12 Not 11
It is undeniable that Jesus chose Judas and that Judas was in right relationship with the Son of God, was sent out by Jesus to do His ministry work, and was promised an eternal throne in Heaven. Let’s talk about it.
“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you TWELVE, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70-71
“Have not I chosen you TWELVE” – Did Jesus choose a devil and send him to do His ministry OR did Judas choose after he was chosen by Christ to turn against Christ? The answer is obvious.
Judas was 1 of the 12. Judas was chosen by Jesus to the highest office in the church. Though he later turn against and betrayed Jesus, Judas holds the distinction as being one of the twelve original apostles of Christ!
It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven.
“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon TWELVE (not 11) thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28
Was Judas one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus Christ? It is irrefutable that the Son of God promised his “twelve,” not eleven, eternal thrones in His heavenly kingdom. Judas, who was one of the “twelve,” was promised an eternal throne, yet “by transgression” fell and went to hell. Judas kissed the very Gate of Heaven, and turned and went to hell, given over to and driven by demons he ended his own life.
Judas was chosen by Christ Himself as one of His very twelve, yet Judas wasn’t hell-proof. Judas wasn’t “once saved always saved.” Judas was not given a spiritual asbestos suit. It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven and so, the OSAS-er and calvinist are dead wrong to believe Judas was never a true child of God. Jesus chose him to the highest office in the church and told him he’d be in Heaven (Matthew 19:28). God’s promises are conditional. Judas chose to rebel and the promise was revoked as it was for Israel and many others throughout biblical history, beginning with Lucifer.
Judas is now in hell and yet was once a disciple of Christ – promised by the Son of God an ETERNAL throne in Heaven (Matt. 19:28). Judas was once in grace but not always in grace.
In Matthew 19:28 Jesus was at that moment speaking to Judas, not his replacement, and the Son of God clearly promised Judas an eternal throne. Christ promised him an eternal throne and Jesus also required that His original 12 and also all who follow Him, endure to the end or be lost (Matt. 10:22; 24:13). “Then said Jesus unto his disciples … Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon TWELVE thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt. 19:23, 28)
Judas was one of Jesus’ hand-selected “twelve” and so Judas was included in this promise. So, to say Judas was not saved and promised eternal security – a very throne in Heaven with Jesus – is to say that Jesus lied. It is also to say that God can’t break His promise if someone rebels.
Judas kissed the gate of Heaven Himself then turned and denied and betrayed Him. He made choice as God has given all men choice. That ability to choose does not end after He finds and saves us (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:19-20; Rom. 6:16, Gal. 6:6-8; James 1:13-15; Rev. 22:17, etc.).
In Matthew 10 the very Son of God sends Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, open blinded eyes, and to cast out devils and do His ministry work, then He tells them that only those who endure to the end (remain faithful to Him to the end of their lives) will be saved (Matt. 10:1-22). Jesus sent Judas to cast out devils which can only be done by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling a person, further proving Judas Iscariot was right with God till he turned away (Matt. 10:1-8; 12:22-29).
As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.”
Did Christ pray all night and knowingly bring an evil man (Judas) into His ministry? Or, did Judas become evil by choosing not to love and obey Christ and to rebel and live in sin? The answer is obvious to the honest and noble student of Holy Scripture. As is the obvious case with all human beings, Judas retained the choice to go on serving or not serving God with his whole heart (Deut. 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20).
Jesus sent Judas to preach His Word and to cast out devils and Judas was a heathen? (Matthew 10:1-8) Lame excuse. Nothing could be clearer than the historically documented fact that Judas had free will, was chosen by the Son of God, set apart and sent to do ministry for Jesus and then fell away by his own sin which he had free will to commit (Acts 1:25; James 1:13-15).
“Ye Are Clean, But Not All”
In John 13, we are given insight into the differences between Peter and Judas. Such is a fascinating study and lesson. The differentiation between what both of these men chose to do holds eternal consequences. We must not miss this eternal distinction! Though both were equally divinely chosen as part of the original twelve, Peter chose to be humble, teachable and obedient while Judas chose to be prideful, unteachable and disobedient. Peter wisely elected to answer the call of Christ to be initially and perpetually washed of his sins which sustained His relationship with Jesus – “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” Peter possessed genuine saving faith which manifested in obedience to Christ. Unlike Judas, the one Christ refers to here when He asserts “but not all (are washed),” Peter answered the LORD’s call to be washed initially and continually. Could this not be said to be the difference between Peter and Judas? Is this not the reason that only one of these two men is in Heaven and the other is in eternal damnation?
“Not all (are washed)” – as it was among the original twelve, so it is today in the church. Some have been initially washed and remain washed to this hour, yet some who were initially washed are not submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and are not receiving His ongoing washings from their sins. Do you wash your clothes only one time? No, you buy that article of clothing and then you wash it. You then wash it repeatedly after wearing it – to keep it clean and ready for use. Right?
“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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
Why did Jesus give His very life for His Bride? “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot (stains of sin)…but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
God wants His children “without blemish” and such is only possible by humbly submitting our lives to the LORD to be cleansed.
Through the preponderance of data available to us in Holy Writ, it must be concluded that this villainous character named Judas, was chosen and chose to be initially elected and initially washed by Christ, yet did not (like Peter) choose to be perpetually washed and cleansed by Jesus.
“He (Christ) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash (clean) my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:4-10
“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” – Did you hear the definitive nature of Jesus’ words here? Christ speaks of initial and perpetual washings. Peter is no different than each and every child of God – we need to be initially and continually cleansed of our sins. This cleansing must be willingly submitted to and is not an automatic process as we see here with the reference to Judas – “ye are clean, but not all.” Eleven of the twelve original apostles of Christ elected to be initially and perpetually washed by the Master sin cleanser. One didn’t.
By nature a bride prepares herself for her bridegroom. As we behold in this very important passage in John 13, Jesus Christ is the initial and perpetual cleanser of our hearts, hands and feet. In Scripture, clean hands and feet speak of asking and receiving washings from the sins we commit with the members of our bodies (transgressions). See Psalms 24 and Romans 6. First and foremost, we must be apprehended by Him, receiving “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:4-7) As Peter learned and we are taught here, in John 13, every child who is initially washed, must then submit to the Lordship of the Washer in order to “abide” in relationship with Him (Jn. 15). As Peter learned, so the Bride of Christ must learn to rejoice in and be perpetually washed by Christ’s precious and holy blood and “the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:26)
According to 1 John 1:7, we can know when we are walking in His light as we are being honest towards Him who sees all, and humbly acknowledging (not hiding in darkness) our sins and experiencing the ongoing cleansing of His precious blood. By this unspeakable gift we have clear conscience and are enabled by His grace to serve Him with no consciousness of sin! See Hebrews 9:14 and rejoice! What a gift the divine blood has procured for all New Covenant saints! Dare we not appropriate such blessed benefits? – “forget not all his benefits.” (Ps. 103:2)
“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now (do not yet understand); but thou shalt know hereafter.” (Jn. 13:7) “Hereafter” or here forward and after you have walked in (been obedient to) what I am showing you here, you will understand. Those who choose to live in obedience to Christ are the ones He chooses to give understanding. In the divine economy, we must first obey in order to be granted understanding. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (Jn. 7:16-17)
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MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Was Judas saved or not in your opinion? I don’t know of anyone who has ever claimed that he was saved. So did Jesus lie? Did He fail? Was His claim to not lose any of His sheep false? Or is it possible that Judas failed, not Jesus? What Jesus promises always remain, just as eternal life is always eternal – but those who had it at one time lost it? The life He gives never becomes anything less than eternal. But some do lose it, as Judas did.”
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
Read the rest of this passage. He is clearly speaking of believers. And 12 is the number of completion. It’s a symbolic number. This doesn’t mean 12 literal thrones. Also, Jesus is obviously not going to make such a promise and not deliver.
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Matthew 19:28-29 KJV”
REPLY:
What you fail to realize is free will – before and after God saves someone. Read Ezek 33:12-13; Heb 10:26-39.
Matt 19:28
In your “interpretation” of this passage, your colors are showing even more, your utter bias. Pitiful attempt ot continue to promulgate Satan’s OSAS lie…… Totally dishonest explanation.
WHO WAS JESUS SPEAKING TO?
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his DISCIPLES (how many were there? 12) …
Mat 19:25 When HIS DISCIPLES (the 12) heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld THEM, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter (as usual, spokesman for the 12) and said unto him, Behold, WE (the 12) have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall WE (the 12) have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That YE WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED ME (the 12), in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, YE (the 12) also shall sit upon TWELVE thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Clearly the 12 thrones Jesus promises here refers specifically to whom Jesus is speaking, His 12 disciples.
Many OSAS counterfeits simply will not let go of this demonic lie. They despise the thought of any personal responsibility and so cannot afford to allow themselves to truly repent and bring forth the fruit of a holy life! This will be to their own eternal demise (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Cor 7:1; Eph 5:25-27, etc.).
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Do you think Jesus did not know Judas was going to betray Him, when Judas was selected? Was the Apostle Paul chosen to take the place of Judas, therefore keeping the number at 12?”
REPLY:
Did or did not Jesus choose Judas? Yes (Luke 6:12-16). In Matthew 19:28, did Jesus promise JUDAS an eternal throne? Was the Son of God speaking to Judas or Paul at that moment? – “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto YOU (the 12 original apostles), That YE (included Judas) which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)
In Matthew 10 the very Son of God sends Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, open blinded eyes, and to cast out devils and do His ministry work, then He tells them that only those who endure to the end (remain faithful to Him to the end of their lives) will be saved (Matt. 10:1-22). Jesus sent Judas to cast out devils which can only be done by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling a person, further proving Judas Iscariot was right with God till he turned away (Matt. 10:1-8; 12:22-29).
As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.” The fact that Jesus, GOD, foreknew who would betray Him in no way negates His love and His choosing of that person. Foreknowledge in no way means God desires anyone to betray Him. Such is a foolish and erroneous conclusion. Jude speaks of many who were once right with God and then betrayed Him – because God gave men free will and never retracts such. He is love and love never forces but rather leaves the choice to the individual both initially and ongoing (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15). The following passage proves you are indicting the Almighty, blaming He who is “Holy, holy, holy” for the sin of Judas (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
Yes Jesus knew who would betray Him. It’s what Scripture calls divine “foreknowledge.” Yet how does that make OSAS/eternal security a Bible teaching other than it’s Satan’s first teaching? Foreknowing who would betray Him after being His, only proves Judas was of Christ and then departed from the Savior – due to his own willful choice to disobey the LORD.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN (to sin): 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Christ is not capable of lying. Christ knew that Judas was going to betray Him before the foundation of the world. Do you deny this fact?”
REPLY:
That only tells us that God knows all – past, present, and future. The fact that the LORD knows who will betray Him in no way tells us that God desired or ordained Judas to betray Him nor that Judas was forced to betray Him. Man has free will before and after salvation (Joshua 24:15). The LORD never tempted Him to sin (James 1:13-15). Knowing that Judas is in hell, to “prove” your “eternal security” heresy, you have to force this issue. You have to make sure you “prove” that Judas was never Christ’s. Yet you haven’t proven that and can’t. Jesus chose Judas as 1 of His 12, promised him an eternal throne, and sent him to do His ministry work. You refuse to believe anyone could “fall away” after being saved but Jesus invented that term so it must be possible, and it sure is (Luke 8:13). You going to call the Son of God a liar?
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“You have flawed logic if you think God promised Judas something He knew he’d never have.”
REPLY:
“You are not a man of truth. You fail to believe what Scripture teaches concerning conditional, not un-conditional salvation and that some who get saved will choose not to “abide” (remain, continue) in Christ and will “fall away” and go to hell (Luke 8:13; John 15:6). God so loved the whole WORLD and gave His Son on the cross for everyone. Jesus said that He was going to “draw ALL men unto me” when He went to the cross (John 12:32). So here we realize that Jesus desires to save ALL men, otherwise he would not have said He was going to draw “ALL men.” He said He was going to “draw ALL men” which clearly means He desires to save “ALL men” which included Judas. This clearly reveals that He desires to save “ALL men.” (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 3:9) This doesn’t change the fact that God gives all men free will (Joshua 24:15). You are contradicting the Word of God to say that just because God foreknew that Judas would turn against Christ that he was never of God and that God ordained, desired him to be damned. You indict God as having the characteristic of satan himself – to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). “
“Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD.” 1 John 2:2
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 52-Pictures, Videos, Testimonies, etc.
RECENTLY brother Mark gave a JESUS tract to many while he was on an evangelistic walk, including a man named Angel. Angel then called brother Juan asking for help. Juan’s email address and phone number are on the back of the JESUS tracts now.
TODAY: Because you cared and prayed and gave, brother Angel received the love of our God in the form of a box of food and some cash ($27 USD). Oh and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts he is excited to pass out.
Juan has been in touch with Angel and here’s what he reported:
“On Saturday, Brother Ángel laid his wife and daughter to rest. They were riding a motorcycle when they were struck by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Although he has managed to provide them with a proper burial, he is now left without food. I am wondering if Brother Mark might be able to offer some support—he has shared his contact details with me, and he is currently unemployed. Perhaps some of the other brothers could reach out to help him; I will share this in the group, and I truly hope he can receive some assistance, as he is going through a very difficult situation. He has heard the Word of God—I shared the message of the Good News of Salvation with him—and he needs to see the love of God manifested through us, brothers.” Juan
Angel texted me this after being blessed by the body of Christ:
“Brother, Thanks so much, brother; this money will help me keep saving up for my rent. I really appreciate it—thank you so, so much. And please know that I’m more than happy to help you out with anything you might need. I’m letting Brother Juan know that I’m going to take the $500 (500 pesos = $27 USD) to the landlord, because he told me that if I didn’t give him something today, he would throw my things out and kick me out today. Thanks, brother. Honestly, if you ever need anything—washing your truck, clearing a piece of land, painting some things, whatever—just let me know, because I need to come up with the full amount for my rent.” Angel
Prayer: Feel free to lift up in prayer brother Angel – for his walk with Christ, his work life, and being able to pay the remainder of his rent. Angel is a typical Mexican man – super hard working. He’s obviously needing new clients.
As you can see, this blessing came right on time. God heard our brother’s cry and used you and I to delivered HIS blessing. As you can see, sounds like Angel would have been homeless tomorrow had God not intervened.
As God would have it, just before finding Angel to deliver the blessings, I met and old man who owns a store. Upon hearing the preaching of our LORD Jesus’ Gospel, the man rejoiced. We fellowshipped briefly, and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts to distribute.
GTR in Mexico!!!
GTR = Gospel Train Rollin
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
The weekly fellowship with brother Juan and brother Eduardo has been a blessing. Eduardo is the man who recently began emailing and texting. He said some “America guy” gave him a JESUS tract and it was like a gift from Heaven.
Eduardo is a born again brother in Christ who was much in need of fellowship (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25). This morning, brother Juan, who is super caring in God’s love and pastoral and evangelistic, ministered our LORD’s Word and love to brother Eduardo at length. Even though I can’t understand most of what they are saying in Spanish, there’s no doubt our LORD was edifying His son Eduardo.
Both these men are Spanish speaking. Here’s what Juan said at the end of our fellowship today with our brother Eduardo:
“Brother Eduardo says that he has faced discrimination from his family for becoming a Christian and following Jesus Christ. They have distanced themselves from him, as they prefer to practice a more traditional form of Catholicism—attending Mass and going to confession with a priest. But you know very well that it is God who chooses us, and we shall not be put to shame, because we have chosen the better part by believing in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Brother Eduardo says he’s unemployed and asks if you can help him in the group (to find work). He works in agriculture. He needs help with gardening, painting houses, or any other service because he’s unemployed. We need to see if you can support him here in this town.”
After a rich time of fellowship, both men were given coffee and breakfast and a small bit of cash as a way to bless them. Mexicans are very hard workers as you know and yet the economy in Mexico is not what it is in the US.
Thank you for caring for these beloved Mexican people, namely our brothers and sister in Christ.
Your prayers for the super receptive people of Mexico are a blessing. God is answering.
Lifelong Jewish lady now born again just got water baptized today.
Dear Mr. Augustine readily received the love God via His body (you!), the spoken Word of God, and the original Gospel on the JESUS tract. Your prayers and support make these things possible. Jesus is coming saints – and our hand is on the plow of our LORD Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel, the Great Commission He gave us (Luke 9:62). Everyone’s participation matters, greatly and will be rewarded accordingly (1 Samuel 30:24).
A man named Eduardo was given a JESUS tract today and is emailing me saying that he’s very excited to meet brother Juan, brother Mark, and myself this thursday for breakfast fellowship. God is good.
“If you have any, please let me know—thank you so much! An American man gave this to me on the street; it feels like it fell from the sky! Thank you very much…hugs”
There’s simply no way for us to report on every person who is being touched daily. It’s literally getting out of control. The LORD is marching into the hearts of the Mexican people.
“Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! The receptiveness in Mexico is beyond my comprehension! Even to the point of this man saying this gospel feels like it fell from the sky. Well I guess it did. Jesus came from heaven to earth to show us the way and seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Praise God for the many souls who are being reached daily with the gospel of Christ. God is well pleased!” Karen Cochran
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For Juanita and her sons Jesus and Victor. Beloved Juanita pictured below. She brought me into the gate of her house and said “Mi casa es tu casa” = my house is your house. A completely bless-ed lady who readily received the ministry of the Word, the glorious Gospel of Jesus. She may already be saved, I don’t know but she now knows who to repent and receive Jesus if not.
Also Fatima, a young mother with a little girl who receive ministry today.
They just moved here to this town today from CDMX (Mexico City).
Thank you.
God knows.
What to pray?
Colossians 4:12 boom.
In Jesus’ name.
“… The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Timothy 6:17
Some of the things one must suffer by going to “third world” Mexico to preach Christ’s original Gospel. Don’t worry, the cost of living here is much lower cost than the US.
Immediately upon handing a man the JESUS tract today, he lit up and hugged me. He was so excited because he’s born again and his father and grandfather are pastors. His name is Israel.
We connected and Israel and brother Juan are now connected and communicating. Juan gladly took some JESUS tracts to distribute. Would you like to pause and lift our brother Israel to the LORD in a prayer? (Philippians 1:19)
How do you find the saints in an area you go into? Just evangelize and watch God work.
*Below is a picture of one of the many men who received a JESUS tract this morning.
Mission Mexico
Jesus is coming saints.
Breakfast fellowship with the brethren of our LORD …
in “third world” Mexico.
Oh boy if people only knew.
It’s a blessing that with your prayers, love, and financial support, you are declaring that “The People of Mexico Matter for Christ—He died to save them!”
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE SATAN …..
MAKE SURE you do NOT support authentic evangelistic ministries that are literally, actually getting Christ’s Gospel to the lost souls of this world.
The apostle Paul did “the work of an evangelist” and instructed us to do the same.
“Preach the word … But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2, 5
Our KING is coming saints, King JESUS!
Let’s roll beloved of God!
in Christ
todd
More Mexico Mission Action here.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Articles
What did the First Missionaries Do/Preach?
Concerning false leaders, Jeremiah pens these words: “they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.” (Jeremiah 23:14)
God counts our sin of spiritual “adultery” as that of “Sodom” and “Gomorrah.” Do we not betray the Most High whom we claim to know and love when we “strengthen also the hands of evildoers?” Aligning with someone or organization that is in error will strengthen their evil cause and the LORD will turn His hand of blessing away from us (2 Chron. 18-19).
Recently I listened to a missionary to Mexico tell about his work down there. Unfortunately, he spoke more than once of Rick Warren (who is in deep deception and was trained under deceiver Robert Schuller) and yet not once did he declare or mention the name of Jesus Christ nor did he speak of the Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God (1 Cor. 15:1-4). So, what is this man doing in Mexico? What are his supporters supporting/furthering? Didn’t Paul say “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ”? (Gal. 6:14) And, that he “determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2) There is “none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
This counterfeit has the wherewithal to proclaim known deceivers and yet not Jesus Christ?!
Not one Scripture was quoted or even referred to by this “missionary” during his hour talk about his family’s work in Mexico. What does this tell us about his work among those people? What is this man importing to Mexico if it’s not the true Gospel?
Important Biblical Discernment Truth: Jesus said that “ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits” and “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 7:16; 12:34). So, by what men say and don’t say, we know (discern) who they really are. Real simple isn’t it?
I hope you know that I am speaking from a place of zeal for the LORD and earnestly contending for the Gospel faith once delivered to His saints (Jude 3-4).
What are we supporting here by sending a man who doesn’t even speak the words of the LORD? Whose cause is he promoting? How could and why would the living God empower a man who doesn’t honor Him and His Word? Where are we putting God’s resources (money)? Will there be any rebuke to this man? Will anyone seek to disciple him? If not, then are we not enabling such dissimulation and promoting “another gospel”? I wonder today how much “missionary” work has to do with the biblical model of making disciples, but is rather establishing the thoughts, philosophies, and curriculums of mere men and teaching people to go through these psycho-babblish programs and learn everything but the pure divine Word (1 Pet. 2:2). When people/victims come out of these programmed classes, one thing is certain – they don’t know the Word of God, so it’s ALL in vain. After all, it seems like the writings of mere men have taken precedence over God’s holy and precious Word in the apostate organized modern church world.
What did the first missionaries do/preach?
“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” (Acts 8:25; 13:5; 14:25; 15:36; Mk. 2:2)
Those who know Christ and are prepared for ministry preach His Word. If they preach ANY ANY “ANY other gospel”, they are “accursed” and to be treated as such by God’s people (Gal. 1:6-9). If a man claims in any capacity to represent Christ and yet doesn’t preach Jesus Christ and His original Gospel, “there is NO light in” that beguiler (Is. 8:20). He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).
According to the law of Genesis 1, we can only produce after what we ARE, not what we say or convince others into believing we are. Genesis 1:11 says “the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seedis in itself.” So, whoever I am here, I am in China or Russia or Mexico.
Beloved, what is important is the quality of the seed and the richness of the soil. The Gospel is the riches of God’s love in Jesus Christ, of which Paul was not ashamed because it is “the power of God unto salvation” unto those who were given it and believed (Rom. 1:16). Where the Gospel is honored fully, the soil is rich. If a person has not been faithful in his own nation in the true Gospel of Jesus, he is not fit to win the lost in another country and should never be sent or supported. If this missionary was not soundly grounded in God’s Word before he left to go to Mexico, then why did God’s people ever send him? Does a person become a missionary when his feet hit foreign soil? Of course not. And, remember, Jesus loves and seeks to save the people on American soil as much as He loves people on Indian, Africa, Mexican, and Chinese soil. In light of this, I don’t think we should entertain the idea that when we give to foreign missions, there is any difference than giving to Gospel workers here in America.
Isaiah was Prepared, Commissioned, and Sent by God. See Isaiah 6.
So, when we fund missionaries who do not possess the Word, or the Word doesn’t possess them, we are funding the spread of a false gospel (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly).” (Col. 3:16)
In the midst of citing the evil of the false shepherds of Israel, Jeremiah the prophet introduces a rhetorical question which is actually an identifier of true and false servants:
“For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” Jeremiah 23:18
Those who stand in the counsel of the LORD (not men) and perceive and hear His Word, marking it and hearing it again and again, are true. All others are false and will inevitably peddle a false message.
When speaking of leadership in the body of Christ, the Scriptures instruct us to “know them which labour among you.” (1 Thess. 5:21) Concerning the ordaining of men into ministry, the LORD tells us“Lay hands (ordain into ministry) suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) When we ordain or set forth and condone any man before we really know his life and doctrine, we will inevitably “be partaker of other men’s sin.” In other words, we will be equally to blame for the sin and error that man promotes and for all the people he misleads. We are mandated to “keep thyself pure” of this wickedness. This is a very serious issue. The support, promotion, condoning, or aligning with any person in ministry that is preaching “another gospel” brings a curse upon ourselves as we enjoin him in sin against God and the spreading of a false gospel (Is. 5:20-24; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Chron. 19:2). We are commanded to withhold blessing from him lest we become “partaker of his evil deeds.”
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10-11
Bidding “God speed” is pronouncing an approval blessing upon a person or ministry. If such is done to any person who is not communicating the original gospel, it is “another gospel” and it is a deadly sin to condone –“bid him God speed.” Any person who does such “is partaker of his evil deeds.” This means that those who support in any way any person or ministry organization that does not definitively and forthrightly declare the original Gospel, are counted just as guilty as the peddler himself. Anyone who does not bring the biblical doctrine of Jesus Christ who is divine and came in the flesh, is “a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 Jn. 7) All such counterfeit ministers are false and to be shunned and not blessed or promoted or esteemed among God’s people – “Keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) Anyone among God’s people who helps the person not bringing the true Gospel – bids them God speed – and is “partaker of his evil deeds.” In other words, he will reap the same punishment as the man peddling another gospel other than that which Christ and His apostles gave us in the New Testament record.
We will be held responsible for supporting any person who is spreading lies and weakening the people through falsehoods and promoting false prophets. When we financially or otherwise support a ministry which is not according the New Testament record, we become “partaker of other men’s sins.” (1 Tim. 5:22)
When we set forth any person who is not called, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and prepared in the Word and the crucified life, we launch evil upon everyone that “novice” influences. We also harm the unprepared man greatly and most importantly, we bring disdain to the name of Jesus Christ. God grant us wisdom from His Word and forgive our sins! Concerning the launching of people into ministry, the Holy Spirit directs: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Tim. 3:6)
Don’t you know that the enemy laughs all the way to the bank when God’s true people cast their revenues into the coffers of those who are not preaching the true Gospel? Do we want to fund wolves in sheep’s clothing? Who shall we fear? See Galatians 1:6-10
CREDENTIALS FOR MINISTRY
“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions…” 2 Timothy 3:10-11
God’s Fruit according to 2 Timothy 3:10: Here are 9 earmarks of an authentic servant of Christ who would be prepared to serve in ministry:
- doctrine
- manner of life
- purpose
- faith
- longsuffering
- charity
- patience
- persecutions
- afflictions
The fruit identifies the root (Jn. 15; Rom. 11:16). When a man is relationally and biblically rooted in and abiding in Jesus Christ, his fruit will among other things be that of truth, love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), evangelism, charitable deeds, the care of souls, and the love of children. If a man’s life is not pure and he is not seeking the LORD diligently and daily in repentance and brokenness, he simply does not yet have the fruit of one who is to be set forth into ministry. Let’s walk in God’s written wisdom (His Word) and cease to enable any ministry that is not soundly rooted and grounded in God’s Word and love and purposes as revealed clearly in the Holy Scriptures.
“Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2
Have we magnified His Word above all else? Or something else above His Word? Have we magnified HIS Word above the names of all sinful men and their inferior writings? Or, are we despising the Almighty LORD Jesus Christ by elevating the words of mere men?
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2
Do we search out and find His Words and eat/devour them like a hungry man who hasn’t eaten in days?
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
Do we rejoice at men’s words or at God’s Word?
“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Psalms 119:62
Are we daily eating and allowing His Word to be our life?
“It is written, That man shall not live (have God’s life) by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4
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Articles
What about Suicide – Self Murder?
Does Someone Who Commits Suicide (murders self), Go to Heaven or Hell?
IT’S REAL SIMPLE:
1. WHO is the Judge? God! (James 4:12)
2. Has the Judge spoken? Do we have a Bible which is His tangible written Word? Is the Bible God’s very Word? YES! – and so we have His very Word which He has lifted even above His own Holy name! (Psalms 138:2)
Some crassly set aside God’s very Word, as if He is silent on this matter. That’s ridiculous at best.
Playing dumb seems to be the mode of many, but the LORD is “not the author of confusion.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)
At the funerals of those who kill/murder themselves, false preachers intimate and blatantly say that the dead person who committed suicide is now “in a better place.” By doing this, these wolves embolden members of the listening audience to kill themselves also, all the while not realizing they are in for the most excruciating pain unknown to man on earth. “Ending it all” is a foolish lie. The worst thing any person in history has ever suffered is a dream of comfort compared to what lies ahead for those who die without a personal, born again relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh, and the lake of fire will never end, nor will consciousness (Mark 9:42-49). See Hell’s Menu here.
Some will say “But God knows the heart, we don’t.” God sure does know the heart and Jesus told us that all sin – sin separates us from Him and will damn us – comes from the HEART. “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, MURDERS, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23
When the LORD looks on a heart of murder, what will He do? Rev. 21:8; 1 John 3:15
“NO MURDERER hath eternal life abiding (remaining) in him.” 1 John 3:15
How impugning to the LORD it must be when those claiming to be saved ignore, and brazenly disregard Him by denying His Word and what He plainly stated. What did Jesus say about these are ashamed of Him and His Word? See Mark 8:38 and John 8:47.
There’s a deeper root in the lives of those who can’t simply read God’s very words and take Him at His Word. Damnable unbelief is the root (Revelation 21:8). Repentance is necessary.
According to Revelation 21:7-8, one of the things that must be overcome is murder and that doesn’t matter if it’s killing self or someone else.
Not wanting to live is the symptom of separation from God. Those who turn to the LORD are saved and blessed to have in their hearts His blessed victory and “Love, joy, peace …”(Galatians 5:22-23) Suicide is never the answer and will result in the beginning of an eternity in more pain than any of us could ever imagine. Getting saved is the answer, not killing yourself. Keep reading friend. You are not reading this by accident and your answer is at hand!
THE JUDGE HAS SPOKEN AND HERE’S WHAT HE SAID:
“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.” Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
“NO MURDERER HATH ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING (REMAINING) IN HIM.” 1 John 3:14-15
What could possibly be plainer?
The truth is self-evident. The Bible is self-interpreting. The problem is with the corruption of calvinism in the minds of many who make their evil traditions more important the God Himself (Mark 7:6-9).
It should deeply anger us to see ourselves or others who deny the LORD by denying His very Word. Instead, they philosophy, reason, and justify. This is what God calls “an EVIL heart of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:12)
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, MURDERS, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:22-23
The world acts like depression justifies murdering self. Not. Depression can be a reality for good and bad reasons and yet murdering God’s creation is never the answer and is always a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 3:15; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Suicide is sin. Suicide will damn the soul irrevocably in hell.
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MURDER is a soul damning sin and it doesn’t matter if you are murdering someone else or yourself – because GOD made you. You didn’t make yourself. HE is to decide when you are to leave this His earth. Hell awaits all who commit suicide.
What about capitol punishment – the death penalty?
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:6
“The institution of capital punishment presupposes the establishment of governmental authority. It would be chaos if anyone and everyone avenged a murder. Only duly appointed governments may do so. The NT perpetuates capital punishment when it says concerning the government, “. . . he does not bear the sword in vain” (Rom_13:4).” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Intriguing Suicide Dialogue/Feedback:
“I was gonna commit suicide almost 3 yrs ago. However, GOD stopped me from doing it. I knew that I was going to spend forever in eternal darkness. It was the Holy Spirit who stopped me.” Harry S.
Email Rec’d:
Hi Todd,
I have a question for you in regard to what the Word say about suicide. What about the person who is trusting in Jesus as their Savior, but continues to struggle and be tormented by demons who play on their deep depression … resulting in suicide? I had a friend who committed suicide. It was her 2nd attempt that did her in. She was digging deep into God’s word and really growing in the word, yet she struggled with a debilitating depression that only her husband and family knew the depth of. I witnessed her desire to push through and LIVE…but in small moment of weakness she succumbed to other voices and shot herself through the head. It was a difficult thing to grasp, as she was an incredible grandmother and friend to the down and out. She had the gift of easing others burdens by being a joyous giver. She was purposely dragging herself out of her bed and attending bible studies, Sundays and Wed. to get God’s word into her. She considered God’s word her medicine. I watched her make a valiant effort over the years to live and to honor God…so naturally I wonder about this. Isn’t it possible that for whatever reasons that demons can just overcome a mind in a moment of weakness and push them over that line? The thing I wonder about is God’s mercy and grace in such a case. I can just imagine her crying out to Jesus before she pulled the trigger. She was mentally ill and her Godly family did everything possible to help her. I see what God’s word says and I wholly agree that suicide is wrong and so much easier for the unsaved to get to that point. But what about this sister in Christ? I see some gray areas in this scenario.
Naturally I hope she’s with the Lord….but I really do not know
Janet
Response:
Hi Janet.
One of my good friends, once a vibrant and fruitful believer, also committed the sin of murdering himself (suicide). Think about and mediate upon this:
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
I believe that if a person is that deeply depressed and defeated it seems that that’s evidence that they were not trusting Christ who is the life and holds all victory in His hands and grants it to all who truly are trusting and walking with Him (1 John 5:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:57). From Scripture we see many examples of small moments of weaknesses resulting in eternal ruin because that small moment of weakness was the culmination of a life that was seemingly seeking the LORD but full of the mixture of rebellion. Judas had obviously been departing from Christ long before he made that final, fatal decision to betray the very Son of God. – “Judas by transgression (act of sin) fell, that he might go to his own place (eternal hell).” (Acts 1:25) Judas was a “familiar friend” of Jesus, clearly a child of God – chosen to occupy an eternal place with Christ (Ps. 41:8; Matthew 19:28).
I know this sounds very harsh and yet, I must answer according to the Word of God best I see it to date. Christ grants total victory and as we are seeking His holy face and abiding in Him. As we do, we are delivered from sin and devils (John 15:1-6; James 4:7; 1 John 3:5-6, 8; Rev. 12:11). Christ is synonymous with victory. Yes, we have all failed and sinned in our weaknesses and yet there are absolutes in God’s economy and one of them is “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
Now, if a person is in the process of committing suicide and it’s not a sudden death and they are able to call upon the LORD in repentance on their way out of here, then I fully believe Jesus will save them as He did the thief on the cross who called upon Him.
God’s blessings be with your family sister.
Todd
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