kingdom anointing in direct proportion. Dear Ministry, God has called us all to a loving ministry of humility and servanthood. The Scripture still is true, “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Mark 10:44. 1 Corinthians 13 applies to all of us.
AUTHORITY/SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIPS
In our book The Cult of Cannibals, we deal with authority-subordinate relationships. Here, we talk about the abuse and misuse of authority, and share this Kingdom principle that :
We must always be submissive to Christ through whomever He speaks and wherever He is found, even if He is speaking through a woman, a child, a donkey, or a man. But we must never be submissive to the influence of satan or the opinion of man, when that opinion is contrary to the will of God, regardless of through whom that influence or opinion comes, even if its coming from the mightiest apostle!
How will an apostle will relate to the local church, as to authority? God always wants someone to be “in charge” under God. In a family, the father is to be the head of the wife, and the parents over the children. This does not mean that the husband is superior to the wife, nor the parents more important than the children. Similarly, the Bible states that He has set the apostles up as “first”. 1 Cor 12:28 “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” (NAS) But in the Body of Christ, in the Church at large, in the Kingdom of God, “he who would be the greatest, must be the servant of all. Picture with me three ways of holding a flower or a glass of water. One way is to grab and hold it roughly by the top, with one’s fist closed tightly over the top. The next way is to grasp it in one’s fist, sideways, so that the body of the glass or the stem of the flower in enclosed in one’s fist, from the side. The third way is for the hand to gently support the flower or glass on top of an open hand, in the palm. This is the way God wants His servants to lead and to rule, with rare exceptions. On the other hand, the Lord usually puts one person in charge of a meeting and the “buck stops with that person!” God, commissions that person to be “in charge” of and “responsible” for that meeting, and expects that person to keep the meeting in the will and leading of the Holy Spirit. If the meeting starts to get “off track”, God expects the person in charge to bring it back to where it is supposed to be. If gentle diplomacy does not work, then sterner measures need to be applied, even if, after other means have been exhausted, one may actually call the police and have the person who is disrupting, be forcibly taken away. It is against the law for unruly persons to disturb a public religious assembly.
A church is like a person’s home, with someone being in charge. If I am in the habit of putting my dirty shoes on the dining table cloth, and I come to your home and insist on doing the same, will you allow me”? Of course, you should not. Nor would my wife allow you to do this if you came to our house. The same is true of a church. Even though I am an apostle, if I come to minister to a church, that respects, knows and loves me as an apostle, if I get off track, or begin doing something of which the local pastor disapproves, then that pastor will be expected to stop me from doing that which would be considered offensive or injurious to the people.
On the other hand, in a loving relationship between an apostle and a pastor, an apostle can be allowed to speak loving correction into the lives of that ministry or church, its leaders and its people. By this means, whole churches have been lost or restored and rescued.
INTEGRITY
I have gone to the following ministry through humble appeal and loving confrontation, but he refused to repent. There is a traveling "apostlolic" ministry called Ian Andrews who moves in high, large and influential places. He is widely respected by those who believe in apostles. One evening he announced twice during personal ministry that he would not push the people when he laid hands upon them. Later, of about 30 people being ministered to, over 12 of them testified that they were pushed by Ian in the name of being “slain in the Spirit”. During the meeting, he asked if there were any who had back problems. I was volunteered. Ian sat me down in a chair and said that I needed a “leg lengthening”. When I lifted my feet, Ian grabbed my left foot and artificially forced it up and out of position, as if I were crippled! Then, he announced to the people, “Look at this foot, how out of line, out of position it is!” While the people gathered round, Ian commanded this foot to be straightened out, and while everyone oohed and ahhhed, he forcibly and artificially brought my foot down into line, where it normally was. I was so flabbergasted, and shocked, that I did not think to discredit the 'man of God' who was discrediting himself. Ian was deliberately deceiving the people into believing that a miracle was taking place that he himself was staging with this hocus pocus slight of hand! When I confronted Ian Andrews about this later, he refused to respond, and, instead, went to the next church where I was discredited and denounced. This happened about 5 years ago, and Ian is still ministering on the “big name circuit”! The reason I am telling you this story is not merely to gossip. Matthew 18 instructs us, after going with 2 or 3 others, to “tell it to the Church”. This is what I have done, and this is what I am doing. But my purpose and my question is this: If a razzle-dazzle, hot shot, big time, big lights, good reputation, colossal apostle type comes your way, and is thus deceiving and a deceiver, will you be able to discern this lack of integrity by revelation??? God does not want us to “throw the baby out with the bath water” nor does He want us to scrutinize people with our “gift of suspicion”. On the one hand, the Lord does not want us to be wrongly critical, but on the other hand, He wants us to be spiritually discerning and not spiritually stupid.
APOSTLES - TODAY!!!
But there are some Kingdom apostles in the earth today. If you would like to know who they are and how they may be reached, please write to us and ask us. We will try to refer to you, Kingdom apostles who have a heart after God, who are humble, teachable, loving and tender-hearted.
You may contact us in care of: The Great Commission Ministries, P.O. 7123, Minneapolis, MN 55407-0123. Thank you!
God has spoken: “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it!”
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Please define An "Embryonic" Apostle.
2. Please define An “Apostle of the Lamb”.
3. Please define A “Baby Apostle”.
4. Please define An “R-Not Apostle”.
5. Please define “False Apostles”.
6. Please define “Non-Kingdom Apostles”.
7. Please define “Kingdom Apostle”.
8. What do we mean “hang out a shingle”?
9. Complete the statement, “The most dangerous kind of false prophet is usually one who.... “
10. Discuss the fallacy of the four temperaments.
11. Since the Bible says that the Church must be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, what kind of foundation does your church have?
12. Please list, if you can, at least 3 Kingdom apostles whom you know personally. Do these apostles also know you?
13. Would you like to have any Kingdom apostles as an apostle to you?
14. Is your discernment sharp enough to be able to discern a true ministry from a false one?
GOD'S FAVORITE,
BUT FORGOTTEN,
CHURCH SERVICE
BODY MINISTRY
Or
“SPIRITUAL POT-LUCK!”
or,
1 Corinthians 14:26
The ‘Believer’s Meeting’
GOD'S FAVORITE BUT FORGOTTEN CHURCH SERVICE
or
BODY MINISTRY
or
“SPIRITUAL POT-LUCK!”
or
The ‘Believer’s Meeting’
or
I Cor.14: 1,26 & 37
or
"THE CHURCH SERVICE"
There are several kinds of church services:
1. EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS. We will define the evangelistic service as having a goal primarily to reach the unsaved, through a whole variety of kinds of "Kingdom Evangelism." An example of this kind of meeting is seen in Acts 2:40-42, “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (NKJV) Since we write elsewhere about out-reach, evangelism and church growth, we will not discuss Kingdom Evangelism here, at this time.
2. TEACHING MEETINGS: These are meetings that are primarily directed toward various kinds of teaching and preaching being done by apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, etc. In the books of Acts 2:42-43 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (NKJV), we see that the early Church devoted themselves earnestly to "the Apostles' Doctrine" - that is, foundational teaching that was done by the apostles. God placed a very high priority on this, as contrasted with the Church of today knowing that apostles exist today, or who they are, or allowing them to teach, or rehearsing their teaching to each other. The fact is, that God is marvelously restoring the apostles to the Church today, and they are being used of God, as were the 1st century apostles. The "Kingdom Church" and the "Perfect Church" will become and remain so, only to the extent that these Kingdom apostles are recognized, welcomed and allowed to minister. One inevitable function these foundational ministries will perform, is seen in Ephesians 4: "And He (Yahweh) has given (to the Church) some to be apostles, and some prophets - - - for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: 'til we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ - - from whom the WHOLE Body fitly joined together and compacted by that which EVERY joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of EVERY part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, ‘Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.’ 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.” KJV
There are many other kinds of meetings that the Bible describes, such as prayer meetings, communion, fellowship, business meetings, times of praise and worship. But there is one kind of meeting spoken of in 1 Corinthians 14, that is seldom seen in present day reality, yet, the growth and survival of the Body of Christ vitally depends upon the great need for this kind of service to be restored. Please, let’s pay close attention to what we call a “Believers’ Meeting.
3. THE "BELIEVERS' MEETING": This kind of meeting that will be the inevitable result of a balanced anointed and appointed functioning of the apostles and prophets in the Body of Christ, which will never be perfect until and unless this happens. Let's take a look at:
I CORINTHIANS 14:1, 26, & 37
Let's take verse 37, first. It says: "IF ANYBODY THINKS HE (or she) IS A PROPHET OR SPIRITUALLY GIFTED, LET HIM (or her) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHAT I AM WRITING TO YOU IS THE LORD'S COMMAND."
In other words, THESE CONSIDERATIONS ARE NOT OPTIONAL! The stuff God says through the Apostle Paul here is not optional ‘take it or leave it’ information! These are the commandments of God. Will you take just a moment to acknowledge that the teaching material in this chapter is a “command of God” and, is therefore, not optional, but mandatory, obligatory and compulsory.
Well, let’s look at the first things that God commands us in this chapter. From the Amplified New Testament:
“ Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love – make it your aim, your great quest; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments, especially that you may prophesy.”
THE VISION OF THE SWISS CHALET
I had a vision one time. You will be able to picture it with me. I could see this sleepy little Swiss village with the smoke curling lazily up from the chimneys. I was sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of this lovely Swiss chalet when I suddenly became aware that there was a huge avalanche sweeping down the mountain toward the chalet, and would destroy the whole village, and me, included, unless I jumped out of my chair, leaped off the front porch and ran helter-skelter, pell-mell down the path ‘Dagwood-style’, to grab hold of the end rail of the caboose of a choo-choo train just chug-chugging out of town. I intuitively understood that my very life depended on my putting all super-Herculean effort into catching that train - otherwise I would miss it, and die!
Then Daddy Yahweh, (the Lord Jesus - God), gave me to know that this vision was an illustration/interpretation of I Corinthians 14:1. The sleepy village represented the lazy status quo. The rocking chair represented a lazy, passive attitude toward the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The avalanche represented the enemy's attempt to keep us from "possessing the land," "taking the Kingdom by force," "actualizing our potential in God" or "enjoying our enjoys," as my Daddy used to say. The train represented the attainment and fulfillment of these things just mentioned and the fulfillment of this first verse. The great effort necessary to reach the train represented the effort talked about in this verse.
The first thing we should notice about this verse one, is the command for us to love each other fervently, that we should make love, our great aim, our great purpose.
“ABOVE ALL!!!”
The motivation for everything in life and in the life of the Church must be LOVE! “By this shall ALL men (and women) know that you are My disciples - IF ye have love for one another!” (Please see our book on the extreme importance of right relationships - "The Cult Of Cannibals!") 1 Peter 1:22 and 4:8 indicate that “ABOVE ALL, we must love each other fervently from a pure heart.” The word ‘fervently’ here can be illustrated by the fervent blast furnace kind of fire that was heated 7 times more hot. When they opened that furnace door, the bad guys were burned up, as opposed to a not-so-fervent fire in a fire place that is gentle and lazy and cozy.
1 CORINTHIANS 14:26
Please keep in mind our verse 37 which makes all of this God's command. Now, let's consider verse 26:
“HOW IS IT THEN, BRETHREN? (Sistern, too!) WHEN YOU COME TOGETHER, EVERY ONE OF YOU, (or, "each one of you") HATH A PSALM, HATH A DOCTRINE, HATH A TONGUE, HATH A REVELATION, HATH AN INTERPRETATION. LET ALL THINGS BE DONE UNTO EDIFYING.”
Tell me, how long has it been since you obeyed this ‘command’ of God? The Great Commission demands that we teach you to obey these commands as well. Here's they are again:
“WHEN YOU COME (to meet) TOGETHER, EVERY ONE OF YOU, (or, “each one of you”) HATH A PSALM, HATH A DOCTRINE, HATH A TONGUE, HATH A REVELATION, HATH AN INTERPRETATION. LET ALL THINGS BE DONE UNTO EDIFYING.”
Do you know what this verse means? It means what it says!!!
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN???
How long has it been since you came to the church meeting with a psalm to sing?
How long has it been since you came to church with a teaching to share?
How long has it been since you came to meeting with a tongue to give?
How long has it been since you came to church with new insight to share?
How long has it been since you came to church with an interpretation? And since verses 1 and 3¸ command that we should "covet to prophesy" and verse 31 says that "all (this means 'all') may prophesy one by one" –
How long has it been since you came to church with a prophecy to prophesy??? It is commanded!!!!!! Will you obey?
Yet, there is hardly a church that exists that will allow, much less encourage or even teach the people how to function in this way! But the ‘perfect church’ will. God's Church will. The Kingdom church will. Ephesians 4 will be fulfilled! Jesus is worthy of a perfect bride. He has been promised a Perfect Bride. And, by all that's holy, He is going to have a perfect Bride!!!
How would you like to have, as an epitaph, on the tomb stone of your life:
“HE (or she) DROWNTED IN HIS (or her OWN PEW!!!”
The vast majority of those who pass for "christian" today are drownding in their own pew! They have been faithful to come to church, time after time, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade and take it in, take it in, take it in, take it in, take it in, take it in, take it in!!!! But - give it out???????? Not on your life!!! Speak in tongues? (v.39) Not in MY church!!!
"WOMAN - PREGNANT FOR 30 YEARS!"
I would like to tell you a kind of "ishy" story, but one that I believe is important to the facts we are presenting. I "happened" to see a head-line in one of these "gossip tabloids" which said something like: "WOMAN - PREGNANT FOR 30 YEARS!" When I mentioned the details of the story to some doctors and medical people, they agreed that what this paper reported - WAS POSSIBLE!
Here's what the paper said had happened: Apparently, a woman in her youth had conceived without her knowing it, but that the baby died in her womb. Then, instead of her body naturally rejecting the unborn baby, it became encapsulated and "preserved" (though it was dead) in a kind of "mummified" condition within her womb. This kind of thing happens, sometimes, when a foreign object, such as a bullet, a piece of shrapnel or other material, even a splinter, can become encapsulated in a protective tissue. Many years later, in the course of time, this lady needed surgery in connection with another unrelated matter, when the body of this encapsulated baby was discovered. As I said, actual case histories of this possibility really exist.
You may wonder why I'm telling you this story, but the truth of the matter is that it is much more serious, in the Body of Christ for you as a saint to have become impregnated with the Word of God, and that, for years, you have
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it in,
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it in, and
taken it –
but have NOT, relatively speaking, given it out! Just for a moment, sit down and try to figure out how many sermons and tapes, videos, c/ds have you listened too, how many Bible studies, Sunday School lessons, devotionals, testimonies, inspirational talks, Scriptures read, Christian songs sung, prayers prayed - over your life time. - You have become impregnated with God's Word - and have
carried it and
carried it, and have
carried it, and
carried it, and
carried it, and
carried it, and
carried it, but never gave birth to it –
until the Word died within you, became encapsulated within you - but you have not given birth to it!!!!!!!!!!
Here, from I Corinthians 14, in verses 37, 14, and 1, the command comes - that everyone SHARE - regularly - not just as a sometimes thing - but regularly. If you do not - something grotesque happens to you! Through the lies of the devil, a miserable lack of self-confidence, God confidence and a lack of opportunity, you haven't shared. But the command of the Scripture is - "How is it then Dear Ones, WHENEVER you come together, EACH ONE, (or, EVERY ONE), has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation, - let all things be an encouragement!!!"
I have asked you before, but now I ask you again, in the Presence of God, when was the last time you were obedient to this command of God? How many times, in this last year, did you sing a new extemporaneous psalm in a Christian service - or give a message in tongues, or an interpretation, or a prophesy? (Verse 31 says, “That you may all prophesy one by one!”
Before we talk about spiritual pot-luck, would you like to see this above command in other translations? Here they are:
1) “everyone” = NIV
2) “Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation” NKJV
3) “When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.” NASU
4) “When ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.” KJV
5) “When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation.” ASV
6) “When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.” NAS
7) “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.” RSV
Question: If you attend a church, when was the last time you sang a spontaneous song, or gave a teaching, or gave a revelation, or spoke a message in tongues, or gave an interpretation???
Question: If you are a pastor, when was the last time you made room for, or taught the people to regularly share in this way???
SPIRITUAL "POTLUCK"!
Do you enjoy "Pot-Luck Dinners?" I do! Some prefer to call them, something else, like "Pot Providence," or "Pot Blessing," or "Covered Dish Dinner," or "Love Feast." Some Christians are superstitious about using the word "luck," as though it will bring them bad luck, to talk about good luck. But, have you ever been half way through the line at a "Pot Blessing - Covered Dish Dinner - when you ran out of luck??? I have. Can you picture it with me? Now I personally am usually at the end of the line at a Pot Providence dinner, because "The last will be first," and besides, I want everyone to know that I am humble, and so, to publicly demonstrate my humility, I am almost always the last, but there I am, half-way through the line, and they run out of chicken, or pork chops or cherry pie. There the line is, can you picture it? - standing there with my fragile paper plate in hand, along with the plastic fork and a napkin, and 'boyoboy are you ever hongry', but by the time you get halfway through the line, there is no chicken left, but plenty of beans or lettuce - and you are expected to keep a right spirit??! Before you get to the small amount of remaining macaroni, the people are crowding past you who have already been through the line one time already, with chicken and pork chop bones on their plates! Now you know why I like to call these kind of meals a 'Pot Luck' - because you don't want to run out of luck - half way through the line of pots!!!
One thing that really bothers me is when the Dear Ones don't bring enough food to even feed their own family, though they are able to. Or worse yet, for some of the single people to assume and presume that since they don't cook, and since the married ones with kids cook so good, and have a home set up, that they don't have to bring anything - except an appetite!!! These are often the first ones in line, and they eat the most - so that those of us are 'umble, go 'ungry!
I Corinthians 14:26 is God's recipe for a regular "SPIRITUAL POT LUCK," or, if you will, a Holy Spirit ordained Love Feast Pot Providence Blessing. God says, "I want you Dear Ones to have a good time, a banquet - a yummy tasting spiritual feast, an edifying, nourishing dinner - and I command everyone to bring something from Me!!! I want you to lovingly and carefully prepare. I command you to bring something nourishing. I want it to have substance. I command that you bring enough.
I was pastoring at a church one time, when one of the young and single deacons come to the pot-luck and had brought no food - I told him, "You are not allowed to be here at the pot-luck until or unless you bring something." A single person can bring something already prepared at the store: fruit, nuts, drink, chips, and the like.
Please understand, in the same way that the guests and the new ones and the poor ones who are unable to provide, are excused from having to bring something, so are the spiritually poor or immature excused from having to bring something - but there is no excuse for the Dear Ones who have been taking it in for years, and are too something to be willing to give it out and share of their spiritual food.
"EMPTY HANDS"
The Bible teaches that, at certain times, it was horribly wrong to appear before Yahweh with empty hands. Exodus 23:15; 34:20 "- - none shall appear before Me empty (handed)." And in Deut.16:16, "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Yahweh thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles: and THEY SHALL NOT APPEAR BEFORE YAHWEH EMPTY (handed). Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of Yahweh thy God which He hath given thee."
INSTANT MINISTRY
In many of the third world countries, the moment a person becomes a Christian, that one also becomes an evangelist. And, in many cases, also becomes a pastor within a few years, often with several works under his authority. But in the United States, and other countries where Christianity has been around for centuries, it is extremely unusual to see even one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested, for weeks, months or years on end.
The story is told of the natives of a foreign country where the missionaries had to leave after only a short time. The natives came running out on top of the water, and said, ‘We've only got from Matthew, to John 3:16! What's next?!’
Our friend, Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill, says, "One of these days, some simple soul will pick up the Word of God, read it, and believe it, and then the rest of us will be embarrassed."
STORY OF ‘RAMONA”
Some years ago, while ministering in Nebraska, I attended a meeting at which I met a woman. I believe her name was Ramona. Ramona was brilliant. She had written a book. (I freely acknowledge that just because a person writes a book, does not mean that they are brilliant!! \J/ ) Ramona was a lovely Christian with a powerful testimony. The method by which she had written her book was with a stick between her teeth, with which she laboriously touched, letter by letter, to the key board, in order to write down her thoughts. You see, something had happened to Ramona that had left her body horribly crippled and spastic. Her head was brilliant, but she could not get the rest of her body to cooperate.
This true story of Ramona reminds me of the Body of Christ. There is nothing wrong with the Head of Christ’s Body, that is, Christ Himself. No, no – but, when Christians do not DO what Christ the Head of His Body want them to do, the members of Christ’s Body, then that Body becomes spastic, uncooperative, unproductive, out of control – a hideous thing! (Ramona was not hideous.) But the Book of Ephesians in the Bible, speaks of Christ having a glorious Church that is perfect, without spot or wrinkle!!! This is why we need to be training members in the Body of Christ to know how to cooperate with the Head of the Body, to do the will of God, to be led, consistently, by the Holy Spirit, at all times and in everything. Amen.
HOME FELLOWSHIP
Every church MUST make available every week, to every believer, the opportunity for a I Corinthians 14:26 kind of meeting, or everyone will suffer.
For emphasis, let me make this point once again:
EVERY CHURCH MUST MAKE AVAILABLE EVERY WEEK, TO EVERY BELIEVER, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A I CORINTHIANS 14:26 KIND OF MEETING, OR EVERYONE WILL SUFFER!
One of the goals and results of the preached and applied Gospel of the Kingdom, will be to see that: There must be, within easy traveling distance of every believer, every week, everywhere, a I Corinthians 14:26 kind of meeting. Again, I repeat:
THERE MUST BE, WITHIN EASY TRAVELING DISTANCE OF EVERY BELIEVER, EVERY WEEK, EVERYWHERE, A I CORINTHIANS 14:26 KIND OF MEETING!
"And God has given (to the Church), apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
Body of Christ: - - by that which EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES, according to THE EFFECTUAL WORKING OF EVERY PART-"!!!!!!!!!!! Eph.4:11-16.
A HOME FELLOWSHIP MEETING
Here's how it works on a practical basis: Every church should divide its congregation into home fellowship groups of 15 to 20 people. The reason that we recommend that each group be this number, is simply to allow time for every one, each one, time to share, grow, listen, learn and develop in their giftings and callings. A home fellowship leader should be appointed and commissioned by the church leadership. The home fellowship ideally, should be held in the home of the home fellowship leader, unless it is clearly understood that the home fellowship will be under the authority of the commissioned leader. Someone must be in charge, and that someone should be adequately taught to lead, with authority, and must be spiritually discerning enough to know how to teach and lead concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
FREE FOR ALL
There are still a few people around who follow a false doctrine of "plurality and co-equality of leadership" where everyone has equal authority to lead, but where no one person has the responsibility to lead properly. This anarchy is a setting where the "buck" or the responsibility, gets passed to no one, or stops with no one. However, God has appointed leaders in the Church whom He expects to LEAD!, and whom the rest of the people will gently encourage to lead. Eph 4:11-16
"11 And He (Christ) gave (and continues to give) some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ: 16 From Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” KJV
1 Cor 12:27 “Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets?” KJV
Does this sound like everyone should be on the same level in terms of authority to lead? Co-equal in worth before God, Yes! Co-equal in responsibility to lead? No! The order is 1. Apostles. 2) Prophets. 3) Teachers, etc. In the local church, the order is 1) The apostle, having the oversight of the local pastor. 2) The local church pastor that the apostle has blessed and commissioned. 3) Whomever the local Pastor has delegated to be in charge of the Home Meeting. Early in my ministry, Apostle Jack Winter told me, to this effect, "John, you are in charge of the meeting! If someone else, even more experienced, comes into the meeting, remember that you are responsible before God to keep that meeting on God's track, and in God's will. Do not allow anyone to take the authority of the meeting away from you.” This of course, did not mean that no one else would be allowed to share, but it was the wrong wresting away of, and the usurping of control, of which Jack spoke.
There is a law in the United States against the disruption of a religious assembly. If the person interrupting will not behave, they can be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave, you may ask the people to sing, until the elders or, if necessary, the police come and forcibly remove the rebel.
THE KING’S GREATEST SECRET!
There are approximately 200 billion stars in our own Milky Way Galaxy. The only thing we can see in our skies, outside of our own galaxy is the Andromeda Galaxy, near the constellation Cassiopeia, just behind the great square of Pegasus. Under the best viewing conditions, only the nucleus can be seen as a faint misty patch of light, about the size of a fingernail on your hand extended at arm’s length. In that Galaxy are about 400 billion stars. It is about 2.5 million light years away. To figure out how many miles that is, simply multiply 186 thousand (the speed of light per second) times 60 for a minute, times 60 for an hour, times 24 for a day, times 365 for a year, and total a figure close to 6 trillion miles that light travels in one year. Then, simply multiply 6 trillion times 2.5 million light years to get the distance to Andromeda. This equals 12 to 14 quintillion miles, or 20 quintillion kilometers. That’s 12, followed by 6 sets of 3 zeros, or 12 to 14, followed by 18 zeros! Yet, we see that this is really a short distance by space standards, as the known extent of the Universe is approximately more than 13 billion light years in every direction, or 26 billion light years, compared to 2 1/2 million light years – the distance to Andromeda. The Bible says, in Isaiah 40, in the NIV that Yahweh “has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens”. The Bible also says that the Heaven of heavens cannot contain God: In 2 Chron 2:5-6, King Solomon says, “And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build Him an house, seeing the Heaven and Heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before Him?” KJV
Yet, the Bible also says that God is willing to dwell inside of a person, that Father Yahweh Papa God, God the Son, Yahshua Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit, are willing to come and live on the inside of us, if we only invite Him to come in. John 17 and Revelation 2:20 and an abundance of other Scriptures confirm this. Just think of it! The Creator King of Everything comes to live between our ears, behind our eyes, in side of our very skin!!! God wants to do more than help us live our lives, He wants to live His very Own Life through us, unhindered by us. God wants to do more than help us say good words, He wants to speak His very Own words through us, uninterrupted by us.
Think of it! Almighty God, willing to live and move and have His Very Own Being, inside of your skin!
But can you see the implications that this is supposed to have for a Believer’s Meeting, where each person present has God living on the inside of them, wanting to express Himself. It is incredibly exciting to get together with the dear ones, and to allow the Creator King of Everything, express Himself creatively, through each one, through everyone present!!!
"If two of you gather together in My Name, there am I in the midst of you." But we have the power to not allow God to express Himself through the dear ones. May we respectfully suggest that you allow God to say and do whatever He wants through the Believers. What an exciting prospect! Yet, most churches have the attitude, "This is what we pay the pastor for. It is our job to watch him do the will of God and listen to what he believes is the will of God. In actuality, they should be paying the pastor to train THEM to do and say and be the will of God.
Can you see the difference that the King’s Greatest Secret should make in the importance and the ability and the significance of a person having the opportunity to share with others? If you do not have a copy of our King’s Greatest Secret! , then you may write to us for your very own free copy! Write to us at Great Commission Ministries, 9473 County Road D, Webster, Wisconsin, 54893.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A KINGDOM FELLOWSHIP AND A FELLOWSHIP
In our teachings, we constantly try to help the dear ones see the difference between that which is Kingdom, and that which is not of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is what God is the King over. The Kingdom of God is the will of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, a right heart attitude, a right spirit, a right heart condition, “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. Rom 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” KJV
This means that a Kingdom Believer’s meeting is a meeting that is led by the Holy Spirit, in the will of God, with a right heart attitude, and in an atmosphere of love and mutual respect, a safe haven for people to 'try their wings', and for them to gently allow Christ to share creatively through them, for everyone’s encouragement, up building, and benefit. The leader of the meeting is to use his or her authority to see to it that every humble dear one has an opportunity to share, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to the very best of his or her ability. By giving the Christ within each person, an opportunity to share, you are also allowing that person an opportunity to grow, and to learn and develop, along with the growth and development and encouragement of each of all the other dear ones. What an exciting adventure!!!
GOD'S ORCHESTRA
Try to imagine what it would be like to be part of a great orchestra. I used to play percussion in the Southeast Iowa Symphony. In an orchestra, each person is to play the part assigned to him or her, to follow the musical score, and the notes written thereon. Imagine being player the kettle drums, the huge concert cymbals, or the big bass drum, and missing your cue, your part, and either playing loudly when you should not, or failing to play when you should. This is how it is in a Believer’s Meeting when you contribute when you should not, or fail to contribute when you should. Remember our illustration of Ramona’s spastic body, being like the Body of Christ where the Head is functioning perfectly, while the rest of the Body is spastically uncooperative? Remember the woman who became pregnant, but who never gave birth? Remember the pot-luck where people did not assume responsibility to bring something to share with the others? Remember the command of Christ, in verse 26, of 1 Corinthians 14, that commands EACH ONE or EVERY ONE, to 1) sing a psalm, 2) bring something that the Lord showed them from the Word, 3) share something that God showed them in their lives, 4) Bring a message in tongues, 5) Bring an interpretation of that message in tongues, and 6) all and each, covet to prophesy, one by one. Will you accept the challenge and obey this command of God?!!.
WHAT TO BRING!
There are times when having a pot luck dinner, some of the ladies in charge, will assign certain people the responsibility and privilege of bringing certain items, in addition to their main dish, such as a salad, or drinks or a dessert. In that same way, the Holy Spirit gives a list of items EACH ONE or EVERY ONE is to bring to this Spiritual Pot-luck.
1) The first of these is a “prophecy”. A prophecy is simply nothing more or less than God saying something to someone through someone. There are as many ways of bringing a prophecy as there are ways of communicating with each other. An example of prophetic prayer, would be the prayers the prophets prayed, prophetic advice would be like the prophets gave, prophetic drama like Ezekiel and the other prophets did, prophetic music, like the prophet David played for Saul, when the evil spirits fled from King Saul, or the simple testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy, spoken of in Revelation 9:10. A prophecy in a meeting must be loving, encouraging and edifying. Otherwise it must not be given. Prophecy in this case is a simple word of encouragement to the dear ones from the Christ within you. You simply allow the Lord to encourage the dear ones through you. It is to be no more complicated than this!
ENCOURAGEMENT IS ENCOURAGING!
I once received a brilliant revelation from the Lord. You will agree with me that it is brilliant when I share it with you. You can hardly wait for me to share it with you. The revelation is: Encouragement is encouraging! The reason this is so brilliant is: If more people realized that encouragement is encouraging, they would do more encouraging!!! God has ordained and ordered that people receive encouragement through prophecy and the believer's meeting. But, wouldn't it be sad, very sad, if one came to a service, seriously in need of encouragement, sat in the service needing encouragement, and went home, still needing encouragement! Yet, this kind of thing is likely to happen, EVERY time a believer's meeting is lacking in this encouraging kind of ministry from the believers. Amen.
HOW
Remember: All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are received by faith, and are exercised by faith. One sees to it that himself or herself is up-to-date with God, having confessed all sin, not having a guilty conscience, being totally committed to God, and stepping out in faith, feeling the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, simply and gently sharing from the Christ within you, to the very best of your ability. You must see to it that whatever word you give, it must be a word of loving encouragement. Amen. The Bible, in verse one, of 1 Corinthians 14 COMMANDS us to “covet earrrrrrrrrrrrnestly that we may prophecy”!!! Since verse 33 tells us that these things are a commandment of the Lord, then we are to know that, unless we are earrrrrrrrrrnestly coveting to be used of God to prophecy on a regular basis to others, that we are being disobedient to the Heavenly command. Amen. Can you see this? Can you agree with this? If so, you are on your way to being a person who is consistently being used of God to encourage and uplift and edify others.
1 Cor 14:1 “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” NAS
1 Cor 14:31 “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” KJV
1 Cor 14:39 “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” KJV
1 CORINTHIANS 14:26!
1 Cor 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you (or, each one of you):
2) “hath a psalm”,
3) “hath a doctrine”,
- “hath a tongue”,
- “hath a revelation”,
- “hath an interpretation”.
2) “EACH ONE HAS A ‘PSALM’!”
What does it mean “each one has a “psalm’ ”? What is a psalm? Is it talking about one of the psalms from the Book of Psalms. Let’s look at several Scriptures to get the setting:
Eph 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” KJV
Col 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” KJV
1 Thes 5:16 “Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings.” KJV
Heb 13:15 “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” KJV
WHAT IS A PSALM?
Try to picture David when he was a lad, out in the country, day and night, with the sheep, perhaps, with his harp, making up songs to the Lord Yahweh. Every one of the Psalms, were, at one time, not yet written or "invented".. There, David simply made up psalms as the words and melody originally came to him. This same dynamic, this same process, on the spur of the moment, is what is meant by, “every one (or) each one has a psalm! The Lord wants us to be singing, much more than we do, songs of praise and thanksgiving, as we go along life’s way, while working, playing, when alone, with others, in the car, in the home, while relaxing, at any time, at any moment, God appreciates songs of gratitude to Him.
THE devil LIED TO YOU!
Just for fun, sometime, ask a group of people if the devil, or someone told them that he or she could not sing well. But the joke is, that “as a person thinks in their heart, so is he (or she)”. Prov.23:7 You will find that the great majority of people do not believe that they can sing well. But, another joke is, that God loves to hear you sing songs of praise and gratitude and thanksgiving to Him. The Bible commands us: in the following verses, to “make a joyful noise” unto the Lord God Yahweh!!! Psalms 66:1; Psalms 81:1; Psalms 95:1;Psalms 95:2; Psalms 98:4; Psalms 98:6; Psalms 100:1. Will you??! Or, will you continue to believe the lie that you cannot sing?.
Can you picture a life-style in which you go about your day and your life, more or less, continually busy, whistling and singing songs of love and thankfulness to God? Walt Disney studios can. Rogers and Hammerstein can. God can. Now, when you come into the Believer’s Meeting, during the time of praise and worship, it is very important that you be given an opportunity to sing a new song to the Lord, making it up as you go, like the Psalmist David did, out on the hills of Galilee, with his sheep. It is even more important that you take advantage of the opportunity given, and SING your song to the Lord. This is what is meant by the phrase, “every one (or each one) has a psalm!
“YOU ARE JUST SHOWING OFF!”
When the enemy comes to accuse you that you are just showing off, a good response is, “That’s right devil, just watch me! I am going to show off for Jesus!” When you go to give your Mother a kiss on the cheek, you are showing off. You are showing her, showing yourself, showing for any one else to see, that you love her, that you appreciate her. How very sad it would be if you refrained from, restrained yourself from, held yourself back from, hesitated to, were ashamed of, kissing your very own dear Mother, because someone might just happen to think that you were just showing off!
Having a psalm is simply opening your mouth and saying a little prayer of thanks, or a little testimony of the greatness of God, or, perhaps, a little song from the Lord to His people, of encouragement and love. The only thing needed now, to make it a little psalm is to sing it instead of saying it. God bless you as you open your mouth and give it a try, for “with such sacrifices, God is well pleased”!!!
- “hath a doctrine”
Having “a doctrine” is simply sharing a little nugget or blessing that you received while reading the Bible, or, while thinking about a portion from the Bible. All that is required is to say something like: “I’d like to share a little something that it seemed like the Lord showed me from the Bible.”
- “hath a tongue”
THE GIFT OF TONGUES
Since we already discussed this lovely and mysterious gift previously, we will respectfully encourage a review of those teachings. Thank you. In addition, and in connection with this passage, here is a little more information concerning this precious gift from God:
EVERYONE (or EACH ONE) HAS A TONGUE!
The only thing necessary for a person to give a message in tongues among a group of believers, is the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, at which time a person, by a simple choice of his or her own will, begins speaking in this new tongue that God has given.
Again, there are several misconceptions about the public sharing of tongues:
- “The sign gift of tongues speaking is different than the speaking in tongues among the believers.” This is a wrong mentality. Tongues is tongues, and, God can use any tongue He likes.
- “God must take me over and jiggle my jaw and force me to speak.” Wrong again! God wants you to cooperate with Him. He wants to gently encourage you to speak, so you take a breath and simply begin speaking!
- "You must know ahead of time, whether or not there is someone present who can give an interpretation to the tongue, before a message in tongues is given." Wrong again! God may want you, yourself to give the interpretation, or, someone else, by a step of faith. Yes, the Bible does say that a message in tongues should have interpretation, but, if no one else is willing or prepared to interpret, then go ahead and obey the verse that says “Let him (or her) that speaks in tongues, pray that you may interpret.” Remember, all of these gifts are exercised by faith, so, simply take faith and exercise these gifts. After all, the Bible says, that “Each one, has a . . .”
Let me ask a question: Who does “everyone” include? Doesn’t “everyone” include you?!! Who does “each one” include? Doesn’t “each one” include you?!! O.K., then, take a deep breath, make sure there is no sin in your life, and that your heart is right, and, with love in your heart, and the determination to edify and encourage in your spirit, go ahead and move in these areas freely and with confidence.
- “hath a revelation”
This kind of sharing simply goes like this: “I believe that the Lord showed me something recently that I would like to share with you.” We believe that it is better to say, “I believe that the Lord showed me such and such”, rather than to say “God told me . . .” because it smacks of infallibility, and may come on too strong, and may be too intimidating. On the other hand, saying, “I think the Lord showed me. . .” may be too week, as we are more interested in what God thinks.
- “hath an interpretation”.
“Interpretation” here, speaks of the interpretation of a message in tongues. First, the Bible tells us “I wish that you all spoke in tongues” 1 Cor 14:5a
Then it commands us, that if we speak in tongues, that we should pray that we may interpret. It seems obvious then, that the Lord has both gifts freely to be given to every believer! In fact, we believe that the good Lord wants every believer to be moving in ALL the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, in the same way that every household should have a tool box with a hammer, a saw, a screwdriver, an tape measure, a pliers, a drill, a pencil, a knife, a level, etc. Now the Bible does say, in 1 Cor 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” KJV Some people take this word ‘severally’ to mean that God will only give anyone 3 of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. First of all, the word ‘severally’ is translated ‘individually’ in several translations, and carries the thought that God gives the number of gifts to whomever He wants, whenever He wants. It is true, that, as with household tools, where most jobs require several tools, so also, in the Holy Spirit, when one gift is used, it needs normally to be accompanied by 2 or 3 other gifts. For example, when a “word of knowledge” is given to a person about a situation, usually, a “word of wisdom”, or “faith” or “prophecy” is also needed.
Again, remember that every one of the gifts requires the exercise of your will, an act of deliberate choice on your part, along with an appropriation by faith, the ability to be used of God in the exercise of any gift or gifts. This, of course, must be accompanied by a gentle leading of the Holy Spirit.
Keep in mind that “above all” is the need to be motivated very strongly by the love of God, because, “the greatest of these, is Love!” Without love, we are no better than an empty beer can, rolling down a lonely street in the wind, at midnight – no better than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Please keep in mind that we need to be patient with ourselves and with each other as we have opportunity to “practice” being used of God in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord reminds us in Heb 5:14: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” KJV This means that, as we step out in faith, endeavoring to be used of God in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that our hitting of the target will greatly improve and grow as time and practice goes on. This is why we leaders have a great responsibility to provide a safe and accepting atmosphere for the dear ones, as they are given opportunities to have their senses exercised “by reason of use” or by practice. Amen.
2 Tim 2:16 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” KJV
Other gifts that we have to look forward to are: Healings, miracles, faith, wisdom, knowledge, and the discerning of spirits. May the good Lord, Papa Yahweh, bless you to the supernatural maximum. Amen!
QUESTIONAIRRE
1. In 1 Corinthians 14:37, where is says that "If anyone thinks himself to be spiritual or a prophet, let him, (or her) recognize that these words are a commandment from the Lord." Do you believe that this verse applies to you? Do you believe that this chapter, these verses are God's commandments for you?
2. How long has it been since you obeyed this ‘command’ of God? The Great Commission demands that we teach you to obey these commands as well. Here's they are again:
“WHEN YOU COME (to meet) TOGETHER, EVERY ONE OF YOU, (or, “each one of you”) HATH A PSALM, HATH A DOCTRINE, HATH A TONGUE, HATH A REVELATION, HATH AN INTERPRETATION. LET ALL THINGS BE DONE UNTO EDIFYING.”
3. Do you know what this verse means? It means what it says!!!
4. How long has it been since you came to the church meeting with a psalm to sing?
5. How long has it been since you came to church with a teaching to share?
6. How long has it been since you came to meeting with a tongue to give?
7. How long has it been since you came to church with new insight to share?
8. How long has it been since you came to church with an interpretation? And since verses 1 and 3¸ command that we should "covet to prophesy" and verse 31 says that "all (this means 'all') may prophesy one by one" –
9. How long has it been since you came to church with a prophecy to prophesy??? It is commanded!!!!!! Will you obey?
10. How would you like to have, as an epitaph, on the tomb stone of your life: “HE (or she) DROWNTED IN HIS (or her OWN PEW!!!”
ERROR,
HERESY,
WRONG THINKING,
&
WRONG DOCTRINE
Chapter _________
ERROR & HERESY,
WRONG THINKING & WRONG DOCTRINE
TRUE??? or FALSE!!!
Over and over we have maintained the importance of “doing it by the Book”. Some one has said, “When all else fails, follow the directions!” Men, as contrasted with women, seemed to be notorious for not asking for, or following, directions.
WRONG DOCTRINES
We are going to ask some tough questions if we are to have a church based on the Bible and the New Testament. Let's suppose that one wants to make an apple pie, but is determined to add ingredients that are not listed in the recipe, like potatoes, tomatoes, onions and garlic. We can easily see that, to the extent one adds ingredients not indicated, or, eliminates necessary ingredients, one ends up with a pie that is definitely NOT an apple pie. One may call it "apple pie" as much as one wants, but, an apple pie with large doses of onions, garlic, and tomatoes will never be an apple pie.
By the same token, there are many churches today who call themselves churches that have added large doses of ingredients that are not in the Bible.
This is the test: You may conduct the test yourself. In fact, if you are interested in being a part of a church that is truly a church that God is trying to build, you must determine to rid your church of everything that is not mentioned in the Bible. But, force of habit, and traditional ways of doing things seem to lock us into patterns of behavior that are definitely not Scriptural, and which consequently do not please God. If you are going to have a church that pleases God, you must insist on following God's recipe Book for all of life - the Bible.
Here is the test: Go through your church doctrine, your church service, and ask yourself the question: "Is this doctrine, this habit, this way of doing things, found in the Bible? You can get a concordance, and look up any particular thing in the Bible. Are you ready? Are you set? Let's go!
Look up the following things in your concordance; In your Bible:
Presbyterian
Congregational
Lutheran
Pentecostal
Charismatic
Catholic
Infant Baptism
Sprinkling
Confirmation
QUESTIONAIRRE
1. Are any of these words like "denomination", “parish”, or “synod” found in the Bible? Is the word "Lutheran", "Presbyterian", "Baptist", "Methodist", "Episcopalian", "Mormon", "Jehovah's Witness", "Congregational", "Evangelical United Brethren", "Catholic", "Orthodox", "Reformed", or the name of your denomination found in the Bible? The answer is "NO!" When God looks "to and fro, throughout the earth", He does NOT see denominations. He is looking at the heart!
2. Is infant baptism found any place in the Bible? The answer is NO!
3. Is "baptism" by sprinkling or pouring found in the Bible? The answer is NO!
4. Is the separation of clergy and laity, or the professional minister and the layman, found in the Bible? The answer is NO! Every one of us is called to some form of ministry or another. Should we pay honour to whom honour is due? Of course.
5. Is the washing of one another's feet recommended in the Bible? This is commanded by our Lord 3 times in one chapter.
6. Is the wearing of a head covering recommended for women who are ministering? Yes. No amount
7. Does the Bible say that we must be perfect?
8. Does the Bible ever tell us what is the least of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
9. Does the Bible ever say that miracles are no longer for today?
10. Does the Bible ever say that Apostles and Prophets are no longer for today
11. How much of our money does the Bible say that we are to give to God? Ditto, in the New Testament?
12. Does the Bible encourage ministers to wear clothing, any different than the people to whom we minister.
13. Does the Bible say that people should be on a lower level than where the preacher is to stand?
BAPTISM!
Scriptures:
"Baptize"
(All verses are from the King James Bible Version)
(I have taken the liberty to capitalize, as deemed appropriate.)
Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He That cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, 'I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire' :"
John 1:26 "John answered them, saying, 'I baptize with water: but there standeth One among you, Whom ye know not;' "
John 1:33 "And I knew Him not: but He That sent me to baptize with water, the Same said unto me, 'Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the Same is He Which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
1 Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
"BAPTIZED"
Matthew 3:6 "And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."
Matthew 3:13 "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."
Matthew 3:14 "But John forbad Him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?' "
Matthew 3:16 "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:"
Matthew 20:22 "But Jesus answered and said, 'Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' They say unto Him, 'We are able.' "
Matthew 20:23 "And He saith unto them, 'Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.' "
Mark 1:5 "And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."
Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
Mark 1:9 "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."
Mark 10:38 "But Jesus said unto them, 'Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' "
Mark 10:39 "And they said unto Him, 'We can.' And Jesus said unto them, 'Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:' "
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Luke 3:7 "Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, 'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?' "
Luke 3:12 "Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, 'Master, what shall we do?' "
Luke 3:21 "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the Heaven was opened,"
Luke 7:29 "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
Luke 7:30 "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."
Luke 12:50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"
John 3:22 "After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judaea; and there He tarried with them, and baptized."
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
John 4:1 "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus Himself baptized not, but His disciples,)"
John 10:40 "And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there He abode."
Acts 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Acts 8:13 "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."
Acts 8:16 "(For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)"
Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, 'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' "
Acts 8:38 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
Acts 9:18 "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Acts 10:48 "And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
Acts 11:16 "Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that He said,
'John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "
Acts 16:15 "And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, 'If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.' And she constrained us."
Acts 16:33 "And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."
Acts 18:8 "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized."
Acts 19:3 "And he said unto them, 'Unto what then were ye baptized?' And they said, 'Unto John's baptism.' 4 Then said Paul, 'John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him Which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord."
Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?"
1 Corinthians 1:13 "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:14 "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other."
1 Corinthians 10:2 "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;"
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
"BAPTIZING"
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:"
John 1:28 "These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing."
John 1:31 "And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water."
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
STRONG'S BIBLE DEFINITION:
NT:907: "baptizo" (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT: 911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:
- "Baptist", "baptize", "wash"
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
BAPTIZM!
Table of Contents
Scriptures on Baptism
The Definition of Baptism
Reasons for Baptism
The Meaning of Baptism
The Method of Baptism
Who can be Baptized?
Who can do the Baptizing?
The Appropriate Age for Baptism
The Proper Thing to Say when being Baptized
Does Baptism save a person?
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Great Commission
The Definition of Baptism
What does Baptism mean? First let us look at the Greek definition of the word 'Baptize": From the Strong's Concordance:
NT:907: "baptizo" (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT: 911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:
To "baptize" a person means to "immerse" and "submerge" a person until they are "fully wet" and "overwhelmed" by water.
Reasons for Baptism
1) To signify the washing away of our sins: Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord."
2) Because Jesus commanded it: Matt 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World. Amen."
3) Because it is a perfect picture of our going with Christ into His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, glorification. (This is explained in greater detail, to follow, and, see our book, The King's Greatest Secret!.)
4) Because it is a very important part of our salvation process.
5) Because our being baptized is a lovely testimony of our salvation to our family, friends, community, world, to demons and angels and God.
6) Because it is a symbol of our total dedication and commitment of our life to God.
7) Because it is a symbol of our willingness to die and be martyred for Christ.
The Meaning of Baptism
Less than one in ten thousand Christians understands the greatest, truest, deepest meaning of Baptism! The proof of this comes when you look at their lives, and when you ask them the question: "What did Jesus take of ours, with Him, to the Cross?" Would you yourself just take a minute to answer this question? Take a pen and paper and make a list of those things Jesus took of yours to the Cross.
People will give correct answers, like: "Jesus took our sins, sicknesses, worries, burdens and fears." But one will almost NEVER hear the answer, "Jesus took ME with Him to the Cross!!!" Gal.2:20, Col.3, Rom.6, etc. The proper answer to the question: "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" is, "YES, I was there!!!"
Yet, this is the truest and deepest, most significant meaning and purpose behind the experience of Baptism. Baptism is a perfect picture of our going with Christ into His Crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification.
What would you think of me, if I came to you as a stranger, and gave this testimony: "You are looking at me, a person who has been murdered! I have been murdered, martyred, maimed, and massacred!" What would you think of me? And then I told you that even though I have been murdered, that I am alive! And then I told you, while touching my chest, "It is not really me that is living here." What would you think of me? Yet this is exactly what the Apostle Paul was saying in Galatians, chapter 2, verse 20!!! (from the New American Standard Bible):
"I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me!"
Rom 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is (was - has been) crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. 10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Col 3:1 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him That created him:"
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Please see our book, The King's Greatest Secret!, for a more complete explanation of baptism.
The Method of Baptism
NT:907: "baptizo" (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT: 911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
Acts 8:38 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
In Bible School, we students were assigned the task of demonstrating a one person drama of some Scriptural happening, while the rest were to guess what we were demonstrating. I was too afraid to give a demonstration of the "Sprinkling of Jesus". I was going to demonstrate how Christ went down into the water, about chest deep, while John the Baptist, carefully dipped his fingers into the water and sprinkled Jesus.
As you have noticed in John 3:23, the reason John baptized where he did was because "there was much water there"! Obviously, if sprinkling were the method by which John baptized, there would have been no need for "much water"!
The truth is: In the New Testament days, sprinkling was NEVER the method of baptism, nor was it EVER intended to be the means of baptism! To baptize means to "submerge UNDER THE WATER'!!!!!!! If you have only to be sprinkled, you still need to become baptized under the water.
Who can be Baptized?
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
1) A person needs to become a believer in Jesus as total Lord and Saviour as God. In order for a person to become a believer, one first needs to personally invite Jesus Christ to come and live inside as Lord and Saviour and Life! In Revelation 3, verse 20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."
2) A person needs to become a totally committed disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and be willing to do anything God wants them to do.
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:" According to the Great Commission of Christ to us, we first need to become disciples and become taught. Before we can call ourselves disciples of Jesus, we need to meet the following conditions: In Luke 14:26 & 27, Jesus said, "If any man come to Me, and hate not (by comparison to the love he or she has for Christ) his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear (his or her) cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. Then Jesus said, "So likewise, if you do not forsake all that you have, you cannot be My disciple!" v. 33
This simply means that we must be totally, totally, totally, totally, totally, totally, totally committed to Christ as our Lord and Master and Boss and Commander, before we can claim to be His disciple. And, according to Christ's Great Commission, we need to be His disciple, before we can be baptized.
3) A person needs to confess, repent and forsake every known sin, before being baptized. Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Again, the Bible is telling us that repentance is a requirement for baptism.
4) We need to "gladly receive God's Word"! Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
5) We need to be taught about and fully embrace the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!
Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Before being baptized, we need to first believe the things concerning the Kingdom of God.
Who can do the Baptizing?
John 4:1 "Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus Himself baptized not, but His disciples,)"
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:"
Here, the requirement is simply that we be disciples, before we can baptize others. Otherwise the Great Commission applies to all who are a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, as God. A disciple is simply one who is totally, totally committed to and is obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. No other qualifications are given.
The Appropriate Age for Baptism
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
The Bible NEVER teaches that an infant or very small child can be baptized, but that we need to become a believer and a disciple, with the knowledge of what baptism means, and a full awareness of what we are doing before becoming baptized.
Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Babies cannot "gladly receive his word". We have to be aware of what we are doing, before we can "gladly receive".
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Again, the Bible is telling us that repentance is a requirement for baptism. Babies cannot and do not repent. Therefore babies should not be baptized, nor should they be sprinkled. Instead, they should be dedicated.
Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Before being baptized, we need to first believe the things concerning the Kingdom of God. Babies have no comprehension of these things. Notice also, that the Word says, "both men and women", NOT "babies and very small children".
Acts 19:4 "Then said Paul, 'John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him Which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus." In other words, since repentance is a prerequisite for baptism, infants must wait to be baptized until they repent.
The Proper Thing to Say when being Baptized
Acts 10:48 "And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:"
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:16 "(For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)"
Here, in these 4 verses, we have 4 "formulas" that could be used when baptizing. Some people like to argue, or be legalistic, or be religious, or stubborn, as to which formula, which "magic words" are to be used.
1) There are what is known as "Jesus Only" people who INSIST that one's baptism is not valid, unless this formula is used "I hereby baptize you in the Name of Jesus, only, for the remission of your sins."! Then, they add other qualifications and conditions of salvation, such as speaking in tongues, etc. I presume that being born again is also necessary, but I am not certain if membership in their denomination is also required.
2) Then, there are what is known as "Yahweh People" who INSIST that this formula be used, "I baptize you in the Name of Yahshua, Son of Yahweh, for the remission of your sins." Well, it is true that Father God's Name is Yahweh, but these people, for the most part also insist that obedience to most of the Old Testament Laws is also required or advised, although I am not aware of very many that advocate the stoning of their children when they misbehave, or the drinking of poison for a wife of a jealous husband. These people do not know that we are no longer under law, but grace, and that the "Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, has set us FREE from the Old Testament Torah Law of sin and death" or that we are to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free, and be not entangled again in the Old Testament yoke of bondage". Here we have a good example of "If the enemy cannot suppress a truth (God's Name is Yahweh), then the enemy will get behind a truth and push it to a cultic exteme." In this case, the cultic extreme is the insistence that we keep the Old Testament Law!
People do not realize that the "formula" is relatively unimportant, because they do not realize that to do something in someone's name, has little to do with the literal name of that person. To do something in someone's name has everything to do with how we represent that person's will and nature. I can misuse and take your name in vain without even mentioning your name, simply by misrepresenting your will and your character. Speaking of you, I can say, "That lying so-and-so is a thief and a seducer!" Without even mentioning your name, I am taking it in vain and besmirching your reputation, so the formula used is not even that important.
IN JESUS' NAME!
To do something in Jesus' Name means two important things:
1) Power of Attorney: Christ, as God, has given us the legal right, the authority, the power to represent Him and His interests. Before leaving for Africa this last time to minister, I gave to my wife legal permanent power of attorney. This means that I have given her the right to "sell the farm", or purchase another, to do ANYTHING 'in my name'! I absolutely do not even need to know what she is doing, or even how she signs my name, J. R. Bohlen, John Bohlen, John Roy Bohlen, etc., In a very similar way, Christ has given us the legal right to represent Him and His Kingdom and His interests.
2) When Christ comes to live on the inside of us, as LORD and Saviour, and we allow Jesus to LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US, speaking through us, thinking through us, living through us, abiding in us, loving through us, doing the Father's will through us, this is the TRUE MEANING of what it means to do or say something "IN JESUS' NAME"! To do something in Jesus' Name simply means to gently and sweetly allow Jesus to do whatever He wants to do through us. The formula is unimportant.
ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE
1 Cor 9:22, 23 says, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."
When I baptize people, I use the following formula, so that the person being baptized can be "all things to all" who will quibble and argue about the validity of their baptism:
"I hereby baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We baptize you in the Name of Jesus only, for the remission of your sins. And, we baptize you in the Name of Yahshua, Son of Yahweh, by Ruach HaKodesh, (The Names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Hebrew!)"
Does Baptism save a person?
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Again, there are those who are legalistic and religious, who INSIST that a person cannot be saved, unless he or she has been baptized. The most extreme position about this I am aware of was the theologian from the olden days who swore that "unbaptized babies a foot long would burn in hell forever"! In the first place, babies are not to be baptized or sprinkled, or they will get wet! But a few drops or hundred gallons of water will not save them, nor the lack there of damn them.
Do we recommend baptism? OF COURSE!
Is baptism necessary for salvation? Of course not!
Let us use the illustration of an automobile: Can a car be driven without a seat belt? A spare tire? An emergency brake? Lights? Seats? Bumpers? Glass in the windows? The answer to all of these is "Yes, a car can be driven, operated, will take you where you wish to go, without any of these things." But, we do not advise anyone to drive an automobile without them. Can a person be saved without being baptized? The answer is "Yes!" But we do not advise it. We and the Bible STRONGLY recommends and urges us to be baptized.
Baptism "for the dead"
1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
Here is a quote from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft.
"As martyrdom and baptism were thus so closely and intimately connected, baptizesthai (NT:907), to be baptized, was used to express being put to a violent death by the hands of persecutors. So Matt 20:22-23: "But Jesus answered and said, Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? etc." (Can ye go through my sufferings?) "They say unto him, We are able. He saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup," (ye shall bear your part of the afflictions of the Gospel), "and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (that is, ye shall suffer martyrdom.) See also Mark 10:38. So Luke 12:50: "I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened until it be accomplished!" That is, I must die a violent death for the salvation of men.
10. The sum of the apostle's meaning appears to be this: If there be no resurrection of the dead, those who, in becoming Christians, expose themselves to all manner of privations, crosses, severe sufferings, and a violent death, can have no compensation, nor any motive sufficient to induce them to expose themselves to such miseries. But as they receive baptism as an emblem of death in voluntarily going under the water, so they receive it as an emblem of the resurrection unto eternal life, in coming up out of the water; thus they are baptized for the dead, in perfect faith of the resurrection. The three following verses seem to confirm this sense."
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He That cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, 'I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire' :"
John 1:33 "And I knew Him not: but He That sent me to baptize with water, the Same said unto me, 'Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the Same is He Which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
Matthew 3:16 "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:"
Acts 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:16 "(For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)"
Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Acts 11:16 "Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that He said, 'John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "
Acts 19:4 "Then said Paul, 'John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him Which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
Here, we have 11 powerful references to the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" in connection with baptism. This is very significant. However, if you ask most Christians, they will answer like those who were baptized with the baptism of John. "What is this?" The Bible clearly teaches that all Christians neeeeeeeeeeed the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I asked my good friend and mentor, Dr. Bob Smith, of Bethel, if he believed in the Second Blessing. He said, "I most certainly do - - - and the third, and the fourth and the fifth - - !" I personally can name a number of blessings that we can experience following salvation. We can experience total commitment, sanctification, glorification, infilling of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, filled with Agape love, etc. There are dreams and visions and languages and glory spells, and all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc. Like the old saint said, "It is better felt than telt", and spoke of being "Under the spout where the glory comes out!"
In addition to all of these, there is the King's Greatest Secret!, also known as the "Keswick" experience, or the "Exchanged Life", or the "Life of Christ", or the "Mystery of the Gospel of the Ages which is Christ in you, the Hope of Glory"!!! All of these things are available to you! If you want to know more about any of these available experiences, including "glorification", let us know, and we can provide you with more information.
The real question is not, "When do I get the baptism of the Holy Spirit?" But, "Am I full of God right now?"!! We limit both God and ourselves when we insist that we got it all when we got saved. If this is true, then there are many, many Christians that need to get saved! Too many of us, got filled with God in the olden days, but then sprung some leaks! The Bible says, "Be ye being filled!" and, "Out of your innermost being shall flow flooding torrents of living water continuously!"
I love that Scripture in Ephesians 3:19b from the Amplified Bible, which says, "May you be filled with all of the fullness of God, that is, may you have the richest measure of the Divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself, indwelling your innermost being and personality."!!!
The Great Commission
Matt 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World. Amen."
CONTACT INFORMATION
You may contact us at:
Great Commission Ministries
9473 County Road D
Webster, WI 54893
Phone: 715-866-4060 email:
Website: www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
Other books and articles we have written:
How To Rule The World, or Seek 1st the Kingdom of God
The Cult of Cannibals, or, How To Rightly Relate
The Sexual Ministry, or, How To Live Happily Ever After
How To Raise 'Purfect' Kids
The King's Greatest Secret!
FGM, or Female Circumcision
Poetry
Law, Grace and Law
Body Stewardship
The Glorious Church
Apostles: Who, How, What, When and Where
True African Adventure Stories
How To Save Time
What is God's Name?
MARY
&
THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC
CHURCH
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC church
First, let me say that there are many, many sweet and admirable things that one could say about the Catholic church. I will mention some of them.
1. Catholics tend to be good worshippers.
2. They generally have a reverence toward God.
3. On average, their church attendance is admirable.
4. As a rule, they respect the officials of the church.
5. They are well known for their bold and proper stand against abortion, and other moral issues.
6. They are known for their giving and their tithing.
7. They have a long and successful track record in missions and charities.
8. They have many religious leaders who are single and celibate. 9. Their churches are large and beautiful.
10. Catholics tend to believe in the Scriptures, although they have, for the most part, not read them! But, a major problem is that they also add to the Scriptures their extra books, and their church tradition, that renders the Bible ineffective in too many areas.
Although there are many, many sincere people within the Catholic church, only a small number of them are saved or born-again. The Catholic Church does not even teach that one must be born again, as Jesus talks about in John, Chapter 3. There is also a very small percentage of those who are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit, and who are actually working within the Catholic church as evangelists and missionaries to other Catholic people. Occasionally, one will find a priest or a nun who is one of these. I actually baptized by immersion in the Jordan River, a Catholic priest, and two Catholic nuns who were genuinely born-again and Spirit-filled. They eventually came out of the Catholic church, but were “hot for God” while there.
In spite of the fact that there are many sincere people who are Catholics, and a few who are born-again, it is true, that the Catholic church is one of the largest and most powerful cults in the world. Here is a list of heresies and false doctrines practiced, believed and taught by the Catholic church.
1. Mary is not to be worshipped, as they teach. To worship Mary is rank idol worship. Instead of the worship of Mary, we have Mary saying, "What ever He says to you, do it!” The worship of Mary and prayer to the saints – these are NOT in the Bible.
2. We have Jesus saying, "Who is My mother?" He answers by telling us that His mother, brother or sister are those who DO the will of God.
3. We are not to offer up prayers to the dead, to Mary, the saints or to angels. This is NOT in the Bible.
4. The Pope is not the head of the Universal Body of Christ Church, as they teach. When Jesus said that “On this Rock I will build My Church, He was not referring to Peter, but to the Truth of what Peter said, as was the case when Jesus told Peter, “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” If Jesus was referring to Peter in the first place, then He was referring to Peter in the second place. In other words, it logically follows that if the Catholic Church is founded on Peter, then it is also founded on Satan. The Bible says that “Jesus Christ is the Chief Apostle and High Priest of our calling.”
5. The Pope can not speak "ex-cathedra", that is, infallibly, as they teach. The Bible never mentions a pope in the first place, nor that the pope or any other person will attain to infallibility.
6. Peter was not the first pope, as the Catholics teach. He was co-equal with many apostles. In Galatians, chapter 2, the apostle Paul rightly withstood Peter to his face.
7. Mary is not the “Mother of God,” as Catholics teach. She is merely a human being, a woman, highly favored of God. Of course, she was the mother of Jesus, and Jesus was God, but Mary was merely a human receptacle, the human womb to enable the birth of Jesus Christ, 100% God, but 100% human.
8. Historical appearances of Mary are an ungodly distraction. Our focus is to be “Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” We are not to fellowship with the dead.
9. Mary was not born without sin - “the immaculate conception of Mary”, as they teach.
10. Mary is not to be prayed to, as they teach.
11. The saints are not to be prayed to, as they teach.
12. Mary can not save us, as they teach
13. Mary gave birth to other children besides Jesus. When the Bible refers to the brothers and sisters of Christ, it is referring to actual brothers and sisters, and not to cousins or half siblings.
14. Biblical priests can be married. The New Testament warns against those who forbid marriage.
15. The other books that the Catholics have added are not, nor did God ever intend that they be included in the Bible
16. There is no "purgatory", no "second chance" after death, as they teach. Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible, nor is a "second chance".
17. Prayer beads are not a part of the Bible, nor is the crucifix, nor are statues, nor are prayer candles, incense, or holy water.
18. The priest is not to take the wine in communion in your behalf. The idea that you are actually spilling Christ’s blood, if you spill a drop of communion wine, is ridiculous.
19. Jesus is not put to death each time the mass is said, as they teach.
20. We are not to use prayer beads, they are not mentioned in the Bible.
21. There is no Scriptural evidence for baby sprinkling, or adult sprinkling. This is wrong. The word 'baptize' means literally, to submerge. Baptism by immersion is a Bible picture of our actually going with Christ into His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and glorification. Sprinkling does not, can not convey this idea.
22. There is no evidence that the lighting of candles has anything to do with prayer. This is another practice that has no basis in the Bible.
23. There is no Scriptural basis for the Confessional, nor for penances. When the New Testament does not tell us to do something, that practice should be called into question, and not considered important. The Bible does say that we are to confess our faults to each other, but there is no mention of a "priest" as part of the process.
24. To confess that Mary is the Mother of God, in the sense that this makes her superior to God, or Christ, is blasphemy. Yes, Mary was the mother of Christ, and Christ is God, but to infer that Mary is superior to God, or the inventor of God, is ridiculous.
25. The Catholic church was not the first church. Jesus Christ established the early New Testament Church that is most closely represented by small independent charismatic and Pentecostal house fellowships and churches, around the world. Christ has always had a remnant of people who have been pure to the standard of the Bible. Most of the items in this list did not enter the Catholic church until, in most cases MANY centuries after Christ. For the first several centuries, the Church that Christ established had no pope, no worship of or prayer to Mary or the saints, no special clothing for the pastors, pastors but not priests, sisters in Christ, but not nuns, no prayer beads, no holy water, no infant sprinkling, no catechism, no teaching of purgatory, etc. To say that this early Church was the Catholic church is entirely incorrect.
26. The Catholic church never has been, nor is it now, the ONLY TRUE CHURCH, as most Catholics are taught. Exclusivity is a cultic characteristic, and most Catholics are exclusive in their mentality and practice. They refer to any Christians who are not Roman Catholic, as "departed brethren".
27. There is no Scripture to support the need for clerical collars, ornate robes, tall caps, hats, the pomp and splendor, candles and incense, etc. that accompany most Catholic services. Much of the mass is contrary to Scripture. The New Testament teaches that a man must not wear a head covering when he is praying or prophesying, or in the church service.
28. The doctrine that we can never, this side of death, be more than guilty, miserable, defeated, continuing to sin, is contrary to the teaching of the Bible that “we are more than conquerors in all these things” Rom. 8:37, etc. See "The King's Greatest Secret!"
29. There is no Scriptural need for “holy water.”
30. The separation between lay people and the clergy is non-Scriptural and is counter-productive. God wants His people to share during the services out of the abundance of their walk with God. There is no mention of "priests" as a special category in the Bible.
31. The Catholic church does not teach or believe in the Scriptural need to be born-again, or Baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Unless a person is born again, one cannot see or enter into the Kingdom of God.” John 3.
32. While the Catholics are to be complimented on their not taking away from Scripture, they are outrageously guilty of adding to the Bible--their added books that never were intended to be a part of the inspired record of the Bible. In addition, the Catholics add and practice a large body of church “Tradition” that over and over renders ineffective the Word of God. This tradition is explained in most of the points listed here.
33. Jesus commanded against our calling a man of God, "Father", as God wants that distinction, although, of course, we have fathers in the flesh and fathers in the faith.
These above listed things, are heresies, error, false doctrine, and wrong teaching. They are the kind of wrong doctrine that renders ineffective the Word of God.
In spite of all of these wrong doctrines, etc., we must remember that those who are Christians, should remember to deeply, sweetly and fervently love and be loving toward Catholics. We are never to act in a superior, hateful, prejudiced or un-loving manner toward them. As with everyone else, we are to be friendly toward them, and to practice “friendship evangelism”. As with most religious people, they tend to be sincere, though sincerely wrong. We are to love and respect these dear ones into the Kingdom of God.
LAW & GRACE & LAW
OUTLINE
- THOSE IN FAVOUR, SAY “I”
- SOME SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER
- JEWISHNESS TODAY
- HASHEM!
- THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
- THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
- THOSE OPPOSED TO KEEPING THE OLD TESTAMENT
- KEEP ALL THE LAW!!!
- OLD TESTAMENT EYE GLASSES?
- Who should practice the Law:
- A CULTIC MOVEMENT?
- A DISTRACTION
- CONCLUSION
- HOW TO SEDUCE SOMEONE
- A WORD TO THE WISE!
SCRIPTURES USED
Deut. 21:18-21;
Matt. 5: 17-22; 22:36-40; Mark 7:6-9;
Luke 10:25-28; 16:16,17;
John 1:1, 17; 8:5,6;
Acts 13:38,39; 15:4-19, 28; 20: 28,29; 24:14,15;
Rom. 2:28,29; 3:31; 4:15,16; 6:14-15; 7:4-7; 8:1-4; 10; 13:8-10;
2 Corinthians 3:14-16;
The Book of Galatians; Eph. 2:13-15
Phil 3:2,6-9; Col. 2:16 -17;
1 Tim. 1:5-10; 4:1-4; 6:-5; Titus 3:8-11;
Heb. 7:11-12; 7:15-19; 8:6-10; 10:8-10;
James 2:10;
II Jn. 1:7-11
Great Commission Ministries
9473 County Road D,
Webster, Wisconsin, 54893,
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LAW & GRACE & LAW
Questionnaire
1. Should we keep any of the Old Testament laws? If so, which ones?
2. What will happen to those who don’t keep them?
3. Is it in our best interest to follow at least the dietary laws?
4. Must we keep the Ten Commandments?
5. What is the harm in having a special day for the Lord, in going to church on Sunday and in taking a Sunday afternoon nap?
6. When is the Sabbath?
7. Do we have to keep the feast of Tabernacles?
8. When Jesus said that “It is finished!”, what did He mean was finished?
9. When Jesus said that He had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it, did He mean that we should keep keeping it, today?
10. Name some advantages of our reading the Old Testament.
12. Which are the two great commandments in the law?
13. If we have a hang-up about the present day keeping of the Torah, where should we hang our hang-ups?
14. According to Luke 16:16, when did the Old Testament Law cease to be compulsory?
15 According to Romans 8:1,2 and Lk.16:16, what law are we to obey at this time?
16. In John 8, why did Jesus not stone the woman taken in adultery?
17. How many Old Testament Commandments are we responsible to keep?
18. What are they?
19. According to Romans 2:28, who is the true Jew?
20. Will the Jewish people once again be grafted in?
21. If so, by what means?
22. What are the Hebrew Names for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
23. Fill in the blanks: God wants His Name to be: _________, ___________, _______________, and _______________.
24. Does God care if we keep the Sabbath?
25. We are not under ______, but under ______.
26. Rom 7:4 “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to ___________ through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him Who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.
27. Rom 8: 2 “For the law of the ________________ has set you free from the LAW of _____________________.
28. “For through the Law I died to _______, that I might live to God.”
29 “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through _________, then Christ died needlessly.
30. According to Eph.2:15, what is the “barrier”, the “dividing wall”, the “enmity”, that Christ abolished, destroyed and put to death?
31. The factious man who is to be rejected after the 2nd admonition, what is he trying to persuade people about?
32. The old priesthood of the Law was replaced by what new priesthood?
33. The former commandments and laws were set aside for better___hope
better___covenant
better___promises
better___sacrifices
better___possession
better___country
better___resurrection
better___blood
34. What chapters are these found in?
35. Jesus takes away the first in order to establish the ___________ .
36. In Phil 3:2 who are the dogs, the evil workers, the false circumcision referring to?
37. What does James 2:10 say?
38. If we must keep the Sabbath, why not stone a rebellious son, or one taken in adultery.
39. What was the fight about between Paul and Peter in Gal 2:14?
40. What is meant by the phrase, “Kingdom Quarantine”? (See 1 Tim 6:3;
41. According to Acts 13:38 & 39, would present day following of the Law of Moses leave us in a chained and bound condition?
42. Explain the difference in perspective, as to the use of binoculars, Old Testament/New Testament.
43. According to 1 Tim.1:5-11, who should practice the Law?
44. Gal.1:6 has Paul calling down a damnable curse on whom?
45. In Gal.3:1 why did Paul call them foolish and bewitched, and what was the only thing he wanted to know?
46. What is the tutor that Gal.3:25 says that we are not to be under?
47. According to Gal.4:9 how could anyone want to become enslaved all over again?
48. Why did Paul say that he was afraid that he had labored over them in vain? (Gal.4:9)
49. There is a group of people that Paul describes in the following manner: 1) “Christ is of no benefit to them”; 2) “have been severed or cut off from Christ”; and 3) Have “fallen from grace”?
50. Who does Paul encourage to castrate themselves? (Gal.5:12)
51. Complete this verse: “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not _______ ______ _____.”
52. What negative effect does a preoccupation with the Law do as to the Great Commission and the Kingdom of God?
53. If someone would write a book about how to seduce someone, would you be interested?
54. What does it mean to abide not in the teaching of Christ? (2 John 1:7-11)
55. What should our response be to those who fail to abide in the teaching of Christ?
56. Should one celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles because the Law tells us to?
57. Can you make any suggestions for this article or for these questions?
LAW & GRACE & LAW
Father God, I ask You to help me speak the Truth, in love, lovingly, earnestly, convincingly, effectively, persuasively. I ask that You be present in these words, to reveal, to draw, to make clear, to confirm. But, as Yahshua Jesus rejoiced greatly in Spirit, and prayed, “Father, I thank Thee that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and prudent, and didst reveal them unto babes, for so it did seem pleasing in Thy sight.” I ask that You will help all of us to be as teachable as You want us to be, and that You grant us Supernatural revelation concerning these things. Please grant that a veil will not cover over our hearts as we consider these things. In the Almighty Name of Yahshua Jesus, Creator King of Everything. Amen.
Should we keep any of the Old Testament laws? If so, which ones? What will happen to those who don’t keep them?
There are those in the Body of Christ today who believe that: “In order for us to please God, it is necessary for us to keep a certain number of the Old Testament laws.” Since there are many who really want to be pleasing to God, it is easy to find laws to keep, and to find people who are eager to keep them.
There are those who are in favor of being physically healthy, and are in favor of “Body Stewardship”, that is, in being good stewards of our bodies, so it is easy to find people who can be convinced that it is in their best interest to follow at least the dietary laws. Dr. R. Cherry and Dr. Wittinger, both regularly featured on T.B.N. Network, are only two of a number of medical doctors who are currently recommending the dietary laws from the Old Testament. Dr. Cherry makes it clear that while he does not believe that our souls are saved by keeping the dietary laws, he does believe that these laws could result in the saving of our health.
One way to get people started into believing that we should be keeping some of the Old Testament laws, is to ask them if they are in favor of keeping the Ten Commandments. Ask them if they think that they should be called “The Ten Suggestions”. No, they will agree that these Ten Commandments are to be taken seriously, that these are commandments, and should be followed for today.
Now that you have these kind-hearted people’s agreement and attention, you may begin to ‘tighten the grip’ or ‘thicken the plot’. Let’s look upon these Ten Laws as an innocent daisy chain of ten flower stems, still fresh with flowers, and the chain has the consistency of, and the strength of 10 brightly colored pieces of knitting yarn. These Ten Commandments are innocent enough. Everyone knows that lying, adultery, stealing and murder are bad. Everyone knows that idolatry is bad, that making God a high priority is good, and that we should honour our father and our mother. We all know that committing false witness against our neighbour is a bad thing. Most would agree that we should not cuss or covet. Let’s seeeeeeeeee, what did we leave out?
By now we have 9 lovely flowers with their stems lovingly and lightly tied around our wrists, like brightly colored pieces of yarn. A child could break any one of the nine, but who would want to? Like the kid who said Moses was really evil, ‘cauz he broke all 10 Commandments at one time.’
Ahhhh, but we left one out of the list! Let’s go back and pick that one up. Let’s look at Exodus 20. Oh yes, here’s a bright colored old flower that God made, called “the Sabbath”. What is the harm in having a special day for the Lord, in going to church on Sunday and in taking a Sunday afternoon nap? As I tell my wife, “You know what the Bible says every Christian couple has to do on Sunday afternoon!” And, what can be the harm in having some popcorn while we watch the football game?
But, wait a minute! Doesn’t everybody know that the Sabbath officially begins at sundown on Friday Night, and ends at sundown on Saturday Night? Any decent Bible student can tell you that! So can any Jewish person. They can also verify that “The Sabbath Day” is Saturday. Are you still in the mood to keep the “Ten Commandments”?
Some people believe that pig meat is bad for you, except for ‘ham’burger, and few people really know what they put into hot dogs, so, what’s say we give up eating pork? What’s the harm? Sooooo, also, what could be the harm in adding the other dietary laws, because some people believe that’s healthy. They know what’s best for us.
Then one comes to the importance of the feasts of the Lord. Passover is a type of Christ, our Passover Lamb slain for us, so that His blood can be applied to the door-post of our hearts so that the Death Angel can pass over us. Pentecost (Shavuot) is a type of the Holy Spirit being poured out on us, and that’s a good thing to celebrate, so let’s keep that Feast, after all, what is the harm? And, Tabernacles was mandatory in the olden days, and will be compulsory in the future, so why not make it compulsory now, it couldn’t hurt, right?
The logical conclusion to this kind of thinking causes some to believe that there are at least 600 laws from the Old Testament that we must keep, if we reeeeeeeally want to please God. No, someone comes along and says that the number is 613, or 619. Some say that the reason we do not keep the laws concerning the animal sacrifices, is because Yahshua Jesus said that “It is finished!” on the Cross. The only problem here is that He did not make specifically clear exactly what it was that was finished, so, perhaps we need to keep the laws of animal sacrifice, too, eh? It couldn’t hurt, right? (It could hurt the animals.) What about the law that says that we should stone our rebellious kids to death? (That could hurt the kids!) Should we keep that one too? If not, why not?
Those who are legalistic and religious and deceived and ignorant say, “Yes!, Let’s keep all of these Old Testament Laws!!!!” God and the Apostle Shaul/Paul and the New Testament, and those who are spiritually mature say, “NO!. NO!, A thousand times, NO!”
THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY “I”
Here is part of the argument that some legalistic and religious people give in favour of keeping the Old Testament Law:
1. They say, “When the New Testament refers to the ‘Scriptures’ it is always referring to the Old Testament Law. “You search the Scriptures, for in them ye think that ye have eternal life, but these are they which testify of Me.” (Jn. 5:39) They believe that this means that we should also keep the Old Testament Scriptures.
2. They believe that when Jesus said that He had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it, He meant that we should keep keeping it. Mt.5 But, does this mean that we should stone to death those who work on Saturday? A few years ago in Nigeria, I watched a woman who lay dying who had been stoned by the people standing around. They accused her of witchcraft, but, perhaps her crime was that she was a little too ugly, or had a wart on her nose. Who knows?
3. They believe that when Jesus spoke of the Pharisees, He said that we should do what they say, (in keeping the Law) but not what they do. “Unless your righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mt.5. The Torah says that a jealous husband, along with the priest, should feed his wife poison, so that if she is guilty, her guts will fall out. Isn’ that offal? Is that what we should do? What about a jealous wife?
SOME SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER
Matt 5: "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until Heaven and Earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 21 You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
Before we go farther, I would like to comment about this passage. I have read every Scripture in the New Testament containing the word “law”, and all of these I have read in many translations. Here is what I believe that this passage is saying: In the same way that the law and the sacrifices pointed forward to the Christ, Christ became the fulfillment of these types and shadows. It becomes obvious, as one reads through the New Testament, that Christ fulfilled every thing written in the Torah, thus obviating or making unnecessary the keeping of the Law, since Christ had fulfilled it. To keep being preoccupied with the Law, when its Fulfillment was present would be like coming to the Wedding Night when the marriage was to be consummated, and instead, the Bride be pre-occupied with old love letters, the wedding announcement, the engagement ring and the hope chest. Christ IS the fulfillment of the Law. He desires intimacy with us, not a distracted focus on the pre-marriage behavior. In this regard, God is not asking us to obey the letter of the Law, but to fulfill the Spirit of the Law.
Mark 7:6-9 “And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 7 But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. 9 He was also saying to them, ‘You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.’ ” (NAS)
Jesus said that the false teachers were making the Word of God of none effect because of the tradition of men. There are those today, who, under the guise of the importance of “knowing our Jewish roots” are leading people astray into the tradition of men that makes the Word of God of none effect. God wants us to appreciate the Old Testament, and to know that it is for our good. It helps us understand the nature and character of Our Heavenly Father Who is also the same today, yesterday and forever, but Who wants us to relate to Him intimately,
What would you think of a new wife who was totally preoccupied with the ways and activity and behavior of her husband’s first marriage, that she did not have the time or inclination to be currently intimate with her husband? Yahweh used to be married to Israel, but then, He divorced her on the grounds of her spiritual adultery and disobedience and rejection of Him. Now He is married to us. Are we to be so consumed with a preoccupation with our Heavenly Husband’s first marriage, that we have no time for our own???
Matt 22:36 “‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ 37 Jesus Yahshua said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ ”
Here, God is telling us that if we truly want to be pleasing to Him, that we will automatically fulfill all of the requirements of pleasing Him, by simply loving Him with all of our being, and to love our neighbour as our self. Christ is telling us here, where we need to hang all of the law!
Luke 10:25 “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26 And He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?’ 27 And he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ 28 And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’ "
But there are those today, who change these Words of Christ to say the opposite, by saying, “No, if you reeeeally want to live, you also have to keep Sabbath, keep the dietary, keep the feasts, and keep a whole bunch of other laws from the Old Testament, (except the ones that I say), and you will live.” But Yahshua Jesus said, simply, “Love the Lord thy God with all your being, love your neighbour as much as you love yourself, and you will do just fine.” In fact, Yahshua said, if you do this, you can hang up everything else in the Laws of the Old Testament..
Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17 But it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.”
Here, Yahshua Jesus is telling us something important (Doesn’t He always?!. He is telling us that the Law, the Torah, STOPPED with John the Baptist, and that from the beginning of the ministry of the Christ, that the new Message is the Gospel of the Kingdom!!! Again, Yahshua points out that the Law has not failed. Instead, it has found its glorious total fulfillment in Yahshua the Christ, and in His Kingdom!!!
John 1:17 “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Yahshua Jesus Christ.” (NAS) Can you see the change? Before Christ, we were to have stoned our rebellious kids to death, to kill cows and to poison our wife if we were jealous, but now, we are to relate to God and to our dear ones differently, under the new and better Law, the Law of Grace, and of Truth.
John 8:5 "‘Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?’ 6 And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground.” (NAS)
If Jesus Yahshua wanted to prove to us that Torah Old Testament Law keeping was important here, He would have stooped down, picked up a hefty rock, and made a bloody example of this death-penalty deserving female. So today, there are many who would legalistically advocate the use of the old law to bring present torment. I actually watched a woman while she was dying, in Nigeria, because she had been stoned by the people. In a land where witchcraft is common, they murdered her for allegedly being a “witch”. Those people believed in practicing that part of the Torah, at least. In our own country’s history, in the town of Salem, they falsely accused innocent ladies for being guilty of witchcraft, then murdered those ladies by hanging them. If forefathers really had wanted to fulfill the Old Testament part of the Bible, they would have thrown rocks at those ladies until they were dead, instead of hanging them. Christ commands us that grace and truth are to be demonstrated and applied, under a new set of laws, called grace, and truth - “the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, that has set us free from the law of sin and of death.”!!!
Two Kinds of Laws:
1) The Law of the Spirit of Life = N.T.
2) The Law of Sin and Death = O.T.
Number one has set us free from number 2!
Acts 13:38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him, everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (NAS)
Can you see the difference???
Old Testament Torah Law = bondage.
Christ, & the New Testament Law = freedom!!!
THE SECT OF THE PHARISEES
If you want to know what to call those who believe that we should keep the Law of Moses, or the Torah, you may call them “certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed.” Acts 15:5 “But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.’ ” (There are those today who are telling us the same thing!) 6 “And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brethren, you know that in the early days, God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe. 8 And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yahshua Jesus, in the same way as they also are.’ " (NAS)
Here, it is obvious that the New Testament is saying that the Law of Moses was and is a “Yoke that neither our fathers or we could bear”!!! He then contrasts the Law to “the grace of our Lord Yahshua Jesus”. God is saying here that to encourage others to keep the Old Law is the same as if we placed a yoke of slavery on their neck! Furthermore, by doing so, it is explained to us that, when we do this, that we “are putting God to the test.”
Acts 15:18 “Says the Lord, Who makes these things known from of old. 19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.” (NAS)
HEAR, HERE! EAR
Please hear dear ones: The New Testament here clearly settles the matter. The Bible is here telling us exactly how many commandments and laws are to be carried over from the Old Testament Law - exactly THREE COMMANDMENTS!!! Not 10 Commandments, Not 600 commandments; NOT 613, 619, or 666 commandments - but THREE commandments!!! Anything more than this is described as an unwise “troubling”.
Acts 15:27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you (1) abstain from things sacrificed to idols and (2) from blood and from things strangled and (3) from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." (NAS) These are the ONLY things from the Torah to be kept today! Note the words: “NO GREATER BURDEN”!!! Anything more than these three things is too great a burden! There is nothing here, or anywhere in the New Testament about bacon, or keeping the Sabbath, or about keeping the Feasts, or about killing cows, or about not having sex with your spouse during the menstrual cycle. There is much that the New Covenant does cover, things like, no mental sinning, keeping a right heart attitude, humility, tenderheartedness, love and gentleness.
We believe that the Old Testament is true, but that the commandments in the Old Testament are no longer to be observed, except those underscored in the New. Murdering our rebellious children is not underscored in the New, although honouring our parents is.
Rom 2:28 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (NAS) In other words, Paul here is saying that, as to the Old Testament Law, fulfilling the Spirit of the Law is what God has in mind, and NOT the letter of the Law.
Rom 3:20 “Because by the works of the Law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”(NAS) The Torah justifies nothing, nor does the keeping of Torah justify anything, nor does keeping Torah make anyone more righteous or in right standing with Yahweh God.
JEWISHNESS TODAY
We have always had a great love for the Jewish people, and Papa Yahweh certainly wants us to dearly love, respect, honor and pray for the Jewish people. The Bible promises that the Israelites will once again be grafted in, and that the land of Israel will have a central place in the days to come. Anti-Semitism comes disguised in many cloaks, and, clearly, we and God are not, and must not be, anti-Semitic. It is precisely because we love the Jewish people that we are making clear the difference! For there are those who are saying, apparently, that the Jew will come into Christ without coming through the Cross, the Blood, or through God’s Perfect Sacrifice, through grace. The joke here is: that the Jew himself will not be able to come to Christ by any other way than the way that we are outlining here. The only Way, the only Truth and the only Life is still Yahshua the Messiah, and not the Old Testament Law or the Torah!!! Messianic Jews, and every person that seeks to minister to the Jewish person, must sound a clear trumpet in this regard, or else be guilty of presenting heresy instead of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Otherwise we will be guilty of winning a Jewish proselyte to a cultic “neo-pseudo-Jewishness” that has brought them little closer to Christ - especially if it is said that the keeping of the Old Testament Law or the Torah is necessary. The Torah does not save, does not justify, does not sanctify, does not ‘please God more’, does not profit - but only Yahshua and His saving blood, and being led by His Holy Spirit. If we add anything else, we trample upon the Blood of Christ, and the value of His shed blood.
One characteristic of a cult or heresy is that which teaches that belief in Christ PLUS something else is necessary, that the Gospel of the Kingdom PLUS something else is important. The Mormons have the Bible Plus the Book of Mormon; the J.W.’s have the J.W. Bible Plus the Watchtower literature, the Catholics have the Catholic Bible Plus the Tradition of their Church Plus Mary - But the Torah keepers have the simple Gospel of the Lord Yahshua Jesus Christ PLUS keeping the Old Sabbath, plus the Kosher Laws, plus the keeping of the Holy Days, including 600+ laws from the Torah, as a necessary means of pleasing God.
HASHEM!
Another thing that needs to be told to our Christian, Messianic and Jewish friends, as well as the rest of the world, is that the Name of the Father God is Yahweh, and NOT Adonay or Adonai or Jehovah or Jahveh or Yahveh and not Hashem; and that the Name of the Son is YAHSHUA - and NOT Y’shua, NOT Yeshua. Otherwise, we are unwittingly participating in the Enemy’s conspiracy to suppress the Name. Remember: The devil does NOT want God’s Name ‘Yahweh’, or Christ’s Name ‘Yahshua’ to be known, understood, used, appreciated or taught, while the Heavenly Father does. Which side will you be on? Yah + shua = the Salvation of Yahweh. Yeshua means “blotted out”. Christ’s Name was Yahshua. But, He knows Who we are talking to when we call Him by an name that is not His, and He answers, and He saves, and, our baptism is valid. To take Yahweh’s Name in vain has nothing to do with Its pronunciation, nor with a formula, but with the misrepresentation of God’s character.
WHO HAS BEWITCHED OR SEDUCED YOU?
You can be certain that God is definitely anti-legalism, anti-Old Testament law-keeping as a means of pleasing God. There is a foolish “bewitching” that takes people away from a present day focus on intimacy with Christ, the Gospel of the Kingdom and the sweet leading of the Holy Spirit. It is one thing to love the Jewish people and the land of Israel, to appreciate our Jewish roots, to appreciate the Jews, to learn about Jewish customs, to worship with Messianic Jews, and to learn Hebrew; but it is quite another thing for us to see Old Testament or Torah Commandments as a “deeper truth”, a "better way", or something that will be "more pleasing to God". This can be an excuse for religious arrogance and smug superiority. It is one thing to sing a Jewish song or dance a Jewish dance or use a Hebrew word, but it is quite another thing to think that by doing these things we can be more pleasing to God. It is important for us to know and convey to others that God could care less if we eat ham or keep the Sabbath. Certain of the Sect of the Pharisees became angry with us one year for serving scalloped potatoes and ham during the Feast of Tabernacles. They left before we could explain to them that it was turkey ham!
Col 2:16 “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from Whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. 20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
Rom 3:31 “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.” (NAS) This verse is followed by a whole chapter that carefully explains that the Law does no good whatsoever in saving or justifying a person, but faith in the grace and love and Person of Yahshua Jesus Christ and in His shed Blood upon the Cross.
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
Several times in this teaching, mention has been made of “The Gospel of the Kingdom”. The Gospel of the Kingdom is the Message that Jesus Yahshua, as GOD, as our Passover Lamb, paid the ransom for our sins, and that He rose again and reigns in our hearts as our God and our Life; that we must be led by the Holy Spirit at all times and in everything, and that doing the will of the Father (which, of course, includes accepting Christ within as LORD and Saviour,) is the ONLY means of inheriting the Kingdom of God! Mat.7:21.
THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
The Law was invented by God the Father to present to all of mankind the kind of standard of behavior that God expected of His people in the Olden Days. They were to quickly come to the place where they realized their need for a Savior - to come to the place where they threw themselves upon the mercy of God for His help and enablement. The Law was never given with the expectancy that it would be an end in itself, but that Christ would be the End of the Law, and the real beginning of Grace found in Him. Here the Bible points out that Abraham lived by faith and was pleasing to God, having reward covenants four hundred years prior to the giving of the Law.
Rom 4:15 “For the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” (NAS)
Rom 6:14 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!” (NAS) Repeat after me: “We are NOT under law, but under grace!” Again: “We are NOT -”
Rom 7:4 “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him Who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting, if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ " Rom 7:12 “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (NAS)
Once again, please repeat after me: “I am dead to the Law!” Now: “I am joined to Another!” Now: “I’ve been released from the Law!” Again: - - -!!!
Rom 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the LAW of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the LAW of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (NAS)
Remember: We have been released from the Law, the Torah, and we have died to this law.
On the basis of these words from God, please repeat these Bible phrases:
“I am free from the Law.”
“I have died to the Law.”
“I ‘ve been released from the Law.:
“I am not under Law.”
Again,
“I am free from the Law.”
“I have died to the Law.”
“I ‘ve been released from the Law.:
“I am not under Law.”
Again,
“I am free from the Law.”
“I have died to the Law.”
“I ‘ve been released from the Law.:
“I am not under Law.”
However, do you know what some Christian’s say? They say,
““I am still chained to the Law.”
“My life is tied to the Law.”
“We must keep the Law.”
“We’re still under the Law.”
“You should keep the Law.” ”
Rom 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (NAS) Please note: Christ is the END of the Law!!! It does not say, that Christ is the CONTINUATION of the Law.”
Rom 13:8 “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” (NAS) Please note here: not one time has the importance of the Sabbath been mentioned, nor the eating of beef vs. bacon, nor the keeping of the feasts. Love is the fulfillment of the Law, not eating beef on Friday night, nor worshipping the Lord on Saturday, nor Monday. When the Bible says, “This is the day that Yahweh (the Lord) has made”, it is NOT just talking about Saturday or Sunday, but, about every day!!!
Gal 2:15 "We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Yahshua Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Yahshua Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."(NAS) Understand this: It is not possible to live to the Law, - and, at the same time, to live to God. Please repeat: “I have died to the Law.” If I am still indebted to the Law, then the crucifixion of Christ was a spastic waste. Or, to put it in Bible words, “Christ died needlessly, or in vain.”
Eph 2:13 “But now in Christ Yahshua Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself IS our peace, Who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the Cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” (NAS) Notice here, that Law of Commandments has been abolished, done away with, finished, destroyed, made to no longer apply!!! Here’s what the New Testament calls the Old Testament Law: “EMNITY” or “Hostility” Eph.2:15 “Law of commandments = enmity”.
Phil 3:6 “As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Yahshua Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish (‘dung’, ‘refuse’, ‘manure’, ‘poop’) in order that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” (NAS) Note: Included in the list of those things that Paul chose to count as rubbish (‘dung’, ‘refuse’, ‘manure’,) was any righteousness found by blamelessly keeping the Law of the Torah in the Old Testament. A question God asks, “Why do you run back to this ‘yoke of Bondage’ ” or to these “legalistically religious chains that enslave you???”
Titus 3:8 “This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (NAS) There were and are those who will take sincere-hearted Christians and seduce them into believing that they will be better Christians if they will only keep the Old Testament laws - but these deceivers are to be rejected after the first and second admonition.
Heb 7:11 “Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.” (NAS) The Levitical priesthood has been replaced by the Melchizedek priesthood after the Image of Christ. It is His grace that rules the day. The Law has been replaced by Yahshua Jesus. If we keep the Old Testament laws, we don’t need Jesus!!! Heb 7:15 “And this is clearer still, if another Priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 Who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of Him, ‘Thou art a Priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (NAS) Notice that the Law has been set aside, and a new priesthood has been established, that is most definitely NOT based on the Old Testament Law.
Heb 7:22 “So much the more also, Yahshua Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better covenant.” (NAS) The Old covenant has been replaced by a better Covenant - the Covenant of Love in Christ Yahshua Jesus!
Heb 8:6 “But now, He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says, ‘Behold, days are coming’, says the Lord, ‘when I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not care for them’, says the Lord. 10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days’, says the Lord: ‘I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ ” (NAS) Note: better promises, better covenant, better ministry.
Heb 10:8 “After saying above, ‘Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast not desired, nor hast Thou taken pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Thy will.’ He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (NAS) Notice that Jesus Yahshua is saying here that God has taken away (v.9) the Old Testament Law Covenant, and has established a New Covenant. It says that God is definitely NOT pleased with those who still try to keep the Old Testament Law.
* Phil 3:2 “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” This is how Paul refers to those who would emphasize the need to keep the Old Testament Laws. He calls them “dogs”. He calls them “false and evil workers”.
* Col 2:16 “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” (NAS) God is telling us clearly that walking with Him has absolutely nothing to do with keeping the Feast, eating ham, and nothing to do with keeping the Sabbath!!!
THOSE OPPOSED TO KEEPING THE OLD TESTAMENT, SAY, “FREEDOM”!!!
KEEP ALL THE LAW!!!
James 2:10 says “For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” In other words, when one begins advocating the importance of keeping the Old Testament laws, one steps on to a treadmill going backwards, very, very fast! According to the Bible, if a man or woman sets out to keep any part of the Old Testament Law, he or she becomes duty bound to keep it all, including the following: (Am I going to be party to murder, here?)
Deut 21:18 "If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or his mother, and when they chastise him, he will not even listen to them, 19 then his father and mother shall seize him, and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gateway of his home town. 20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.' 21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death; so you shall remove the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear of it and fear.” (NAS) Well, my friend, this is part of the Old Testament Law. This is the Torah! I hope that you are not planning on murdering your child if an Old Testament Law-keeping cult member tells you to! You should go back and read “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, a historically accurate play about an early American village of Sabbath keepers who hung by the neck decent and God loving women, murdered in the name of "Old Testament - Torah keeping legalism".
Peter
The Apostle Paul publicly rebuked St. Peter when Peter recommended the keeping of certain Old Testament laws.
Gal 2:14 “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that a *man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus Yahshua, even we have believed in Christ Jesus Yahshua, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and NOT by the *works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.” (NAS) Some, who advocate keeping of the Old Testament Torah law, agree that while we are not justified by Old Testament law keeping, that we are nevertheless supposed to keep the old law to please Christ. Here, Paul is saying, "forget about the law", as it says in Romans 8, “The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Yahshua Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.”!!! "Stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has set you free and be NOT entangled again in the YOKE OF BONDAGE"!!!
*1 Tim 6:3 “If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Yahshua Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain, from such , turn away.” (NAS)
Acts 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (NAS) In other words, the Law of Moses leaves us in a chained and bound condition.
OLD TESTAMENT EYE GLASSES?
(By Joshua P. Bohlen)
One of the problems with being occupied with the study of the Torah, or the Law, is that it can take our focus off of the end or fulfillment of the Law, namely Jesus Christ Himself.
I’ve heard it said by some of these dear folks that we need to view the New Testament through the eyes of the Old Testament. I find this view to be unbiblical. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 states, “But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (NAS) I believe that this passage indicates that we must read the Old Testament through the eyes of the New Testament, yes, even through the eyes of Christ the very Word of God--John 1:1. To view the New Covenant (N. T.) through the eyes of the Old, is like standing on Mount Sinai trying to see Mount Calvary or Zion through the wrong end of a binoculars. The truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom becomes distorted.
It also seems as though those who have a preoccupation with Old Testament laws and regulations seldom, if ever, talk of the Spirit. Little is mentioned of the Spirit-led life-style or the importance of being “led by the Spirit”. It seems as though the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are at the outer edge of their doctrines. Look into it.
Leaven of the Pharisees, permeates the whole Christian walk
Yes, be wary, be a little bit on your guard. Jesus said to His disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the scribes and the Pharisees."! This doctrine of doing to please the Father is exactly the kind of leaven Jesus was talking of. Just remember this: a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Just a little bit of this teaching accepted into your mind and heart can mess up your whole walk with the Lord. Unfortunately, this kind of philosophy permeates so much of the Church's teachings that it's sometimes hard to discern what's what anymore. It disguises itself in so many different forms. Obeying the Law as a means of pleasing God or "winning" salvation, is its basic raw form. Works-based righteousness, or performance-based acceptance by God is to be found in every single religion in the world. Almost without exception, every religion, or cult, etc. has this as a basic doctrine. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindus, Buddhists, Islam, Catholic, 7th Day Adventists, you name it... These say: "DO!" Jesus and the Gospel of Christ says: "DONE!--It is finished!" Any other "gospel" that says that you have to do something to be in right-standing with God is an affront to the Cross of Christ; it is an offense, an insult, a slap in the face of Christ. To say that we have to continue to do something good to be in right standing with God is like saying, "Thanks Jesus, but Your suffering on the Cross was really not necessary, I can do it on my own without You." Yet that is exactly what we say when we try to do more to please Him. The only thing we can do is thank Him and accept His finished work on the Cross. Yours and my righteousness are as filthy rags. Our faith in His righteous deed is what is required of us. The very faith we have in His righteousness puts us in the right place!
Acts 15:5 “But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.’ ” (NAS)
! (End of Joshua’s words.”)
The following Scripture tells us who should practice the Law:
1 Tim 1:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the *fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.” (NAS)
Let’s go over this list again. Here the Bible plainly states that the Law, the present practice of the Torah and the laws of the Old Testament, is for the following people, and for the following people only:
1. “for those who are lawless”
2. “and rebellious”
3. “for the ungodly
4. “and sinners”
5. “for the unholy”
6. “and profane”
7. “for those who murder their parents”
8. “for murderers”
9. “and immoral men”
10. “and homosexuals”
11. “and kidnappers”
12. “and liars”
13. “and perjurers”
14. “Whatever (or whoever) else is contrary to sound teaching”.
Don’t get us wrong. We recommend the keeping of the Old Testament Torah law, but only for those who fit into one of the above 14 categories of people. Otherwise, please remember:
“You are free from the Law.” Acts 13:38
“You have died to the Law.” Rom.7:4
“You‘ve been released from the Law” v. 6
“You are not under Law.” Rom. 6:14
We quote the following passage elsewhere, but wanted to include it here for additional perspective. If you want to have the total amount of Old Testament Law that God tells us to keep for this modern day, here it is:
Acts 15:4 “And when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.’ 6 And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe. 8 And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.’ 12 And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, ‘Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His Name. 15 And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 'After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 In order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My Name,' 18 Says the Lord, Who makes these things known from of old. 19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. (NAS)
Acts 15:28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." (NAS)
Here is the whole list then, from God, as to the sum total of things from the Old Testament that we need to “no greater burden” about:
Commandment Number One: Don’t eat stuff that has been given to idols
Commandment Number Two: Don’t eat stuff strangled or blood of animals
Commandment Number Three: Don’t have sex with anyone other than your spouse!
A CULTIC MOVEMENT!
There is a movement afoot, that is devastating, divisive, damnable, deceptive and diabolical in nature. It is a cultic teaching that seems to be gaining inroads into the Body of Christ, that our dear ones need to be warned against, and equipped to teach against. It is a heresy that says that we must keep certain of the Old Testament Laws, including the keeping of the Sabbath, as a means of pleasing God. But here is what God has to say about this:
Gal 1:6 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him Who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from Heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.” NAS) In other words, “To hell with him!” or, "Let him be damned"!
CH 3:1 “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Yahshua Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”
>Note: Paul uses the word “bewitched” here. We believe that there is a subtle spirit of witchcraft that deludes, blinds and seduces people away from intimacy with Christ, the things of the Spirit and the Great Commission, into a religious and legalistic need to keep certain of the Old Testament laws as a means of pleasing God.
3 “ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain-- if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does He then, Who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Even so, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations shall be blessed in you.’ 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as *are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.’ 11 Now *that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, ‘He who practices them shall live by them.’ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’-- 14 in order that in Christ Jesus Yahshua the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to One, ‘And to your Seed,’ that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a Mediator, until the Seed should come to Whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only One. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Yahshua Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that *faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Yahshua Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus Yahshua. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (NAS)
Gal 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and *worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You *observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. (NAS)
The indication here is that we should NOT keep or observe or pay any attention to days, months, seasons, or years, because the Law here, is referred to being “weak, worthless, and elemental yoke of slavery”.
Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Paul is here, talking about the Old Testament Law!) 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.” (In other words, if one tries to obey the Old Testament Law, Christ becomes of no benefit!, ‘severed from Christ’, and ‘fallen from grace’!!!) 3 “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are ***seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus Yahshua neither **circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. 7 **You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him Who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who **is disturbing you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the Cross has been abolished. 12 Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate (castrate) themselves.
Here, God is saying that any one who wants to emphasize the importance of keeping the Old Testament Law, who wants to be religious or legalistic, should go all the way and take a knife and cut their testicles off!!! Then, according to Deut.23:1 he will never be allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord.
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
In other words - the key to all is to love the Lord, and each other, and to always be led by the Holy Spirit!!! There is no mention here of the need to keep the Sabbath. To those of you who have started to get into this delusion of Sabbath keeping, etc., we are lovingly, gently and strongly encouraging you to flee from this cultic doctrine of Old Testament Law keeping. Those who advocate the keeping of Old Testament Law ‘abolish the Cross of Jesus Yahshua Christ’!! Gal.5:11
Gal 6:12 “Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the Cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But may it never be that I should boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Yahshua Christ, through Which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (NAS) In other words, there is zero profit in keeping the Old Testament laws.
God, in the, Book of Hebrews, tells us that the former commandments and laws were set aside for: - A better___hope!
A better___covenant!
better___promises!
better___sacrifices!
A better___possession!
A better___country!
A better___resurrection!
better___blood!
Please tell me: Why would anyone want to go back to:
A worse hope?
A worse covenant?
Worse promises?
Worse sacrifices?
A worse possession?
A worse country?
A worse resurrection?
Worse blood?
This is exactly what a person does, when they seek to keep Torah Old Testament, old Covenant Law or Laws.
KEEP ALL THE LAW!!!
James 2:10 says “For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
According to the Bible, if a man or woman sets out to keep any part of the Old Testament Law, that he or she becomes duty bound to keep it all.
A DISTRACTION
One of the main problems with these kinds of belief systems, is that they, and this one is no exception, distract us from the main purpose and priority that God has for us - and that is to fulfill the Great Commission!!! The devil wants to cause us to look away from Yahshua and the Centrality of seeing the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, and, instead, to seek some other means than the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and the King’s Greatest Secret!
HOW TO SEDUCE SOMEONE
If the devil would write a book about how to seduce or deceive someone, would you be interested? We are aware of people in the world that we have the power or ability to seduce, molest, imprison, control, deceive or rob. But God is demanding that we ministers of the Most High God, ALWAYS behave with the utmost integrity!!! Perhaps you should be aware of satan’s devices, as then you would know when the devil is trying to seduce you! ‘How about your wife scratching my back?’ It couldn’t hurt, right? Yes, it could. ‘How about a little back-rub?’ ‘How about preaching about how the sexual relationship with one’s spouse is like our relationship with the Lord?’ It couldn’t hurt, right? Yes, it could hurt!!! ‘How about a little friendly frontal Christian hug? After all, we are supposed to greet each other with a holy kiss, right?’ Yes, it could hurt!! Keep your hands off of my wife, or God will lay His hands on you! But this religion and legalism that recommends that we keep certain of the Old Testament or Torah Law is a lying, seducing, tricky, deceptive, religious, legalistic, horrible, divisive, damnable demonic principality that we must avoid at all costs!!! Furthermore, if you have become involved in this horrible deception, you must repent from it, and turn away from it and run away from it, and from those who want to seduce you into it.
CONCLUSION
The Bible has words to say about those who would advocate the keeping of the Old Testament Laws, as a present day means of pleasing Yahweh.
1. God says that they are preaching another gospel than the Gospel of the Kingdom, and that, as such, they are to be damned to hell.
2. These who want us to keep the Torah Old Testament Law, God calls: ‘seducers’, ‘deceivers’, ‘bewitchers’, ‘dividers’, ‘troublers’, and ‘Judaizers’, etc. He tells us to reject them and to practice Kingdom Quarantine after the first and second admonition (Tit. 3:10).
3. God tells us that He wishes that those who would advocate Old Testament Law keeping, including circumcision, that they should take a knife and go all the way and cut off their testicles!!!
Like most religious deception, one’s intellect is appealed to, and the quick ability to be superior to others, to know more and to be pleasing more to God than are others. For example, it can feel good to keep the Sabbath, etc., and to look down our noses at others because they are not as enlightened or as law keeping or as spiritual or as mature or as knowledgeable or as superior as we are!!! God is calling us to repent from this sin, in Yahshua’s Almighty Name! Amen.
Because of the highly contaminating nature of this deception, we are asking you to consider the advisability of practicing Kingdom Quarantine against those who are spreading this false gospel of adherence to Old Testament Law and Torah keeping. As the Bible says. “If anyone, including an angel, comes to preaching another gospel, let him be cursed! (damned). ” (Gal 1:8,9) and, “Those who are troubling you, will bear their judgment, whomever they may be.” (Gal. 5:10) And, “Reject the factious man, after the first and second admonition.” (Titus 3:10) “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Yahshua Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” (II Jn 1:7-11)
A WORD TO THE WISE!
In the beginning of this article, we began to describe to you an example of the Ten Commandments being like a seemingly innocent daisy chain of little flower stems, each having the consistency of knitting yarn. But, soon, the deception deepened, and the bondage to the Law increased, until, many have awakened down the days to discover that they have allowed themselves to become enslaved to the Old Testament Torah Law that produces bondage, sin and death. Now the chains have been forged until you have come to the place where you are deep in bondage and deception. Well, we have good news for you! The time is now when you are to hear the Voice of the Son of God and, arise, and shake off the shackles that have bound you to a life of legalism and religiosity.
Gal 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm (stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set you free) and do not be (entangled) subject again to a yoke of slavery (the Law). 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, (that is, if you try to keep the Old Law, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (NAS)
We here at the Great Commission Ministries at 9473 County Road D, Webster, Wisconsin, 54893, Phone 715-866-4060, are inviting you to become free in Yahshua’s Mighty Name, and then to “Stand fast in the liberty where with Christ has set you free, and BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN IN THIS YOKE OF BONDAGE - the bondage of Old Testament Torah Law keeping! We celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, not out of legalism or religiosity, nor out of a sense of duty, but freely, voluntarily, not as a “got to”, but as a privilege. We do not observe the Feast because the Old Testament tells us to, but because we want to celebrate the Presence of God freely. Amen. If you feel that you have need of further teaching about this, or any other spiritual subject, we are offering our services to you for discipleship in the Gospel of the Kingdom. Amen.
1 Tim 1:8 “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
(NAS)
God’s precious best be to you and to yours. Again, if you would like to discuss any of these or other matters, or would like counseling or prayer, you may call 715-866-4060 or e-mail us at
A LETTER TO SOME DEAR ONES
Dearly Beloved Sister _____ , and Beloved Brother _______ ,
Thank you for taking the time and going to the expense of calling, to renew acquaintance. I know that this takes courage on your part.
Please permit me to tell you a little story, and to ask a question or questions.
Story: Once upon a time, a few years ago, we had some dear friends, named ______ . They were very dear to us. So dear, in fact, that we made a covenant together that we would rather lose our land and farm, than to lose their friendship. ______ even built on the 25 thousand dollar addition on our place, for Karen's parents to be able to stay here. The _______’s visited at our house and attended our meetings on a weekly basis. They were a very great help and strength to our ministry. We visited at their home and our fellowship was very sweet. They contributed finances and a great deal of sweat equity to our ministry. Our Joshua was dating their daughter, and we even talked of marriage between them.
Suddenly, because of something that happened, (of which I will tell you in a moment), our friendship was no more. They no longer came to our home. They no longer came to our meetings. They no longer contributed time, work, or finances to our ministry. We no longer went to their house. We no longer prayed together. For all intents and purposes, our friendship was finished, over with, destroyed. We have not seen each other, visited with each other, embraced each other, prayed or worshipped together for a number of years now.
Would you like to know what destroyed this most lovely of friendships? (I have a lump in my throat as I write to you.)
It was the heresy of the importance of Old Testament Torah Law keeping. This friendship was destroyed because these dear friends came somehow to believe that it was important to keep the Sabbath, to keep the Jewish holidays, to observe 300 to 619 Old Testament Torah laws.
The New Testament CLEARLY tells us that there is NO Old Testament or Torah law that we are to observe or to consider important for us today, except those laws that are underscored, reemphasized, or commanded in the New Covenant, or the New Testament. In other words, ONLY those laws emphasized in the New Testament are important for us to consider today, except for the historical value and meaning of those old Torah rules, like, "Stone your children to death if they misbehave!" This law is valuable to us, to show us what God thinks of disobedient children. But we are no longer to stone them to death. or, be legalistically or religious about other Old Covenant Laws, such as:, "don't eat bacon", or "don't have sex during menstruation". These laws had significance in the olden days, but with today's sanitation laws and practices, we are to call nothing unclean that God calls clean.
It is acceptable to appreciate the Torah and the Old Testament and "Jewish Roots" for "historical benefit", and, to better understand the heart of God, but, thus saith the Lord Yahweh, there is NO LAW from the Old Testament that we are to regard as important to keep or observe for today, UNLESS that law was reintroduced, re-emphasized, or underscored in the New Covenant, the New Testament! To believe otherwise is to embrace heresy and deception and spiritual disease and contamination. There is NOTHING in the New Testament commanded about keeping the Sabbath or the Feasts or menstruation, or stoning our children or tithing. There IS something in the New Testament about loving each other, about murder and stealing and sexual sin and coveting and gossip and lying, and head covering, and tongues, and baptism, the King’s Greatest Secret, The Throne-Room Mentality, the Great Commission, the Gospel of the Kingdom, getting people saved and discipled, etc.
OUR PRE-MARRIAGE COVENANT
I may have mentioned this to you before, but, in our courtship years, Karen and I wrote love letters to each other. Prior to our marriage, Karen and I had certain RULES that we followed in our pre marriage days. We had 10 premarriage commandments, like.
1. Thou shalt not have intercourse.
2. Thou shalt not be naked in front of each other.
3. Thou shalt not sleep together.
4. Thou shalt not go to the toilet in front of each other.
5. Thou shalt keep Karen's maiden name.
6. Thou shalt maintain separate checking accounts.
7. Shalt not kiss certain parts of each other's bodies.
8. Thou shalt not take showers or baths together.
9. Thou shalt not use certain intimate words of love.
10. Thou shalt not conceive or give birth to children.
These 10 commandments were very important to us. We observed, loved, kept and obeyed them. But then, a change took place. We got married,!!! 42 years ago, we got married! And though those pre-marriage commandments were to us a matter of life and death, and though those love letters were very important to us both, Karen and I entered into a New Covenant with each other that replaced to Old Rules and the Old Covenant! For either of us (or any body else, for that matter) to insist that we continue to observe these old Rules, after we experienced our new covenant, would be heresy and insanity. It is common for us, since our marriage, to have blatantly ignored and broken EVERY one of those Old Rules, because we are under a BETTER COVENANT, A BETTER ARRANGEMENT, BETTER RULES, BETTER AGREEMENTS, etc.
But there are some, who would say, when it is time for Karen and I to make love with each other. "NO! When it is time for you to make love, you must, instead, go to your closet, get out your old love letters, your old rules, and KEEP THE OLD RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In the Olden days, those rules had value, had purpose, were important, are interesting for us to recall. The recalling of them, speaks to the importance of our breaking of them today.
Would you like to know how our friendship with the _________‘s was destroyed? It was destroyed because some Old Testament Old Torah observers came to our Feast of Tabernacles, and began enticing and seducing, wooing and bewitching with their damnable heresy about the importance of keeping the Old Testament Torah. Because the _________’s eagerly, painfully, wanted to be even more pleasing to God, they allowed themselves to be bewitched, deceived, wooed, entangled, bound, fooled, isolated, separated, estranged, enticed and seduced. Immediately, they were seduced into the pre-marriage behavior. But they were not content to keep this heresy to themselves. Like the bite of the vampire, they not only became seduced, but they felt compelled to bite, seduce and bewitch others. The _______’s have not been to ONE of our services since that time. The daughter _____ has not been to our home since that time. Another friend, ________, who had been coming to our home on a weekly basis, has not been to our home since that time. The original seducers of the _____’s, named ____, have not been to our services since that time. No hugs, no help, no fellowship, no friendship, no togetherness, no unity, no giving, no mutual ministry, no discipleship. Where these past fast friends are concerned, there is great sadness, loneliness and loss. I become angry and homesick when I think of the death of these lovely, lovely friendships.
It was after this that I mandated that you not come to our meetings, because I knew that you were also becoming infected with this damnable contamination. I did not want you to come here and dance and smile and fellowship and eat with and seduce and contaminate and bewitch our precious few humble dear ones with your very damaging emphasis on the importance of Old Torah Law keeping. I asked you, instead, to repent of this damnable heresy. I tried to warn you. I tried to teach you. Finally, when I could see that my loving earnest counsel was unavailing, I did the only and best thing I knew how, and that was to quarantine you, and to forbid your presence at our meetings.
I say again: If, to ANY extent, you still embrace this heresy of seeing the importance of keeping ANY Old Testament Law not reemphasized in the New Testament, then, please, I beg you, I command you, stay away from our people and from our meetings and from our place. We will love you from a distance. For all of these obvious reasons set forth in this article, we cannot recommend your ministry to any others. In fact, we may, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, actually warn others, that you are a potential source of hideous contamination into this horrible, seductive, bewitching, contaminating, enslaving, heresy of your emphasis on the need to keep Old Covenant, Old Testament Torah law keeping.
If you will promise us that you will repent or have completely repented from this idea that it is important to keep the Old Testament Torah law, and are willing for teaching and dialogue concerning the matter, there is a possibility that this quarantine can be lifted.
Let's communicate about this matter. I also want to hear from _______ about this. I feel as strongly about this as I would toward a sexual predator, because of the strong seductive and bewitching quality of this "Jewish Roots" heresy.
Respectfully,
john roy bohlen 715-866-4060
email:
WHY WE CELEBRATE TABERNACLES
Again, let me talk to you as to why we observe the Feast of Tabernacles: It is NOT, I repeat, is NOT because the Old Testament commands it. It is for the following reasons:
1. Tabernacles has never yet been fulfilled. We believe that one of these years, soon, perhaps this year, that it WILL BE fulfilled, and that, as the people waited, in the New Testament, in the Upper Room, and as Yahshua Jesus, in the New Testament, fulfilled Passover and Pentecost, that Tabernacles will be fulfilled in a mighty outpouring of the Glory and Presence of God in a way that the World has never seen, and the Church has never imagined.
2. As Tabernacles was commanded and demanded and compulsory in the PAST, AND in the FUTURE, we believe that there is a window of opportunity for us to celebrate it now, voluntarily, but, not because we have to.
3. It cannot HURT, to gather together for the purpose of celebrating Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for sharing, for worship, for waiting on God, for teaching, for giving each other an opportunity to be used of God to bless the others, to allow a creative opportunity for people to allow God to be God through them to the rest of us. Amen.
4. But NOT because the Torah or Zechariah commands it. Amen
We love you!
John Roy Bohlen and John 5:30
715-866-406
email:
! ! HELL ! !
FOREVER IS A LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG, LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME TO BURN !!
FOREVER IS A LOOOOONG, LOOOOONG TIME TO BURN!
A LOVING RESPONSE
This morning, in my reading through the Bible, I read from Leviticus 24, in which a man is executed for cursing Yahweh in anger. The record would indicate that, though the man was executed by his peers, that his death sentence was given by God. Seems rather strong don't you think? I think so. I also think that Ananias and Sister Saffy were also treated a little roughly, and “if I were God”, I would have cut Moses some slack, when he struck the rock. I would have given Lot's wife a second chance, and those who offered strange fire and the man who touched the ark in the middle of the glory time. But, I am not God.
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
It is interesting to me, that the most vile and hateful letters have come to me from people who want Hell to not be so hot, yet the most loving people I know believe that Hell lasts for a long, long time. These loving ones, are working to do their best to stop people from going there. The "Hell ain’t hot" camp are doing nothing to keep people from going there. Yet a major accusation from this “Ultimate Wreck” crowd is that those who believe in hell are cruel and sadistically gleeful about Hell’s heat.
"If I were God . . ."
If I were God, I would save everyone. Before this is over you will probably accuse me in your mind's eye of gleefully contemplating the idea of Hell. But, to set the record straight, I believe that Hell hurts, and I do not want you or anyone else to hurt. Not Ananias, not Saffy, nor anyone. I am 67 years old now, and the older I get, the more compassionate I become about killing even little bugs. I found in my bath tub, here on the farm, a spider and a grand-daddy longlegs. So, (this story has a happy ending), I tenderly took toilet tissue, wrapped the spider in one section and the grand daddy in the other, and gently put them outside, where they lived happily ever after. The above story is true. Yet I must confess that I still swat mosquitoes, if they are going to raise angry welts on my wife. I may not say “to Hell with them”, but, swat them, I will. Most people who do not believe that God would not send people to Hell, have not read the Old Testament to any extent, or they would see God as He is, as One Who punishes people, Old Testament and New Testament, and as One Who punishes people severely.
I want to assure you that I have really really looked at many arguments in favour of things like: “doing away with Hell”, “lessening the temperature of Hell”, and of “shortening the time of Hell”. And, I must say, the idea of turning down the heat, and of cutting loose the inhabitants thereof “on good behavior” sounds very appealing. I want to also assure you that I wish no ill for you, and that, even if my time were entirely wasted in writing this, that I still love you and that I still respect you, (even if that love and respect were to make no difference to you, or to God).
I tell people that if Hell were an unavoidable prospect even for them, that they should still serve and love God with a fervent intensity, simply because He deserves our love and service. You will agree with me that too many serve Him for the good they can receive and the bad they can avoid, but it makes no difference to me, because God has long since brought me to the place where my motivation for serving and loving Him is for love's dear sake alone, and, of course, because He is worthy. I do not serve God to avoid Hell, but because God is worthy. Yet, Hell is real, and must be avoided at all costs.
Back to Leviticus 24: Just suppose that I disagree with God in His verdict, His decision about Ananias, the people I mentioned that I would do differently, and nearly a zillion other examples of human fly-swatting that God so obviously did. Tell me: will my disagreement with God about these zillion things change even one thing in a zillion? ?
About the validity of the King James: I recently read through a Bible called “The Word: The Bible in 26 Translations”. This Bible actually draws from 38 translations! I have carefully read through all of the New Testament, and have carefully completed the Old. In addition to these 38 translations, I have read through, and in, a considerable number of others. Tell me, are they all wrong??? Hasn't God been great enough or loving enough to present me with even ONE half-way reliable record???
Well, suppose He has - now I have in my hand a translation I can trust - But let me ask you a question, a loving question, - Here's the question:
Suppose that I run across something in this new but reliable translation with which I disagree? Suppose I run across a situation that I believe shows God in a "bad light", from my perspective. Suppose God does something with which I disagree. Either I think that God should have been more mean, or maybe I think that He should have been less mean.
Tell me, and I ask this in love - Am I going to change the mind of God, or the meaning of the Scriptures by my disagreement??? By having a nervous, or emotional, or spiritual breakdown, can I use this as leverage to change God's mind or the true meaning of Scripture??? I have been angry with God before, many times, and disappointed - but I never once changed God's thinking or the meaning of Scripture by my petulance, my humanistic reasoning or my disagreement.
I once heard David Hulse say that “Hell exists because we THINK it does”!!! “Sin exists because we think it does”!!! If this 'christian' 'science' stuff is true, then Hell exists - because I think it does. If some one shows me or tells me of a phony translation that has changed their bible to say that “Hell does not exist, and it is not hot, and, besides, it does not last very long! So there.” does this mean that Hell no longer exists?
If a humanist, or a devil-inspired human being comes along and tells me that God is a loser, is not very powerful, not very loving if He sends or allows people to go to Hell for very long, does this somehow magically turn down the thermostat or reduce the time in Hell???
Let me ask the question "What if?": What if we spend as much money as possible to get as many people as possible to think and vote as hard as possible, and, what if we can spend enough long enough to get people to wish enough - would this will somehow make Hell disappear, or not last as long or not be as hot? What if we can get enough people to go on strike, or backslide, or have a breakdown, or feel sad - will this somehow magically reduce Hell's length or Hell's temperature or Hell's reality?
Does it come down to this: that if one person believes that, there is a personal devil and hell, that he would thereby invent the “old order christian idea of Hell”, simply by believing it is so???
"If I were the devil . . ."
If I were the devil, I would try to convince people that Hell is not hot, that Hell does not exist, that Hell does not last very long.
I notice a basic inconsistency in the “Hell ain’t hot” camp. They like to mess around with the word “eternal” and make it, define it, to read: “age abiding” or temporary, for Hell, but leave it as "eternal" for the idea of Heaven. Convenient, but Hellish. (If Hell exists, because I think it is so, then, does Heaven also exist, because I wish it to be so, and I wish to go there, so I will!! I wish it to last a long time, so it will! Is this true?) This self interpretation of Scripture to one's own convenience is common among this “wish-it-weren’t-so-hot” group. Scripture twisting for convenience is a common characteristic of heretics and cults. The "jehovah witness" bible writer came up with a list of beliefs contrary to the Bible everyone else was reading, so he spuriously wrote his own, and, in his translation, CHANGED his new bible to agree with all of his false doctrines!
The most militant anti-hell person I know used to be a lovely, loving born-again, Spirit-filled pastor. He prayed for years for his father to be saved. He watched his father get old and sick and then pass out into a Christ-less eternity. He could not bear the thought of his dear old dad, hurting and contorting and screaming and burning in Hell. So, to take some of the heat and pain away from his father, he tried to turn down Hell’s thermostat, by twisting and “re-interpreting” the Bible, and trying to shorten the length of time his father would have to spend in Hell. At first he was able to ease his mind, by trying to persuade himself and others that Hell would not last very long. The next step for this pastor was to become angry with a God and a Bible and a religion that would allow his dad to go to hell in the first place. Today, this ex-pastor is a militant enemy of the Bible, Christ and Christians.
Another acquaintance of ours had a nervous break-down over the thought of Hell’s heat. The only way he could get peace of mind was to talk himself and others into believing that Hell really isn’t all that bad, does not last all that long, is not really that real, does not hurt all that much. Simply by wishing, he thought he could help. If someone is in danger of dying in a house fire, the way to really help them is by rescuing them from the fire, not in hypnotizing himself or in telling the victim to believe that the fire is really not that hot or does not really hurt that much, or really does not do that much damage - - - .
TWISTING THE SCRIPTURES TO MY ADVANTAGE?
Another classic example of Scripture Twisting is where the anti-Hell folks quoting from Acts 3:21, where it says, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things”. The “Hell-Ain’t-Hot” people, or “Universalists”, as they are also sometimes known,. stop the quoting of this verse here, and make it to mean that “everyone is going to be restored, born-again, reconciled and saved” since this verse promises the “restitution of all things.” (I call them "Ultimate Wreck-ers", because they refer to the phrase "Ultimate reconciliation" from this verse.)
But this verse has been wrongly quoted and taken out of context! There is not only no period here, nor even a comma. By stopping in the middle of the sentence, they seem to prove a point - opposite to what is actually being said. It should read, “The times of the restoration (or 'restitution', or 'reconciliation') of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” This simply means that those things that God's prophets said will be restored, will be restored. This verse does not mean that everyone (nor everything) will be restored. Stopping the quote in the middle of the verse, one wrongly changes the meaning. For, example, if a pilot asks the tower, “May I take off now?” The tower answers, “Yes, you may take off, but not until the storm is over and we give you the final approval.” It will fatally give the opposite meaning, if the transmission from the tower stops after the word “off”. This is exactly what the “Ultimate Wreck” heretics do with this verse. They stop the verse in the middle of the sentence, thereby hoping, humanistically, by wishful thinking and Scripture twisting, to change Hell's time and temperature.
A PHONEY EXCUXE FOR SINNING
There is one consistency in the “Hell don't last very long camp”. They consistently (besides Scripture Twisting and the taking of things out of context): They seem to believe that since Hell does not exist, or does not last very long, or is not very hot, that since they are not going to get spanked for stealing cookies from the cookie jar that, yo! “It's o.k. to steal cookies from the cookie jar!”
A Brother in the Lord quoted an “Every body’s-gonna-be-saved” pastor man as saying that “if we want to sin - no problem, just go ahead and sin as much as we want!” A lovely charismatic church that we know of, got off into this universalist “No-Hell-trip-into-La-La-Land”. The history of that church is rampant with split marriages, fornication and adultery, children who end up no longer fervently loving God, are backslid, or went to jail. They ate this one up, for their convenience. Adultery, multiple marriages, etc., seem to be at a much higher ratio among the “o.k.-to-steal-cookies-‘cause-you-ain’t- gonna-get-spanked-very-bad” camp. When we minister in Africa, where some believe that it is o.k. to have more than one wife, we tell them that in America, we don’t believe in being married to more than one wife (AT A TIME)!!!
Among your “Hell ain't hot” friends, does this seem to be the case? Sincerely, I want to know. The Bible says that "The fear of the LORD (Yahweh) is the beginning of wisdom". Can there be real wisdom without the fear of the Lord? Can there be consistent righteousness on the part of those who believe that there is no truth, -- in consequences??
3 Wishes ?
I could wish that the negative aspects of the Bible Verses on Hell weren't so. I could wish that the five foolish virgins were not, in fact shut out. I could wish that the goats went to heaven. I could wish that the rich man lived happily ever after, and that he got a cool drink after all. And I could wish that the killing of all the bad guys in the Promised Land did not happen, though it did, or that the whole of Pharaoh's army did not all get drowned, when they did. And, maybe I could wish that someone would invent a Bible translation that promises me that I can screw around and screw around and screw around, and lie, and steal and cheat and kill and molest and rape and torture and shake my fist in the face of “God” and still live happily ever after. And I could wish that the wages of sin is not death, and that the soul that sins will not “die”, and that “die” really means to “Live” and that “eternal” really ain't eternal, except where it conveniences me. But all my wishing will not shorten Hell’s pain, nor Hell’s time, nor Hell’s heat. My human wishing and Scripture twisting, and faulty reasoning, or sick sympathy will not change reality, will not change the facts, will not change the word “eternity” instead, to meaning “short time”, and will certainly NOT change the Bible to mean what I wish it to mean.
Hell is real, whether we like it or not, and is hot whether we like it or not. Hell lasts a long time, whether we like it or not. I, sure as Hell, am concerned about all of the dear ones that these heretics are promising a “happily ever after” that, sure as Hell, are going to live "horribly ever after"!, unless they embrace Jesus as the only right now Way.
I repeat: If I were the devil, I would want you, and others, to believe that Hell is not reeeally very hot, that it doesn’t reeeally hurt that much, that Hell does not reeeally smell that bad, that the worm reeeally does die, that the fire reeeally gets quenched, that Hell does not reeeally last that long, that Hell does not reeeally exist, and that God is reeeally too loving to send people there, etc. That’s what the Universalist, “Hell-ain’t-hot”, “Ultimate Wreck” people do. And, they think they can change these things, simply by wishing, by twisting the Scriptures.
CROSSING OUT THE CROSS!
If Hell does not last very long, and if Hell is not very hot, then:
"The need for the Cross is nullified."
"The need for the Sacrifice of Christ is made void."
"The need for the shedding of the Blood of Christ is unnecessary."
"One can atone for one's own sins, by serving time in Hell."
"Martyrdom, sacrificial missions, evangelism is not needed."
"Motivation for soul-winning disappears."
"Jesus becomes no more the Way, the Truth, nor the Life."
"One can live like Hell and go to Heaven."
"One can be a member of any religion and go to Heaven."
"One can worship any god or any idol and go to Heaven."
"There is no longer a need to persevere or mature."
"One can lie, steal, cheat and kill, and still escape Hell."
"The need for persistent intercessory prayer is unimportant."
Etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.
SCRIPTURES ON HELL
Matt 23:14 “ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves.”
Matt 23:33 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell?”
Mark 3:29 “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath NEVER forgiveness, but is in danger of ETERNAL damnation:”
Mark 12:40 “Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.”
Luke 20:47 “Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”
John 5:27 “And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Rom 3:8 “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) ‘Let us do evil, that good may come’? whose damnation is just.”
Rom 13:2 “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
1 Cor 11:29 “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”
1 Tim 5:12 “Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.”
2 Pet 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”
HELL!
Matt 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Matt 11:23 “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to Hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.”
Matt 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, ‘That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.’ ”
Luke 10:15 “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to Hell.”
Luke 12:5 “But I will forewarn you Whom ye shall fear: ‘Fear Him, Which, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell’; yea, I say unto you, ‘Fear Him’.”
Luke 16:23 “And in Hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell.”
2 Pet 2:4 “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”
Rev 1:18 “I am He That liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death.”
Rev 6:8 “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
“FIRE”!
Matt 3:10 “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Matt 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He That cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with UNQUENCHABLE fire.”
Matt 5:22 “But I say unto you, ‘That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, “Raca”, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, “Thou fool”, shall be in danger of Hell fire’.”
Matt 7:19 “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Matt 13:40 “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”
Matt 13:42 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 13:50 “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 18:8 “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into EVER LASTING fire.”
Matt 18:9 “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire.”
Matt 25:41 “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVER LASTING fire, prepared for the devil and his angels’:
do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”
Luke 3:9 “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Luke 3:17 “Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire UNQUENCHABLE.”
Luke 12:49 “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?”
Luke 17:29 “But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.”
John 15:6 “If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (I wish it were not so.)
1 Cor 3:13 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
II Th 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Heb 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
James 3:5 “Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell.”
2 Pet 3:7 “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Jude 1:7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL fire.”
Rev 14:10 “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”
Rev 19:20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
Rev 20:9 “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented DAY AND NIGHT, FOR EVER AND FOR EVER”.
Rev 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
OUTER DARKNESS!
Matt 8:12 “But the children of the Kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 22:12 “And He saith unto him, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then said the King to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31 When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: 32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: 33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me 37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?’ 38 When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? 39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?’ 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me”. 41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.’ 44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? ‘45 Then shall He answer them, saying, ‘Verily I say unto you, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me” ’. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
2 Pet 2:12 “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved FOR - EVER.” (Wishing it were otherwise cannot shorten the time.)
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 the judgment of the Great Day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL fire.
JUDGEMENT!
Matt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:’ 22 But I say unto you, ‘That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:’ and whosoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca’, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, ‘Thou fool’, shall be in danger of Hell fire.
II Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 who shall be punished with EVER LASTING destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; 10 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Heb 10:27 But a CERTAIN fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him That hath said, ‘Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense’, saith the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord shall judge His people.’
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Heb 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My Soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
2 Pet 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”
Matt 5:29 “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell.”
Matt 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, ‘Lord’, ‘Lord’, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father Which is in Heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “‘‘Lord’, ‘Lord’, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? And in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity’.”
Matt 13:41 “The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Matt 13:47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 18:8 “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into EVERLASTING fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire.”
Matt 25:30 "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31 When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:”
Mark 9:43 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the fire that NEVER shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into Hell, into the fire that NEVER shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth NOT, and the fire is NOT quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth NOT, and the fire is NOT quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”
Rev 20:13 “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”(The “Ultimate Wreck” people here say, “See here? There is an end to Hell, because it is cast into the Lake of Fire!” But, the last verse says that “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
ETERNAL!
Matt 25:45 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “And these will go away into ETERNAL punishment, but the righteous into ETERNAL life.” (The same Greek word is used for the first eternal as for the last. Why change the meaning of the word for our convenience? Wishful or sympathetic Scripture twisting on our part, cannot turn down Hell’s temperature, nor can it shorten eternity.)
Mark 3:29 “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit NEVER has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”--
II Th 1:9 And these will pay the penalty of ETERNAL destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
HOW TO ESCAPE HELL!
"The soul that sins, it shall die." Ezek.18:4,20
Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Eph 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. KJV
1 John 5:10 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: 15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." KJV
Rev 19:20 "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." KJV
Isa 59:1 "Behold, the LORD's (YAHWEH'S) hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." KJV
Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."
Matt 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto Me, 'Lord', 'Lord', shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father Which is in Heaven." KJV
Luke 14:25 "Great crowds were following Him. He turned around and addressed them as follows: 26 'Anyone who wants to be My follower must love Me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters-yes, more than his own life-otherwise he cannot be My disciple. 27 And no one can be My disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow Me.' TLB
1. You must open the door to your life and invite Jesus to come in and BE your Saviour, your Lord, and your Life.
2. You must give your self and all that you have, all that you ever will have or be, completely to Jesus Christ, and do the will of the Heavenly Father.
Ouch! Ow!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - - - ---
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - - - ---
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo - - - ----
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - - - ----
for a loooong, looooooooooooooong time . . . . . . . .... . - - ---
THE "END TIMES"!
I saw a book recently, that had the title, I'm Glad I Got Left Behind! The title was smiling at the idea of the "any minute, imminent rapture" Left Behind series.
"ALMOST FICTION"
The Rapture is not going to take place any time soon. The proof for this is to be found in Matthew 24:14; Revelation 12; and Ephesians 4; Acts 3:20-21; 1 Cor.15:52, etc. Would you like to know what will happen in the days ahead? Are you sure? I'm not sure you want to know. There are a number of disaster movies made, that express the idea that if something bad is going to happen, like an earthquake, super volcano, tsunami, etc., that many people would not want to know about it ahead of time. In fact, the Christian world, if it did not have "head-buried-in-the sand", "feather bed and fur lined cradle theology", an "ice cream and cake future", (rapture flavored), they would invent one.
Actually, bad or good is going to happen in your future, depending upon your relationship with God - the better the relationship, the brighter the future.
The word "pre-tribulation rapture" or "rapture" is not found in the Bible, nor was this new and strange doctrine taught in the history of the Church, until the last 150 years. It is an escapist invention of the devil, designed to put the Church to sleep. The words "caught away" are used, but, at the time of the "Last Trumpet", after 6 other "Trumpets" have been trumped, that is, after the "Great Tribulation of those Days"!
Nor is the phrase "eternal security" or "once-saved-always-saved" found in the Bible. This is also a doctrine of demons, designed to encourage all who believe it, to back-slide, to not live on fire for God, to not prepare for the future.
Socially, and economically, everything is going to get worse, and, very soon, we, here in America, are going to experience the most horrible financial collapse this country has ever imagined. When this happens, Christians will be forced to take the mark of the beast, or be martyred, or be supernaturally provided for.
THE WORLD-WIDE, NATION-WIDE COLLAPSE OF THE ECONOMY
On one of my plane rides to Africa, I asked a high ranking American banker, "If I put $100 into a savings or checking account, how many times would the financial institution be legally allowed to loan that money out to others?" His dramatic and alarming answer was emphatic; "If less than 1 % of the people in the United States went to the bank at one time to collect their money, the bank would be forced to close their doors!" Instead of the any minute rapture, the United States, and the World is due for an imminent collapse of the economy!
What will happen when the economy collapses, and we have a depression far worse than the great depression that occurred here in America from 1929 into the early 30's. There was starvation, rioting, suicide, and the general inability to buy or sell. Yet, the United States is in a far worse state, financially, now than she was then.
The national debt is far, far worse now. Personal indebtedness is far worse now. At that time, the American dollar was backed by silver and gold, whereas now, our paper money is nearly worthless.
In 1930, the vast majority of the United States was a rural society, which meant that there was food storage and growth, water supply and utilities available to the farmer, to the average citizen, as compared with today, when most people do not have basic food staples enough to last them longer than a week, or less. In the 30's, most people had potatoes and apples, etc., in the root cellar, and had a vast selection of canned, salted, dried, smoked or otherwise stored and prepared food. Most people, even in the city had gardens. Most people had their own water supply, could use wood or coal for heating. Most were not even electricity dependent. Most could fix their own cars. Many had horses, and thus had an alternate means of travel or working the fields. Much of the industry was operable on steam, coal or wood. Most were not deeply in debt. Many people had guns, and could shoot game for meat. Now, today, most of the food sold in grocery stores, was brought in, the night before. In less than 1 day's time, most of the available food will be gone from the stores. Most people do not have enough food to last them more than a few days, and not enough water to last them even one day. There is a wide-spread mentality that people have a right to food, etc., and often, there is a mentality that says that where there is a need, it is o.k. for people who do not have, and cannot otherwise obtain, (they think) that it is justified for them to steal it from others who have, if it is a matter of survival. You have starving children, your neighbor has food. He cannot be otherwise persuaded to give you his food. What are you going to do?
In the prosperous 2000's, the Federal Government sporadically keeps closing its doors and shutting down, because of our need financially. What will the government do when they have no money to operate? There will be no money for food stamps, medical assistance, social security, fire fighting, law enforcement, defense.
We lived in L.A. in the 70's when a major earthquake contaminated the water supply. Almost immediately, people began fighting over bottled water in the stores. We have known where people were hurting each other at the gas pumps, during our petroleum shortages. Can you imagine what it will be like to be in the middle of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix or, for that matter, in any large city, when they run out of water? Right now, in L.A., 12 million people receive their water from a slender canal that runs precariously through hundreds of miles of wilderness country.
During the "Great Depression" of 1929, and on into the early 30's, many people had their money in the banks. The banks had loaned this money to other people. When more than a few of the first people came for their money, the banks were empty, and, many people found that they had lost all of their life's savings. Today, if even a small percentage of people wanted to withdraw their money at the same time, this "run on the bank" would cause people to discover that their life's savings, and the money in their checking account had disappeared, and would never be available.
Without money, food, water, heat, electricity, police protection, or fire fighting capability, the cities are going to turn into a madhouse, and there will be immediate and wide spread looting, rioting, raping, vandalism, burning, robbing, pillaging, starvation, disease and terror. People will have no place to go, and will flee from the city, in most cases, on foot. Bridges will be blocked or broken, and rivers will be difficult to cross. Jesus commanded us to pray that when we flee the city, that we don't even take time to go into our home to retrieve what we can carry, as there will be too little time. Jesus commanded us to pray that our flight would not be in the winter time, or on the week-end. He spoke of the drastically increased difficulty for those who are pregnant, or have small children.
Most of our friends live in the city. Even the ones who live in the country are thinking rapture escape, or hyper-faith, and are not prepared for the hard times to come. Nearly everyone will be looking for food and shelter. Domestic animals will run wild, become disease ridden and dangerous. Pests, such as rats and mice, and insects will increase, disease and plagues will become a major problem. New strains of sickness will appear. There will be a critical lack of medical treatment.
There will have been no rapture! At this critical time, what will happen to the faith of those who have been leaning heavily on pre-trouble-rapture expectations? What will happen to those who do not believe in healing? What will happen to the millions of people who have come to expect that godliness will guarantee them a cushy or comfortable or country club life-style? There will be those, who, by the multiplied millions, lose, abandon, or give up their "faith".
Into this scene will arise the "not-particularly-in-favor-of Christ" - the anti-Christ. He will be seen as one who can provide food, clothing, shelter, protection, peace and safety. This "savior", will be one who can save you and your loved ones from starvation, etc. He will be able to meet your needs. All you need to do is take his encoding credit card type of number with which you will be able to buy and sell and live. Without this "credit card number", you will not be able to purchase food, gas, utilities, a home, travel, anything. Will you take the number? Or starve, or watch your family starve. You have been taught to believe that God does not want you to starve.
Revelation 12 is a good description of our times and of what will be happening. It says that "the Woman", (I believe that she represents the Church, the Body of Christ at large, or, possibly, the intercessors), will be taken into the wilderness where she is provided for, for 3 and 1/2 years. There will be many places that God will be preparing for His people to come to during the difficult days ahead, when their homes and savings and possessions are gone, and they have no place else to go. But, then it says that the devil goes off to persecute "the rest of her children". These are the Christians in general - the wide spread body of Christ- the nominal, luke- warm "Christians".
We have a place in the wilderness, where people can come for retreats, camps, conferences and preparation for ministry. Many of our friends know where we live, and will be able to come here in difficult days ahead.
Should we adopt a policy in which people will be able to benefit from our place here, only to the extent that they made an investment now, in either finances, or in sweat equity?
THE SONS OF GOD!
Revelation 12 says that the Manchild is caught up to the throne of God, where he rules over the nations with a "rod of iron". Yet, Revelation 2:26-27 says that this is "the overcomers".
CHRISTIAN DEAR ONES
Please allow me to introduce you to a new and different group of (human) beings This group is in many different places in Scripture. There is one characteristic that is common for every place that they are mentioned - they DO THE WILL OF GOD! Here are some of the terms by which they are known, and where they are mentioned in the Bible:
Joel's Army - Joel 2
The Man-child (Company) - Revelation 12
The Saints, or the Godly Ones - Psalm 149
The Anointed - Psalm 2
The "mothers", "brothers" or "sisters" of Jesus - Mt.12:48, 49; Mk.3:33-35; Lk.8:19-21
The Friends of Christ - Jn.15:14
Those who love Jesus - Jn.14:15, 21
Loved of the Father (and of Jesus) - Jn.14:21
Great in the Kingdom of Heaven" - Mt.5:19
The Manifested Son of God to (and in,) the Manifested Sons of God" - Jn.14:21; Rom.8
The "Spiritual" - I Co.14:21
The "Knowers of God" - 1 Jn.2:3; Dan.
The "Dwellers in Christ" - 1 Jn.3:24
Those who "have a right to the Tree of Life" and have access to the Holy City - Rev.22:14
Those who are allowed to "enter the Kingdom of Heaven" - Mt.7:21
The Sons of God - Rom.8:14
The "Manifested Sons of God" - Rom.8:19
The "saviours on Mt Zion" - Obad.1:21
Any one can be a part of this group of people. All that is necessary to be included in this group of people, is that we do God's will. Be led by the Holy Spirit. Only those who are mature, spiritual, Spirit led, spiritually discerning people can qualify.
Question: What percentage of your time and life and words and actions and decisions are the leading of the Holy Spirit, the will of God? Do you know the voice of God on a "name and address basis", that is, in such a way, that God could tell you, like He did to the man of God who first ministered to Paul? God told him:
the name of the man needing ministry,
what had happened to him,
what ministry needed to be done,
the address where he was located,
and the man with whom he was staying. (Acts 9:10-19)
Do you know the voice of God that well??? This is the extent to which we must learn and come to know God's voice, immediately! I call this level of knowing God's voice, the "Name and address leading."
GUNS, KNIVES, AMMUNITION AND KARATE
For years, I enjoyed guns, knives, ammunition and karate. But, in 1979, Daddy Yahweh redirected my focus and priorities to "seeking first The Kingdom of God", with the promise that, if, in everything, and if, at all times, I sought first to do God's will
and delight in Him, that He would "take care of me, and of all my needs!" The will to survive (on God's terms) is stronger than ever, but survival must be on God's terms, by His means, and in His time. My mentality now is "if God wants me to survive, He can enable me to survive." and, "If God wants me to be dead, persecuted, hungry, or imprisoned, then, that's what I want." We do not have the money or the time to buy big enough guns or to store enough food, or to build the right kinds of shelter, etc. God, as in the days of old, is going to have to care for us, or others, if, in fact, He wants us to survive.
We have no other choice than to reach into God, to be able to move into His supernatural power and supply. We will have to reach into God to be able to practice, on a practical level, verses like:
What ever you bind, will be bound.", and, "What ever you loose, will be loosed." and, "The weapons of our warfare, though not carnal, are mighty, through God, to the tearing down of strongholds.", and, :"I can do some things through Christ Who strengthens me." "If two shall agree on anything, it
shall be done.". And, from Psalm 149: "This honour have all His saints" =
"To bind the kings with chains,
the nobles with fetters of iron,
to execute upon them the judgement written -
vengeance upon the nations, and
punishments upon the people - - "
If these things are true, and if we can ask anything in Yahshua's Name, according to His will, then, perhaps, it is our responsibility to rule and reign, to "take the Kingdom by force", and see the Kingdom of God established, and the Great Commission fulfilled, instead of being wimpy Christians, and a sleeping giant.
At the time Elijah was being fed by ravens, the other prophets were subsisting on bread and water in caves, while the rest of God's people were being killed by the thousands. Perhaps it is true that, if the people of God and the prophets of God had known the voice of God the way Elijah did, perhaps they would have had directions to where the ravens were delivering their hamburgers by the gentle brook!!!
Romans 8 tells us that all of creation is waiting for the unveiling, the manifestation, the revealing, the coming forth of the sons of God (those who are led by the Holy Spirit).
Try to imagine what it would be like if some of the Dear Ones would get hold of promises just mentioned, and come to appropriate concepts like "the King's Greatest Secret!", "The Throne-Room Mentality", and "Kingdom Glory" !!!!!!!
There are some people who believe that the second coming of Christ will only be His coming within His saints. It is` true that God wants to come and live within us AS our Life, but the Word also says that "every eye shall see Him", and that His coming will be as "from the east to the west! Thus, Precious Yahshua Jesus WILL come within us, and He WILL come FOR us Amen.
In conclusion, please read and memorize Joel 2:1-11. I believe that this passage tells the story of a group of saints that have entered into the power of God, simply because they have learned to be led by the Holy Spirit. Though there is some debate as to who this Joel's Army really is (some people think it is the Russians, while others think that it is insects, verse 11 tells us plainly who is this "great and mighty people". Yahweh (the LORD) utters His voice before His army, surely His camp is very great and strong is he who carries out His Word"!!!
The Bible tells us that God is returning for a Bride that is without spot or wrinkle. Is the Bride of Christ in that state as of yet? The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:14 that the end will NOT come, until "this Gospel of the Kingdom is (first) preached in ALL the world for a witness to ALL of the nations"!!! There are literally thousands upon thousands of people groups around the world, who have never heard the Gospel of the Kingdom"!!!!!!! We have our work cut out for us! Amen?!!
For more information about this or related subjects, please see our articles or books, including:
The Glory of God
How To Know The Will of God
How To Rule The World, or, "Seek First the Kingdom of God"
Now, let us use our imaginations: Let us suppose that the promises of God are true, and that they are practical and possible in the realm of the every day nitty gritty of life.
STORY # 1
A simple, humble, gentle obedient brother or sister in the Lord, is awakened by an angel, and is told to get dressed. Then, like Phillip of the Book of Acts, George or Jane is gently taken by the Holy Spirit to the jungles of Columbia where a gang is planning to kidnap some missionaries and hold them for ransom. Just when the missionaries are surrounded, you walk into the clearing and announce in Spanish by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the criminals must repent or be judged. They refuse. In the Name of Yahshua, you bind them, and they are paralyzed, frozen on the spot. The missionaries continue on their way, and you are invited along to share a meal with them. You stay with them just long enough to hold some minister's seminars in the area, The King's Greatest Secret is shared with them, and the Gospel of the Kingdom, etc,. before being returned by the Holy Spirit to your home in America.
Use your imaginations, write your own stories: If the promises of God are real, then the saints should be able, in God to do any of the following things, and more, by the sweet leading of the Holy Spirit:
* still storms
* call down lightning or fire or hail stones or comets or paralysis
* travel from place to place by the Holy Spirit
* turn waste paper into money
* turn stones into bread, or other food
* strike people blind, dead, paralyzed, etc,
* raise people from the dead
* put new body parts back on or into people
* move heavy objects by the Holy Spirit
* see gas tanks, fuel tanks, water tanks, be filled and kept filled
* ditto food pantries, shelves, refrigerators, milk cartons, etc.
* be made invisible when necessary
* have fire issue forth out of our mouths
* have people fall down by the power of God within us
* have our faces and bodies shine like the sun, with God's glory
* have fire come out of our eyes
* have our voices be as the sound of many waters
* see lightning strike anyone or anywhere at will
* see electricity supplied supernaturally
* see any kind of healing or sickness take place
* know what people are thinking, saying, or doing
* have our voice amplified to whatever volume
* be as strong as we need to be
* gain entrance or escape to or from any place
* appear in any group and command their attention
* have any kind of money or provision for any kind of need
* be as healthy as we need to be
* be always pleasing to the Lord
* always do the perfect will of God
* always be led by the Holy Spiri
BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT! DO!!! OBEY!!! DECIDE!!! CHOOSE!!!
DO!!! OBEY!!! DECIDE!!! CHOOSE!!!
Dear Heavenly Father, Precious Papa Yahweh, Daddy God of All:
Lovely Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh:
Glorious Yahshua Jesus, Creator King of Everything:
Please, speak Your Word, at this time, in this writing. Amen.
A fleshly person is a person who does what their body wants them to do.
A soulish person does what their emotions and feeling want them to do. This kind of person becomes a slave to one’s own feelings and emotions.
A spiritual person does what God tells them to do!!!
A fleshly, carnal person, a person who walks in the flesh, allows one's self to become a slave to what his or her body tells them to do. If the body does not feel like getting out of bed, the person meekly submits to the Body’s demand. If their body does not feel like exercising, the person does not exercise. If their body wants to eat certain foods, like sugar, candy, chocolate, ice cream, pop, alcohol, drugs, carbohydrates, cakes, starches, etc., and that person KNOWS that what their body is telling them to do or be is unhealthy, and unwise, and is poor body stewardship, then a fleshly or carnal person does what their body wants them to do. This kind of person easily becomes an addict. This situation exists with food addiction, sexual addiction, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, crime addiction, gambling addiction, spending addiction, laziness addiction, sloppiness addiction, television addiction, etc.
Let’s understand the Bible use of the word “flesh”. Of the 149 times the word flesh is used in the King James New Testament, 95 of the mentions, have to do with the human body, and are not used in a negative context. In fact, there are only a few times with the rest of the selections that are used to depict negativity.
A soulish person does what emotions and feelings tell him or her to do. If one’s emotions or feelings tells them to be discouraged, depressed, resentful, bitter, angry, unforgiving, sad, morose, negative, complaining, victim-like, unbelieving, etc., then, that’s what they allow themselves to do and to be and to become!
Every command of God, every leading of the Holy Spirit, speaks to the choice of our will. A spiritual person will do the will of God, no matter what the circumstances, conditions, feelings, or emotions say to the contrary. A spiritual person will forgive, even when he or she does not feel like forgiving. The same is true of anger, discouragement, laziness, temptations, or resentment, etc. A spiritual person will rejoice and give thanks, at any time, or under any circumstance, simply because, that is what God commands and expects. Phil 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, 'Rejoice!'." A spiritual person will obey this command, in spite of feelings and emotions and conditions to the contrary, simply because it is the right and proper thing to do, simply because it is the will of God, simply because the New Testament commands it. The same thing is true for the Scriptural commands to "love each other fervently from a pure heart", to "Give thanks, at all times, in (and for) everything!!!" 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Thes. 5:16-18, and Eph.5:20
THE DEAD MOUSE AND THE PRANSOME HINCE
We have a friend that was horribly abused as a child. Normally such a person grows up feeling like a victim. In the process of giving advice, an astounding revelation came to me when I made this statement:
“EVERY PROMISE AND COMMANDMENT FROM GOD, PUTS YOU IN CONTROL!”
Suddenly, the light dawned upon some areas of my thinking that I really needed. I realized that, to a large extent, I had been acting like a VICTIM in my relationship with God.
Let me give some examples:
I had pictured God as this great big God, Who could treat me any way He wants, because, even at my best, I was at His mercy. He could give me money if and as He wants, reprintings, open doors, healings, miracles. Though I blessed Him, I also saw God as the person Who has kept me from success, kept my dreams from being realized, kept my prayers from being answered, kept me from financial abundance. Every time I thought of the promises of God, I would feel helpless. Every time I was called upon to heal the sick, I would feel like I am God's Victim. Like Job. It was my main concept of God. A Big capricious whimsical game-playing, dice throwing, crap shooting God, Who could jerk us around, play dirty tricks on us, deny us, lie to us, or at least play some pretty serious cosmic jokes on us.
I realize that I have been thinking of myself as a poor abused and mistreated but right-spirited wife or child, huddled in a corner, waiting for God to play another trick on me. All this time, I saw myself as God's punching bag for His pleasure, and for my good. I saw myself as being more fair than God Himself, more righteous than God Himself, in the sense that He could break His promises to me, but I could not break mine to Him. He could make me a promise and not fulfill it, but not me. He could fill my heart with keen and earnest expectations, and not fulfill them. He could promise to take me to Disney Land, and then, delay or change His Mind. He could promise me healing, and not heal. God could promise to supply and not supply. God could promise to answer prayer, and not answer. God could fill my mind with dreams and visions, goals and aspirations - and not fulfill them. And, all the while, I am to “be content in whatsoever state I am, even if -”, “keep a right spirit, even though I am God's victim”, “keep on serving Jesus, even when the healings don't come”, “in everything give thanks, even though prayers aren't answered”, “keep on being faithful, even though the money is minimal”, “keep on working hard, even though the results are limited”, “keep on trying to believe God, even when He disappoints me”.
“RELIGIOUS MASOCHISM”
One of the worst sexual perversions in the world today, is sadism/masochism. Sadism is when one gets a kick out of hurting others. Masochism is the enjoyment of being hurt. As sick as this gets in the sexual realm, it is even more sick in the religious realm where people get a kick out of mistreating others. But there are many, many people who get a sick thrill from being mistreated, perhaps, because they believe that they deserve it. Many sexual masochists have a background of sexual abuse, and their pain helps them to feel less guilty. In the religious area, many people have been made to feel that they are miserable, bad, naughty sinners who deserve to be punished, so they are drawn to ministers who scold and berate them. Some people don't feel good until they feel bad.
I don't think that was my problem, but, it may have given me a sense of religious pride to see myself as being more fair than God, more righteous than God, more faithful than God.
DEAD MOUSE - We picked up a mouse hand puppet at a garage sale, that looked like it was dead when not activated by the hand. We will speak more about this later, but some people have what we call a "dead mouse" victim's mentality.
CO-CREATORS WITH GOD!
The Bible says that we are called to be co-labourers with God. Virtually every positive cause and effect relationship we have with God causes us to be co-creators with Him. Every miracle where Yahweh used a person as the channel of the miracle, caused that person to be involved in a co-labouring, co-creating with God.
There is even a sense in which, when God created us, and then commanded and invited us to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue and exercise dominion over it, causes us to be involved with Him in the development of His creation.
The ultimate co-creating that we can be involved with is when we discover and live "The King's Greatest Secret".
Think about it: God comes to live inside of us. Shouldn’t that make a difference?! I was thinking about demon possession. In Africa, we hear stories about soul travel, body travel, flying on brooms, healings, curses, etc. Instead of demon possession or devil possession, what about "God possession"??? Instead of having an evil spirit, how about having the Holy Spirit?! In literature, fiction or otherwise, and in movies, we have stories of what happens when people turn into vampires, wolves, strong people, heroes, evil people, etc. What would happen if we had people change into God possessed, Holy Spirit possessed, Christ possessed people?!!
Remember what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon people in the past?!
Exod 31:3 “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.” (KJV)
Num 11:25 “And Yahweh came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.” (KJV)
Deut 34:9 “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses. 10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, 11 In all the signs and the wonders, which Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” (KJV)
Judg 6:34 “But the Spirit of Yahweh came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abi-ezer was gathered after him.” (KJV)
Judg 14:5 “ - behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 And the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” (KJV)
Spiritual warfare is the exercise of our spiritual weapons and gifts and abilities in God in a co-creating way.
SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF CO-CREATION WITH GOD
Not demon-possessed, but God possessed!
In Star wars, this super guy had another slimy but brilliant person inside him, they got shot, but they were heroes while it lasted. How much more, if Christ lives in us!
The story of “The Incredible Hulk”, is a story about a person who, when stressed, changes in to a kind of terrible, but good monster, with superhuman strength, etc. The beast roars and contorts, with torn clothes, and gigantic muscles.
But look at the truth about God coming to live on the inside of us! It is Yahshua Jesus Yahweh, Creator King of Everything, Who comes to live within!!
Can you see how the enemy comes to distort this process, by bringing destructive pride, man (or woman) worship, sexual side tracking. By sexual side-tracking, I am talking about how the Presence of God in a person’s life, begins to make that person so beautiful, so graceful, so lovely, so wonderful, so talented, so fruit of the Spirit - kind and loving, that someone else will “fall in love” or be attracted to that person. Often the person in whom Christ dwells, has had a dysfunctional background, or may not realize what is happening, and become victimized by the other person, by the enemy’s design.
BODY STEWARDSHIP
Another area of side-tracking is in the area of the physical body. If the enemy can keep us ignorant of how the Presence of God in our lives is to impact and affect our body, or if we remain ignorant, then a great waste has taken place.
Tell me, shouldn’t the Presence of God in our bodies make us more healthy? If the Creator King of Everything is living in our bodies, shouldn’t His Presence make us more healthy, and strong, and vibrant, and effervescent, and energetic and happy and whole? Shouldn’t the Presence of a perfect God, a Perfect Christ, an all powerful Holy Spirit in our bodies, make us more healthy???
We’ve got to get the idea of the Presence of God being, not only in a cathedral, temple, a mountain-top, a closet, a dream, a mystical place, etc., but INTO OUR BODIES!!!
Yes, Christ is coming some Day, but in the meanwhile, HE wants to come and live on the inside of our bodies, our feet, our hands, our scalp, our skin, our eyes, our feet, our legs, our loins, our belly, our chest, our liver, our kidneys, our pancreas, our arms, our hands, our face, our nose, our cells, our brain, etc. HE wants to change those organs and bones and brain and body parts!!! Amen. That’s one reason HE took all of these things with Him to the Cross and allowed such abuse of HIS physical body: SO WE COULD BE HEALTHY!!! By HIS stripes we are healed!!! HE HIMSELF bore our sicknesses in HIS BODY, so that we would not have to be sick or unhealthy.
OUR SOUL: OUR WILL, OUR EMOTIONS, OUR MIND, OUR SUB-CONSCIOUS MIND, OUR MEMORIES
There is what is known in Christendom a phenomenon called “inner healing” or “healing of the emotions”. The problem with many who are practitioners in these areas is that they often lack a revelation of “THE KING’S GREATEST SECRET!”!! There is much good that they do, but here, I believe that their ministry and approach can be improved. Consequently, there is often no lasting healing, or, it can be wrongly based.
Let's look at some Scriptural examples of co-creation with Yahweh.
SPEAKING THINGS INTO EXISTENCE
There are many examples from the Bible where men of God "spoke things into existence”.
God told Moses to speak to the Rock. God told Ezekiel to speak to the dry bones.
Jesus Yahshua said that it was the Father in Him that did the following works:
Jesus Yahshua instructed the maid to arise.
Jesus Yahshua declared the sins were forgiven.
Jesus Yahshua spoke to the storm to still.
Jesus Yahshua told Lazurus to come forth.
Jesus Yahshua commanded the demons to go out.
Jesus Yahshua demanded the fig tree to be cursed.
Jesus Yahshua commended His Spirit to the Father.
Jesus Yahshua laid hands on, multiplying the loaves and fishes.
Jesus Yahshua promised Peter that the gold would be in the fish's mouth.
Jesus Yahshua directed the disciples to put nets on the other side of the boat.
Jesus Yahshua announced to the disciples that He would make them fishers of men.
Jesus Yahshua said that “The Father in Me, does the works!”
Is "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven." a request, or a declaration of faith? We may miss the point if we always see it as a plaintive plea.
WAYS TO PRAY
Father, Yahweh, In the Mighty Name of Yahshua, Son of Yahweh, by the Holy Spirit, I declare and prophesy “open doors of utterance that the Gospel of the Kingdom may spread unhindered."
I declare in the Name of Yahshua that the needed finances come in, and more besides so that we may give abundantly to others.
In the Mighty Name of Yahshua, Son of Yahweh, by the Holy Spirit, I bind, cast out and away from us and this place, and curse to Hell, every hindrance to our lives and ministry in the mighty Name of Yahshua. I bind every spirit, principality and power, every ruler of darkness of the air, spiritual wickedness in high places,
We speak that the needed finances come in from every point on the compass - that God raise up the needed help. That the books be printed, that the funds needed for their printing would come forth, that there would be a market for them, and a desire, that the doors of utterance be opened to other lands, other countries.
Prophesy that recordings be made of singing and that people will want to see them.
In short, use your mouth as an instrument with which to declare and prophesy what ever you believe to be the perfect will of God.
You see, if you really have a revelation of “the King's Greatest Secret!”, then you will believe for, and allow God to create still, in and through you!!!"
New songs. We prophesy and agree and declare that this place will be all that God wants it to be.
The importance of tongues: The Spirit of God is given a voice through whom to pray, to create, to worship, to judge.
Active ministry from now on
Dance, march, sing, worship,
This is a time of inventions, creativity, art, dance, plays, new songs, poems, music, prophesies, breakthroughs.
Should we start a new church, the church on the hill, with a huge parking lot devoted to the church. Should we have it out in this field between here and tower road? A ministry of teaching and miracles that will reach round the world.
From now on, we must pray as though the promises are true, as though prayer accomplishes something good, as though prayer changes things.
Do you remember when the man of God raises his hands and extends them toward the people, as though he is actually blessing them? Sometimes he or she will say, "The Lord bless thee! The Lord keep thee. May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen!" God wants an actual impartation of blessing to take place during this time. He wants something lovely and blessed and positive and creative to take place.
By that same token, God leads us to bind and lose, to agree together.
God created the world by this means, by faith, yes, but the means by which this faith was expressed was the spoken word of faith declaration, "Let there be ---!!!" and there was.
BY FAITH, DOING THINGS, TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
In Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells of the Prodigal Son, who wasted his inheritance, then came back and received another, but the Older Son was disgruntled. The story has an unhappy ending. "Son, all that I have is yours. You could have had the fatted calf, any time you would have wanted it!" The story is told of a person who was being shown around Heaven by St. Peter. When they came to warehouses full of gifts, stacked to the roof, the question was asked, "What are all these presents?" Peter answered, "Why, these are all the gifts and blessings that God wanted you to enjoy when you were on the Earth, so here they are for you now."
“Pretend” and “Pretend”
I use the word 'pretend' in two different ways: 1)In the standard sense of acting like something is true when it is not true. But I also use the word 'pretend' 2) when we are to act like something is true, because it IS True!!! Every time the Bible, or God, asks us to act like something is true because it is true, is, for example when God wants us to exercise faith for something. "We have the Mind of Christ" "For we are dead, and our life is hidden with Christ in God." Romans 6:11 "Reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive inn Christ!" Here, 'reckon' means, 'act like this is true, because it IS true!'
Christ invites you to be the kind of person who memorizes, pays attention to, and does the promises of God, such as, "Matt 18:19
"If two of you shall agree on Earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Which is in Heaven." KJV and, Matt 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." KJV and, Matt 18:18 "Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven." KJV and, Ps. 149:3-9 "Let them praise His Name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD Yahweh taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints! Praise ye the LORD Yahweh."
“For me to live, = Christ!”
I declare that I am well, in Yahshua’s Name! Amen! By Christ’s stripes, I AM healed!!!
Dear Heavenly Father: I come to Thee with an earnest and sincere heart.
I come in the mighty Name of Yahshua, and by the Holy Spirit, to You, Dear Darling Daddy Yahweh, Papa God.
I do not come in my own merit or name or worthiness, but, by Your, blood and mercy and love and kindness, the mercy of Yahshua.
I bring with me today, that which I believe to be the most sincere kind of heart. My heart is to please You. I long for You. I yearn to please You, to do Your sweet will, to say Your words, to sing Your praise, to think Your thoughts, to do Your will, to be what You want, do what You want, to go where You want, to see what You want, to be all that You want - in every, Every, EVERY regard!!!!!!!
O, please help me be pleasing to Thee, in everything, always, all the time, everywhere - to the supernatural maximum.
Thank You for every pain-free moment, for each coherent thought, for every breath of air, every heart-beat, every moment of life and peace and joy and sweet tranquility
Yesterday, when looking at my circumstances, finances and limitations, it seemed that I could see myself all doubled up in a corner, in a fetus position, sucking my thumb, cowering and shivering, shutting my eyes tight against the bright light of reality, wishing the day would pass, and hoping that it wouldn't. The core issue for me was, again, the unfulfilled prophecies, the unactualized potential, the promises in Scripture, that remain dormant, theoretical, potential, undeveloped, unrealized, unfulfilled.
Should I rise to my feet, take my thumb out of my mouth, lay down my security blanket, throw away my pacifier, discard my baby bottle, straighten my shoulders, open my mouth, and shout against the wind, the circumstances, the limitations, the status quo, the poverty, weakness, the lassitude. the insipidity, the stupor, the languidity, the passivity, the inactivity, the unfruitfulness. the fruitlessness, the hopelessness, the helplessness, the poverty, the weakness, the limitations, the closed doors, and prophesy the greater works???????
By the power of prayer, and the authority of the spoken word, should we bind the former, and loose the latter? We pray and boldly prophesy the victory, the strength, the provision, the vision, the money, the open doors, the break-throughs, the miracles, the signs and wonders, the power, the purity, the acceptance, the fruitfulness, the adventures of our God! In the Mighty All Powerful Matchless Name of Yahshua Jesus, we pray. Amen.
DEAD MOUSE MENTALITY
At a garage sale in Portland area, a couple of years ago, I purchased a hand puppet that was a grey mouse. God used this limp and lifeless puppet to illustrate to me and to us, that we are not to be a dead mouse victim, in our walk and relationship with Him, the Lord Yahweh. In contrast, I remember putting a live mouse that I had caught, into the bath tub where he couldn't get out, and then putting our mouse killer cat, into the tub with the mouse.. I vividly remember that mouse, literally standing up on its hind feet and facing the big cat bravely, ready to fight to the death, something a hundred times bigger than itself.
There is so very much about our lives and our Christianity, that considers itself good and proper and decent and successful, if we are only dead mice. A dead mouse does not sin, but it does not do any good, either. God has not called you or me to be dead mouse. Nor has He called us to be dead to our limitations, our status quo, our lack of finances or our lack or productivity, or our helplessness or circumstances or our worship.
God wants us to repent for being passive and for having a helpless victim mentality. God does not want us to be helpless victims, cowering or sleeping in a corner. Sometimes sleep can be a blessing. But sometimes, sleep can be used as an escape. Weakness can sometimes be an excuse. Even sickness can be an excuse. We can allow our old age to be an excuse. The parable of the talent is an example. The one talent person was passive and defensive, while the others, were aggressive risk-takers.
The Church is like a fully equipped army, fully armed - whose soldiers go to sleep, curled up in the corner, sucking its thumb, with its eyes tightly shut, hoping the enemy will die of old age, or slink away on its own. Many are using the concept of an escapist rapture to solve all of their problems, instead of standing on their hind feet, and defeating the enemy in the Name of Jesus!. Too often, we are like dead, limp and lifeless puppets, who are waiting for God's hand to activate us, when we are God's hand, who must decide to obey what it has already been told to do.
A dead, lifeless hand puppet, does not lie, steal, cheat or kill. A dead mouse does not cuss, swear, smoke or chew. But neither does it worship and praise, and neither does it do any good. Too often we have had a passive mentality, that waits for God to do through us what we are to do through Him. Too often, we have been waiting for God to do what He has been waiting for us to do.
Take speaking in tongues: The reason that most people do not speak in tongues, is because the person is waiting for God to do all of the work. The same is true with all of the gifts of the Spirit. It is especially true of worship and praise, dance and shouting and clapping and the raising of our hands.
God does not want you to be this kind of husband or wife, a dead mouse. He does not want you to be this kind of employee, child or student.
Look at your lifeless hand, lying limp and languid. Mentally or verbally, tell it what to do, while allowing it to lie limp. While we don't want our hand to spastically do what we don't want it to, neither do we want it to fail to exercise its will when it is told to do something positive. In our Christian lives, we have sometimes thought it better to be disobediently but religiously passive, than to be disobediently or fanatically spastic. Both are wrong. Both are disobedient. God wants us to move in Him, AS His representatives, as His hands, by His leading. We must come to see that it is as disobediently spastic for us to be religiously passive, as it is for us to be fanatically spastic.
Let's study on the extent to which this passive kind of mentality has negatively influenced us:
We have thought that as long as we are dead mice that we are safe.
A dead mouse doesn't cuss, drink, commit immorality, doesn't steal, murder, or even think bad thoughts. But, neither does it praise, shout, bind, loose, sing, witness, or exercise faith.
GOD'S VICTIM
It is really sad to see people who see themselves as victims, who have a “victim mentality”. Perhaps they have been victims, or still are being victimized, and have never been delivered or set free or healed. But there are many more who see themselves as God's victim. They asked Him to do something for them, that God, in many cases had placed within their grasp. For example, let's say that I am sitting at your table, having potatoes that need salt. So, I ask you for the salt. But it is sitting in front of my nose. This happened to me at the table last night. Only it was pepper. They wouldn't pass it to me because it was within my reach.
The Bible says that “The time came when the saints took the Kingdom by force!”
We will continue without salt on our food, no matter how long we beg God for it. He already purchased it with His Own Son's Blood, and has put it within our grasp. But something about God makes Him reluctant to put into our mouth, our stomachs, or even on our plate, what is easily within our grasp. Jesus said that The Kingdom of God is AT HAND!!!
How can this be true of the Kingdom, of that which IS His will?
In this 5:10 A.M. dream, I was just ready to go on stage of a large church as the evening speaker, to teach about the questions that would be asked before graduation would be allowed in our School of Ministries.
One of the questions was: “Would we be allowed to prophesy things to our own advantage - name it - claim it, blab it - grab it, etc.?” The answer, of course, is, only by the leading of the Holy Spirit, since we must always be under God's Lordship.
Joshua asked me yesterday, a real classic question: “What is right: to exercise bold initiative, or to passively wait for God to do it through us?” I laughed with glee at the brilliance of the question, as both elements, though seemingly contradictory, are necessary. I pointed out that I have both chapters in our book, How To Rule the World, “Kingdom Initiative”, and “Waiting On God”, and that a balance by God's leading, are necessary, and that even zeal and initiative must come by the leading of God, His inspiration, and His grace.
As to the dream, I believe that it was from God, and that it was to be an encouragement to me that the school(s) will exist as a practical and soon reality, and that such questions should be compiled. All of the questions in the books should, for example, be included, as well as the questions that we ask in our seminars.
ACTIVITIES AND PROOFS THAT I AM NOT A DEAD MOUSE
Awake thou that sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
SHOUTING
PROPHESYING
WARRING DECLARATIONS
FAITH CLAIMS
TONGUES
PRAISE
CLAPPING
DANCING
QUOTING SCRIPTURE
MARCHING
These are all things that God and the Bible commands and asks of us. These are all things that we can chose to do with the choice of our will, including things like love and forgiveness, a giving up of resentment, jealousy, lust, anger and self pity, which are also options and choices.
DECISIONS!
GOD’S COMMANDS ARE GOD’S ENABLEMENTS!
EVERY COMMAND GOD MAKES IS A PROMISE.
EVERY CHOICE OF OUR WILL, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
GOD HAS PUT US IN CONTROL OF OUR DECISIONS.
TRUE SINCERETY IS NOT REFLECTED IN OUR FEELINGS, BUT IN THE CHOICES WE MAKE, FROM DEEP INSIDE, WHERE WE REALLY LIVE.
LOOK AT ALL OF THE PHILOSOPHIES, AND PSYCHOLOGIES AND THEORIES, THAT PROVIDE FOR US EXCUSES FOR OUR BEING IRRESPONSIBLE:
ASTROLOGY: People can make excuses for themselves based on the "sign" they were born under. They can say, "I am a Taurus, therefore I can be pushy and intimidating, etc."
TEMPERAMENTS: An unbalanced teaching on the four temperaments can be counterproductive. The basic flaw in the teaching on temperaments is this: Christ was a balanced combination of all of the good temperaments, BUT YOU - -!!!
NATIONALITY: Excuses can be made, "I am Latin American, I can afford to have a temper." Or, "He's just a stubborn Swede.", etc.
TIME OF THE MONTH - FULL MOON: "It's that time of month, I can afford to act - - - "
TIME OF LIFE - "He (or she) is going through the 'Terrible Two's', or, 'The teens', or, 'Menopause', or 'Postpartum Depression', or, 'Mid-Life Crises', or, 'Empty Nest Syndrome', or, 'Old Age', etc.
RELIGIOUS GIFTS: "I am called to be a prophet, therefore I can be excused for being abrupt, confrontational, impatient, critical, mean, bad and nasty." Or, "I have a mercy gift, so I am excused for being a wimp and a coward."
INNER HEALING/ABUSE, NEGLECT, BACKGROUND, PAST HURTS, DAMAGE, INJURIES, DISFUNCTIONAL BACKGROUND
FEELINGS. I DON’T FEEEEEEEL LIKE -
IN LOVE
ETC.
EVERY COMMAND IN THE BIBLE, EACH LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, EVERY PROMISE GOD MAKES, EVERY TRUE PROPHESY GIVEN, PUTS US IN CONTROL, along with God! If we fail to exercise our rights, responsibilities, callings, privileges, and callings, can we blame God for not being in control?
GOD WOULD BE UNFAIR AND UNRIGHTEOUS TO THE EXTENT THAT HE HOLD US RESPONSIBLE, JUDGES US, OR PUNISHES US FOR THINGS WE CANNOT HELP, OR FOR WHICH WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE.
THE VICTIM (DEAD MOUSE) MENTALITY
SOME OF US HAVE EVEN COME TO THINK OF OURSELVES AS GOD’S VICTIM.
GIVEN OUR RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND INHERITANCE IN GOD, WE ARE NO LONGER A VICTIM, NOT EVEN GOD’S VICTIM, NOT EVEN GOD’S VICTIM.
WE CAN DECIDE TO BE HAPPY, TO NO LONGER FEAR OR WORRY. WE CAN DECIDE TO KEEP A RIGHT HEART ATTITUDE. WE CAN DECIDE TO HAVE FAITH. WE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO FORGIVE OR HOLD A GRUDGE. WE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL BE HAPPY, JOYFUL OR DEPRESSED.
VICTIMS OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES? OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF OUR DECISIONS - VIZ.:
DELIGHT THYSELF IN YAHWEH, AND HE WILL GIVE THE DESIRES OF THY HEART
SEEK FIRST GOD’S KINGDOM AND ALL THESE THINGS (FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES) WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.
TRUST IN YAHWEH, AND DO GOOD, AND TRUELY, YOU SHALL DWELL (SECURELY) IN THE LAND.
SQUATTER
THE SPIRIT OF THE PROPHETS IS SUBJECT TO THE PROPHETS
DETERMINE WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD
IF WE ASK ANY THING ACCORDING TO HIS
DEAD MOUSE FELLOWSHIP
PRAYER
When Jesus was confronted with the need to feed the 5000, plus women and children, He said, “YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”
GIANTS IN THE LAND
SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY GO FORWARD
SPEAK WIND AND WAVES
WALK ON THE WATER LORD IF THIS IS YOU
CASTING OUT DEMONS
CENTURIAN: “Speak the Word only, “
ANTI “HYPER FAITH-ERS” AND THE PRODIGAL SON
Use the weapons of our warfare
The one-talent man was crippled by fear.
PRAYER - come boldly before the throne of God.
You and I are to think about those THINGS THAT ARE THE WILL OF GOD 100%
FATHER, I BOLDLY COME, NOT IN MY OWN WORTHINESS, BUT, BECAUSE, YOU HAVE DECLARED THAT I AM YOUR SON, YOUR FRIEND, YOUR BROTHER, YOUR TEMPLE, AND YOUR INHERITANCE. YOU HAVE DECLARED THAT I AM A PARTAKER OF Your DIVINE NATURE, THAT ALL THINGS ARE MINE AND THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME ALL THINGS RICHLY TO ENJOY. YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED ME WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS, AND THAT I AM TO HAVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE. YOU HAVE PROMISED TO SUPPLY MY EVERY NEED, AND I NEED TO LET MY LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN THAT THEY MAY SEE MY GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOU. YOU HAVE PROMISED ME THAT I WOULD DO THE GREATER WORKS.
THUS, AS THE PRODIGAL SON, I COME TO CLAIM MY INHERITANCE OF MONEY, THE 100-FOLD RETURN, AND THE POWER AND FAVOUR OF GOD.
IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF HIM WHO IS MY LIFE, YAHSHUA JESUS, I CLAIM ALL OF MY INHERITANCE RIGHTS AS A MANIFESTED AND GLORIFIED SON, IN ORDER TO BRING RADICAL GLORY TO YOUR NAME.
BUT NOT AS THE SON, WHO CONSUMED IT ALL ON HIMSELF, I CLAIM THESE RIGHTS OF INHERITANCE SO THAT I MAY ACCOMPLISH ALL THE WILL OF GOD FOR ME.
FROM NOW ON, I REFUSE TO BE AS THE OLDER SON, IN THAT HE FAILED TO 'ENJOY HIS ENJOYS', AS MY EARTHLY DAD USED TO SAY. I WILL BE FAITHFUL AS HE WAS, BUT I WILL APPROPRIATE, AS THE PRODIGAL SON DID, YET FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOING DADDY YAHWEH'S WILL!
WILL YOU GIVE ME A STONE WHEN I ASK YOU FOR THE CHILDREN'S BREAD OF HEALING? No.
WILL YOU FAIL TO ANSWER ME WHEN I DEMAND MONEY BY MY GOD-GIVEN RIGHT OF INHERITANCE?
I HAVE BOLDLY ASKED, AND NOW I BOLDLY RECEIVE!
IF I ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL, I KNOW THAT I H-A-V-E WHAT I HAVE ASKED FOR.”
SO, BY AGGRESIVE AND ACTIVE AND BOLD FAITH, I ASK FOR, DEMAND, RECEIVE AND THANK YOU FOR THE FOLLOWING THINGS:
THANK YOU FOR IT, IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN
PRAYER
DEAR HEAVENLY DADDY,
YOU do not REQUIRE A SOLDIER TO GO TO WAR AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.
IN KEEPING WITH THIS NEW REVELATION ABOUT AGGRESSIVE APPROPRIATION FOR YOUR GLORY, I AM CLAIMING FOR MYSELF, MY LIFE, MY FAMILY, MY MINISTRY, FOR YOUR GLORY, YOUR SAKE, YOUR KINGDOM, AND FOR YOU, EVERYTHING THAT IS IN LINE OF YOUR WILL FOR ME AS TO WHAT I AM ENTITLED TO AND RESPONSIBLE FOR, RIGHT NOW, IN JESUS' YAHSHUA'S NAME! AMEN.
I BELIEVE THAT I AM ENTITLED TO, HAVE BEEN PROMISED AS MINE, IN THE HERE AND NOW, AND HENCE, AM RESPONSIBLE TO WALK IN, NOW, THE FOLLOWING THINGS, AND THUS DO NOW, RESPECTFULLY DEMAND AND CLAIM THE PRIVILEGE OF WALKING IN, THESE FOLLOWING THINGS:
IMMEDIATE DIVINE HEALTH AND LIFE - COMPLETE HEALTH IN BODY, HEART, MIND, SOUL, MEMORY BANKS, SPIRIT, SUBCONSCIOUS MIND, ETC.
TO NEVER SIN AGAIN, NEVER BE OUT OF YOUR WILL AGAIN, NEVER GET A WRONG REACTION, OR A WRONG ATTITUDE, OR A WRONG SPIRIT AGAIN, AT ANY TIME OR CIRCUMSTANCE.
IMMEDIATE AND CONTINUAL GLORIFICATION AND IMMORTALITY, NOW AND HERE, WHILE IN THE BODY, AND THE RENEWING OF MY YOUTH, LIKE THE EAGLE. THAT MY FACE SHINE LIKE THAT OF JESUS, IN REV., CH. 1.
A CONSTANT FLOW TO ME OF THE WEALTH AND RICHES OF GOD, A BANK ACCOUNT THAT WILL NEVER RUN DRY, AN UNENDING SUPPLY OF THE MATERIAL BOUNTY OF GOD. (2 COR.9:8, ETC.)
TO ALWAYS EXPERIENCE YOUR PERFECT WILL, TO NEVER BE OUT OF YOUR PERFECT WILL IN PURPOSE, THOUGHT, ACTION, DEED, AWARENESS, WORD, APPROPRIATION, OR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
*THAT ALL OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ENJOY ALL OF THESE SAME THINGS, AND THAT I SYNERGYSTICALLY BE USED TO MULTIPLY THE APPROPRIATION OF ALL THESE THINGS, IN AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, IN AS MANY PLACES AS IS POSSIBLE, AS QUICKLY AS IS SUPERNATURALLY POSSIBLE, BY AS MANY MEANS AS IS SUPERNATURALLY POSSIBLE. I WANT TO LITERALLY FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION, IN THE SENSE OF GOING INTO ALL THE WORLD - THAT IS, TO LITERALLY MINISTER, WITH SUPERNATURAL EFFECTIVENESS, IN many countries OF THE WORLD.
*( I CLAIM, FOR MYSELF, AND FOR OURSELVES, THE ABILITY AND THE DOING OF THE CREATIVE SUPERNATURAL MIRACLES OF GOD, THE HEALING OF THE SICK, RAISING THE DEAD, WALKING ON WATER, TRAVELING THROUGH THE AIR, BEING INVISIBLE, PASSING THROUGH DOORS WITHOUT
THEM BEING OPEN, TURNING WASTEPAPER INTO MONEY, PUTTING NEW ARMS BACK ON MISSING LIMBS, EYES IN EMPTY SOCKETS, TEETH IN PEOPLE'S HEADS, RESTORE YOUTH, HEALTH, VITALITY, SEE MIRACLE JUDGEMENTS, MIRACLE PROTECTION AND VINDICATION.
HERE ARE SOME SCRIPTURES THAT I AM CLAIMING FOR ALL OF THIS:
(Dear Reader: This teaching has not been finished, as you can tell. But, I am working on this outline, so please be patient with me. Thank you.)
GOD'S FAVOURITE BUT FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY!
GLORY AND FIRE!
Did you ever forget the birthday or the anniversary of someone very important to you? I did. The first year of our marriage, I forgot my wife Karen’s birthday. She reminded me of it, at midnight, the morning of the day after it was over. But God has a really Holy Holiday that most Christians never remembered, because they did not know enough to forget about it in the first place. Yet it is God’s most important Holy Holiday Day!
It’s really amazing! God has a favorite holiday. Yet most Christians don’t even know about it. It’s a holiday that will soon be celebrated by all of the Nations of the World! In fact, any family that refuses to celebrate this holiday in the near distant future will be punished. Not now, but in the future, soon.
This Holy-day will not just be for the Jews. It will be observed and celebrated by every one, even by the enemies of the Jews, or they will be punished. Right now, we have the opportunity of enjoying this Holiday without being forced to. But in the future, this Holiday will be mandatory, compulsory and obligatory, for every one, in every Nation, from every family, Jew AND non-Jew, or we will be punished.
Would you like to know what this Holiday is? But, first, would you like to guess what it is? Try to guess. . . No, it isn’t Easter. It’s not Christmas. No, it’s not Passover. Not Pentecost. Not Palm Sunday. Not Good Friday. Not Maundy Monday. Not All Saints Day. It’s not even Yom Kippur. No, it’s not New Year’s Day, nor Rosh Ha Shanna, and not Hallowed E’en. It is not even the Sabbath. And, in this, I would like to humbly apologize to all of you who have become legalistic or religious about the Sabbath. But I won’t. Do you wanna know what this best of God’s Holy Holidays is? I’ll tell you.
When I tell you, you will agree that what I say is true, because it is clearly talked about in the Bible. It is unmistakably clear.
Please turn with me to the Book of Zechariah, chapter 14. You will find this quickly if you first turn to Matthew, chapter 1, and then turn about 3 or 4 pages back into the Old Testament. Oh yes, even though this passage comes from the Old Testament, it is like reading tomorrow morning’s newspaper, because it clearly talks about when Jesus is coming back, and the events surrounding His Second Coming, and then the favorite Holy Holiday begins!!! Here is the passage:
TOMORROW MORNING’S NEWSPAPER ! !
Zechariah 14:1 “Behold, a Day is coming for Yahweh, when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. 3 Then Yahweh will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. 5 And you will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then Yahweh, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! 6 And it will come about in that day that there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. 7 For it will be a unique day which is known to Yahweh, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light. 8 And it will come about in that day that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. 9 And Yahweh will be King over all the Earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one, and His Name the only one. 10 All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin’s Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses. 11 And people will live in it, and there will be no more curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security. 12 Now this will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. 13 And it will come about in that day that a great panic from Yahweh will fall on them; and they will seize one another’s hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another. 14 And Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance. 15 So also like this plague, will be the plague on the horse, the mule, the camel, the donkey, and all the cattle that will be in those camps. 16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the Nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh Sabbaoth, (the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), and to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 17 And it will be, that whichever of the families of the Earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), there will be no rain on them. 18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which Yahweh smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the Nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 20 In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO YAHWEH.’ And the cooking pots in Yahweh’s House will be like the bowls before the altar. 21 And every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe); and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them. And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), in that day.” (NAS)
Please note: Any time you find the words LORD capitalized in the Bible, you may more properly substitute the word ‘Yahweh’, which is the proper Name God reveals to us exactly 6,823 times in the Old Testament. In other words, the Proper Name for God, is Yahweh. Do you know what the phrase ‘Lord of Hosts’ means? It means, ‘Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe. “Host’ here, does not mean, ‘the Holy Spirit’, ‘the communion wafer’, ‘party host’, nor ‘Hostess Twinkies’! One Death Angel killed 185 thousand Assyrians, 70 thousand Israelites, and all of the first-born in Egypt, of humans and animals. Jesus Yahshua told Pilate that all He had to do to receive rescue, was to say one supernatural word and a whole army of 72 thousand of these Supernatural Warriors would rescue Him. The angels are without number, and Yahweh is the Commander In Chief of all of these incredibly powerful soldiers. This is what is meant by the phrase, “the LORD of Hosts”!!!
Back to the subject of God’s most important Holy Holiday.
WHAT IS THE FEAST OF BOOTHS OR TABERNACLES??
First of all, let us see the terms the Bible uses to describe this Feast, this most important of all of God’s Holy Holidays.
Lev 23:34 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 16:16 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 31:10 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
2 Chr 8:13 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Ezra 3:4 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:16 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:18 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:19 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
John 7:2 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
HOW IS TABERNACLES RELATED TO THE OTHER FEASTS??
There is a strange mystery, a secret, something very unusual, that should arouse great curiosity with us, concerning the 3 main Feasts from the Bible. First, there is the FEAST OF PASSOVER.
Then, there is the FEAST OF PENTECOST.
Finally, there is the FEAST OF TABERNACLES.
With every Feast, there are 4 common features.
1. The Divine Historical Origin.
2. The Divinely Inspired Historical Manner of Observance.
3. The Personal Application calling for Personal Appropriation.
4. The Historical Fulfillment.
With regard to the Feast of Passover, the historical beginning took place, at God’s command in Exodus 12, when the blood of the Passover Lamb was slain and applied to the doorpost, so that the Death Angel would pass over the people and not kill them. The historical observance was at the command of God, every year. The personal appropriation takes place when we personally invite Christ our Passover Lamb within as Lord and Savior, so that when the Death Angel sees the Blood of the Lamb, having been applied to the door post of our lives, He will pass over us, and not put us to everlasting death. The historical fulfillment of this took place on the literal historical Day of Passover was fully come, that Christ, our Passover Lamb was slain in our behalf, so that His blood could be poured out for you and for me.
The Feast of Pentecost had its historical beginning when God commanded that the early harvest of winter wheat and the early garden products came in in the spring of the year, that God should be praised and thanked for the first fruits of the field and garden. This feast was observed each Spring, during our month of June, as a thanksgiving for this time of the “early rain”. The historical fulfillment took place on the literal physical historical Day of Pentecost, when the first fruits “early rain” out-pouring of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Church, in Acts, chapter 2, and following. The personal appropriation takes place, when we personally ask God to fill and baptize us with and in the Holy Spirit, as a first-fruits out pouring of His power, His Presence, and His glory.
However, there is a most exciting, amazing, interesting thing we notice about the Feast of Tabernacles. TABERNACLES HAS NEVER BEEN FULFILLED!!! This Feast of Booths, has never had a bombastic, cataclysmic, world-wide historical, on-the-calendar fulfillment that Passover and Pentecost have enjoyed. The only conclusion we can come to is that TABERNACLES IS YET TO BE FULFILLED, HISTORICALLY!!
HOW AND WHEN IS TABERNACLES TO BE FULFILLED?
To get to the answer to this question, let us look more closely at this Feast, as to its meaning and manner of observance.
LET’S HAVE A PARTY!!!
THE FEAST OF YAHWEH’S GLORY
(Unless otherwise indicated, the Scriptures quoted are from the NAS)
The Bible tells us that in the Olden Days, Daddy Yahweh, Father God, the Lord of all Creation, commissioned, implemented, commanded, started, invented:
3 major yearly parties, observances, celebrations, feasts.
1. The Feast of Passover
2. The Feast of Pentecost
3. The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Sukkot, Glory)
There are 4 main things to keep in mind about these Feasts:
1. Their historical origin.
2. Their historical observance
3. Their historical fulfillment
4. Their personal application
The Historical Origin:
1. Passover = When the Death Angel Passed over them.
2. Pentecost = When God provided early harvest each Spring
3. Tabernacles = When God’s glory was with them in the Desert
The Historical Yearly Observance:
1. Passover = Kill the Passover Lamb and eat it, ready to go.
2. Pentecost = A Day of Thanksgiving to God for the First fruits.
3. Tabernacles = Live in shelters, enjoy thoughts of God’s glory.
The Historical Fulfillment: (On the literal calendar date!)
1. Passover = When Christ our Passover Lamb was sacrificed.
2. Pentecost = When the Holy Spirit was bestowed on the Church
3. Tabernacles = ? ? ? NEVER HISTORICALLY FULFILLED!!!
The personal application pertaining to each of the Feasts is as follows:
1. Passover = Salvation from sin - Rev.3:20
2. Pentecost = Baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2, 3
3. Tabernacles = Glorification - Rom.8; 2 Cor.3:7-18; Jn.17:22
Various translations of the Bible speak of the following feasts:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (same as Passover)
The Feast of Weeks (same as Pentecost)
The Feast of the Harvest of the First fruits (same as Pentecost)
The Feast of Atonement (just precedes, but is a part of Tabernacles)
The Feast of Trumpets (just precedes but is a part of Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Ingathering (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Seventh Month (Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Lord - Yahweh (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Booths (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of Sukkot (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Seven Days (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Rejoicing! (Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Jews (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Harvest (Tabernacles)
COME TO THE FEAST!
by John Roy Bohlen and John 530
Let’s have a party! Come to the Feast.
It’s already starting, The anointing is released.
There will be no parting, God will be well-pleased.
We’ll celebrate it early, God will bless us surely.
In all kinds of weather, nothing could be better
Celebrate His Glory! Let God pour all o’re me.
We’ll stay one month or more! Let’s see what God has in store.
We’ll have joy galore, Behold His glory over and over.
Read Zechariah 14, We will make a fine team.
Look for His out-pouring, Look for His great restoring.
It’s already started, ;Bad Guy’ will be out-smarted.
We can meet in the barn loft, We will praise God oft’ and oft’.
Come up to the Bohlen Farm, This will be no false alarm,
We will lean on God’s strong Arm, We can do the devil harm.
Climb with us God’s holy hill, Let us hear His “Peace, be still!”
We will do His holy will, Let’s be healed from every ill.
8 days upon the Mount, 8 days with God will count.
We will seek God’s lovely Face, He will bless us by His grace.
We’ll sing and dance, shout and pray,
We’ll worship Him in every way.
He will take our cares away,
We will praise God, come what may.
We love You, Lord. Your love out-poured.
Oh Lord, You mean so much to me,
Oh Father, You’re our Victory!
It is very plain to see,
We need view Your great majesty.
Let Your love now pour o’re me.
We’ll greatly spread Your grand story.
Let’s have a par-ty.
Come to this Feast of Glory!
THE HISTORICAL BEGINNING OF TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles was commissioned and commanded by God Almighty in Lev 23:34; and in Deut 16:13, 16; 31:10.
Lev 23:33 “Again Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, “On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. 36 For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to Yahweh; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work.” ‘ “ (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; 14 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. 15 Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh chooses, because Yahweh your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you shall be altogether joyful.” (NAS)
THE HISTORICAL OBSERVANCE OF TABERNACLES
We have the example of the historical observance led by King Solomon in 2 Chronicles 8:13, and by God’s people, in Ezra 3:4, “And they celebrated the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required.” (NAS)
Neh 8:14 “And they found written in the law, how Yahweh had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the Feast of the Seventh Month (Tabernacles). 15 So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.’ 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate, and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 And the entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was great rejoicing. 18 And he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.” (NAS)
THE MEANING OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Lev 23:39 “On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the Feast of Yahweh for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. 40 Now on the first day, you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches, and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days. 41 You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to Yahweh for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. (Since the Jewish calendar starts in March/April, the 7th month would be September/October). 42 You shall live in booths (temporary shelters) for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43 so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.” (NAS)
Please note, the Feast of Tabernacles, here, is also called, “Yahweh’s Feast”!
It is important to notice here, that the reason that God commanded them to observe Tabernacles, is because He tabernacled with His Dear Ones in the Wilderness, in His Glory. Please try to picture what it must have been like, with the mighty Pillar of the Fire and Light of the Shekinah Glory of God. Biblical historians tell us that there were between two and one-half million to six million people with Moses in the Wilderness. Can you imagine the logistics of feeding and guiding and counseling this many people in the Wilderness? Just think of the expertise needed for overseeing sanitation, water, camping, travel, warfare, and the handling of complaints! The glory cloud had to have been large enough to shelter this many people by day, from the hot sun, and to provide them sufficient light and warmth during the night! Ever since that time, the Jewish people have been, or, were supposed to have been celebrating this special time. Tabernacles, otherwise know by its Hebrew word, “Sukkot” or ‘shelters’ or ‘booths’, is still being celebrated by the Jews to this very day. In Genesis 33:17, we can see what kind of shelter this would be. “And Jacob journeyed to Succoth; and built for himself a house, and made booths (or Sukkots, or succots) for his livestock, therefore the place is named Succoth.” (NAS)
Traditionally, the Jewish people build a temporary hut, made from branches, and they gather together in families, and have an annual family vacation camp-out!!
WHEN TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Lev 23:39 “On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the Feast of Yahweh for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day.”
Hears how to know when to celebrate Tabernacles: Look on the calendar, either in September or October to see when Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur is to take place. Then, look for the very next full moon, about 5 days later. On some calendars, it will actually say, “Sukkot”, meaning “Tabernacles” or “Booths”. The Feast of Tabernacles begins on the night of the full glory of the full moon. Tabernacles can begin as early as mid-September, or as late as mid-October. If the Feast is close to including a second week-end, it is nice to include those days, as well, since much effort has been put into hosting the Feast, as to advertising, plans, meals, lodging, travel, vacation arrangements, etc. If there is a question as to the actual days, we always stretch the Feast out a day or two, just to make certain that we are including all of the days. For example, this year, the full moon arrived a day or two earlier than all of the calendars were indicating the Feast should begin, so, just to make certain, we began the Feast a day earlier, on the night of the full moon. If you make a mistake, God will reward you anyway, because your heart was sincere and earnest. But, remember, do NOT celebrate the Feast because the Old Testament commanded it, or, because it will be compulsory in the future, but, because you now have a window of opportunity to celebrate the Feast while it is voluntary, and, because we are earnestly waiting for the historical fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles!!!!!!!
THE HISTORICAL FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES
Although it is very certain that Christ was actually born during this time, The Feast of Tabernacles has never, to this day, been historically, bombastically, cataclysmically been fulfilled!!! This means, that one of these years, the Feast of Tabernacles will be historically fulfilled! Wouldn’t it be wonderful and glorious, if it could be fulfilled this year?!!.
Let’s look at how the Feast could be fulfilled:
The Feast of Tabernacles is, and always has been, a celebration of God’s Glory, His Shekinah glory, manifested by the huge pillar of fire and the huge cloud, by day. This Glory of God is the evidence of the Presence of God, the very manifestation or demonstration that God is Present!
Therefore, if one wants to have a real appreciation of the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Glory, or, the Feast of Glory and Fire, or, the Feast of God’s Presence, than one should study the Glory of God! The Glory of God is the key to the observance and fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Here is a recommendation: Find a thick and complete concordance that has every word of the Bible within it, and look up and study every reference on the glory of God. If you really want to study this, you can also look up related words, like: cloud, fire, glorious, glory, sukkot, booths, tabernacles, appearance, etc. Here are some of them:
“FEAST OF TABERNACLES”
Gen 33:17; Lev 23:34-44; Deut 16:12-17; 31:10-13; 2 Chr 8:12-13; Ezra 3:3-4; Neh 8:13-18; Zech 14:14-19; John 7:1-8:2; 2 Cor.3;
“GLORY”
Exod 16:7, 10; 24:9-11, 15-18; 29:42-43; 33:9-11, 18-23; 40:34-38
Lev 9:5-6, 23-24; 10:1-2; Num 14:10-11, 13-14, 20-23; 16:19-35, 42-50; 20:5-13; Deut 5:22-33; 1 Sam 4:20-22; 1 King 8:10-12;
1 Chr 16:24-36; 29:10-18; 2 Chr 5:12-14; 7:1-3;
Ps 3:3; 8:4-6; 19:1; 21:1-6; 19:1; 24:7-10; 26:7-8; 29:1-11; 57:5; 63:1-11; 66:1-4; 71:5-9; 72; 73:24; 84:11-12; 85:9; 96:1-6; 7-13; 97:1-6; 102:15-19; 104:30-35; 105:1-5; 138:4-6; 145:10-13; 149:4-9;
Prov 25:2; Isa 4:5-6; 6:1-4; 10:16-20; 24:23; 35:1-10; 40:5; 44:22-24; 46:13; 49:1-4; 58:8; 59:19-60:22; 62:1-3; 66:18;
Jer 14:21-22; Ezek 1:27-28; 3:12; 3:23; 8:4; 9:2-3; 10:3-4, 17-19;
Ezek 11:22-23; 39:21-22; 43:2-6; 44:4;
Dan 7:13-14; Hab 2:14; Hag 2:3-9; Zech 2:5, 8-11;
Matt 6:13; 16:26-27; 17:1-6; 24:30; 25:30-32;
Mark 8:38; 9:1-8; 10:37; 13:26;
Luke 2:8-16; 9:26; 28-36; 21:27; 24:26;
John 1:12-14; 2:11; 5:43-44; 7:18; 8:53-54; 11:4, 39-40; 12:41; 17:1-5, 21-26; Acts 7:2, 54-56; 12:21-24;
Rom 2:5-11; 3:22-24; 5:1-2; 6:4-11; 8:13-23; 26-30; 9:23;
1 Cor 2:7-8; 11:15; 15:40-45; 2 Cor 3:2-4:1; 4:3-18
Eph 1:3-14; 3:16-4:3; 5:25-27;
Phil 3:21; 4:19-20; Col 1:26-29; 3:1-4;
1 Thes 2:11-13; II Th 1:9-12; 2:13-14; Titus 2:13-15;
Heb 1:3; 2:7-11; 1 Pet 1:7-8;
1 Pet 1:20-22; 4:11-14; 5:1-4, 5-11; 2 Pet 1:16-19;
Jude 1:24-25; Rev 15:8; 16:9-11; 18:1; 21:9-; 21:22-26
“FIRE”
Exod 3:2-5; 13:20-22; 14:24; 19:8-14; 19:16-25;
Num 9:15-23; 11:1-3; 11:25-29; 16: 35; 21:27-28;
Deut 1:30-33; 4:5-7, 24; 4:35-36; 5:4; 5:22-29; 9:2-3; 18:16-19; 32:22;
Judg 6:21-23; 2 Sam 22:7-16; I Kings 18:38-39; II Ki 1:10-12; 6:17-18
1 Chr 21:26; Neh 9:12; Job 1:16;
Ps 11:6-7; 18:7-16; 21:9; 29:7; 50:3; 58:9; 68:2; 78:13-16; 83:13-15; 97:1-6; 105:31-37; 105:39;
Isa 26:11; 29:6; 30:26-33; 33:10-12; 33:12-16; 43:2; 64:1-3; 66:15-16;
Jer 4:4; 5:14; 6:29; 11:16; 15:14; Jer 17:4; 17:27; 21:10; 21:12; 21:14;
22:7; 23:29; 34:2; 37:8; 37:10; 38:18; 39:8; 43:12,13; 49:2; 49:27; 50:32; 51:30,32; Lam 1:13; 2:3,4; 4:11;
Ezek 1:4,13,27; 5:2,4; 8:2; 10:2,6,7;15:4,5,6,7; 16:41; 19:12,14; 20:26, 47; 21:31,32; 22:20,21, 31; 23:25; 28:18; 30:8,14,16; 36:5; 38:22; 39:6
Joel 2:3,5,30; Amos 1:4,7,10,12,14; 2:2,5,6; 7:4;
Obad 1:18; Micah 1:4,7; Nahum 1:6; 3:13; Zeph 1:18; 3:8
Zech 2:5; 9:4; 13:9; Mal 1:10; 3:2
Matt 3:10,11,12; 7:19; 13:40,42,50; 25:41; 9:43,44,46,48,49;
Luke 3:9,16,17; 12:49; John 15:6; 18:18; 21:9
Acts 2:3,19; 1 Cor 3:13,15; II Th 1:7
Heb 10:27; 12:18,29; 1 Pet 1:7; 2 Pet 3:7; Jude 1:7
Rev 1:14; 2:18; 3:18; 4:5; 8:5,7,8; 9:17,18; 10:1; 11:5; 14:10; 19:12;
“CLOUD”
(Unless otherwise indicated, all verses are taken from the NAS)
Gen 9:13 “I set My bow in the CLOUD, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.”
Gen 9:14 “And it shall come about, when I bring a CLOUD over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the CLOUD”
Gen 9:16 “When the bow is in the CLOUD, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
Exod 13:21 “And Yahweh was going before them in a pillar of CLOUD by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
Exod 13:22 “He did not take away the pillar of CLOUD by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”
Exod 14:19 “And the angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of CLOUD moved from before them and stood behind them.”
Exod 14:20 “So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the CLOUD along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.”
Exod 14:24 “And it came about at the morning watch, that Yahweh looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and CLOUD and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.”
Exod 16:10 “And it came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Yahweh appeared in the CLOUD.”
Exod 19:9 “And Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I shall come to you in a thick CLOUD, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.”
Exod 19:16 “So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick CLOUD upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who {were} in the camp trembled.”
Exod 20:21 “So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick CLOUD where God {was.}”
Exod 24:15 “Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the CLOUD covered the mountain.”
Exod 24:16 “And the glory of Yahweh rested on Mount Sinai, and the CLOUD covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the CLOUD.”
Exod 24:18 “And Moses entered the midst of the CLOUD as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”
Exod 33:9 “And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of CLOUD would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and Yahweh would speak with Moses.”
Exod 33:10 “When all the people saw the pillar of CLOUD standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.”
Exod 34:5 “And Yahweh descended in the CLOUD and stood there with him as he called upon the name of Yahweh.”
Exod 40:34 “Then the CLOUD covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.”
Exod 40:35 “And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the CLOUD had settled on it, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.”
Exod 40:36 “And throughout all their journeys whenever the CLOUD was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out.”
Exod 40:37 “But if the CLOUD was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.”
Exod 40:38 “For throughout all their journeys, the CLOUD of Yahweh was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”
Lev 16:2 “And Yahweh said to Moses, ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the CLOUD over the mercy seat.’ “
Lev 16:13 “And he shall put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, that the CLOUD of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on {the ark of} the testimony, lest he die.”
Num 9:15 “Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the CLOUD covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.”
Num 9:16 “So it was continuously; the CLOUD would cover it {by day,} and the appearance of fire by night.”
Num 9:17 “And whenever the CLOUD was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the CLOUD settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp.”
Num 9:18 “At the command of Yahweh the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of Yahweh they would camp; as long as the CLOUD settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped.”
Num 9:19 “Even when the CLOUD lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep Yahweh's charge and not set out.”
Num 9:20 “If sometimes the CLOUD remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of Yahweh they remained camped. Then according to the command of Yahweh they set out.”
Num 9:21 “If sometimes the CLOUD remained from evening until morning, when the CLOUD was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or {if it remained} in the daytime and at night, whenever the CLOUD was lifted, they would set out.”
Num 9:22 “Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the CLOUD lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out.”
Num 10:11 “Now it came about in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, that the CLOUD was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony;
Num 10:12 “And the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the CLOUD settled down in the wilderness of Paran.”
Num 10:34 “And the CLOUD of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set out from the camp.”
Num 11:25 “Then Yahweh came down in the CLOUD and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed {Him} upon the seventy elders. And it came about that when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do {it} again.”
Num 12:5 “Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of CLOUD and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward.”
Num 12:10 “But when the CLOUD had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam {was} leprous, as {white as} snow. As Aaron turned toward Miriam, behold, she {was} leprous.”
Num 14:14 “And they will tell {it} to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that Thou, O LORD, art in the midst of this people, for Thou, O LORD, art seen eye to eye, while Thy CLOUD stands over them; and Thou dost go before them in a pillar of CLOUD by day and in a pillar of fire by night.”
Num 16:42 “It came about, however, when the congregation had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tent of meeting, and behold, the CLOUD covered it and the glory of Yahweh appeared.”
Deut 1:33 “Who goes before you on {your} way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and CLOUD by day, to show you the way in which you should go.”
Deut 4:11 “And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the {very} heart of the heavens: darkness, CLOUD and thick gloom.”
Deut 5:22 “These words Yahweh spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, {of} the CLOUD and {of} the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.”
Deut 31:15 “And Yahweh appeared in the tent in a pillar of CLOUD, and the pillar of CLOUD stood at the doorway of the tent.”
I King 8:10 “And it came about when the priests came from the holy place, that the CLOUD filled the house of Yahweh.”
I King 8:11 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the CLOUD, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.”
I King 8:12 “Then Solomon said, ‘Yahweh has said that He would dwell in the thick CLOUD.’ “
I King 18:44 “And it came about at the seventh {time,} that he said, ‘Behold, a CLOUD as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare {your chariot} and go down, so that the {heavy} shower does not stop you.” ‘ “
2 Chr 5:13 “In unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify Yahweh, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised Yahweh {saying,} ‘{He} indeed is good for His loving kindness is everlasting,’ then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a CLOUD.”
2 Chr 5:14 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the CLOUD, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of God.”
2 Chr 6:1 “Then Solomon said, ‘Yahweh has said that He would dwell in the thick CLOUD.’ “
Neh 9:12 “And with a pillar of CLOUD Thou didst lead them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go.”
Neh 9:19 “Thou, in Thy great compassion, didst not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of CLOUD did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.”
Job 37:15 “Do you know how God establishes them, and makes the lightning of His CLOUD to shine?”
Job 38:9 “When I made a CLOUD its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band.”
Ps 78:14 “Then He led them with the CLOUD by day, and all the night with a light of fire.”
Ps 99:7 “He spoke to them in the pillar of CLOUD; they kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them.”
Ps 105:39 “He spread a CLOUD for a covering, and fire to illumine by night.”
Isa 4:5 “Then Yahweh will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a CLOUD by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.”
Isa 18:4 “For thus Yahweh has told me, ‘I will look from My dwelling place quietly like dazzling heat in the sunshine, like a CLOUD of dew in the heat of harvest.’ “
Isa 19:1 “The oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, Yahweh is riding on a swift CLOUD, and is about to come to Egypt; the idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.”
Lam 3:44 “Thou hast covered thyself with a CLOUD so that no prayer can pass through.”
Ezek 1:4 “And as I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great CLOUD with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.”
Ezek 8:11 “And standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand, and the fragrance of the CLOUD of incense rising.”
Ezek 10:3 “Now the cherubim were standing on the right side of the temple when the man entered, and the CLOUD filled the inner court.”
Ezek 10:4 “Then the glory of Yahweh went up from the cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the CLOUD, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of Yahweh.”
Matt 17:5 “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright CLOUD overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the CLOUD, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’
Mark 9:7 “Then a CLOUD formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the CLOUD, ‘This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!’ ‘
Luke 9:34 “And while he was saying this, a CLOUD formed and {began} to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the CLOUD.”
Luke 9:35 “And a voice came out of the CLOUD, saying, ‘This is My Son, {My} Chosen One; listen to Him!’ ‘
Luke 21:27 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a CLOUD with power and great glory.”
Acts 1:9 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a CLOUD received Him out of their sight.”
1 Cor 10:1 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the CLOUD, and all passed through the sea.”
1 Cor 10:2 “And all were baptized into Moses in the CLOUD and in the sea.”
Rev 10:1 “And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a CLOUD; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.”
Rev 11:12 “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up into heaven in the CLOUD, and their enemies beheld them.”
Rev 14:14 “And I looked, and behold, a white CLOUD, and sitting on the CLOUD {was} one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand.”
Rev 14:15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the CLOUD, ‘Put in your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ “
Rev 14:16 “And He who sat on the CLOUD swung His sickle over the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
THE PERSONAL APPROPRIATION OF TABERNACLES
GLORY NOW - HERE’S HOW!!!
The Promises of God: The Greater Works, Whatever You Ask, Whatever You Bind, No Difference, If We Ask Anything According To His Will, Exceedingly Abundantly Above All,
Verses Pertaining to Glory:
The Feast of Glory - Zech. 14
How To Shine Like The Son - 2 Cor. 3 Lay a foundation.
How to walk like the Son - I John 2.
How to be like the Son - I John 4:17b.
How He is. Rev. John committed heresy: Rev. 19:10.
But he won’t do it again. Rev. 22:8.
Don’t allow people to worship you. Acts 14.
Herod went fishing anyway. Acts 12.
The Future - Revelation 12, Joel 2.
The Manifested Son of God, in the sons of God.
Coming to Be Admired in the Sons, All Creation Groans. Ro.8.
Please study the message of the King’s Greatest Secret!, and our book on the Gospel of the Kingdom, from How To Rule The World - Who, When, What, How.
I dare and double dare you to have an eager ambition to earn criticism from God on the Judgement Day for believing Him for too much, too soon. Ha-HA!!! Instead, God will criticize us for not believing Him for enough, soon enough.
The bright promises of God are not a joke. The “Rupture” of the Church is NOT the next thing on God’s agenda - unprecedented revival and glory is. Please see Matthew 24:14. But, God is looking for a few good men (and women) who will volunteer to be a part of His end-time mighty army who will manifest His Glory. The glory of the Son of God manifested through the sons of God.
Will you stand on the sidelines and criticize? Or, take the dare, and win a world for God?
Perhaps, in the days to come, the earth will serve as a seed-planet that will populate the Universe, with the Overcomers traveling from place to place in space, with the speed of thought, ruling over galaxies of gold!
QUESTIONS
1. What does Romans 8:30 mean, “- those He justified, He also glorified.”?
2. What does 1 John 2:6 mean when it says, that if anyone says that he is abiding in Jesus, that they should walk “even as He (Jesus) walked.”?
3. What does 1 John 4:17 mean, when it says, “As He (Jesus) is, so are we, in this world.”?
4. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 mean, when it says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are transferred into the very same image, from glory to glory.”
5. What does 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 mean?
GLORY!
The old Pentecostal hollers “Oooooo, glooory!”, when he or she is excited. They talk about having a “glory spell”, and say that it’s better felt than tell’t. They recommend being “under the spout, where the glory comes out.”
A West African Yoruba tribal Christian raises both fists and yells, “Ogooooooooo!” (glory).
Hollywood made a movie about the blacks’ heroic participation in the muddy, bloody Civil War in the United States, and called it “Glory.”
An old nickname for the flag of the United States is: “Old Glory.”
We sing the song, “His Truth is marching on.”, and the line, “There’s a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.”
There is a food called “glorified rice”, consisting of rice, poison sugar and whipped cream, etc.
The word “glory”, in the Bible, is impossible to adequately define or describe. But we will try. God and I. When Moses asked Yahweh to show him His glory, God responded that it would be impossible for someone to see very much of God’s glory, and live.
So, God prepared a special safety seat, and showed Moses just a little bit of His Glory. In Genesis 16:14, the lady exclaims, “I have seen Yahweh, and yet I am alive!”, and referred to the God that sees , as, “El Roi”, like the middle name of our oldest grandson, Zoe El Roi.
Can you imagine someone’s face shining brighter than the sun? That’s why Moses had to put a cloth over his face, so he could talk to people without blinding them. You know how dangerous it is to look at the sun for even a few seconds, even during an eclipse! The Bible tells us that’s how our faces are to look, and can look, in the here and now. Here’s how!
Can you imagine a fire large enough in the sky at night that is bright enough for 2 1/2 to 6 million people to see where they are going and what they are doing? That’s how large the fire of Glory was to the Children of Israel, God’s people, in the dessert. Can you imagine that same fire being hot enough to keep that many people warm, on a cold wilderness night?
The Christmas story from the Bible reads, “And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid!” from Luke 2:9 KJV and ASV both say ‘sore afraid’, but the NIV says that they were terrified. I believe that they were so scared that they were hurting sore.
A FASCINATINGLY ‘GLORIOUS’ STUDY
One of the most interesting subjects one could study in the Bible, is the Presence or Glory of the Lord, to study out those occasions when God spoke up or showed up, or otherwise revealed Himself. We encourage you to go through the entire Bible, and pay special attention to every reference to God when He reveals Himself. Most of all, to me, the most fascinating, are those words that relate to God’s glory, the Shekinah glory of God!!!
THE FEAST OF GLORY - TABERNACLES!
Do you enjoy it when someone has a party for you? Do you like it when someone wants to celebrate your birthday, your anniversary? Well, God enjoys it, too! In fact, God likes parties, celebrating Him, so very much, that He told us to set aside one special time each year, for 8 days, just to enjoy Him and His Presence. That’s “Presence”, not, “presen-t-s”.
Even in the New Testament, Jesus Yahshua seemed to like parties. The first miracle was done, just to liven up a party. The story of the prodigal son ends with a party. The parable of the Kingdom of God about the lady who lost some money, then found it, she was so happy that she threw a big party to celebrate. (I have often wondered if the party cost more money than the money she lost and found.)
In the Bible, God tells us of a very special party in His honour, that will be celebrated all over the world, every year, for eight days, forever!!! Then, God says, if anybody refuses to celebrate His party, they will be cursed. It is as though they need to show up at the party, just to pick up their permission ticket/coupons to have rain for each following year! This party has a special name - it’s called: The Feast of Tabernacles, or, The Feast of Glory. The only thing we are to observe or celebrate - is Him!!! His glory, His presence - Him, He, Himself!!! (Zechariah 14).
Nearly every year, since 1964, we have celebrated this feast of Glory. We send out invitations, even now, this year, you are welcome to come and celebrate with us the Feast of God’s Glory, here, at our home and ministry center, out in the country, in Wisconsin. Or, if that is inconvenient for you, or you do not want to accept our invitation, you may have your own party for God, for eight days, every year. We encourage you to take time off from work or from your busy schedule, and just enjoy God for a week!!!!!!! For more information, you may call us at 715-866-4060.
THE VERY SAME IMAGE!!!
Would you please turn to 2 Corinthians, chapter 3. I will show you where the Apostle Paul proves himself to be verbose and repetitive, loquacious, and wordy. Read verses 7 and 8: 7 “But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how shall the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?”
Here, you will see that Paul is making a speech and is referring his readers to a portion of Scripture from the Old Testament that he expects his readers to know about. For example, if I mention “The Prodigal Son”, or, “David and Goliath”, or “The Fiery Furnace”, or “The Handwriting on the Wall”, most every Christian knows the story, and the details of it. So, also, Paul mentions the time when Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Then, in verse 8, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses’ face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
Then, read verse 9: “For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.”
Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, in verse 9, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses’ face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
Then, read verse 10: “For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory on account of the glory that surpasses it.” Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, verse 10, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory on Moses’ face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
Then, read verse 11: “For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.” (NAS) Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, in verse 11, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses’ face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
The grand conclusion comes in verse 18: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a (looking) glass (or, mirror), the Glory of the LORD, are transformed into the very same image”!!!
1 John 2:6 “If any one says that he abides in Him (Jesus), he ought also, himself to walk, even as HE walked!!!” The same walk. No difference.
1 John 4:17b says: “As He (Jesus) is, so are we, in this world!!!”
Rev.1:14 & 2:18 “His eyes were like a flame of fire”
Joel’s Army: Joel 2:1-11
Psalm 149
Sukkot OR Sukkot OR Booths OR tabernacles (NAS)
(Please note: In every place “Booths” is mentioned in the NAS, “Tabernacles is mentioned in the KJV, the NIV, and the ASV.
Lev 23:34 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) for seven days to the LORD.’ “ (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat;” (NAS)
Deut 16:16 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), and they shall not appear before Yahweh empty-handed.” (NAS)
Deut 31:10 “Then Moses commanded them, saying, ‘At the end of {every} seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles),’ “ (NAS)
2 Chr 8:13 “And {did so} according to the daily rule, offering {them} up according to the commandment of Moses, for the sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts-- the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Ezra 3:4 “And they celebrated the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), as it is written, and {offered} the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required;” (NAS)
Zech 14:16 “Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Zech 14:18 “And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no {rain will fall} on them; it will be the plague with which Yahweh smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Zech 14:19 “This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Matt 17:4 “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ “ (NAS)
Mark 9:5 “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ “ (NAS)
Luke 9:33 “And it came about, as these were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah’-- not realizing what he was saying.” (NAS)
John 7:2 “Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), was at hand.” (NAS)
THE KING’S GREATEST SECRET!
We have a small book available to you, called, The King’s Greatest Secret!, and exhort you to make sure you have a good understanding of this.
In order to have a full understanding of the Feast of Tabernacles, it is first necessary to have a full practical working understanding of the King’s Greatest Secret! Therefore, we recommend that you leave no stone unturned, that you not give up, until you have come to a gut level, spirit-level deep understanding of what it means for Christ Jesus to be your Life, the Holy Spirit to be your fullness, and for you to have a revelation of what it means, both, to resoundingly know and be able to teach others, the King’s Greatest Secret, and then, to have a Throne-Room Mentality.
THE THRONE-ROOM MENTALITY
After one has learned the truths about “The King’s Greatest Secret!”, the next greatest truth one needs to learn and have, as part of his or her walk with God, is what we refer to as “The Throne-Room Mentality”. Here’s what we mean:
The Bible, in 2 Cor.4:18, points out that the things that are not seen are more real and eternal than the things that are seen, which are temporary, or passing. Elisha, in 2 Kings 6:17 prayed that Yahweh would open the servant’s eyes, when the servant could see the problems surrounding them, but could not see the warring angels of God which comprised a greater army than the bad army. So, God opened the young man’s eyes to that which was more important, to that “unseen realm” of the real - the Spirit realm, and the realm of the eternal. Just so, our own eyes need to be open to another world that is real, the realm of the Spirit, the realm of the eternal. The Bible says in 1 Kings 17:1, and in 18:15 that Elijah stood (and stayed) before God!
When the Bible tells us that something is real and true, then we need to believe and receive and act as though it is really real. “Faith is the --- evidence of things not seen!” Heb.11:1
In Ephesians chapter 1:20ff, we are clearly told, and believe, that Jesus:
1. Was quickened
2. Was raised
3. Was seated at the right hand of the Father God, far above all things, on the Throne with the Father.
Eph 1:20 “Which He (God the Father) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.” (NAS)
Sometimes when I preach here and in other countries, I obtain the local pastor’s permission to borrow his biggest, most impressive religious chair that the most important dignitary sits in on the platform. I bring it forward to stage center, and place it side-ways to the audience. Then, I ask for a volunteer of a Father-God-looking gentleman from the audience, with a white beard, (or whatever), to play the part of the Heavenly Father. Then I ask for someone, perhaps his wife, to play the part of Jesus. I have her sit in a prominent part of the room, and pretend that she is dead in the tomb. Then I have the person who is playing the part of Father God, act out the raising of Jesus from the dead, from the grave, to the skies, and invite Jesus to come and sit in another large seat, at the right hand of the Father, in the Throne Room. I place this chair next to the Father’s chair, but facing the opposite direction, at the right hand of the Father. I will tell you why the opposite direction in a moment.
Then I tell the people that something is missing. I direct their attention to chapter 2 of Ephesians to the part where it plainly tells us that we were also:
1. Quickened together with Christ
2. Raised together with Christ, and that we were:
3. Seated together with Christ, at the Father’s right hand, in the Throne-Room of the Father, far over and above every thing that is named, in heaven or on earth.
Eph 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (KJV)
Colossians 3 also speaks of this: Col 3:1 “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who IS our Life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (NAS)
Other places in the Bible also speak of this.
Job 36:7 “He does not take His eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.” (NIV)
One of the most beloved Psalms is Psalm 91 that tells us: He (or she) that dwells (lives) in the Secret Place of the Most High, shall abide (continually live) under the Shadow of the Almighty.”
Ps 91:1 “He (or she) who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to (YAHWEH) the LORD, ‘My Refuge and my Fortress, My God, in Whom I trust!’
This Psalm goes on to talk about the fact that we are to continually live under our Heavenly Daddy Yahweh’s chest feathers, under His wings!!!!!!! Verse 4: “He will cover you with His pinions (feathers), and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
Verse 9: “For you have made (Yahweh), the LORD, my Refuge, even the Most High, your Dwelling Place.”
So, to continue with our stage presentation, I have “Ms. Jesus”, who is sitting beside the Father, to go back down into the audience and find a child who will co-operate, a small child, perhaps her own. Together they act as though they are dead, in the front row, or someplace where people can see them. Then, I have the Father get up from His Throne, go to where they are, and raise them from the dead. Jesus and we, are being quickened, or, raised from the dead, together, raised from the grave together, ascending to the Father, together, and, finally seated at the right hand of the Father, together, on the Throne.
The Bible repeatedly speaks of our Union with Jesus, with the Father, with the Holy Spirit, He in us, and us in Him. “Seated with Christ INNNNNN God!!!” Col.3.
We saw, in The King’s Greatest Secret!, how we went with Jesus into His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. Now, we see how we continued, in our identification with Him, in His quickening, being raised, ascended and in His being seated at the Right Hand of the Father, in Jesus!!!!!!!
Back to stage center, I then explain the reason that I have the chairs placed side by side, but facing the opposite direction, comes from those Scriptures that talk about our being seated at Heavenly Papa’s right hand, and from those Scriptures that talk about Him being seated at our right hand. Psalm 16:8 “I have set Yahweh always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” But see also verse 11: “Thou wilt show me the paths of life. In Thy Presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 63:8 (NIV) says, “My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me.”
My FATHER’S Lap
Seated on my Heavenly Father’s lap.
What could be better than this?!
Whether working very hard, or taking a nap.
This glorious thought fills me with bliss.
Far above each principality and power,
Every moment, and every hour,
Blessing comes most greatly from this heavenly rest,
Resting my ear against God’s chest.
There is no greater way I could be more blest -
Nesting in God’s arms, by His love caressed.
All harm and alarm far below this Eagle’s nest.
My other ear against His lips is pressed.
Listening to His words of endearment fine,
God’s most loving words and thoughts are surely mine.
He tells me that He loves me, line upon line.
My most productive work is when on Him I recline.
In this Throne Room of God is where I belong.
Under the shadow of His wings, I will sing my song.
My total helplessness in God, makes me the most strong.
When I’m loving Him so much I can do no wrong.
I want to always worship Thee, Lord, in Spirit and in truth,
For all eternity to old age, from youth.
I love You, Papa Yahweh, with all of my heart,
To love and trust and obey to the finish from the start.
To rest and be caressed on Papa’s chest is best, is most blest! No jest!
9 February 1999, by John Roy Bohlen
ILLUSTRATION OF THE THRONE-ROOM
Dear one, look at the intimacy, if you are seated IN Christ, at the right hand of the Father, and, if the Father is at your right hand. On the platform, is seated a man, representing the Father, his wife, representing Jesus, seated facing him at his right hand, with him at her right hand, and with a child representing us, seated on her lap, between them, with his right arm and ear, pressed against the chest of the Father. At this point, I have them tenderly embrace each other, with the child in between, embracing and being embraced.
I stand back and point to them, and explain to the audience: “This is how you are to see yourself in relation to the Heavenly Father, all of the time!!!!!!! - in times of need, times of temptation, times of weariness, of financial need, when you are sick, when you are lonely, when you go to sleep, and as you go through the day - We are to have this ‘Throne Room Mentality’, all of the time, all the time, all the time, all the time.!!!!!!!”
OH HEAVENLY FATHER
John Roy Bohlen - September 1, 1999
Oooh, Dear Heavenly Father,
I am crying out to You.
At times life gets so confusing that
I don’t know what to do.
When the finances are short -
When there comes a bad report -
When the enemy makes sport -
When the best of plans abort -
When the problems I can’t sort -
When I need a strong support -
Oh, Dear Heavenly Father - - - -.
I will praise You at such a time.
When there seems no reason nor rhyme.
On my Heavenly Daddy’s lap I will climb.
Rest my ear on Your chest sublime,
There is nothing that I know to do
But to trustingly look up to You.
Chose to trust that Your promise is true.
Try to see from Your point of view
Cleave close to You all the day through
Rejoice that each moment is new.
There’s an agony deep in my soul,
Showing Your glory, this is my goal,
Tell Your story from pole to pole,
Helping Thee, help Your Bride be made whole.
Daddy, , Oh Daddy, Daddy.
Papa, . Oh Papa Dear.
Abba, , Oh Abba Yahweh,
Pleeeeeeeeeease, let Your Glory appear.
I would not flee away into sleep.
My yearning’s so strong, I could weep.
The need in my heart is so deep,
Sometimes the road seems soooo steep.
I’m trusting Your promise You’ll keep.
Now, into Your Throne-Room I’ll creep.
Into Your long strong arms I will leap,
I am trusting You, trusting You, trusting You, trrrr-
I am praising You, praising You, praising You, prrrr-
I am cleaving, clinging, clapping, cuddlinnng,
I am singing, shouting, trusting, snugglinnnng -
THE COMFORTER HAS COME!
One time, Karen and I were traveling on a ministry trip together in our van. As we traveled through the night, we both became too tired to continue on our journey, so we decided to sleep in the back of the van. The only problem was that it was about 17 degrees below zero. In other words, it was very very cold outside! But we had with us a huge down king size comforter, filled with feathers. We snuggled together under this large feather comforter, and slept comfortably. The only problem was that Karen kept waking up to check to see if she was cold! But she was warm and comfortable. And God wants us to be comfortable under His wings, under His feathers, all the time, all the time, all the time. Here’s a poem I wrote:
THE DARLING DOWN COMFORTER
My wife gave a gift that was meant to uplift,
To herself and each of the offspring,
A large fluffy blanket for weather
Fully filled with many a fine feather,
Gently gathered from under bird’s wing,
I’m so cozy, I laugh and I sing!
I don’t worry about anything.
Can you imagine the feeling, peeking up at the ceiling,
Cold outside, but in bed, covered nose to toes?
Snuggled down ‘neath the down of a goose that God chose.
Ps 91:4 “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Some times I will take with me, to the teaching, one of these king-size comforters, “The Comforter has come”, as the song says about the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Comforter”. But, sometimes, in our demonstration, we will find one child after another who is afraid, or who is otherwise unwilling to co-operate with us in our little play demonstration. We continue until we find one who is willing. So, Jesus said, “How often I would have gathered your children, as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Mt.23:37 & Lk.13:34
I have the audience point at stage center and proclaim, “This is where I live.” (Repeat, after me.) “This is my address.” “This is my new home.” “This is where I stay” - “never to leave, never to roam.”
YOUR HEART - OUR HOME!
by John Roy Bohlen - February. 1998
I love You Papa Yahweh, with all my heart.
With all my soul, with every part.
My heart pours out strong love for Thee
My thanks pours out, eternally.
Your flow of grace enables me,
To follow strongly after Thee.
To yearn for Thee quite earnestly.
I’m basking in Your Presence now,
This sweet tranquility makes me bow.
We live far over everything,
We reign serene here with our King.
This is our home, we need not leave,
But ever close, to Thee we cleave.
Not, “Help us live”, but, “Be our Life!”
Oh, live through us, there is no strife.
Speak through our lips, bless through our hands.
Walk through our feet, through many lands.
We’re listening to Your heart beat,
Upon Your lap we take our seat.
Never to leave here, never to roam
Snuggling close, Your arms are our home.
Beneath Your wings I take my place,
Beneath Your feathers, I find grace.
Within Your Shadow, You Most High,
We never need to say “Good bye.”
A poem to the Father by John. Title: Your Heart - Our Home!
BACK TO THE THRONE-ROOM!
johnroybohlen and John 5:30
Back to the Throne-Room,
Never to leave.
To the folds of God’s robe,
Always to cleave.
Our Father’s heart beat,
Intimacy listens.
Oh, it is so sweet,
His Glory glistens!
Like a babe reaching up,
Play with God’s whiskers
With Daddy we’ll sup.
Hearing God’s whispers.
BACK TO THE THRONE-ROOM!
“He (or she) that dwells (lives) in the Secret Place” “of the Most High”, “shall abide” (continually live) “under the Shadow” “of the Almighty”. - - He will cover you with His feathers,” “Undah ‘Ees feadahs” and “under His wings” you will find refuge - -” “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” I encourage the people to always see themselves here on their Heavenly Papa’s lap, with their ear against the heart of God, listening to His heart-beat, with their other ear against His lips to receive His kiss, or words of encouragement, guidance, endearment.” The people repeat, a combination of these things, over and over, until, gradually, or suddenly, the light begins to dawn, and they begin to see themselves as living within the circle of our Heavenly Father’s Arms.
The border crossings in Nigeria can be very tumultuous, very harrying. Early in 1999, Joshua and I were coming home from a very busy ministry trip to Nigeria. We went to the Lagos airport to check through immigration and hoped to board the plane for home. As we approached the ticket counter, we noticed that every single item, in every single bag, of every single passenger was being checked. The uniformed lady in charge of searching the bags demanded of Joshua, “What do you have in the bags?” Joshua smiled very sweetly and said a quiet and gentle, “Hello.” The immigration officer then looked over at me with recognition. She then told us the story of how, a number of years previously, in a far distant town, she had been present in a church on a Sunday morning when I presented this “Throne-Room Mentality”. She exclaimed how she had wept with tears of joy at this revelation, and that she had lived in the strength and light of this revelation those 5 years since. She came out from behind the counter to embrace us, and through our tears of joy, had a time of intimate and sweet fellowship, while the customs officials and ticket takers and passengers looked on with wonder. Needless to say, none of our bags was searched!
Beloved, THIS is where God wants us to live, this is where God wants us to stay. We are ever, always to live and move and have our being IN Him. This is what we mean by our constant need to have a “Throne Room Mentality”. We are to live with this picture ever in our hearts and minds and our spirits. This is to be our perspective, our “modus operandi”, our way of life. We are to live here always, never ever to depart, with Christ AS our life. Amen.
SMILE OF PLEASURE
John Roy Bohlen - January 21, 1997
There’s a yearning in my heart for the Father,
There is nothing I can think of that I’d rather
I’m so hungry for You, Lord, this feeling must not be ignored
‘Neath Your wings, ‘Neath Your feathers, me, You gather.
Just to sit upon Your lap,
To be awake, or take a nap,
For Your heart-beat I will listen,
With Your glory I will glisten.
Your whispers of endearment, fine,
Your nod of approval, mine.
A gentle hug from you, and then,
To get another hug from You again!
Wouldn’t that be great, to think as You think?
To do Your will, quick as a wink?
To know Your heart, to please You well,
To speak Your Word, Your message tell.
To go through the land,
Keep Your every command,
To say what You’ve planned,
Do Love’s every demand.
Oh Father, Your approval, is what I desire,
To think of pleasing you, fills me with fire.
To measure up to Your stern measure,
Your smile of pleasure, this I treasure.
Oh gracious Daddy, Let me please Thee, ever and eternally.
Amen.
ABIDE!!!
Psalm fifteen asks, and answers the question: “O LORD Yahweh, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?” (NAS)
Jesus talks to us about the life and death importance and necessity of our abiding IN HIM! John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (NAS)
LIVE THROUGH US!
by john roy bohlen & John 5:30
To have You live through us, Oh what delight!
To shine with Your Glory, Oh what a sight!
To move in Your power, channels of Your might!
Everyone who is willing, You lovingly invite.
To have You bless through our hands, You walk through our feet.
To have You speak through our lips to all that we meet.
Residing in You, our life is complete.
Abiding in You, nothing could be more sweet.
Enjoying Your greatness, in all that we do.
Enjoying Your sweetness, all our lives through.
Our home is Your Presence, this is so true.
Not a stitch of the old life, every thing new.
The Throne-Room perspective - Wow! What a view!
Whew! More fun than the zoo!
All who are willing, to Your bosom drew.
God’s arms are out stretched, there’s room for you, too.
(See the poem “Secret Poem”)
Here are some additional Scriptures:
I Jn 2:23 “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (NAS)
I Jn 2:27 “And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
(NAS)
I Jn 4:12 “No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.” (NAS)
II Jn 1:9 “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” (NAS)
Ps 125:1 “Those who trust in Yahweh (the Lord) are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Yahweh (the Lord) surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (NAS)
John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.” (NAS)
John 14:23 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” (NAS)
I Jn 3:5 “And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.” (NAS)
I Jn 3:22 “Whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment, that we believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Yahshua Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit Whom He has given us.” (NAS)
Deut 33:12 “May the beloved of Yahweh dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, and he dwells between His shoulders.” (NAS)
Ps 16:1 “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee. 2 I said to Yahweh, ‘Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.’ “ Then, in verse 8 “I have set Yahweh continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” And, in verse 11 “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NAS) Do you want more pleasure? Would you like to have more joy? This is where you find it!
Ps 27:4 “One thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh, and to meditate in His temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” (NAS)
Ps 61:3 “For Thou hast been a Refuge for me, a Tower of strength against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in Thy Tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings. Selah.” [Think thoughtfully about this!] (NAS)
Ps 140:13 “Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy Name; the upright will dwell in Thy presence.” (NAS)
Isa 57:15 “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, Whose Name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (NAS)
Eph 3:16 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God [that is, may have the richest measure of the Divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself] - (AMP). 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (NAS)
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE FEAST OF GLORY - TABERNACLES
PERSONAL APPROPRIATION
Try to imagine what this passage from Romans 8:29-30 means:
29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (NAS)
Question: What does it mean, “He also glorified.”!? Many Christians will testify, “I’ve been predestined!” or, “I’ve been justified!” But, who, among us will boldly declare, “I have been glorified!!!”
Consider this: Before a person is born-again, they can not say truthfully testify that they have been justified. Before a person becomes totally committed, one cannot truthfully say that he or she is a disciple of the Lord Christ, based on Luke 14. Yet, here it is:
“foreknew” = past tense
“predestined” = past tense
“justified” = past tense
“glorified” = past tense!!!
A person that does not know about being born again might say, “It is not possible to boldly declare that I have been justified, predestined or foreknown, as I am not aware that I have been justified, predestined or foreknown. He may not be aware that such experiences or testimony are possible for him or her, or any body else. In this same way, a person may not even be aware that an experience called “glorification” may even be possible or available, this side of Heaven. Please, once again, see the section in this article, “Kingdom Glory”. By all means, also make absolutely certain that you have a working revelation knowledge of the King’s Greatest Secret!, and the Throne-Room Mentality. You can receive these by writing to our ministry.
For now, however, please be referred to 2 Corinthians, chapter 3: verses, 7,8,9,10,11 & 18. Essentially, these verses tell us that the glory that was on the face of Moses, was nothing, compared to the glory that is available to all of us, today, right now!!! Once again, our articles, “Kingdom Glory”, the King’s Greatest Secret!, and the Throne-Room Mentality, all lead the way into this experience the Bible calls, “glorification”. “Whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Rom 8.
THE FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES FOR THE CHURCH
Tell me if you can, when is the End going to come??? I ask this question, here, and in other countries, of pastors and Christian leaders.
One common answer is: “Any time from now.” Some times they answer, “No one can know.” Then I show them Matthew 24:14, and Mark 13:10, “This Gospel (of the Kingdom) must first be preached in ALL the World for a witness to ALL THE NATIONS, and THEN the End shall come.”!!! Of the six to seven BILLION people on the Earth, less than 5 % have been born again!!! Less than five percent have ever heard the Gospel of the Kingdom. This statistic of five percent has remained the same over the last century. Yet with the population explosion, over 5 BILLION people have not yet heard the Gospel of the Kingdom!!! With all of the scientific advancements in communication ability and travel, including such giants as CBN and TBN, and SKY ANGEL networks, this enormous task has not been accomplished, nor will it, unless there is a major, miracle, revival, out-pouring upon the Church of Jesus Christ at large. In spite of the invention and development of good roads, airplanes, space travel, language study, computers, short wave, other radio, television, the internet, email, etc., the statistic of more than 90 % of the world’s population is still unevangelized. Less than 10% of the world’s population is born-again, and the Gospel of the Kingdom has NOT been preached!!! Yes, progress is being made, isolated revivals have taken place, miracles have been wrought, but something major is lacking! I believe that there is a real key related to the Feast of Tabernacles, and its fulfillment!
THE COMING WORLD-WIDE REVIVAL!!!
These horrible, horrible statistics WILL NOT CHANGE, unless a great cataclysmic, earth shaking out-pouring and bestowal of glory and might and miracle power is mightily poured out in a world-wide avalanche of God’s Presence!!! Please notice: As the fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost brought the “Early Rain” and the “First Fruits” and the “Former Glory”, so the Feast of Tabernacles brings the promise of the “Latter Rain”, the “Out-pouring of Glory”, and, the “End Time Harvest of the Ages!!!”
Pentecost celebrated the first fruits harvest. Tabernacles is a Fall Harvest of the summer crops, the final full harvest!!! We are believing that this is the time of the Latter Rain, the Harvest of the Ages, and the Glory of the Latter House, the perfecting of the Bride, the manifestation of the sons of God, the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and the marching forth of “Joel’s Army”. These are the next thing on God’s agenda, and NOT the Rapture!!! Matthew 24:14
Let me ask another question: What does it also mean in Romans, chapter 8: 19, when it says that “The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation (revealing) of the sons of God.” (KJV)
I have a question for you. When do you believe that this Scripture from Joel will be fulfilled, and who do you believe this army consists of?
Joel 2:1 “Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh is coming; surely it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, so there is a great and mighty people; there has never been anything like it, nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations. 3 A fire consumes before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but a desolate wilderness behind them, and nothing at all escapes them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like war horses, so they run. 5 With a noise as of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, like a mighty people arranged for battle. 6 Before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale. 7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like soldiers; and they each march in line, nor do they deviate from their paths. 8 They do not crowd each other; they march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, they do not break ranks. 9 They rush on the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. 10 Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. 11 And Yahweh utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The day of Yahweh is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?” (NAS)
Who do you believe that this Scripture pertains to?
Joel 2:21 “Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, for Yahweh has done great things. 22 Do not fear, beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, for the tree has borne its fruit, the fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. 23 So rejoice, O sons of Zion, and be glad in Yahweh your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as before. 24 And the threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil. 25 Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. 26 And you shall have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and praise the Name of Yahweh your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; then My people will never be put to shame. 27 Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God and there is no other; and My people will never be put to shame. 28 And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes. 32 And it will come about that whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh has said, ‘even among the survivors whom Yahweh calls’.” (NAS)
Whom do you believe the following Scripture pertains to, and what is meant by “The Latter Rain”?
Hag 2:6 “For thus says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe), ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all the Nations; and they will come with the wealth of all Nations; and I will fill this House with glory,’ says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe). 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ declares Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe). 9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe), ‘and in this place I shall give peace,’ declares Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe).” (NAS)
Matthew 24:14
Note this Bible declaration: Eph 5:26 “That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.” (NAS) Tell me, when is the Church going to be sanctified, in all her glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing???! Whenever I hear the song “ ‘Tis a Glorious Church, Without Spot or Wrinkle!” I want to laugh in derision and disgust. The Church is, and has been, lukewarm, backslidden, passive, sinning and unconcerned. The only thing that can bring the Church to Her glorified state, we believe, is the literal, physical, bombastic, cataclysmic, historical fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, and in such a way that will make the Day of Pentecost seem like kindergarten, like child’s play, by comparison.
Do you remember those days leading up to the fulfillment of Pentecost? They were waiting in a keen state of expectation, preparation, and anticipation. So it must be with Tabernacles. We encourage every Christian to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, in this state of keen excitement and expectation, as though this year could be the Year!!! Celebrate it, not because you have to, because you must, or because God will be mad at you if you do not. But, picture with me the fact that of the multiplied thousands and thousands of people to whom Christ ministered, there were only 120 in the Upper Room when Pentecost was fulfilled!!! That’s ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY!!! Where were the thousands and thousands to whom Christ had ministered? I can tell you where they were: They were all so busy doing more important things that they did not have time to spend, waiting around in some upper room, and, for what??? Some day, the Feast of Tabernacles will become compulsory, obligatory and mandatory, with the promise of cursing and punishment from God, for any Nation, any family who does not. Why is this Feast so important to God, to us?? I personally do not like the thought of being forced, at gun point, to attend my friend’s birthday party, and, at gun point, forced to present to him a present. This is a major reason I celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles NOW, before being forced to do so, while it is voluntary, while I do not HAVE to.
What about you?
Acts 3:20 “And that He may send the Christ, Who has been appointed for you - - even (Yahshua) Jesus. 21 He must remain in Heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (NIV) When and how is this going to be?
Held in the Heavens, until - - -
Please, let us behold and reflect Your glory.
Dear Heavenly Father Papa Daddy Yahweh: Please let us enter into manifested sonship, in that we will do Your works, and greater, healing the sick, raising the dead, stilling storms, being channels of Your miracle judgement, being immune to the judgement of others, traveling to every other country by the Holy Spirit ministering supernaturally to millions by the Holy Spirit, seeing hundreds of millions being born again by Your power, seeing billions fed and saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and brought into the King’s Greatest Secret, by the Holy Spirit, and seeing hundreds of millions of churches established by the Holy Spirit, and, forever staying in Your place of favour, by the Holy Spirit, and having an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit, and doing Your perfect will forever and ever by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
PREDICTING THE FUTURE?!.
Let’s take a look at tomorrow’s newspapers!
It says in 1 Cor 2:9 “But just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ Then it goes on in verse 10 For to us God (has) revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” (NAS)
From the King James Bible, 1 Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
In the Book of Joel, chapter 2, from the Bible, and, in Revelation, chapter 12, we have an interesting look at tomorrow’s newspapers.
Here is Joel 2:1-11:
1 “Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh is coming; surely it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, so there is a great and mighty people; there has never been anything like it, nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations. 3 A fire consumes before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but a desolate wilderness behind them, and nothing at all escapes them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like war horses, so they run. 5 With a noise as of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, like a mighty people arranged for battle. 6 Before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale. 7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like soldiers; and they each march in line, nor do they deviate from their paths. 8 They do not crowd each other; they march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, they do not break ranks. 9 They rush on the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. 10 Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. 11 And Yahweh utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The Day of Yahweh is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?” (NAS)
Some folks think Joel’s Army is some grasshoppers. Some think it is the Russians. But verse 11 tells us who it is. “And Yahweh utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word.” It is His Army, His Camp, a great and mighty people, and it consists of those who are committed to do the will and Word of God. We believe that there is a people spoken of in the Bible from beginning to end, of those saints who are totally committed to doing the will of God. Jesus said, “You are My friends, IF you do the will of My Father.” And, “My mother, brother and sister is he (or she) who DOES the will of My Father.” The Bible calls this group of people who uncompromisingly committed to obey God, by various names, such as: the disciples, the saints, the excellent ones, the saviors on Mount Zion, the remnant, the Overcomers, the godly ones, the manifested sons, the sons of God, the friends of God, Joel’s Army, the mother, brother and sister of Christ. Again, the common element that uniquely pertains to them all, is that they do the will of God. “They who are led by the Holy Spirit, ARE the sons of God.” Romans 8.
TRIBULATION
Note the contrast in Joel 2:2 “A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains . .”
Here, as in Revelation 12, we see glory and darkness at the same time. The New Testament talks about things waxing worse and worse, yet also talks about things getting brighter and better unto the Perfect Day! In Revelation 12, there are three groups of people: 1) the woman, 2) the Man child, and 3) “the rest of her children”. All the way through the book of Revelation, there are certain individuals who actually represent people groups. For example, the Mother of Harlots, Mystery Babylon, represents the whole worldly religious, economic, military and governmental/political system, that is not of God. It is an individual, that actually represents many people. We believe that the woman spoken of in Revelation 12 is the Church believers at large, or at least, the intercessors, those who have a mother’s heart to give birth, etc. We believe that the “Man child” is the overcomers, the saints, the disciples, etc., and that the “rest of her children” represents the vast majority of believers, who are luke-warm and who have only a percentage level of discipleship commitment.
GLORY? or, GLOOM AND DOOM?
Earlier this year, on my 12th ministry trip to Nigeria, I spoke to an American banker who had been in the banking industry for years. I said, “Be honest with me. If I brought $100 to the bank to put it in checking or savings, how many times would the bank be legally able to lend out to lenders.” His reply was terrifying: “If something happened, anything that would shake the people’s faith in the economy, the money would not be available, and the banks would have to close IF EVEN LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION went to the bank at the same time to ask for their money!!!”
During the “Great Depression” of the 1920’ and 30’s, America was on “the gold standard”, the country was largely rural, which meant that folks had food stored in their root cellars and pantries, and many were not dependent on electricity or modern utilities, nor did most Americans have the horrible debt load of today’s citizens. The American economy is set to collapse any time from now, and in such a way as to make the “Great Depression” look like a picnic, by comparison. When the economy collapses, there will not even be money to pay firemen, the police men, soldiers, postal people, or the utility companies. There will be wide-spread looting, burning, rioting and violence. It will be truly a day of “doom and gloom”, but, as Joel 2 also says, it will also be a day “as the dawn is spread upon the mountains”, so there will be “a great and mighty people.” As the Dragon goes off to persecute “the rest of her children”, the woman will be subsisting in the wilderness, and the Man child overcomers will be “ruling over the Nations with a rod of iron”!
How and when is this going to happen? The answer is: “any time from now”.
Remember Matthew 24:14 “This Gospel of the Kingdom must (first) be preached in all the World for a witness to ALL the Nations, and THEN the End will come!!!”
What has all of this got to do with the Feast of Tabernacles?? Much in every way! Passover was fulfilled when Christ, our Passover Lamb was slain, so that the Blood of the Lamb can be applied to the door-post of our lives so that the Death Angel will pass over us. Pentecost was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the First Fruits of the Holy Spirit was bestowed bombastically and cataclysmically upon the Church. But Tabernacles has never been fulfilled! It is the Feast of Harvest, In-Gathering, and Glory! When it is fulfilled, it will be the Glory of the Latter House, the Latter Rain, the Full Harvest of the Earth, with mighty signs and wonders, creative miracles, judgement miracles. This will be the time when we see the fulfillment of the promises of God, such as:
1) “These signs shall follow those who believe, they shall lay hands on the sick, and they SHALL recover!”
2) “If two of you agree as touching ANYTHING, it SHALL be done!”
3) “The works that I do, shall you do, and GREATER WORKS!”
4) “What ever you lose, or bind, shall be loosed, or bound.”
5) “This honour have all His godly ones, to bind the kings with chains, the nobles with fetters of iron, to execute upon them the judgement written, vengeance upon the nations, and punishments upon the people.”
6) “The overcomers will rule over the nations with a rod of iron.”
Be honest with me. Have these promises ever been fulfilled in a very large way by the overcomers??? The time is now, when these promises are to be received, believed and fulfilled in practical experiential ways, as a way of life, as standard procedure, as a regular happening. Amen.
INTEGRITY!
“God desires truth in the inward parts.” “A broken and a contrite heart, God will not despise.” In the past, God allowed certain ministries to move in the power of God without much integrity in many cases. But there has come a change, when God will no longer tolerate this kind of silliness. God is now demanding truth in the inward parts, and is insisting that we be people of pristine integrity, and of the deepest of Christ-like character. People often seek God for His power, His provision of money and numbers and fame. But while we have been seeking these things from God, God has been seeking deeper levels and character and integrity from us! Note: It is not difficult for God to give us unlimited power, etc., but it is difficult for God to find people who have enough character and integrity worked within them, so that when God’s power and provision IS bestowed, people will not:
1) build their own kingdom,
- take glory to themselves and become arrogant and thus, ruined, and
3) bring shame to the Name of Christ.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GOD’S GLORY
(A fire can burn as well as bless!)
When one does a careful study of the glory of God, an interesting fact comes to mind: that the appearance of the Glory of Yahweh brought JUDGEMENT, a great percentage of the time, sometimes resulting in the bloody deaths of many people, including the people of God.
Ex 16:10, 17; Num 14:10; 16;19,42; Deut. 5:24 are just a few of the places where glory and judgement occupied the same story. God’s glory appeared when Korah and his extended family were all killed by God. The Israelites were killed my the multiplied thousands in the midst of the Glory of God when they disobeyed. When Uzza reached out his hand to steady the ark of the covenant, God struck him dead. A New Testament example would be that of Ananias and Sapphira, whom God struck dead, simply because they told a lie, in the midst of the greatest revival the world has ever known!!! Even more modern revivals record the deaths of certain ones who fought against the people and the move of God. While we greatly desire that the hand of God be upon us to bless, yet the Bible declares that it is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!!!” A fire can bless, or it can burn. So, with the glory. The glory can heal or it can kill, depending on our state of being, our attitude, our heart condition. The devil believes, and trembles. Yahweh explained to Moses that no one could see Yahweh, and live. Yet, God prepared a special cockpit seat, and carved out a hollow spot in the mountain for Moses to fit into, and God allowed Moses to see just a part of Him. We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!!!
The film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, features a time when evil men looked into the ark, and were slain, yet, as was the case with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, the flames burned off their bonds and set the good guys free, while killing the bad guys.
CONCLUSION
We are about to enter in to the greatest period of revival and anointing and spiritual harvest the world has ever seen! It will be greater that anyone can imagine! God, through His humble dear ones, is going to put new arms and legs on people’s bodies, youth will be renewed, new sets of teeth, new eyes, new brains, new body parts of all sorts and descriptions. There will be supernatural provision and protection. Wastebaskets of paper will be turned into money, stones into bread, fuel tanks will be supernaturally filled, water and fool provided. People will become born-again, Spirit filled, sanctified, and glorified by the many millions. We believe that as with the Feast of Pentecost, so the Feast of Tabernacles, or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Glory’. or ‘Harvest’, or ‘Ingathering’, will see and be a time of unprecedented glory and revival. God will use the humblest and least known of His people, while passing by and even judging many major ministries who have the best of reputations, because, in their heart of hearts, they lack integrity.
We believe that the best of this revival and outpouring of God’s glory and miracle power, will be ushered in, very soon, during the Feast of Tabernacles. Therefore, we encourage everyone to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with a keen state of expectation, anticipation, hope, and preparation. Amen. You are welcome to join us at our humble Feast, if you cannot find others of like mind with whom to celebrate. Otherwise, we lovingly and earnestly encourage you to observe the Feast of Tabernacles where you are, with whomever you can find that will be willing to celebrate the Presence of the Lord with you. Amen.
God’s sweet and glorious best to you and to yours! Amen.
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