The Divine Command and Invitation
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God (repentance); for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14:1-4
Returning to the LORD is synonymous with repenting.
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, 5
Repentance is not just a one-time fix all. No, we must return to the LORD if we at all wane from Him. We must abide in intimate union with Him (John 15:1-6; Revelation 3:20). He wants to dine and to sup with His children (John 21:12; Revelation 3:20).
Throughout Israel’s history, through which we are to learn, the LORD called them back to Himself from their sin (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11). Even in their vile, hard-hearted rebellion, God called His people to repent – to “return” to Him. He has not changed (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). Today the LORD still beckons and beseeches us to present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1).
When we remain in close fellowship with Christ, our hearts remain soft and pliable. This is the divine intention for His children.
“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:24-27
The reason God unites us with Him in the new birth is to take us from among the lost and bring us to His land, sprinkling clean and cleansing water upon us, delivering us from all idolatry, granting us a new heart, putting His Spirit in us, taking away those hardened places, and giving us an heart of flesh so that we walk in His Words and do them.
If we don’t confess any sin we may have committed, our hearts will become hardened against the LORD.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15
This invitation to return to Him is a divine invitation that our LORD delights to see come to pass. Yet first we must realize that we are separated from Him. There are so few who lead and who write books today in Christ’s name who preach on the sins listed in Scripture or repentance. So, most churchgoers have no conviction of sin much less the quickening to repent.
Jesus Christ says:
“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
Why remain in our sins since they are dealt with at the cross? Why not be honest and admit, confess, and receive divine grace to overcome?
There’s no reason to carry the heavy burden of sin and the associated guilt it brings. Returning to the LORD and relinquishing any sin that may have been committed is essential to resting in Christ our LORD.
Did the Father not establish His holy “throne of grace” where we freely receive His mercy (undeserved forgiveness) and grace (overcoming power; divine enablement)? Because of Christ’s precious blood, does the LORD not beckon and invite His children to “come boldly”?
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
As seen in this Hebrews passage, due to the “finished,” perfect work of Christ, our sin debt is “paid in full” and therefore the only reason a child of God would retain any sin is due to not taking God up on His “benefits,” including the forgiveness of sins (John 19:30; Psalms 103:2-3, 11).
The obedience of faith, repentance, confession of sin, and abiding in Christ are essential (Luke 13:3, 5; John 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 1:9, etc.). God has conditions for the application (applying) of the blood of Jesus. One must meet those requirements.
The LORD tells us in His Word that He is not willing that even one of His children perish (2 Peter 3:9).
Fellowship and Fullness of Joy
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:1 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:3-2:2
It’s not really that difficult and boils down to who we truly love the most – the LORD or ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). What excuse shall we have on that Day? We simply must lay down our lives afresh, bringing our words of confession before Him – drawing nigh to Him and He promises to draw close to us as we do (James 4:7-11).
To the remnant who remain, who “abide” with and in Christ, all our sins are washed away in the blood of the Lamb! (John 15) They truly fear the LORD and therefore will confess all sin and receive His mercies.
“3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies … For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:3-4, 11-12
Honesty Goes a Long Way with God
As it was when John the Baptist preached to the false religionists of his day, lame moral coward counterfeits hate when they are called to man-up and render real repentance and the fruit of good works to prove it (Matthew 3:7-10).
Recently I was blessed to serve with a brother in Christ who just got out of prison. He had murdered someone and was in jail since 1988. He’s a vibrant brother who loves Jesus. God is “Holy, holy, holy,” and so those who hate someone are just as guilty as if they had literally killed someone (1 John 3:14-15). Those who look on someone else in order to lust have already committed adultery in their hearts and are just as guilty before the Almighty as if they had done such (Matthew 5:28). This begs the question:
What stone have you and I to throw? (John 8:7-11)
Jesus scattered the religionists with what He said to the crowd of Pharisees who had thrown the adulterous woman at His feet. The Son of God said: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7) They were gone. Those who unduly condemn others will be separate from Christ who came to forgive all men. Self-righteousness is sure damnation (Matthew 21:31). Those who vainly believe they are in and of themselves righteous and therefore condemn others, will be scattered into eternal damnation (Luke 18:9-14; Romans 2:1-7; James 2:13). All those condemning men who were religious leaders fled the scene. Only the humbled woman whose sin was revealed realized her great need of the Savior’s mercy. She was the only one left there with Christ. In eternity, the only people who are with Christ will be those willing to admit their sin and fall upon the mercy of the LORD in repentance and returning. Jesus taught that honesty goes a long way with God (Luke 8:15; Proverbs 28:13). They come boldly before His throne of grace and mercy as needed.
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” John 8:7-11
We should answer His call today to lay down our lives afresh (repentance). This is so we can meet and know Him now as merciful Savior and LORD and not later as our Judge. Each one of us has this choice to make. None of this (having a real relationship with Christ) requires or pertains to the church attendance or other religious activities so many pastors today have made important. Fellowshipping with Him and His beloved body is to be “daily” not weekly – it’s to be perpetual (Acts 2:42-47).
WHAT’S the Difference?
See if you can discern this truth …. “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” (2 Corinthians 12:21) …
There’s no mystery to the fact that we have all sinned even after He found and saved us. Yet, only some choose to repent – return to the LORD and thereby be delivered from sin (Hosea 14:1-2). “Have not repented” is the telling difference. Those who truly repent – turn back to the LORD and amend their ways – are promised forgiveness, fulness, and eternal glory with Christ.
Have you repented – returned to Christ’s feet in brokenness and humility? (Matthew 5:3; 18:3-4)
To Cover or to Confess
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
There’s a Time Limit on His Invitation
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
Prayer: Holy Father in Heaven, thank You so much for sending Your only begotten Son for the whole world and for my sins. This moment, I choose to return to You. I lay it all down and give my life into Your holy hands. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – the whole of who I am that You made me to be. Jesus please still me. Please help me to slow down this life You have given me and to sit before You to commune with You. I love You my LORD Jesus and thank You for Your unspeakable gift of salvation! In Jesus’ name, amen!
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Abiding
How Christ’s Kingdom Evangelism Works [podcast]
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“The Word of God, like rain and snow that water the earth and cause it to produce fruit, will be sown in the hearts of men and produce fruit in the moral world (Isa_55:11; Deu_32:2). As the rain and snow fall on various kinds of ground, so does the Word of God (Mat_13:3-8, Mat_13:20-23). Like rain and snow, it will accomplish its best good in the eternal reign of the Messiah, when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth (Isa_11:9). Thus, the final fulfillment of this scripture will be in the future; there is only a partial fulfillment at present in the preaching of the gospel.” Dake
“God’s word is just as irresistible and effective as the rain and snow. All the armies in the world cannot stop them, and they accomplish their intended purpose. God’s Word never fails to achieve its aims.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
ANY person who doesn’t understand the power of God’s Word, when sown into the hearts of men, has no business pretending to be a pastor or elder in Christ’s body.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The power of God’s Word when it enters the human heart:
“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. 29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29
The Harvest is Plentiful – So many lost souls hungry to hear the Gospel – the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Sin separates men from God.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
People are born again by the WORD of God which means the Word must be sown in their hearts and germinate.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Faithfully sowing the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of men assures that God will be glorified in saving each of those souls who receive and believe His truth in repentance and faith.
Here’s how evangelism and our LORD’s kingdom work works—layers of Gospel workers. Usually we are the second, third, etc., Gospel labourer, following up on the seed planted in the hearts of the people we minister to. Let’s gain this vision, this illustration from Christ concerning our work for Him, in His kingdom.
Anyone putting off, pushing into the future, evangelizing the lost, is disobeying Jesus Christ. Anyone not evangelizing the lost around them cannot rightly claim to love Jesus. They are full of self and in need of crying out to God in repentance.
John 4:34 – 38
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
“In the elderly home we minister in, we met a new resident, that had been there only a few months. When she came to our meeting, she seemed down, so I began to talk with her. She said, “well I don’t leave my room much anymore as my very good friend just passed away.” She stated her name and said, “before she passed I gave her the gospel and she received Jesus.” God is so good, as we had ministered to her friend as well, and seeds were planted, and this new Lady watered! The more I continued to talk with her, I learned she has been preaching the gospel and some residents are getting saved. Alleluia! Next week, we will give her some Jesus tracts.” Karen Cochran
Picture planting a seed in a garden, then standing back and watching the ground you planted that seed in and expecting to see it sprout up visibly from the soil it was planted in. Not wise, right? Right.
The picture our LORD gives here is planting that seed and then moving on, just like anyone who plants seeds to grow some plant, crop.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mark 4
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29
“And should sleep and rise night and day – That is, he should sleep by night, and rise by day; for so the words are obviously to be understood. He knoweth not how – How a plant grows is a mystery in nature, which the wisest philosopher in the universe cannot fully explain.” Adam Clarke
In ministry, it’s always seeding, planting. It’s GOD, not us, who brings the increase. This pertains to the invisible work of God in the hearts of men.
“The parable may be intended to encourage the disciples. Their responsibility is to sow the seed. They may sleep by night and rise by day, knowing that God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He has intended it to do. By a mysterious and miraculous process, quite apart from man’s strength and skill, the Word works in human hearts, producing fruit for God. Man plants and waters but God gives the increase.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Thank You for choosing and ordaining me to Your kingdom work. Please bear Your fruit in and through this life, this vessel for Your eternal glory. Let that fruit remain dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Own [podcast]
What was Jesus demonstrating and teaching us when He washed the feet of His disciples?
The Washed Way – begins with “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” – being born again (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3, 7).
“On the way back from the public bath, a person’s feet would get dirty again. He didn’t need another bath but did need to have his feet washed. ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean.’ There is a difference between the bath and the basin. The bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one’s salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many foot-washings.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“If these last words of our Lord had any spiritual reference, it is not easy to say what it was. A common opinion is the following: He who is washed – who is justified through the blood of the Lamb, needeth only to wash his feet – to regulate all his affections and desires; and to get, by faith, his conscience cleansed from any fresh guilt, which he may have contracted since his justification.” Adam Clarke
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 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.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:1-17
Those not happy prove they are not humble nor holy (John 13).
“If loving the person in front of you seems like too small of a ministry opportunity, you’ve forgotten the simplicity of the Gospel.” unknown
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet as an Act of Final Sealing of His Mercy, His Will
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end (to the end, to the utmost).” John 13:1
“Before the feast – Namely, on Wednesday, in the paschal week. Having loved his own – His apostles, he loved them to the end – Of his life.” John Wesley
Adam Clarke writes:
“He loved them unto the end – Continued his fervent affection towards them to his latest breath, and gave them that convincing proof of it which is mentioned Joh_13:5. That the disciples alone are meant here every man must see.”
Of these cornerstone verses of John 13, F.B. Meyer writes:
“John 13:1-11
JESUS GLORIFIES HUMBLE SERVICE
In the Temple the laver preceded the brazen altar. It was kept filled with pure water for the constant washing of the priests; Exo_30:18-21; Lev_16:4. We cannot have fellowship with Christ at Calvary or on Olivet unless we draw near with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Synoptic Gospels tell us that on their way to the feast the disciples had yielded to contention and pride. It was needful that these should be put away, and our Lord’s love was equal to the occasion. He loved them to the end of His life and to the end of love. Only such love could have made saints and apostles out of such material.
Jesus began a work which has never ceased, and which will continue “till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.” When we have contracted guilt, we have not to begin our whole life over again, but to go back to the place where we dropped the thread of obedience and begin there.”
May we never forget how merciful our LORD Jesus was to the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8), and the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8).
It’s of interest to note how this 13th chapter of the glorious Gospel of John begins with Christ’s love to His disciples and closes with His command for them to “love one another” as He taught and personally demonstrated to them:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
“When you fall in love don’t you want to shout it from the rooftops? He, the man you are in love with, is all you talk about! Should be the same with Jesus! You want to tell everyone about this man, the Savior who saved your life! Just as the woman at the well did! She told the whole city. ‘Come, and see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?’ John 4: 28-29.” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please reduce me to love.
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Antichrist
The Mission of the Spirit of Antichrist [podcast]
How do we discern the “many antichrists” operating in the church world today? (1 John 2:18)
The Antichrists are Multiplying [podcast]
Message from an Antichrist Refuted [podcast]
How the Spirit of Antichrist Works [podcast]
Our Glorious Inheritance in Christ vs Messianic Antichrists [podcast]
Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]
Antichrists Among Us [podcast]
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
How is Satan bringing his great wrath on mankind in this last hour? Isn’t it the same way he’s always done it, yet now in an even more feverish, intensified way? Yes. His tools, his “devices” are the same—from the Garden to now! This is exactly what the Holy Ghost told us through Paul:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (it’s Satan’s same temptations/tactics): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Knowing and walking in this divine knowledge will help us stop Satan from getting an advantage over our lives.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
In summation, “the spirit of antichrist” is Satan and exists to mislead people away from his arch enemy, the LORD Jesus Christ. This “spirit of antichrist” seeks to demote, to denigrate, and destroy the testimony of Holy Scriptures which reveal, which hold as their grand subject—Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, God Almighty, who was bodily crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.
“The spirit of truth” vs “the spirit of error.”
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:1-6
“That Spirit of Antichrist”
“Theological liberalism and religious cults (and cultists) betray themselves as ‘antichrist’ (v3) when they deny the full deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, or His redemptive death and resurrection for our salvation (v 9-10; 2:2). Every departure from Biblical revelation concerning Christ opens itself up to demonic ‘spirits’ of deception (v1) because it sets aside the authority and complete trustworthiness of God’s Word.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is how you can detect the false teachers. They do not confess the Jesus who was described in the previous verse. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which has been prophesied and which is now already in the world. There are many today who are willing to say acceptable things about Jesus, but they will not confess Him as God Incarnate. They will say that Christ is ‘divine,’ but not that He is God.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Spirit of antichrist – All the opponents of Christ’s incarnation, and consequently of his passion, death, and resurrection, and the benefits to be derived from them.” Adam Clarke
Seems to me that anyone who denies the essentials of the Messiah (virgin birth, divinity, etc.), is an “antichrist.”
Jesus told the antichrist pharisees:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
“8:24 Jesus often used repetition for emphasis. Here He solemnly warned them again that they would die in their sins. If they steadfastly refused to believe on Him, there was no alternative. Apart from the Lord Jesus, there is no way to obtain forgiveness of sins, and those who die with sins unforgiven cannot possibly enter heaven at last. The word He is not found in this verse in the original, though it may be implied. It reads literally: ‘if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.’ We see in the words I am another claim to deity by the Lord Jesus.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
As was the case in the Garden, Satan’s mission is to misdirect, to remove Christ’s people from worshiping and upholding Him as the Head of His body, as the Captain of our salvation, who alone, who exclusively came as God the Word in the Flesh, Immanuel, and paid the full “It is finished” price for bringing us back to Himself and the Father from a life of sin (Matthew 1:21-3; John 1:1-4, 10, 14; 19:30). Holy Scripture informs us that “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
There are a myriad of facets, methods, mediums the prince of darkness is using in his full scale war against the Son of God. One of those methods is a changing of the words of God which is what Satan did in the very Garden of Eden which led to the fall of the first man and woman into sin. Satan cast doubt on God’s Word in order to lead the man and woman to doubt to, lose credibility in God and His Word, to weaken their resolve, and get them to not believe and obey what the LORD had stated to them in 2:17 (Genesis 3:1). Then the enemy altered what God had said (2:17) by adding a word (“not” — Genesis 3:4) This led to the fall of mankind into sin. New “bibles” equals/is apostasy and there could be no other spirit behind these corruptions of God’s words but “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
It’s interesting that the Bible uses the phrases “many antichrists” and also “many, which corrupt the word of God” (1 John 2:18; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
There’s a direct connection between the snake in the Garden, animated by Satan, and those who question and pervert the words of God today.
“…ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
Perverting the words of God comes in many and various ways. His time is short and Satan is on an all-out offensive and many do not see it (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12).
How can anyone involved with, or agreeing with, or defending the changing of God’s Word be anything but an antichrist?
From our growing knowledge of God’s Word, just WHAT “spirit” do we think is behind the removal of the very “BLOOD” of Jesus from Colossians 1:14 in the new versions? Certainly we know this was “that spirit of antichrist” and surely we can conclude that is could only be “that spirit of antichrist” anointing, behind those who defend those who attack corruptions of God’s Word.
SO YOU agree with SATAN having removed the BLOOD of Jesus from Colossians 1:14? You are going to take sides with Satan himself against the Almighty you pretend to serve?
If your “bible” doesn’t have the BLOOD of Jesus in Colossians 1:14, you are now accountable. God knows you know!
The antichrists by Stacy Strother:
“I think it is worthy to mention that John is addressing the church in with this passage (1 John 4:1-3). He is warning the people, God‘s people, to be on the watch, and to be doctrinally ready to discern that antichrist spirit. I believe John is imploring the church that these antichrists are not just a bunch of people out in the world that noticeably hate God, but they are people who seem to appreciate God, who pretend to be saved. No, rather that they are coming from WITHIN the church body, serving a separate or different agenda and doctrine.
I believe the latest false doctrines that have emerged over the last 20 – 30 years are part of this antichrist spirit, which is basically a doctrine. WOF, the emergent church, IHOP, NAR and so on, all seep with the stench of this antichrist spirit.
John is telling them that they are living in the last hour and that the antichrist spirit is not just coming, it is abounding now, presently, within the professing church world.
A thought to glean from this might be that John was teaching his disciples that there would be certain doctrines come forth that might argue that Jesus left, and His kingdom is so distant that it doesn’t really affect our lives here and now. By doing this, it would leave room for the false teachers to implement a devised doctrine. Such doctrines would appear as authentic, but rather when the student of the Word peers into those false doctrines, he finds that it is actually another Jesus altogether. It is antichrist.”
Paul L. Freeman writes:
“Are we to believe the scholars when they tell us that no important doctrines are affected by the new Modern Versions? It is obvious that they are not correct. What they really mean to say is that when all the changes have been made the Bible Doctrines are still there somewhere else in the Bible. If there are ten verses showing the Virgin Birth of Christ, and they have removed two, there are still eight remaining to prove the doctrine. That may satisfy them, but the Fundamental believer sees that as a piece by piece destruction of the Word of God.
We would accuse them of taking away from the Word of God. They would accuse us of using a Bible which has many additions inserted by overzealous Christian copyists. The issue now becomes quite clear. We must either believe that overzealous heretics have corrupted the original Word of God or believe that overzealous believers have added to the original Word of God. I can understand why heretics would want to corrupt the original Word of God, but I cannot believe that Christians would add one word to the Word of God which they have been entrusted to copy and pass along. The Spirit of God within Christians would put a holy awe and reverence around the sacred word and guided by that same Spirit they would copy what God had given them. My conclusion is that the new Modern Versions are based on Greek manuscripts that have been corrupted by heretics who changed the Word of God to agree with their rejection of the Deity of Christ and their Humanism regarding salvation. The Greek Text underlying the King James Version is not filled with additions made by overzealous Christians. It is the Word of God preserved by the Spirit of God and it exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, giving him his proper place and the glory due unto his name.” | Bible Doctrines Affected by Modern Version (includes the deity of Christ maligned and attacked)
Anyone who participates in heretical doctrine or practices proves themselves to be under the control of “another spirit” which is the same devil as in the Garden of Eden, right? Read this, the Holy Spirit’s warning to us from Paul the apostles. Paul is seeing the body of Christ as Adam and Eve before they were beguiled by the serpent:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtilty (cunning trickery), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
“the simplicity that is in Christ” would be what is recorded about Christ the Messiah in God’s Word with nothing added or taken away.
- “another Jesus” – as in one that was not born of a virgin, was not God, did not die and rise bodily, etc.
- “another spirit” – that evil “spirit of antichrist” behind the denigration of Christ, the attempt to rob Him of His glory (Colossians 2:18-19).
- “another gospel” – a message, a false gospel that does not uphold Christ as that “the record” of Holy Scripture reveals Him.
Divine Commands Forbidding the Altering of God’s Words/Word
The obvious mission of Satan, “that spirit of antichrist” is to deceive and to destroy and to devour the saints of Christ. Adam and Eve were in perfect, sinless communion with God, right? Right. How did Satan derail them—get them removed from His holy presence? He simply questioned and changed the words of God.
If a person is not opposed to the desecration of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”, such a person is against Christ. Such a person is not with but rather against the LORD—regardless of his mere profession (Matthew 12:30; Titus 1:16). Isn’t the very definition of antichrist to be opposed to or against Christ, right?
What do we call anyone pretending to be an American who “shreds the Constitution”? A traitor right? And traitors are worthy of death, right?
At this dark time in the history of Israel, the Scriptures had been lost and out of circulation among the people of God. Then they were found and read before the king, king Jehoiakim (the son of Josiah) and his servants. As a result, conviction of sin came and certain parts of God’s Word were rejected and thrown into the fire to burned and to be vanished out of their presence. Jehoiakim was a Bible burner. What he didn’t like, due to the darkness of his own heart, he thought in vain that he could just burn it and that it would go away. Not.
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34
This is a fascinating occurrence captured, recorded in Jeremiah 36 that is transpiring today in full scale, perpetrated by false leaders like king Jehoiakim (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Read Jeremiah 36. Remember that anyone participating in the altering of God’s words, is an antichrist.
“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13
Anyone defending the altering of God’s Word, which is what the new “bibles” have done, is under the control of a devil, the murderer who rebelled in eternity past, was cast to the earth, and began his war against God and His people by casting doubt upon and changing His words (Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4).
If altering, changing God’s Word isn’t satanic, nothing is! See Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4; 2 and Corinthians 2:1
New “bibles” are altered versions of God’s pure Word. They are the altering, the changing of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”. The very premise of such is forbidden by the LORD (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 26:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Mark 13:31; Revelation 22:18-19). Read these carefully, prayerfully:
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
“… for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Mark 13:31
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
“Antichrist” simply means to oppose or more insidiously, to put something, anything in front of, in place of the Jesus Christ divinely testified to in “the record” of Holy Writ.
There are “many antichrists” and anyone opposing or putting something or someone (including self) in front of Christ is an idolater and in my opinion can be referred to as an antichrist.
“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.” 2 John 1:7
Anyone defending these alterations of “the record that God gave of his Son” is under the control of “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:1-3). In their allowing the very words of God to be perverted is the denial of “the record” or the recorded testimony that Jesus Christ is God.
It all goes back to what he did in the Garden (Genesis 3:1; 2:17>3:4): If you want to discern the work of Satan in this late hour and how he has “come down with great wrath,” look at the changing of God’s Word via the new versions (Revelation 12:12).
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