
Upholding Jesus, the Only Head of His Body [podcast]
YOUR first thought when you hear “God” or “Christianity” should be JESUS! Not some church, pastor, or church program!
The ministry continually receives emails from people who have latched on to some mere man, his personality – instead of worshipping Christ supremely (Colossians 2:18-19). And in doing so, they defend those mere men angrily, doggedly, having never stopped to put them to the biblical test.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
“Not everything is at it seems. Their job is only to keep everyone’s minds occupied on everything else except for God and Jesus. I learned that a couple of years ago and why I no longer listen to anything they have to say since.” Diana Rogers
Boom! And Colossians 2 is a must on this topic! The motherlode.
What is his doctrine? This is the very first thing to judge (Acts 17:10-11).
“But thou hast fully known my DOCTRINE, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” 2 Timothy 3:10-11
Any person who’s been born again and yet is not continuing in the doctrines of Holy Scripture, no long has the LORD – but rather has departed from the faith! (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in (does not remain in) the DOCTRINE of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9
Paul warns us of the many deceivers in our midst who do not hold Jesus Christ, the only Head of His body, His people – they do not uphold Jesus Christ as the unique, exclusive, and supreme LORD and Savior! “Beware.” (Colossians 2:4, 8, 18-19)
Beware of those in ministry who capture for themselves and intercept the affections of your heart – removing them from Jesus. Beware of any person in ministry who is not, via a crucified life, working with the grace of God, fostering in you a greater love for Jesus, for His Word! (Colossians 2:18-19)
One of the ways Satan targets, deceives, and snares saints is via false leaders – wolves who wear sheep’s clothing. Jesus warned us of just such a threat (Matthew 7:15). Satan uses false leaders to turn the affections of people’s heart away from Christ and onto them. Their personalities and ministries and church building projects are projected in the minds of their prey so regularly, therapeutically that most people never realize it. Study Colossians 2:18-19 closely saints.
We see this happening with David and his son Absalom where his son “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6) Absalom intercepted the affections of the hearts, directing them upon himself instead of King David. David was a type of Christ and Absalom is a type of false teachers and the antichrist. Anti means in place of. Absalom sought to put himself in place of his father David – to replace him in order to be esteemed, popular, worshipped (Colossians 2:18-19). This is what false prophets do. They get your attention, your support, and your money on them – Not Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)
We have no wealth outside of that which we have in Christ (Colossians 1-2).
LOOKING where to read? Read Colossians 1 and 2. Christ reigns, is Divine, Creator, unique in all history, and preeminent!
Recently I was privileged to meet a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and teeming with God’s love and the joy the LORD produces in those who abide intimate and obediently with Christ (John 15:1-16). It was obvious that this man was holding Jesus up high in his personal life and that Jesus was pouring His life and blessed virtue into his life. When in our individual lives we diligently seek and magnify/lift up Christ to the first priority in our lives, He fills us. In fact, who did Jesus says He will fill up?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Mathew 5:6
Our LORD’s divine virtue flows directly from Him into our lives but only as we begin and continue to seek and to worship HIM “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) If the affections of our hearts depart from Christ, His divine virtue ceases to flow into our lives (Colossians 2:19). The LORD’s name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). The same is true for any group of Christians who gather in Jesus’ name and that’s exactly why so many “churches” are utterly dead and nothing but fluff and entertainment. The result of true worship is divine virtue flowing from Heaven into His people and Jesus’ spiritual blessings and health that God alone can supply To say this is an extremely important biblical truth is a complete understatement. This truth may be best captured here in Colossians 2:
“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19
Notice how we are instructed here to “Let no man beguile” or deceive you with any form of false worship or worship with a false emphasis (Lamentations 2:14). Then He defines what false worship is – “And not holding the Head.” Then we are told what occurs when we sincerely worship the LORD – “from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
Those who do not uphold Christ, the only “Head” of each one of His people, individually and the whole of His church, are misleading people and blocking the ministry, the divine virtue of the LORD from flowing from Heaven into His body – “not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
The apostle is teaching us here that the remnant disciple of Jesus is never to enter into or allow the robbing of true worship of the Father through Jesus Christ by any subtle diversion away from Christ. ANYthing except Jesus Christ is idolatry – Anything!
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
There are so very many examples of Jesus being replaced today in the apostate modern church world. Think about this: When is the last time you gathered with a group of believers and the Person of Jesus Christ was truly preached straight from the Holy Scriptures and was truly magnified so much so that you left that gathering filled afresh and loving Him more and more?
Paul’s deep concern was that the heart affections and faith of those he ministered to were fixed on Christ, not him (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5).
“We should be singing “I exalt thee” not “I exalt me.” Read in the King James Bible in John 8:28, John 3:14, John 12:32-34 Amen!” Charles Pray, the late
You see, today, in the vast majority of cases, the people are gathered and the entertainment begins. What’s emphasized and made to be important is serving at the local church circus, being a good church member with good attendance, attending the small group meetings, church membership, tithing, singing in the choir, etc. The fanfare and bureaucracy is to the pastor’s glory and has crowded Christ Himself right out of the local gatherings. This is exactly how wolves run their church businesses. There’s far too much going on. Jesus does not matter to the leaders or the people. They just want to be entertained and made to feel better about their selves in their current, unsanctified state. They do not want to change which begins with repenting (Jeremiah 5). The people want their children entertained not blessed with the knowledge of God’s truth and not learning how to worship the LORD in spirit and in truth and being prepared for the work of the ministry.
That’s what non-wolf pastors are busy doing – they are busy preparing the believers they oversee for “the WORK of the ministry.” Hello!
”And he gave 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:” Ephesians 4:11-12
Here’s what the earliest disciples of Jesus were all about. This is what they were doing:
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
You see, millions today are being robbed or beguiled but it’s a willing participation. Isaiah says that this is “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.”
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law (Word) of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not (do not see and expose our sins); and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Isaiah 30:9-11
Nothing has changed (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The LORD tells us here through Isaiah that it’s only the “rebellious people” then and today who refuse His Word and “heap to themselves” these false leaders who refuse to speak on what the Bible says concerning sin and repentance. The cry out for no exposure and for “smooth things,” or entertaining niceties.
To the contrary, God’s Word says:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1
This hour of great apostasy was long ago foretold, where men would not be upholding Jesus as supreme:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (fairy tales).” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
The hireling wolf wants you there in attendance and he wants you coming back. After all, it makes him feel better when you’re there and he needs that money to keep the circus wheels rolling. So, in order to get you there and keep you there, he must say light and entertaining things. He can’t possibly be abandoned to simple “preach the word” because there are too many hard truths that would cause some people to leave.
The sad reality, but nevertheless, the reality, is that pure and true worship is nearly non-existent unless the individual has it in his own personal life.
“For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Here’s the place of our refuge:
“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
Jesus is coming back exclusively for those who are looking to and for Him.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
Jesus did the work of redemption the first time He came and when He returns, it will be to gather together for a glorious eternity those who are truly looking to Him and not man.
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
All who do not uphold Christ blatantly, continually, and without apology are wolves who should be warned and marked if they don’t repent (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11). They should be earnestly contended against (Jude 3-4).
We should repent of helping wolves before the LORD judges us for participating in this betrayal of Him.
“Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 19:2) ANY person who helps the ungodly are just as guilty as those wolves in the eyes of a holy God who says “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)
Helping God’s enemies makes you His enemy!
If you in any way “bid … Godspeed” to or in any way help or defend a wolf, you yourself are just as guilty as they are in the eyes of God.
Especially behold the last 2 verses in this passage:
2 John
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Do you want to get deeper into God’s Word? If so, send a reply requesting the “Moments with My Master” email that is sent out to edify Jesus’ body.
The glorious book of Colossians
A Tad More….
SATAN constantly seeks to rob Christ of the glory due only His holy name! Yes Acts 15 gives us some restrictions and yet men have grossly added to these things in their self-righteousness and evil desire to rule over others by using/adding man-made restrictions …..while they refuse to uphold, magnify, and celebrate Jesus (Colossians 2:18-23).
“That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Acts 15:29
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Colossians 2:16-23
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Abiding
“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me” [podcast]

There are 7 portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. One of those seven portraits is Jesus our “the good shepherd.” (John 10)
The first thing the good shepherd of the sheep did was give His life to purchase the sheep with His own blood.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Jesus who created us, then came to die to buy up back to the Father and Himself.
The Bible, God’s Word, is full of illustrations of who God is, and who He is to us. He is our shepherd….the shepherd of His true sheep. How do we know who His remnant saints, sheep truly are? How do we know if we individually are truly His?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
“John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice – But ye will not hear: – my sheep follow me; but ye will neither follow nor acknowledge me. Any person who reads without prejudice may easily see, that our Lord does not at all insinuate that these persons could not believe, because God had made it impossible to them; but simply because they did not hear and follow Christ, which the whole of our blessed Lord’s discourse proves that they might have done. The sheep of Christ are not those who are included in any eternal decree, to the exclusion of others from the yearnings of the bowels of eternal mercy; but they are those who hear, believe in, follow, and obey the Savior of the world.” Adam Clarke
We know He is our shepherd if we are reading, listening for, and walking out the voice of His Word. That’s why He gave us His Word. The voice of His Word is His voice. This is why God gave us the Bible, His Word, the “voice” of His Word. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” and the “voice” of Jesus is with us, is God’s written Word. We have the “voice”, the very words of our LORD on record. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The primary way God’s voice is heard by His sheep is the Holy Scriptures….. reading God’s Word is hearing the voice of God.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14
Our LORD, the good shepherd of our souls, told us that His sheep are those who hear His voice, the voice of His Word. Those not in the Word are not hearing the voice of God.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Those who are “of the truth” hear the voice, the words of Jesus Christ.
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Jesus made it clear who His true sheep are ….
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, He knows them, they follow Him. They don’t listen to nor follow their own feelings, human reasoning, their own wicked heart, nor any mere men … “follow your heart”? No. That’s a lie from hell. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus died to save you so you would be His, and that you would follow Him, His voice and none other.
Jesus, on record in John 10:27-29, is telling us that it’s only those who are hearing His voice, the voice of His Word, and following Him, who are going to be kept in His holy hand. After being saved, only those who abide in Christ to the end will be kept by Him and with Him eternally. Read John 15:1-6 where you will see that any whom Jesus saves and yet then they don’t “abide” (remain, continue) in Him will be cast into the fire of hell (v6).
Take a closer look at John 10:27-29. Anchor the promise in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are—those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The divine promise here to be kept is a conditional
promise requiring the individual recipient of the gift of God to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). If you are born again, a sheep of Christ’ pasture, and you cease hearing His voice and following Him, you are no long His.
Many today detach, separate our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology which is Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
The LORD saved you to be His – to hear the voice of His Word and to follow Him, to walk with Him.
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
To be kept you must live “through faith” – to hear and believe the voice of His Word, and walk with Him accordingly.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Eternal security”, otherwise known as “once saved always saved”, is a lie from hell. Run from any and all wolves peddling this, Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
To be “kept” by Jesus, the saved sheep must live his life “through faith.”
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
The recipient of salvation must “through faith” be “kept.” God never removes man’s free will and requires not only initial but also continued faith. Jesus foretold that some would be saved and then not continue with Him and “fall away” (Luke 8:12-13).
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9
Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and require my faith to the end of this life. Make sensitive my conscience, quicken my spirit to repentance and to be holy as You are holy. In Jesus’ name.
Jesus Christ our LORD is “that great shepherd of the sheep.”
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” Psalms 95:7
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3
“To hear His voice, we submit to the pruning of the Holy Ghost in our heart. The fruit of righteousness can only be produced in an ABIDING relationship with Jesus and cultivated by the Holy Spirit given to them that OBEY him. (John 15:3-5; 14:15-17)” Jon Crane
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at and amazon. English and Spanish.
See what others are saying about this devotional book.
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Articles
Eternal Security Death Nails [podcast]

SATAN’S FIRST AND BIGGEST SCAM – BUT IT ONLY WORKS ON THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO LOVE THEIR DARKNESS AND SIN MORE THAN THEY LOVE JESUS! Get to know Genesis 2:17 and 3:4.
Here’s the eternal security / OSAS category on the ministry site….. have fun!
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“I don’t believe in osas but one of my context scriptures was John 6:37 I read it in context and looked it up in Strong’s can you please help me?”
REPLY:
Firstly, we must look at the what the whole of Scripture reveals on this matter and know that “God is not the author of confusion.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
This is simply saying that Jesus will receive anyone who come to Him, which speaks of initial salvation. Yet Jesus says to His own that they must “endure to the end” to be saved into eternal glory – final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). The fact that Jesus receives all who come to Him in repentance and faith for initial salvation, in no way means He will keep them if they don’t “abide” in Him according to His own terms of agreement (John 15:1-6). In fact, Jesus says that those who come to Him and then don’t remain in Him, “abide” – continue – with Him, will be cast into the fires of hell (John 15:6).
Notice later in this very chapter, John 6, we read the following:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66
God never forces any person to come to Him nor to remain (abide) in Him. Free will is the gift of God (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15).
Jesus will not cast out anyone He brings into His kingdom and yet they can leave, they are always free to leave, because He gives them free will….just as did the prodigal son who left his father’s house. We choose to leave Him by not adhering to His just and stated conditions. Jesus says that there will be some who believe and are saved only later to “fall away.” (Luke 8:12-13)
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Eternal security is one thing he gets right….Plenty of scripture to back it up.”
REPLY:
The term “back it up” that you use makes it all too clear that you are looking for a reason to believe this sin-justifying lie because you love your darkness rather than light, refuse to truly repent, lay down your life in this world, deny self daily, take up the cross, live a crucified life, and follow Jesus for real (Luke 9:23-24).
You are deceived and guilty of bearing false witness against the LORD. Does the conversation between God and Adam and Eve and then Satan’s conversation with Eve back it up? No. It identifies OSAS as the first lie of satan that led to the fall of mankind. It’s irrefutable. Gen 2:17; 3:4
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
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Abiding
“The Trial of Your Faith” has a Divine Eternal Purpose [podcast]

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
“It is through much trial and tribulations that we are made pure, holy, and clean in His sight by the working of his Spirit in our hearts to conform us to Christ Image.” Jon Crane
The trials God allows into our lives, purify – but only as we praise, worship, thank, and obey Him through those seasons of tribulations.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9
God is Purifying His Kingdom Saints
“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10
“Gold tried in the fire” refers to a spiritual metaphor, primarily from the Bible, that describes how difficult trials and hardships purify and strengthen one’s faith, revealing and removing hidden impurities like bitterness or pride, similar to how fire removes impurities from gold to make it purer and more valuable. It encourages believers to view challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth, resulting in a more genuine, tested, and valuable faith.”
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:18-19
“Purify the sons” – Christ’s kingdom disciples
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
We should not be surprised by the trials and sufferings of all true disciple of Jesus.
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:10-12
“the fiery trial which is to try you”
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14
As we abide in Christ, bearing fruit, He will continue to purge us so that we bring forth even more fruit.
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2
In the fiery trials, Job declared:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
Being purified, remaining true to God no matter what adversity he face guaranteed that Job would see God…
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25
Only “the pure in heart” are going to see, to be with God in eternity.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
“This verse is not for the hypocrites. Who play being a Christian on Sunday mornings. This is for the honest remnant who sit at His feet and pour out their hearts. As David did in Psalm 51. Asking God to create in them a clean heart! The ones Jesus is coming back for without any spot of sin. Let us draw near to God having our hearts and conscience washed with the pure water!” Karen Cochran
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” Daniel 12:10
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
The trial of our faith is for the salvation of our eternal souls. Let me explain: No, we are not earning our own salvation and yet the LORD is working in our lives to purify us to be presented to Him as His bride.
The people, the church Jesus is returning for:
“… Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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.” Ephesians 5:25-27
The trial of our faith is for the salvation of our eternal souls. No, we are not earning them and yet the LORD is working in our lives to purify them to be presented to Him as His bride.
“And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:35
They “shall fall” and God is going “to try them, and to purge, and to make them white.”
Of this verse, one source notes the following:
“The verse begins by stating that “some of them of understanding shall fall.” This is a reference to the wise and learned individuals in Israel who will suffer and be persecuted. This suffering is meant to “try them, and to purge, and to make them white.” The use of the word “try” suggests that the suffering is a test, a way to prove the true character and faith of the people. The word “purge” has connotations of purification, removing impurities or unwanted elements. This suffering is a means of refining the people, making them stronger and more steadfast in their faith. The phrase “to make them white” suggests that through this process of suffering and purification, the people will be made pure, clean, and righteous in the eyes of God.”
HOW do we know, how can we discern who Christ’s true remnant, His bride is?
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
We know the true bride by their adherence to Christ. They are about the “Father’s business” as they are accomplishing the Great Commission Jesus gave His people:
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
YOUR PRAYER: Dear LORD I know You are going to chasten, try, scourge, and purge my life in order to purify it for Your acceptance and glory as I know You are Holy, holy, holy. Please multiply Your enabling, heart softening grace to this life You gave Father. Bless me to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Your grace is sufficient for You to be glorified in this life no matter what. I love You LORD and am living to see You soon, for Your soon return. In Jesus’ name.
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