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Are You Looking for a Word or The Word? 

ANYONE attempting to be doing ministry and is not grounded in Scripture, is not speaking THE WRITTEN WORD, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Rebuke them sharply (Titus 1:13). This includes all the demon infested NAR, Bethel cultists, the “prophetic” frauds.

“And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” 1 Kings 22:22-23

Lazy people who want to “minister” yet refuse to lay down their life and study God’s written Word diligently want to pretend to be getting words, visions, dreams from God (2 Timothy 2:15). Not. And the hoards who flock to these wolves are the same – they refuse to study to show themselves approved unto God. They are not “valiant for the truth” (Jeremiah 9:3). And so God Himself sends them “strong delusion” that they believe lies via the invasion of false prophets, many of whom are part of the NAR cult.

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The reason counterfeits follow the words, visions, and dreams of false prophets, is due to refusing to personally study, learn, know, and walk in THE WORD (2 Timothy 2:15). They don’t love God’s truth because they don’t love Him. God then sends them “stong delusion.”

So you claim to be walking in the Spirit, operating in the gifts, prophesying, and getting words “from God,” and yet you are not daily, diligently devouring, learning, and sharing sound doctrine straight from God’s Word? You don’t study, memorize, meditate upon, and quote Holy Scripture? FALSE PROPHET!

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

BEWARE SAINTS: There are so many novices and in some cases, infiltrating witches and warlocks, who always have to have “a word” to entice the gullible to listen to them and THEIR “word” all while they aren’t even daily devouring THE Word. SMH These people aren’t interested in grounding you soundly in God’s Word and a solid, daily, cross walk with Jesus but rather, to use you to accomplish their own self-serving agenda. They claim to be “prophetic” yet are in reality pathetic counterfeits, offering cheap substitutes for a real, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ (John 15). 2 Peter 2:1-3 anyone? The NAR and Bethel are total scams!

Satan has some chasing their own tail. They’re out there doing what they vainly think is “spiritual warfare” against ruling principalities (demons) when their own personal lives are not truly submitted to Jesus – crucified with Christ! They’ve learned this witchcraft through the fake prophetic warlocks who fabricate and stage “moves of God” – fake revivals. This includes the NAR/New Apostolic Reformation devils, Bethel church, Bill Johnson, Kansas City prophets, Jesus culture, etc..

There should be great concern about ministries who use the “prophetic” word and bring more attention to THEIR OWN WORDS, supposed dreams, visions, etc., and not “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which is the written Word and divinely prophetic (2 Peter 1:19-21).

Those who read God’s Word for themselves are not moved or impressed with the numerous peddled words, visions, or prophecies that are supposedly from God (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 2 Peter 1:12-21).

2 Peter 1:12-21 is so important in realizing that the WRITTEN Word is “the MORE sure word of prophecy.” The Holy Scriptures are the divine Word which is prophetic in nature because God who gave it “inhabiteth eternity” and declared that He spoke it. He spoke “the end from the beginning” and it’s all recorded in the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 46:9-10; 57:15). God’s written Word is even more divinely authoritative, sanctioned than the actual audible voice of the Father speaking from Heaven! Life changing revelation here. Hope it will be poured over carefully by His saints. Go read this passage in the King James Bible (always). 2 Peter 1:12-21

Make no mistake: They are building their own kingdom and want your dependence on THEM and not Christ, not God’s Word which reveals and endears our hearts to Christ! Beware saints.

Protection is only in adherence to GOD’s Word (Proverbs 30:5-6; Jeremiah 23) and not in those claiming to be speaking for God. He warns of those who have visions from their own hearts and claim it’s from Him and says He did not send them.

“The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Psalms 119:72

All who truly love the LORD seek His face in the daily, diligent study of His Word. They  devour and relish His words which is the final authority of their lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“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

Jesus says my sheep hear my voice and they follow me and no other will they follow – His true sheep don’t follow themselves, or those around them who always seem to be coming up with “words.” True disciples are rooted and grounded in and follow Jesus. John 10

God gives the gift of prophecy. True prophecy must not be despised and yet He warned of “MANY false prophets” (Matthew 24:11, etc.). The LORD told us that their words must be tested – discerned to see if they are truly of Him or not.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

1 Thessalonians 5:19  Quench not the Spirit. 

1 Thessalonians 5:20  Despise not prophesyings. 

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove (test) all things; hold fast that which is good. 

Praise God we don’t need to be captive to or dependent upon “a word” from mere men because we have THE Word Himself who speaks to us through His written Word and by His Holy Spirit.

Amen Jesus.

We see so many people claiming they are hearing from God and yet that’s totally subjective and not from a divine source. Anyone can claim they are hearing from God, but does it align with the written Word, or not? The primary way God leads His New Testament saints is by His Word. He told us that His written Word “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The LORD has chosen to lead and guide His New Testament church/saints primarily by His written Word which is given by His Holy Ghost and is His “more sure word” (2 Peter 1:19-21). Walking in the Word and in the Spirit are fully congruent. There is no separation because they are fully divine and of divine origin and therefore cannot contradict. Those who want to move you off the Word under the guise of being led of the Spirit, are beguilers.

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Have you noticed that there are people who always have a word? Perhaps they do this to say “Hey listen to me. I have a special in-road with God. He speaks to me often, so come to me continually to listen.” Have we stopped to wonder if they are simply seeking to get more of a following and to retain that audience? It’s called repeat customers to their social media accounts? Why would a true disciple of Jesus be impressed with a word from a mere man/woman when they have THE WORD?

BEWARE OF THE PROPH-I-LIARS WHO ATTRIBUTE THE “WORDS,” THE DREAMS, THE VISIONS OF THEIR OWN WICKED HEARTS TO GOD: God is punishing those who falsely claim, those who take His holy name in vain by falsely claiming that HE, the LORD, told them something, HE woke them up at 3AM, HE gave them a word, a dream, a vision, or HE put a burden on their heart, etc…..

Claiming “God woke you up at 3AM” doesn’t make what you are claiming true.

“Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. 32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. 33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD. 34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. 35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken? 36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God. 37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken? 38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD; 39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: 40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.” Jeremiah 23:30-40 

The LORD desires to speak to His grounded saints daily by His Spirit and Word primarily, which is the “MORE sure word of prophecy.” Read 2 Peter 1:12-21. Do you see what God is communicating? – that the written Word is “MORE sure” than the actually audible voice of God speaking from Heaven? This is not to dismiss all prophecy, dreams, etc., and yet, so many false ministries seldom preach from the Scriptures, especially not in a thorough fashion and do not constantly rebuke and exhort their audience to get in and stay in the written Word – as Paul commanded Timothy and us (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2). Yet the prophesied “many false prophets” get those same prey to follow and trust in their “words” and “visions” and “dreams.” We must choose THE WORD from God over “a word” from mere men.  Read Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34 afresh.

Jesus did not say we’d “know” (discern) people by their gifts but rather “by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16, 20). The FRUIT of the Spirit is more important than the GIFTS of the Spirit because it proves relationship (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Good fruit can only be produced through relationship. The gifts of the Spirit ARE important and yet, some who are presently operating in them will be hearing “depart from me” from Jesus as they are being cast into eternal Hell irrevocably (Matthew 7:15-23). This proves that someone can move in the gifts of the Spirit, or at least look like they are, without walking in an intimate relationship with Jesus. Truly abiding in Christ will always, without exception, produce “the FRUIT of the Spirit” which “is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:16-24).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

Concerning testing words of prophecy, David Taylor writes:

“Here is my simple and full acid test for self proclaimed prophets (which I find are fearful, because they have to tell you they are a real prophet). You will know by this verse Revelation 19:10. Basically the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. If any other testimony comes out of their mouth other than our Lord Jesus then you know what you have. Blessings,” David Taylor

Self-proclaimed “prophetic” people are always having to come up with a new vision, dream, or word to keep the attention on themselves and yet these same people aren’t preaching the Word, the Gospel, which begins with the command to repent (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19, etc.).

Read Jeremiah 28. Notice that Hananiah’s prophecy didn’t include what God requires for all men to do – repent (Acts 17:30). So Jeremiah rebuked Hananiah and he died 2 years later. Sound like today’s “many false prophets” with all their repentance-less, flesh-flattering words, prophecies? See Matthew 7:15; 24:11. Now compare Hananiah’s false prophecy in Jeremiah 28 to Jeremiah’s word in 29:11-14.

The self-proclaimed “prophetic” folks today are flattering people. Their message, the content does not align with the “more sure word of prophecy” which is the written Word (2 Peter 1:19-21).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18

These “prophetic” people are running a circus scam on their prey.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

If you are going to say “The Lord showed me” or “God told me” and don’t have Scripture to minister, it’s obvious that all you’re doing is drawing attention to yourself.

We are never to use God, to use His holy name, for our own self-serving purposes.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

There is not one instance in the New Testament Scriptures where God’s people gathered to prophesy over each other, to conjure up words. Yes the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and instruction for the proper use of them are all found in the Word. Yet, the charlatans of this false “prophetic” movement exploit their audiences by using a gross over-emphasis on gifts, and trickery.

Here’s what the earliest followers of Jesus did when they gathered to seek and worship their LORD:

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (our LORD’s teachings, now encased in the written Word) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

Those who always have to have a word from God are scamming their prey.

by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18

Good news: The fact that Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and follow Him means you no longer have to be captivated and captive to someone peddling words all the time (John 10).

Dear “prophetic” person: Why does anyone need your word when they have THE WORD?

If “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” are found in the “exceeding great and precious promises” of the WORD, the Holy Scriptures….. why would we think the LORD would divert us away from Him, His source? Read 2 Peter 1:3-4, 12-21; Psalms 119.

Truly born again God fearing people aren’t impressed with the visions, words, or dreams of mere men.

“For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.” Ezekiel 12:24

Why would God Himself be giving all these words when He already gave us His Word? Does God now lead His people by words from mere men or through His Word, the Word? Why would He give words to those who won’t truly repent and get into His Word? He puts lying spirits and words in the mouths of the false prophets to mislead the wicked who refuse to know and feast on His Word (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Some of the ways they try to make their word heard, to grab attention is to say things like “The Lord woke me up at 3AM this morning,” …”God is talking to me,”… “The Lord showed me,” etc..

Instead of grounding people in Christ, in His Word, these wolves exploit them, bringing in “every wind of (false) doctrine” known to mankind:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (maturing, equipping) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:11-14 

In these prophetic camps no one is taught Scripture other than to misuse the Bible to justify what the frauds are doing. They are never taught to walk in God’s love toward their neighbor. The “prophetic” wolves never teach their audiences to fear the LORD.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

Let us never look to mere men. Doing so has never grounded us in Christ. In fact, if those who seek out a person (who claims to be prophetic) for a word, would seek God for themselves, by now they’d be deeply rooted and grounded in Christ. Instead, they are still shallow, flaky.

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7

When you hear people saying things like “God is doing a new thing,”“God is going to bless you,” … etc., and it doesn’t include your crucifixion, the cross, you can know that they are simply flattering you and leading you into a false hope. These are the “enemies of the cross of Christ” that Paul warned us about (Philippians 3:18-19).

Would God, who gave us His Word, be speaking to all these people all the time, people who don’t even preach His Gospel, His Word? They aren’t getting people into His Word, but instead getting those people to listen to their words.

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8

PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You on the basis of Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Please forgive me for the idolatry of self, the sin of spiritual adultery, where I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You. Break me dear LORD I ask, making this heart holy and contrite, sincere, and authentically Your true disciple. Teach me Your discernment. Please take away every trace of falsity from my life. I love You my LORD Jesus, and thank You for dying on the cross for me, for my sins, and for finding and saving me. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Judging Prophecy | A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast] | Prophetic or Pathetic? | The Holy Spirit | Beware of False Gifts |

Support | STORE | Podcasts | ChristologyBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Modern ChurchPeace with God

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Articles

What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]


“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

THE LORD is calling for an immediate release of the WHOLE counsel of HIS WORD!

DO you have a 20/20 vision? Read Acts 20:20 and get it!

Just like fake news TV, wolves only give you a small part of the whole story – in order to manipulate you! Half truths kill!

YOU know when you are right with God when you are running TO the cross message and not AWAY from it! “Enemies of the cross” of Christ “mind earthly things” and not the things the LORD commanded (Philippians 3:18-19).

The cross is a dethroning, unseating of self and the enthroning of Christ!

The Crucified Life 

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of GodThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

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Abiding

“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]


“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17

Did you realize that as a born again disciple of Jesus, that you have an “account” in Heaven?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

Laying up treasure in Heaven and not wasting it on this fleeting life, is the command and the wisdom of God.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”  1 Chronicles 29:14

To some I would say:

“So let me get this straight…. you attributed your own earnings for your whole life to yourself and so now, how dare someone suggest you allow other saints to help fund God’s work, to lay up treasure in Heaven …..”

“But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24 

Some seem to take offense to anyone receiving help from God’s people… which is 100% selfish and pride filled…. in more than one way:

1. The work is expanded with greater funding;

2. God’s people are laying up treasure in Heaven when they choose to give.

This all seems to indicate that you are far too involved in the “ministry” you are doing. It’s all about you, not Christ.

Think about how Jesus and Paul and John had numerous “fellowhelpers to the truth.” Every member was free and able to function fully in our LORD’s work.

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8

Apparently some bogusly believe, pretend to be more righteous than Jesus and the apostle Paul by denying love offerings to do the work of God.

These men are actually preventing God’s people from laying up treasure in heaven and acting self-righteous about it.

Apparently you seek to be the hero who serves yourself in many ways instead of Christ and others and therefore you wish all of your labor be attributed to your own account in Heaven. Philippians 4:17 says:  “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

We give the Gospel “without charge”…. and yet that does not in any way negate all that the Bible says about giving and laying up treasure in Heaven: “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). This would mean that he doesn’t ask for money and yet that doesn’t mean he didn’t receive such help nor that what he taught in verses 1-14 are negated.

Regrettably, there are men doing ministry who are babes in understanding this Bible 101 doctrine of giving, of stewardship.

Isn’t it time we get out of the way and let those sitting on the bench get on the field, participate, lay up treasure in Heaven?

Do we not understand how Christ told us His kingdom works…. that when we give, it connects our hearts closer to Christ and His work? See Matthew 6:21.

Following our heretical beliefs instead of the Bible on this topic of stewardship would have thus far resulted in the deprivation of so very many beloved needy people here in Mexico. It would have cheated them out of many blessings…. food and the Word, salvation, etc.

Remember, such as was the case with the few loaves and fishes. Jesus takes what we give to Him, to His work, and multiplies it. Do the math. John 6. Five thousand men were fed out of 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet there was much food (more than they began with) left over, surplus (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).

“Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” John 6:13

Regrettably, we have novices who are abandoning the truth of God due to others perverting it….(2 Corinthians 2:17).

Are they making excuse for not giving?

The LORD “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

Every good and every perfect gift on this earth is from God and is a mere foretaste of glory divine!

“The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

Does God’s Word not warn us that God’s people are to “behold” both “the goodness and the SEVERITY of God” lest we be “cut off”?

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

LORD, we thank You now for EVERY good and perfect blessing You alone have provided—beginning with the ultimate, the unspeakable, the unfathomable gift of Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to justify us (Romans 4:25)! We love You LORD Jesus!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates |The Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar DialogueJesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom!Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Fellowship | Haggai | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts

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Abiding

Hostile Watching vs Grounded Readiness for Christ’s Return [podcast]


So let me get this straight…. we are frantic about the timing of the most anticipated event in human history, the return of Heaven’s King …. yet we don’t love that coming King enough to diligently seek His face and be preoccupied, consumed with serving Him – as we obey Him by daily denying self, taking up the cross, worshipping and executing His Great Commission mandate that He gave us? If this is the case, does it not prove that we are all about ourselves and not the LORD we feign to follow – as in we don’t truly love Him but rather seek to self-preservingly keep ourselves out of hell?

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (hostile watching): 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21

Are we frantic about the WHEN and not fervent about seeking, knowing, worshipping, and obeying the WHO? Should we be crying “WHEN?!” OR “WHAT do You want me to do LORD, HOW do You want to use me?!”

The Coming of the Kingdom

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

22  And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

23  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.”

In this passage it seems to fit that “observation” refers to hostile, anxious watching. Notice the setting. The Pharisee enemies are demanding “WHEN the kingdom of God should come.” Jesus then answers them and seems to communicate that we are not to seek to determine by physical evidence “WHEN” He’s returning and that “the kingdom of God is within you.” (v21)

Of Jesus’s words in Luke 17:20, the Pulpit commentary notes:

“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. This answer of our Lord’s may be paraphrased: “The kingdom of God cometh not in conjunction with such observation and watching for external glorious things as now exist among you here. Lo, it will burst upon you suddenly, unawares.” The English word “observation” answers to the signification of the Greek as meaning a singularly anxious watching.”

Our preoccupation should not be with the timing, the exact day or hour of His coming but rather in knowing Him, being rooted and grounded in our abiding relationship with the Savior. Living in readiness (Luke 12:40; 21:34-36). Our relationship with Him, moment by moment is what is most important and determines our present abiding fruitfulness (John 15:1-16) and future place with our coming King.

“Help me Jesus to keep my eye on the prize. You are my exceedingly great reward! And there is none upon the earth I desire more than thee. Those that are yours are preparing their hearts to be with you in glory for ever and ever! Behold Lord you are the God of our salvation!” Karen Cochran

Jesus came and died to give us a relationship with the Father and Himself.

“And this is life eternal (the whole divine reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

We must let God be God, letting Him determine the orchestrating and timing of His coming and rather be preoccupied with seeking, loving, knowing, and obeying our coming King.

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

When lightening strikes “EVERY EYE” sees it (Revelation 1:7). Speaks of … He is coming with such force that lights of the whole sky escapes no one. So shall it be when the Author of lightening splits the eastern sky beloved! When Jesus Christ splits the eastern sky no one will miss it.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25  Behold, I have told you before. 26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:21-27

God knows and is in control of the end of all things, the return of the Son of God.

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36

We need not run around frantically looking for the coming of the KING and His kingdom because “the kingdom of God is within you.” The domain of the KING is in us—KING-dom! That’s what it means.

The preoccupation of the Heaven bound saint of Christ should be his relationship with King Jesus.

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40

Some people are so busy trying to figure out exactly when Jesus is coming back and how the end time events are going to unfold that they aren’t preparing themselves to meet Him! They live in unwarranted anxiety, in hostile watching instead of settling down to know Him and therefore they aren’t ready to meet Jesus nor helping others to be prepared for the soon return of Christ. Fruitfulness comes from an abiding relationship with Christ.

Living in hostility, anxiety and fear destroys present abiding and fruitfulness. Many today jump from one end times ministry to another, fueling their anxiety with speculations. They are perpetually incapacitated from the daily abiding and fruitfulness Jesus ordains (John 15:1-16).

I’ve seen many who spend more time worrying, monitoring and trying in vain to determine what month or day Jesus would return. It seems that those same people are not fervently seeking the face of the LORD, are not evangelizing, do not have their hand to the plow of the Great Commission work of Christ. Rather they are foolishly seeking to play God by frantically attempting to figure out the exact or approximate timing of Jesus’ second coming. And yet they don’t have an heart after God and are therefore not ready for when Jesus returns (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:40; Ephesians 5:25-27).

God is calling us to settle down and seek His face.

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:8

God is calling us to be anchored in Christ, our “blessed hope.” Titus 2:13

Titus 2 seems to be speaking of our lives, our spiritual state in light of Jesus’ coming.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15 

Hope in Christ, as we truly abide in Him, in the crucified life He ordained, is the “anchor of the soul” of the remnant disciple.

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:19

“Love this podcast! And the word you used was hysteria. That is exactly what I am seeing. Many want to escape the tribulation out of fear! So if they can somehow figure out when Jesus is coming then maybe they will be able to escape the difficult times ahead! But we know the Bible says we must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of heaven. Acts 14:22. So there is no escape. Our job is to continue in the faith, eye on the prize which is Jesus! Always keeping in view the Kingdom of God. Like the 5 wise virgins.” Karen Cochran

The reason people live in fear is that they don’t have the love of God in them, through oneness with, through abiding relationship with Christ, which otherwise cast out all fear.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18

Prayer: Father, please ground me in You, establish Your kingdom and fruitfulness in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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