Warfare Wages
The Joy of Kingdom Giving
Giving and Lordship
What Does the Bible Say about the Compensation of Christ’s True Ministers? Is this topic addressed in God’s Word? If so, what does it say?
Compensation for true ministers is the stated ordained will of God (1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14)… problem is not pay but rather the hirelings who are getting paid…. to mislead!
QUESTION:
“Can a pastor own a home?”
REPLY:
Christ’s apostle Paul taught that men who labor in the Word and doctrine are worthy of double honor which in our economy right now is about $88k yearly. Double honor means double the average workers pay. 1 Timothy 5:17-18
If double honor bothers you, please consider:
- You are not in control and do not make up the rules. God does.
- Do you think that in God’s infinite wisdom, He doesn’t want His servants having to worry about paying their bills each month? Do you think He wants them to know they are being well provided for so they don’t have to worry or leave the work but can rather be singly focused on that most important work?
By the way: You do no one a bigger favor than yourself when you obey God and give to further His bless-ed kingdom (Matthew 6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
Jesus taught to “Give” as did His apostle Paul – Mt 6:19-21; Lk 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-11 etc… not a coerced tithe but giving out of what He gives us – Prov 3:9-10; 1 Chron 29:14, etc.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” – 1 Timothy 5:17-18
“Double honour” is to be given to divinely called-out elders “especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18)
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” – 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 KJV
“Double Honour”
“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.” Luke 10:7
What does the Bible tell us concerning those who minister the Gospel?
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (sufficient of generous financial reward), especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
“Double honour” specifically means twice the average pay of the present economy. In general that means that God wants those He calls out into ministry to be well taken care of. And, that’s the responsibility of those who are fed by that ministry.
“Elders (5:17-25) 5:17 The rest of this chapter deals with elders. First of all, Paul lays down the rule that elders who rule well should be counted worthy of double honor. Rule might be translated ‘take the lead.’ It is not a question of control, but of example, such elders are worthy of double honor. Honor might mean respect, but it also includes the idea of financial reimbursement (Matt. 15:6). Double honor includes both ideas. First of all, he is worthy of respect from God’s people because of his work, but also, if his time is devoted to this work fully, he is also worthy of financial help. Those who labor in the word and doctrine are probably the ones who spend so much time in preaching and teaching that they are not able to carry on regular employment.
5:18 Two scriptures are introduced here to prove the statement that the elder is worthy of recompense. The first is Deuteronomy 25:4, and the second is taken from Luke 10:7. … These scriptures teach that an ox which is used in the harvesting process should not be deprived of a share of the grain. Also, a laborer is entitled to a portion of the fruit of his labor. So it is with elders. In spite of the fact that their work not be be physical, yet they are worthy of the support of God’s people.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pgs. 2096-297
Let’s address a very important, core issue: Do you believe that you are worthy of the money you are paid to do the work you do for a living? Do you believe in your heart, that those who do the work of the ministry are worthy to receive financial blessings from doing this all-important work? If you don’t, may I suggest that there may be a poverty curse on your life that needs to be broken (Dt. 26,28). At the very least, there could be a lack of what the LORD has stated about this.
Many of the servants of the LORD are suffering at the hands of those who have the opportunity to give to the work of the ministry and haven’t. Beloved, let’s turn things around for those who bring us the Word and do the most important work in the earth.
When we truly begin to aggrandize divine truth, we will then begin supporting only those who truly preach all of it (full-counsel) fearlessly and cease from funding the ministries of false prophets who allow most of their ministry revenues to be absorbed on things other than that which is at the core of importance in the divine economy, like the true building up of the saints – getting them into the Word for themselves, and winning lost souls.
Concerning the work and workers of God’s kingdom, the Bible instructs us in Ezra 6:8 – “forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.” – that is, that God’s Gospel laborers be not hindered in carrying out His work.
The reason all of God’s people are to give to His authentic work is “that they (Christ’s workers) be not hindered.” (Ezra 6:8)
When we become generous, cheerful givers, the LORD is going to be able to entrust us with greater riches. Until we delight to bless the LORD and His servants, poverty of spirit and pocketbook may continue to plague us. Open your heart and hand beloved and give what is not your own to give for the work of the Gospel:
“The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” Proverbs 11:25-26
The following text, 1 Corinthians 9, is monumentally important for our understanding of how the LORD has set things up and what part we are to play. He did not design this life for you to simply find pleasure and live as you will. If you are truly His, “ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price” and it is His will that is to be done and Gospel carried out in and through your vessel (1 Cor. 6:19-20). You are to be a faithful steward of all He gives into your temporary possession.
Please read this text carefully and prayerfully:
“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof (do YOU work for free)? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you (we pay others for their services daily), are not we rather? …Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:6-14
If we don’t fully believe and understand how that one who ministers the Gospel, that is, does the most important work in the earth, is worthy to receive the financial support of those he labors to win to Christ and disciple, we have a heart issue that the LORD wants to change. Jesus said:
“The workman IS worthy of his meat.” Matthew 10:10
Jesus told us that “the workman IS worthy” to receive financial blessing. Christ didn’t say the workman is unworthy, but rather – worthy. Therefore, it is fitting for true servant-leaders to be compensated by those they feed. Friend, have you despised the words of the Son of God by not generously giving to those who do His holy work? Is it time to stop and change things?
“the labourer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7
Paul directly, in plain language taught the compensation of ministers, not all called out ministers, but those who “labour in the word and in doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18) The duties of such elders never ends and such a called out man cannot possibly obey God by fulfilling His stated duties and also work a full time job. That would be like claiming that a woman can work a secular job and still be the wife and mother God ordained her to be. 1 Cor 9 is clear. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 is clear. The first full-time ministers, the Levitical priesthood received compensation from the other 11 tribes. The evidence is quite voluminous.
Make No Mistake: There are and will be souls in hell due to the lack of charitable giving of those today who call themselves by the name of Christ and yet disobey Him in not giving revenues to His work. The disobedience of withholding has tied the hands of God’s workers and greatly hindered their ability to do what the LORD has sent them to do in the care of souls and winning the lost.
I must ask: Are you “muzzling the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn,” or, are you a “cheerful giver” that is laying up treasures in Heaven and being used by the LORD for the furtherance of His blessed Gospel? (1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Cor. 9:7; Matt. 6:19-21) Are you receiving the Word and ministry somewhere? If so, then you are to give of your financial gain to that minister/ministry (Gal. 6:6). By the way, in God’s eyes, it matters not what kind of real estate that ministry operates out of when caring for the saints (rented, owned, home, apt, church building, etc.).
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Beloved, terrible hardships are happening to thousands of ministers across this nation due to the gross and epidemic negligence of God’s people. Billions of dollars flow all around these men of God, yet they lack and so do their families – due to overspending and the sin of greed and selfishness in the lives of those who claim to know Christ and be saved. According to a Barna report, a very small percentage of those who claim to be Christians in America, tithe.
“Born again adults, who represent 38% of the nation’s population, also sustained a decline in generosity during the past couple of years. In 2000, 12% of all born again adults tithed. The percentage rose to 14% in 2001, but dropped to only 6% in 2002.” Barna Report
Brother D Deryl Downey writes: “The Bible says we are to compensate true elders. Even Paul states rather intensely that ministers of the Gospel (and Pastors definitely are) are to be paid and paid from the church. In the second set of verses he’s talking about the donations made to God at the alter which is how it was done in that time period. These days we don’t offer, generally, food stuffs at the alter or tithe food. We tithe money. Therefore. Pastors should be paid and paid double according to the first set of verses than a regular laborer would be. And that’s straight Scripture. Also do note that many Pastors don’t take a pay of any kind and that’s a personal decision. Others take a small pay so as not to hurt the church or potentially hinder the spreading of the Gospel. But Pastors are definitely to be paid, it’s in Scripture, and should be paid double that of a common laborer.”
“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.” Luke 10:7
Wise men fuel Gospel oxen, elders who are treading out the corn – ministering like a work animal to get God’s Word to the people.
“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof (do YOU work for free)? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you (we pay others for their services daily), are not we rather? …Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:6-14
If you love the truth, consider putting your money where your mouth is and support the preaching of truth (Matthew 6:19-21).
There’s no work so important or eternal as the work of our LORD’s Gospel! Fuel it saints. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
NEVER pity those who are called out of Christ into His full-time ministry. Instead, pity those who sit there and contribute zilch to the work of the One who bled to save them, the very Once they claim to love, serve, and be saved by.
The point of this post is targeting the many hirelings in pastoral positions who are not watching for the souls of the saints or preaching the pure Word according to Hebrews 13:7, 17.
If your financial house in order, is your stewardship in accordance to the LORD, if you are not supplying those in your midst who minister the everlasting Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ?
In contrast to the many greedy hireling wolves who fill most pulpits today, true servants of Christ do not minister for the money. No, in fact, because they are true to God they are usually broke. In spite of the lack, they preach the whole counsel of the LORD’s Gospel (Acts 20:20, 27).
Since when is feeding Christ’s flock the only un-paid calling on the earth? Is that God’s will? No. Why would anyone dare believe that the men laboring faithfully for Christ should be without supply for their wives and families? Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14.
The question arises as to whether men who labor in Christ’s Gospel should be compensated. What does the whole of God’s Word reveal? Where the Levitical priests compensated? Where the apostles compensated? Yes Paul work but he was also compensated at times. There are seasons.
This topic has to be qualified by the whole of Holy Scripture. Paul also received love offerings, for example when Epaphroditus shared in Philippians 4. Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18. There’s no work that’s eternal except the Gospel and it’s funny that Satan wants Christ’s laborers destitute as they perform the infinitely most important work on earth – which is feeding Christ’s flock, edifying, and equipping them. Yes, most pastors are false and not worthy of their hire because they are not preaching the whole of Scripture, are compromised, and yet, those elders who are faithful to the LORD, are worthy of their hire and we are blessed to share, to communicate supply to them and instructed to do just that (Galatians 6:6). Peace in Christ and His truth.
The LORD clearly established that those who do His work, the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth, are entitled to be paid and those fed by them are privileged to assist in supplying such. And He also establishes that He will bless them now and forever for doing so (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Whenever we do things they way our LORD prescribes in His Word, blessings abound.
“And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:14
I’ve heard well-meaning novices ridicule those God’s called out as full-time elders who receive support. This is completely misguided since God’s Word is crystal clear that “they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:14
Instead of boasting that everything we have comes from the LORD, we’d better be spreading it around like He commanded. He’s watching! What happened to the once “rich man” who didn’t spread around what he’d been given? He’s been irrevocably in hell for at least 2,000 years, right? Right! (Luke 16:19-31)
GOD does not hold the world accountable for supporting His Great Commission He gave us but rather His own people – and He even set up an eternal investment fund for them to reap eternal rewards for doing so (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
WE are daily reminded of the persecution against Christ by the lack of support for His work by those claiming to know Him.
As it was in the days of the prophets so it is today. There are many lazy men in ministry:
“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:10-12
If you can’t separate yourself from your money for the Gospel of Jesus, you are not truly serving Him and money is your god (Matthew 6:19-24).
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Articles
Soul Sleep Exposed: Where Do We Go When We Die? When do we Go there? [podcast]

Do you realize that upon death, immediately, each soul is instantly translated, transported to their new and eternal place of existence – comfort and joy or hell fire? Instantly each soul is already judged upon death and literally in hell or Heaven now (Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6, 8; Philippians 1:21-23; Hebrews 9:27).
When the Bible speaks of “slept” or “sleep”, it’s speaking of the body, not the eternal soul. For example, the soul sleep cults use verses like 1 Kings 2:10 to attempt to “prove” soul sleep.
“So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.” 1 Kings 2:10
“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,” Acts 2:34
Notice here in Acts 2:34 that it says “David is not ascended into the heavens.”
Primarily this is speaking of Jesus, the son of David and the prophecies Peter is speaking of in this message He’s preaching.
“Act_2:34: Ascended not for is not ascended, A.V. For David, etc. The ascension of Christ is inferred from the previous prophecy, “Thou wilt show me the path of life,” etc.; and is there distinctly proved from Psa_110:1, which Peter (remembering, probably, our Lord’s application of it as recorded in Mat_22:42-45, which he had doubtless heard) shows could not apply to David himself, but only to David’s Lord.” Pulpit
David’s eternal soul is in Heaven now.
“[David is not ascended into the heavens] This refers to David’s body in resurrection, not to his soul and spirit which are in heaven (Heb_12:23; Eph_4:8-10; 2Co_5:8; Php_1:21-24).” Dake
Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 22:11 make it clear that when one dies he goes straight to his eternal destination. Any compromise on this doctrine is evil and constitutes that which seduces the believer towards lasciviousness Jude 3-4. There will be no second chance to repent. Death is final and as one dies so shall he be forever (Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11).
Fact: Only cults teach soul sleep.
Praying for someone who’s already dead is futile. At death, the soul goes to Heaven if the person is a born again Christ or eternally, irrevocably to hell. Read Luke 16:19-31 in the King James Bible. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)
The Word of God tells us that anyone living in sin, upon death, is going to hell, immediately upon death. Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; Ezekiel 33:12-13, etc Those who are born again and abiding in Christ will be with Him immediately upon death (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23). You have to be born again to be in Christ.
“To Day Shalt Thou be with Me in Paradise”
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
“To day” this repentant former thief who hung next to Jesus was going to be “in paradise” and not asleep in the grave.
The doctrine of soul sleep is taught by many cults including the Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Roman Catholic version of this antichrist, diabolical lie is their teaching on purgatory (an in-between state where average Catholics supposedly get their sins burned off by fire because the blood of Christ was not good enough to cleanse away those sins). This false teaching (soul sleep) supposes that when people die they go into a state of sleep or nothingness. Yet, the Bible reveals something very different. These false teachings are a diabolical attempt to remove the severe reality of conscious, eternal torment (Mark 9:43-49).
The flames of eternal damnation shall forever feed upon the conscious souls of all rebels. Mark 9:43-49 KJB Are you born again? Go here now and make peace with God before its too late.
Recently I replied to a post that was pushing the soul sleep heresy. Here it is….
REPLY:
Soul sleep is another false teaching taught only by the cults. Beware of those peddling this lie. Luke 16:19-31 makes it more than clear that upon death, the eternal soul of the individual goes to Heaven or hell based upon the spiritual state at the moment of death. Upon death the soul goes straight to Heaven or hell. Heb 9:27; 2 Cor 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23
The righteous who have died, are “under the altar” in Heaven, right now.
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw UNDER THE ALTAR the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” Revelation 6:9
No Sleep, Just Judgment at the Moment of Death
The grave is the “final resting place” of no one. Heaven or hell await – immediately upon drawing one’s last breath on earth. Read Luke 16:19-31 and Hebrews 9:27.
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“Todd where do you believe we go when we die? Why do some preach we go to the grave until Christ returns?”
REPLY:
The Bible tells us we go directly to glory or hell (2 Cor 5:6-8; Phil 1:21-23; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43). It’s false to teach we go to the grave only. Cults teach that. That’s a false teaching that gives us a clue that we are dealing with a cult.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
According to the full-counsel of God’s Word, when a person dies, that soul goes directly, immediately to the destination God has judged them to go.
When someone dies, they are immediately in the place they have merited with God – Heaven or hell. Then, the wicked will be dredged up and will be formerly sentenced. Those not found written in the book of life will be brought before the Throne of God to be terminated or “cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)
As a person dies – that is, in the spiritual state they die in – so shall they be for all eternity. There are no second chances.
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11
The apostle Paul taught us that immediately upon death he was going to “be with Christ”:
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” Philippians 1:23
“Philippians 1:23: To depart – Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ – In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.” John Wesley
“Notice that Paul did not believe in any theory of soul-sleep. He believed that the Christian goes to be with Christ at the time of death and that he is in the conscious enjoyment of the presence of the Lord. How ridiculous it would be for him to say, as some do today: “To live is Christ; to sleep is gain.” Or, “To depart and to sleep is far better.” “Sleep” is used in the NT of the believer’s body at the time of death (1Th_4:14), never of his soul. Soul-sleep is a myth. Notice, too, that death is not to be confused with the coming of the Savior. At the time of death, we go to be with Him. At the time of the Rapture, He comes to us.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Remember how the rich man in Luke 16 died and immediately he was in hell?
“the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:22-23
Read Luke 16:19-31 and you will see that immediately upon death, the wicked and the righteous go to their separate places and are fully conscious. No such thing as soul sleep.
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
We are fully confident that the moment we pass, we breathe our last, we shall “be present with the Lord.”
“2 Corinthians 5:8: Present with the Lord – This demonstrates that the happiness of the saints is not deferred till the resurrection.” John Wesley
“2 Corinthians 5:8: [to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord] To die and be absent from the body means we go to heaven to be with the Lord (Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Jas_2:26; Rev_6:9-11). This is proof that the inner man does not go to the grave at death, but to heaven if one is righteous. If one is wicked he goes to hell awaiting the resurrection of his body (Luk_16:19-31, notes; Rev_20:11-15).” Dake
On this matter of where the human soul goes immediately upon death, refuting soul sleep, Donald Stamps wrote:
“Psalms 16:10 THOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL. ‘Hell’ (Heb. Sheol) here means the grave. A personal relationship with God will give believers confidence in a future life with God and certainty that He will not abandon them to the grave (cf. 73:24-26). The apostles Peter and Paul both applied this verse to Christ and His resurrection (Acts 2:25-31; 13:34-37).
(1) Sheol, found sixty-five times in the O.T., is translated thirty-one times as ‘the grave,’ thirty-one times as ‘hell,’ and three times as ‘the pit.’ When the N.T. quotes these passages, it generally translates it with the Greek word Hades. Some scholars believe Sheol always means the grave, while others think it never has that meaning alone.
(2) In general, the O.T. views Sheol as a place associated with some sort of punishment. (a) When Jacob indicated that he would go to Sheol because of the loss of his son Joseph (Gen. 37:25), he felt he must be under the judgment of God; thus he refused to be comforted. There is no evidence that he sought God further until after he heard Joseph was still alive. (b) David clearly indicated that Sheol was the place where ‘the heathen’ would go (9:17), and Isaiah said that the heathen king Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria, upon his death, would meet in Sheol the kings he conquered (Is. 14:9-10). (c) There are several passages that indicate the Israelites did not expect to go to Sheol at all at death, but would instead go where they would enjoy the blessings of God’s presence. When David died, for example, he anticipated dwelling in the house of the Lord forever (23:6). Another psalmist believed that God would redeem him from the hand of Sheol and receive him to Himself in heaven (49:15; cf. 73:24-25). And Solomon testified that the wise, God-fearing man goes to the place above, ‘that he may depart from hell beneath’ (Prov. 15:24).” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 820
Of this biblical doctrine, brother Charlie Anthony writes:
“Concerning the time between the believer’s death and his or her bodily resurrection, Scripture teaches the following. (a) At the time of death believers are brought into Christ’s presence. (2 Cor. 5:8 – Phil. 1:23). (b) Believers exist in full consciousness ( Luke 16:19-31) and experience joy at the kindness and love shown by God (Eph. 2:7). Amen!”
But the wicked go straight to the conscious torment of hell immediately upon death (Luke 16:19-31).
Soul sleep is a lie that only cults teach (Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Revelation 6:9).
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Apostasy
Pride and False Prophets [podcast]

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11
What’s the difference between true and false servants of the LORD?
Jeremiah 23 is essential concerning recognizing the “MANY false prophets” which Jesus foretold would “deceive MANY” in this late hour before His return (Matthew 24:11).
True servants of the LORD stand in the counsel, the WORD of the LORD and not in the evil imaginations, dreams, or visions of their own wicked hearts.
Jeremiah 23
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18 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?
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”
ARE YOU in God’s Word daily or have you backslidden? It’s either one or the other.
True servants of the LORD, as was the case with Paul and Timothy, will get YOU into God’s Word for yourself…
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
So both the LORD’s apostle Paul and the apostle Peter instructed believers to get into the Word of God for themselves – to “study” and to “desire” it. Any man pretending to represent Christ and not do this very thing repeatedly is a bona fide wolf in sheep’s clothing, a devil.
Imagine parents who continued to feed their infant and never taught that baby to pick up the spoon and feed themself…. so that child would perpetually be dependent upon someone else feeding them…. in the natural this is unheard of, yet it’s rampant in that which claims to be Christ’s “church.”
Read Jeremiah 23.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Pride vs Humility
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) True humility before God first, then men, always wins – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)
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Articles
“Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden, and I will Give You Rest” [podcast

God is “Holy, holy, holy” and “God is love.” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8, 16; Revelation 4:8)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18
Jesus came and died to save us “while we were yet sinners.”
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
The Proof of God’s Love for all Men
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
“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
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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.” Revelation 21:4-8
“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.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please do Your ever-deepening work in my heart and life. Please imbue my innermost being with your holiness, holy fear, and love. Bless this vessel to be purified, cleansed of all iniquity and falsity, made authentic by You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.
For a daily dose and feeding of God’s Word, as a component of your study of the LORD, of His Word, the Moments with Our Master 365 daily devotional is available. | STORE
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