Abiding

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY: ‘He Gets Us’ Campaign Examined [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Christian” Group Seeks to Promote Jesus Christ in a New Light with $100 Million Ad Campaign: ‘He Gets Us’

The campaign will reportedly run TV commercials — including a Super Bowl ad — as well as online content, billboards and more marketing materials aimed at younger generations.

Notice, $100 Million dollars with no Scripture. Wow.

What’s the import of such a statement? ‘He Gets Us’ as in Jesus understands our sin and it’s okay? That’s how it seems to come off – because the sin of the individual is never mentioned, the very reason that Jesus came to die on a cross, be buried, and raised again to redeem us from our sin (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:1-2, etc.).

Something didn’t sit well with me on this recently launched campaign. Smelled a rat. Let’s test it together against Scripture.

Jesus gets us? Yes, but….What does Jesus get about us?

First off, the question is being asked as to what church is ‘he gets us’ affiliated with? Their answer:

“We’re also not affiliated with any particular church or denomination. We simply want everyone to understand the authentic Jesus as he’s depicted in the Bible — the Jesus of radical forgiveness, compassion, and love. It wouldn’t be hard to guess that we’re led by Jesus fans and followers.”

The summation of the ‘He Gets Us’ movement/message is “Jesus gets that you are a sinner and it’s okay.”

EXPOSED: The ‘He Gets Us’ scam alert: Note that one of their slogans says “It’s never too late.” Is this biblically true or false? False.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

The ‘He Gets Us’ campaign is coddling people in their sin instead of loving God enough to obey Him by preaching His Word to them so they can repent and be saved. These wolves are lying to the lost instead of lovingly informing them that Jesus commands them to repent and believe upon Him for salvation – before it’s too late. – “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Notice that in this ‘He Gets Us’ campaign, there’s no mention as to why Jesus came to the earth. They cite that Jesus forgives and yet WHAT does He forgive? The Bible is not shy to cite the word SIN and all the variations thereof, and never should His people be! The words sin/sins appears 620 times in God’s Word. That’s not even counting the specific sins named, listed throughout. Here’s 17 specific and soul-damning sins in just one passage:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

So, how are sinners going to realize that they’ve sinned against their Maker and are in need of His forgiveness if those sins (Ten Commandments, etc) are hidden from them? God didn’t hide them in His Word and so why should we?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Bible 101

Jesus came to die to save sinners. And, anyone not preaching this paramount Gospel truth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Interestingly, most pastors today avoid the biblical topic of sin which removes the dilemma Jesus came and died to solve….. Beware!

By pretending to “rescue” Jesus from what religion has painted Him out to be, this movement does even more violence on the image of the Son of God. This is why one must diligently and daily study God’s Word for himself and never depend on a ministry or movement or movie to tell them who God is.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God (you do it!), a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Did Jesus make space for everyone? Yes and yet He spoke His truth to those He “make space for” as the ‘He Gets It’ campaign claims. Yes, Jesus is the “friend of publicans and sinners!” – whom He came specifically to save them from that sin, because it separates them from Him and the Father who are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6;3; Revelation 4:8; Luke 7:34)

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Acting is if we love Jesus and others by befriending the lost and yet not disclosing to them their separation from God due to sin, is evil.

Testing the ‘He Gets Us’ Organization Against Scripture

Any attempt to make Jesus popular, especially where Jesus’ very words aren’t integrally incorporated, will fail to produce the fruit God intends. Are we not warned never to bid Godspeed to any false gospel or minister? (2 John 7-11)

Are we open to consider just what “Jesus” they are calling people to with this $100 Million campaign? Christ’s apostle Paul exposed that the enemy of all souls seeks to insidiously displace God’s people via the presentation of “another Jesus … another spirit … another gospel.”

“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 Eve through his subtilty, 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

Jesus Gets Us? hmmmm

“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

Just what does Jesus “get” about “us”?

Does Jesus really get us? Yes and that’s exactly why He came on His Father’s mission to the earth.

Yet the ‘He Gets Us’ campaign never communicates this biblical truth on their website or otherwise (at the time of this writing).

What kind of message are they sending? The ‘He Gets Us’ advertising campaign seems to portray that Jesus “gets us” in our sin, He understands and is okay with it, and doesn’t call us to repentance.

Jesus got us alright. He knew from the Garden of Eden when man sinned and fell from grace that mankind was utterly depraved, “desperately wicked” and that He alone could solve such a sin-separation problem (Isaiah 53; Ezekiel 22:30; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:5-6). He knew that we were sinners – long before He came to the earth. In fact, that’s exactly why He came. God didn’t send His only begotten Son to come to earth and “get us” which means to understand and approve us in our sin. Jesus came to die. He came to be crucified for our sins because He knew we were sinners hopelessly separated from God who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)

Does this new ‘He Gets Us’ campaign ever mention how Jesus came to die for us, sinners and why He came? Does it cite what Scripture calls sin and that “The wages of sin is death”? (Romans 6:23) If so, what exactly are those sins specifically called by their King James Bible name?

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth (displayed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Jesus came because we ARE sinners and were in need of the salvation He alone could provide (Ezekiel 22:30; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:18, etc.).

The reason Jesus Christ came to the earth could not have been stated more clearly in God’s Word. Bible 101.

Is this just another misleading, heretical apostate modern church world campaign attempting to get people to like “Jesus”, all while intentionally ignoring the very stated reason the Jesus of Holy Scripture came to the earth? – “to save SINNERS”?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Fallen men owe a debt they cannot pay. Jesus came and paid a debt He did not owe. He said:

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

To intentionally hide this fact and the sins fallen men have committed against God is to deceive people. According to the divinely inspired record of Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ came into this world for the express purpose of dying on a cross for the sins, to take away the sins of the world. Then He was buried, and raised again from the dead for the justification of whosoever will (Romans 4:25). The Son of God came to save His people – those who will repent and receive Him – from their sins – NOT IN THEIR SINS. And Jesus only saves from their sins the individual who repents and receives Him (Luke 13:3; John 1:12, etc.).

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

Jesus didn’t come to this earth to help people think He was a nice, good person. He came to die for the sins of the world.

Hiding the truth is evil and misrepresents Christ.

It’s only misled men who mislead men. Misled men are men who deny the daily cross Christ commanded us to take up (Luke 9:23-24). Un-crucified men will deny Christ by delivering a message different from the one He delivered.

“A third defect in our message is our tendency to keep the terms of discipleship hidden until a decision has been made for Jesus. Our LORD never did this. The message He preached included the cross as well as the crown … We popularize the message and promise fun. The result of all this is that we have people believing without knowing what they believe (with) no doctrinal basis for their decision. They do not know the implications of commitment to Christ. They have never experienced the mysterious, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. ~ William MacDonald, “Evangelical Dilemma” Milk & Honey, 4/07, p. 4

We Must Beware of Overcompensation

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

Yes, while it is important to present what the Scriptures reveal about the life and mission of the Son of God, including that religionists were His greatest human enemies, it’s also important to make sure Jesus is perfectly represented and these things not distorted or purposely left out.

In our zeal to reject self-righteous religionists of our day and how they’ve grossly misrepresented Christ, we must never also misrepresent Christ by altering the Gospel of Christ which includes essential doctrines such as ….. the divinity of Christ, the virgin…..the absolute necessity of His perfect blood payment for the sins of mankind, that no one else qualified to make this payment except the Lamb of God Himself, the necessity of repentance, holiness from sin which separates men from God, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the imperative of the crucified life – the cross – in the personal daily life of any person who will truly follow Jesus, eternal damnation for all who die in sin, judgment to come, the necessity of personal holiness, readiness in light of the soon return of Christ, etc.

In watching these commercials, one will hear things like “Around the dinner table they can talk and see how much they have in common.” Yet it never speaks of the fact that we all have sinned against our Maker and that is what all men have in common. And also it never hints of the “common salvation” – the salvation of Christ to all who have sinned (Romans 3).

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

The Gospel

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

If they are not preaching THE Gospel, they are preaching another gospel and are “accursed.”

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

The very next words Paul pens concern those who preach “any other gospel” and why they preach it. – “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) Simply put, those who promulgate a false gospel, do so because they do not fear God and are not Christ’s servants.

On the surface, to say “Jesus gets us” seems unfitting for several reasons, including the fact that the group spreading this message could have just as easily used their money and screen time quoting Scripture directly from God’s Word, the King James Bible. Instead, they are using misleading (at best) slogans and making deceptive claims such as “Jesus was a refugee.” Among other things this is the typical lame, avoid-all-persecution “evangelism”, which is not biblical evangelism. “Evangelism” that doesn’t bring persecution is not biblical evangelism (Luke 6:26; Book of Acts, etc.).

To Preach HIS Word is the Mandate of God to His People

There are so many spineless moral cowards today who promulgate the “Jesus loves you” false gospel – pawning gospel of half truths. Yes Jesus loves you and came and died, was buried, and raised from the dead to save you from your sins – and He will only do so if you repent and put your trust in Him completely (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:13, etc.).

Here’s what the true disciples of today preach as did the LORD’s apostles and earliest followers of Jesus. Read the book of Acts afresh.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19

“Preach the Word”

“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

The actual Word of God must be preached – and that’s exactly what you’ll see the true remnant of disciples today doing. In fact, is it not disheartening to see so many who claim to follow Jesus never just posting the pure, raw Word of God (King James Bible)? Sad. It reveals that they are ashamed of Christ – regardless of any excuse.

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

Anyone ashamed of Jesus’ words is ashamed of Christ. If a person isn’t ashamed of Christ and His Word, why then would they not be boldly posting, declaring, communicating it?

ARE YOU sharing the Gospel, the Word of God, or are you proving to be ashamed of Christ?

Jesus never commanded that His people go and pander to the public, to soft sell them on, to make them feel good about the idea of “Jesus.” Christ commanded His people to “Go” and “preach”, to boldly declare His Gospel.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

A reading of the book of Acts reveals that the earliest saints were baptized with the Holy Spirit and boldly preached the Word of Christ. Today we have endless and lame attempts to soft sell Jesus, to make Him palatable to the world using half-truths which has inflicted incalculable damage.

Here are some comments on this $100 million “He Gets Us” scam:

“Imagine what they’ll attract with such an unimaginative bait and switch…” C.

“You are right on the money here! I like your straightforward way of just saying it the way it is. Cringe! I like that. Did you hear what was really said in the video that imitated Mary and Joseph when Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit? That trivialized the virgin birth of Jesus and the entrance of God-incarnate into this world. When they liken JOSEPH to a “BOYFRIEND” of an out-of-wedlock baby-mama, I about fell out of my computer chair. That is blasphemous!!! The fallacy is that all women except Mary have to be sexually active in an immoral way before God if they are pregnant out of wedlock, but Mary was a engaged virgin, moral, and Jesus was conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT. Matthew 1:23. They do not say anything that makes Jesus’ birth different from all other humans, but they compare it to an illegitimate pregnancy.” Lee

“Thankfully, I have already gotten Jesus so I’ll be taking a pass on this campaign.” D.

Testing Everything, Every Mere Man Against Holy Writ

The “more noble” Berean disciples tested against the final divine authority, next to the divine standard of the written Word, what the apostle Paul was preaching (Acts 17:10-11). Things to ask about any person claiming to represent Christ:

Are they calling out sin from God’s Word? The violation of the Law/Ten Commandments, etc. (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24; 5:19-21; 1 John 3:4, etc.).
Is he/are they calling me to repentance? (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3; 24:49; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc.
Is he preaching Christ and His original Gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).

Was Jesus a Refugee? Not Quite.

The ‘He Gets Us’ website states the following:

“Jesus was a refugee: As a child, Jesus lived as a refugee in Egypt to escape physical and political persecution.”

One writer notes:

“Jesus was not a “refugee” in any sense meaningful to today’s world. For one thing, Jesus’ family never left the Roman Empire; they simply fled from one region of Roman territory to another Roman territory. That would be like someone moving legally from one state to another within the USA to leave the jurisdiction of the governor of the first state. Also, Luke makes it clear that Joseph and Mary went out of their way to follow Roman law in adhering to the census (Luke 2:1–5). Everything they did was legal.

Jesus and His family moved to Egypt in order to escape King Herod’s murderous intentions, but they had a plan, and they had supplies and support. Their trip was entirely self-funded, due to the gifts of the magi. And their sojourn in Egypt was short. The family remained there until the death of Herod, at which time they returned home (Matthew 2:19–21). Given these details, there’s no real parallel to the modern, indigent refugee who asks permission to enter a new country to avoid some calamity.”

PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please teach me Your ways, bringing a deep conviction for what You told us angers You and what pleases You. Please sharpen the discernment of Your beloved people and cause us to earnestly contend for the faith of the original Gospel You gave us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]

“Baal was most often portrayed as a strong warrior and was considered the god of storms and fertility. He was said to rule from his palace atop Mount Zaphon, the highest peak in Syria. Baal is referenced several times in the Bible’s Old Testament, where he is depicted as the main rival of the god of the Israelites.”

We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.).

“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

DIVINE JUDGMENT, the “severity of God,” IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!

Christians avoid doing as did the Israelites when they worshipped baal by worshipping the LORD, the Father and Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 1:3) This begins with fresh and complete repentance, confession of all sin, and denouncing of all dependence, idolatry, all pagan practices like yoga and mantra chanting, etc., and by understanding that truly worshiping the LORD, the one true God, is based on sincere loyalty to Him and not to get things from Him like success or possession in this fleeting world. The heart of the disciple of Jesus must be circumcised perpetually and this is happening as we examine our hearts for idols, the daily crucified life, living a life of prayer, setting boundaries against temptations, and being wholly accountable to the LORD, while avoiding syncretism (mixing pagan rituals with Christian practice) and prioritizing God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 4:1-10

24,000 of God’s own people, men, departed from obeying the instruction, the standard, the Word of God and were destroyed. They partook in the soul damning sin of fornication.

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 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. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:1-10

Departing from the pure Word of God always leads to sinful living as was the case with 24,000 of God’s people’s worship at Baal Peor.

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns God’s people not to change or depart from the LORD’s Word and brings up the example, reminds the people of God’s judgment upon 24,000 of His own people for doing so (Numbers 25).

Of the worship of Baal-Peor, one writer notes:

“Yet what was this worship of Baal-Peor and why did it draw such wrath from God? Baal-Peor is a Moabite god who was worshipped with obscene rituals. The name means ‘Lord of the Opening’ from Baal meaning owner/ husband and Peor coming from pa’ar meaning ‘open wide.’ ‘I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.’ (Hosea 9:10) The worship of Baal-Peor IS an abomination. Notice that those who join themselves to Baal-Peor also ‘become’ an abomination before the Lord.”

Every person who has an idol, just one, has demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Repent now. Follow Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 4:3, Moses brings back to the memory of God’s people the judgment that fell upon the 24,000 of His own people for their idolatry and fornication. This idolatrous abomination is recorded in Numbers 25.

“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Numbers 25:6-9

Dear reader, camp out on Numbers 25, the whole chapter. Your life is not complete without this vital component of divine truth.

Of Baal, one source notes:

Baal was a major ancient West Semitic storm and fertility god, meaning “lord” or “master,” prominent in Canaanite and Phoenician cultures, associated with rain, thunder, and agriculture, and often depicted with a thunderbolt. He was seen as a powerful deity, central to life, but became a focal point of biblical opposition as Israel’s worship of him (linked to lust and sometimes child sacrifice) was seen as idolatry against God, culminating in Elijah’s famous challenge on Mount Carmel. In later demonology, Baal (or Bael) is a powerful archdemon, and the name appears in various modern media as a demon or powerful entity.

In Ancient Religions

Identity: A powerful god of fertility, weather (rain, lightning, wind), war, and kingship, often identified with the storm god Hadad.
Worship: Widespread in the Levant (Canaan, Phoenicia) and beyond, with temples and rituals often involving cultic prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice, especially during droughts.
Mythology: Key myths involve his battles with the sea god Yamm and the god of death Mot, representing natural cycles, and his dwelling on Mount Zaphon.
Biblical Conflict: The Bible portrays Baal worship as a major temptation for Israelites, a rival to God, whose priests (including those of the Phoenician goddess Asherah/Astarte) were famously confronted by Elijah.

In Demonology & Culture

Demon: In demonology, Bael (Baal) is a powerful archdemon, often the first of the three kings of Hell in grimoires, associated with invisibility and wisdom.
Modern Media: The name appears in many forms, from Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons (Bhaal/Bael) to anime like Gundam and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, often as a powerful demon or god.”

Not one of us has lived perfectly holy and yet, at this moment in time, some will choose to truly repent and confess their sins and others will refuse (Proverbs 28:13). Eternity depends on true repentance which always, without fail, yields a changed life, a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:3).

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

These 24,000 Israelites were slain for their sin. God is still holy and “The wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4).

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

Zimri, a Simeonite (of the tribe of Simeon) was the Israelite whom Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, did slay for his utterly audacious display of sin, having brought the fornication in the middle of the camp of God’s people and even into the midst of their worship (Numbers 25:6, 14).

The great apostle brings this very incident to account 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and warns New Testament saints never to partake lest they also be destroyed. The sins Paul cites form the natural acronym L.I.F.T.M. = lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, murmuring.

5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]

The spear of Phinehas must begin with ourselves – as we truly repent, lay down our lives in this world, and cut off the hand, pluck out the eye of any sin in our lives. The conscious eternal suffering, the severity of eternal judgment coming on any person who dies in sin is most profoundly declared by the Son of God Mark 9:43-49. Many of the new fake “bibles” removed this important passage.

The new “bibles” have lowered the standard and weakened many by their changing of God’s Word which Moses specifically warns us of in this main text, Deuteronomy 4.

“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

Departing from the Word of God, not obeying God on His stated terms, is the sure way to be weakened, destroyed, here and eternally. The LORD speaks often in His Word about this.

“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

Each Man is Choosing to Drink from One Cup or the Other

Baal was ultimately Satan himself and involved things like sacrificing ones own child in exchange for being blessed by this false good. Jesus informed us that Satan has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10).

As was the case at Baal Peor, Satan is behind every idol and so all idolatry is the worship of Satan.

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22

This passage above is speaking of the Baal Peor event and also to the temptation of Satan and his children today. Baal worship is alive and well today, calling God’s people to worship at the altar of devils, to partake is vile atrocities that separate one to Satan and away from the LORD. “No man can serve two masters” and anyone living in sin is not serving the one, true, holy LORD and Savior (Matthew 6:24)

“They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Psalms 106:28-31

One writer notes:

“Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God.”

Baal Peor consisted of the worship of a false god, Satan, and fornication. Satan is behind the worship of all idols and such idolatry is filled with his devils/demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

Modern day types of Baal Peor are the pornography, strip clubs, and everything in our society that has to do with any form of fornication. Movie and media are filled with such evil. The 24,000 who were destroyed in Moses day (Numbers 25), departed from the Word of God and the standards set forth there for holiness and the divine prohibition of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Read Deuteronomy 4 and Numbers 25 side by side.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Before their blunder at Peor, after God brought them out of Egypt (the world), Israel was innocent. Judgment, destruction ensued their sin of all who participated. Today, we can witness that many who once worshipped God with a pure heart, have now turned away to the worship of idols involving fornication of all kinds. Those who would rebuke these backsliders could be liked unto Phinehas.

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:10

“I found Israel – The Lord speaks of himself in the person of a traveler, who unexpectedly in the wilderness finds a vine loaded with grapes; such love did God bear to Israel. Your fathers – Whom I brought out of Egypt. As the first – ripe – As the earliest ripe fruit of the fig – tree, which is most valued and desired. Separated themselves – Consecrated themselves to that shameful idol. Their abominations – Their idols, and way of worshipping them. As they loved – As they fancied.” John Wesley

Deuteronomy 4, Numbers 25, and 1 Corinthians 10 speak of the same event – the sin of God’s people in Baal worship at Peor and the consequent divine judgment that fell upon 24,000 of them. This is an eternal memorial for the judgment of God against all sin, namely idolatry and fornication.

“To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord’s Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord’s Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord’s Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit.” FB Meyer

Those who depart from the standards set forth in God’s Word separate themselves to idols, to devils and are under divine judgment from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6).

The Examples of Phinehas and Jael

Perhaps we can liken what Phinehas did in spearing the sin out of the camp of God’s people, with those who call His people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and according to His pure, uncorrupted Word (Numbers 25:10-18; Psalms 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). Phinehas boldly, courageously in the fear of God stood up and stamped out sin in the camp. The judgment ended. Those who stand and boldly, fearlessly declared the Word of God and call out sin among God’s people, are the Phinehas’ of our day. Do we have a Phinehas priesthood in our midst?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

In Job 4:21-22; 5:24-27 we read about another bless-ed patriarch of the faith who stood up, who rose up against sin, slaying a wicked king.

In both the cases of Phinehas and Jael, these biblical accounts make specific record that the LORD greatly blessed these faithful followers of His, and their families, and He will do the same today for His true bold witnesses who stand against the evil of this late hour.