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BRIDGING EVANGELICALS TO THE ONE WORLD CHURCH: Ecumenical Agenda Exposed

by Mac Dominick

Resources to aid your Understanding

The Great Man rose to his feet. A swelling silence rolled over the immense crowd as an ocean wave over the sand of the seashore. The silence rose in a crescendo of anticipation as he motioned to the high priest. The priest slowly lifted his staff, and a mountain of fire fell from the sky, exploding into a raging inferno. The huge crowd stood mesmerized as the prepared sacrifice was incinerated in the flames. The silence then erupted into choruses of praise as every individual fell prostrate to the earth in worship of the Great Man. Is this not the long-anticipated Holy One? Is this not the Second Coming of Christ to the Christian, Crishna to the Hindu, Maitreya to the Buddhist, Imam Mahdi to the Muslim, Hiram Abiff to the Mason, and Messiah ben David to the Jew? Is he not the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies concerning each of these and others? After all, he alone accomplished what all before failed to achieve: he became the provider of world peace, established himself as the rightful priest-king of all mankind, and provided both spiritual and political direction for the entire planet. With all the dissenters humanely removed to rethink their positions, he successfully blended the common values of all religions into a new, syncretistic, all-encompassing faith. The long-awaited “Golden Age” has at last arrived. WELCOME TO THE ONE WORLD CHURCH.

This Super Church will not appear out of thin air, as the plans for this organization are as old as the present antediluvian civilization itself. It will not result from a direct frontal assault on established religion; but rather, will be built piece by piece, as the mending of subplots in a complex mystery novel. The pieces are now falling into place, and the subplots are rushing headlong to the climax—the Rapture of the Church and subsequent appearance of Antichrist. Tragically, many well-meaning, sincere individuals are falling prey to the vast deception of Satan’s plan for the Super Church. This includes many Christians and Christian organizations who are becoming unwitting accomplices to the impending One World Church.

How could any Christian be so naive? How could God possibly allow His children to contribute to the plans of Satan? The problem lies in a lack of adherence to the doctrines of the Word of God. When a man is born-again, he does not mystically become immune to deception. It is the man’s responsibility to “draw nigh unto God” (James 4:8). This is accomplished by studying and taking heed to the precepts of the Word of God. A Christian must study to become established in Bible Doctrine (II Tim. 2:15). DOCTRINE is the key to discernment and fighting deception. Curiously, even the “Evangelical Church” of today is subordinating the teaching of doctrine to social issues, psychological development, cultural crises, worship and praise, and practically every other pseudo-spiritual “ism” or study imaginable. This course of events has resulted in a generation of Christians who have no clue as to what they believe or how to recognize heresy. Since so many are facing this dilemma, they have become easy prey for deception which comes “gift-wrapped” in a religious package. To fully understand the ramifications of this deception, the building of the One World Church, and the organizations involved in its establishment, one must look back to the year, 1948.

The modern downward spiral to religious apostasy began with two very significant events in 1948. On May 14,1948, the nation of Israel was reborn. Never before in the history of mankind has any dispersed nation been re-established in the same territory after an absence of in excess of 1000 years. The rebirth of Israel can only be attributed to the direct working of the hand of God. This rebirth signaled the start of the final countdown to the “end of the age”. In his book, Jerusalem, a Cup of Trembling, Dave Hunt explains that the last days prior to the return of Christ will be marked by the following:

“Israel in the ‘Promised Land’”

The Church in decline

Growing apostasy

The Church finally removed” (1)

If this line of reasoning is followed through to fruition, the influence of the nation of Israel on world events must increase, while the influence of the Church must decrease.

This scenario has been aided by the second significant event of 1948—the formation of the World Council of Churches. The WCC was formed in Amsterdam with 147 protestant denominations (today there are 307) (2). The organization’s goal was clearly stated at its inaugural meeting (August 1948) by General Secretary of the WCC, W.A. Visser’t Hooft :

“…there can be and there is finally only one church of Christ on earth…we are aware of the situation, that we do not accept it passively, that we move forward towards the manifestation of the ONE HOLY CHURCH.” (3)

(Lest any misunderstand, the Universal Church certainly does exist. This is the “Body of Christ”, consisting of all those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. However, this Universal Church DOES NOT include every member of every church and/or religion. This “Body” also DOES NOT include those who merely claim Christianity but have never experienced the new birth.) The opposite view of the WCC has been correctly conveyed by Dr. David Cloud:

“We could describe the error of the WCC under a number of categories. We could speak of its Doctrinal Heresy, its Modernism….Universalism. The simple fact is that the WCC fails every Biblical test which could be applied. It is patently and grossly unscriptural.” (4)

Though the Roman Catholic Church is not officially a member of the WCC, the Vatican has worked very closely with the WCC since the “Ecumenical Movement” of the 1960s (The Ecumenical Movement was a failed effort to reunite mainline protestants with the “Mother Church”). Dr. Edward Panosian, chairman of the Department of History at Bob Jones University, stated,

“Rome’s conception of the ecumenical movement is the joining of all churches- eventually all religions- to Rome. Rome does not join the WCC. She invites the WCC to join her….” (5)

The member churches of the WCC have been sliding into an ever-deepening chasm of doctrinal apostasy. They have turned their backs on the fundamental doctrines of the faith. Many member churches deny the Inerrancy of Scripture, the Virgin Birth, the Bodily Resurrection, and the Deity of Christ. They have been quick to endorse Marxist causes, gays and lesbians, feminism, and even promote goddess worship. While many true “blood-washed” believers may be members of this body, they are certainly supporting the building of the One World Church.

After the failure of the Ecumenical Movement of the 1960s, the 1970s brought forth the second wave of the “Charismatic Movement”. The Charismatics actively seek unity on the basis of (supernatural) manifestations, many times at the expense of doctrinal truth. They have taken the position that differences in doctrine can be overlooked “as long as those with whom we seek unity confess the name of Jesus and appear to exhibit the gifts of the Spirit—particularly speaking in tongues . . .” (6). This has led many Charismatics into Dominion Theology (see page 6 for explanation), and has also given Roman Catholics the opportunity to regain credibility with many protestants (7). (“The ‘gift of tongues’ was received spontaneously by many Catholics as they were engaged in prayer to Mary.”) (8) Many influential Charismatic leaders have begun to embrace unity with Roman Catholics. This includes such well-known men as Pat Robertson, Paul Crouch, and Oral Roberts. Meetings between Catholic and Evangelical Charismatics have expanded to up to 80,000 participants (9). This scenario is the direct result of the call for Charismatic Unity.

The two major common denominators of the Ecumenical and Charismatic Movements are: 1) the forsaking of biblical truth for the sake of unity, and 2) the influence of the Church of Rome. The forsaking of biblical truth is obviously the most tragic mistake an ecclesiastical body can make. Yet, so many have been willing to compromise truth for the sake of unity. As a result, the idea that theological teaching is dull, boring, or irrelevant for today’s society is creeping into even the more conservative churches. Churches (influenced mainly by high profile media ministries) are starting to cater to emotional, psychological, or social teachings. This reaction to the compromise by the high profile ministries is paving the way to find that “set of common values” with those of every religion. This is the groundwork for the One World Church.

The influence of the Church of Rome in these movements is obvious. One need not be a great historian to understand the desire of the Vatican to garner ecclesiastical control of the entire planet. From its earliest days, the intent of the Church of Rome has been to “establish the Kingdom of God on earth—under the headship of the pope” (10). The Bible is very explicit in its description of the One World Church. The Apostle John, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, records in Revelation 17 the image of a harlot riding a beast:

“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains which the woman sitteth.” (11)

This is a very clear reference to Rome. The entire passage not only accurately describes the Catholic Church, but many (including this author) believe the pope to be the “False Prophet” of Antichrist as described in Revelation 13. Pope John Paul II has been quoted by Catholic Priest, Malachi Martin and others, regarding his rulership of the planet. In an interview with the National Research Institute, Martin revealed the following:

“According to Malachi Martin, John Paul II is anxiously awaiting the reappearance of Mary, which will be seen by all on earth and will authenticate John Paul II as her’s and God’s personal ambassador to RULE THE WORLD—AND SOON . . . John Paul eagerly awaits this event, since it will confirm his claim to geo-political world dominion. It will be part of a great disaster which will transform minds and catapult humanity into chaos (from which John Paul will rescue it) . . . This event will particularly involve the sun and will be seen as ‘the glory of the woman clothed with the sun and giving birth to the child who will rule the nations with a rod of iron.’ (Malachi Martin, Keys of This Blood) . . . Malachi Martin told NRI, ‘The sign will be so potent you will have to (believe) . . . Your own conscience will scream out that THIS IS GOD!” (12)

As if the thoughts of the pope are not convincing enough, the Roman Catholic Church has now taken steps beyond the Ecumenical and the Charismatic Movements. In 1986, the Church of Rome sponsored the Vatican Interfaith Conference. This was not another effort to bring rebellious protestants back into the fold of the “Mother Church.” This was a council of world RELIGIONS. The conference included Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Native Americans, African Animists, and Aboriginal Snake Worshippers (13). This was an effort to find common ground, common values, and learn tolerance—the building blocks of the One World Church.

Since 1986, many other groups have begun similar efforts. In 1993, Chicago hosted the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. This meeting generated a proclamation for a Declaration of Human Values (14). This declaration included those values common to all religions. Also in 1993, Rev. William Swing (Episcopal) announced the formation of the United Religions (UR). The UR is to be fully functional by the year 2000, and will serve as a ngo (non-governmental organization) to the UN. One goal of the UR is the establishment of a “Value Bank” that will allow people to invest their money to “promote the values of the UR.” The UR also desires to be a “symbol of unity in a world of disunity” (15). The World Conference of Religion and Peace, organized in 1970, gathered at Melbourne, Australia, in July 1997. This organization stressed “Acceptance, Tolerance, and Collaberation” among all religions EXCEPT those who hold to any form of exclusivity (i.e. “no man cometh to the Father but by me”) or absolutism (i.e. absolute truth). They also endorsed the UR and sought the common values found in all religions (16).

The One World Church is nearing fruition. The UR and similar organizations are aggressively seeking to bond all world religions. The leaders of world religions are actively seeking common ground, common beliefs, and common values. The World Council of Churches is determined to participate in and aid these efforts. The pope and Church of Rome are “seizing the moment” to finally grasp their goal of establishing the so-called “Kingdom of God” on earth. Absolutism and exclusivity are rapidly becoming labeled as intolerance and bigotry.

This certainly reveals the serious threat of ecumenism to Bible-based Christianity. Yet, many Christian leaders are busy making their own overtures of unity. In May of 1994, the document Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) was authored by Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship and R. J. Neuhaus, a Catholic priest. The document “laid the groundwork for Evangelicals to set aside their distinctive doctrines and unite with the Catholic Church and other religions which are coming together by the year 2000 A.D.” (17). The ECT document was also signed by such notable Evangelicals as Bill Bright, Pat Robertson, and Mark Noll. Other Christian leaders have also been making statements that link them to this train of thought. The following are some prime examples:

“I found that my beliefs are essentially the same as those of Orthodox Roman Catholic.” –Dr. Billy Graham (18)

“We (Catholics and Evangelicals –ed) have differences, but on the ancient creeds and core beliefs of Christianity, we stand together.” –Charles Colson (19)

“I don’t know anyone more dedicated to the great doctrines of Christianity than the Catholics.” –W. A. Criswell (20)

“I am eradicating the word ‘protestant’ from my vocabulary . . . it’s time for Catholics and non-Catholics to come together as one.” –Paul Crouch (21)

“In all the Pope’s writings…he has hundreds and hundreds of Bible verses. If I dare to say there are less [sic] than seven to ten thousand Bible verses in the new catechism, backing everything they say, I wouldn’t be exaggerating. And he makes a statement and backs it with the Word of God. ” –Jack Van Impe (22)

Why would these “Evangelical Leaders” praise the Catholic Church? Was the Reformation simply a misguided mistake? Were the millions murdered at the hands of the Office of the Inquisition really heretics? While only God knows the heart, these men do not pass the test of scrutiny when evaluated according to the principles of the Word of God. Scripture DEMANDS SEPARATION, NOT UNITY:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous- ness . . . light with darkness . . . Christ with Belial . . . he that believeth with an infidel . . . the temple of God with idols? . . . Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE YE SEPARATE saith the Lord.” (23)

Do these Evangelical leaders accept Apostolic Succession, Papal Infallibility, Transubstantiation, Mary as Intercessor, Salvation only of the Catholic Church, and/or the doctrine of Pergatory? Are any one of these found in the Bible? How can they possibly follow the commands of Scripture and unite with those who hold these unscriptural doctrines? The tragic truth of the matter is this: Whether intentional or not, these “leaders” are leading unsuspecting, undiscerning Christians into promoting the plans of Satan for the One World Church.

In 1990, an organization was formed that has the potential to ignite the flames of ecumenism already present in the “evangelical community” into a raging inferno. This organization is Promise Keepers. Promise Keepers (PK) was birthed into existence by former University of Colorado football coach, Bill McCartney. PK has as its basic premise “to see men become the spiritual leaders in their homes and make a moral impact on their communities” (24). The book, The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, goes even further to declare that the book is “for any male who wants to: know his Creator better, be closer to his wife and children, tear down the walls of division, see the entire world come to know God’s love” (25). This all sounds very pious and spiritual. However, based on the rampant ecumenism of our time, red flags should immediately be raised concerning “tear down the walls of division” and “see the entire world come to know God’s love.” What are these walls of division? At what point in time is this reference to seeing “the entire world come to know God’s love?”

Found within these two goals of Promise Keepers is a conduit to connect many “evangelicals” and other conservative Christians to the effort to build the One World Church. The second goal, “to see the entire world come to know God’s love,” needs to be addressed first. While the Lord Jesus Christ did indeed command His disciples to “go into the whole world and preach the gospel . . .” (Mark 16:15), nowhere does the Bible state that the entire world will know God’s love prior to the Millennial Reign of Christ. There exists a theological belief system among some Evangelicals and Charismatics known as Dominion Theology. This theological system, led by notable Charismatics Pat Robertson, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, and others declares the earth will be ruled by or come under the dominion of the Church.

Some Dominionists believe this will happen prior to the Rapture of the Church, while others believe a Postmillennial concept—a “Spiritual Millennium”—rather than a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth (as clearly taught by Scripture). For the purposes of this discussion, the primary danger of Dominion Theology is the embracing of ecumenical movements as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. This is a major cause for concern with the PK organization. As a matter of fact, while interviewing Bill McCartney, “Pat Robertson suggested that PK is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy” (26). Furthermore, the upper echelons of the PK organization are filled with those from the largely Dominionist, Charismatic Vineyard movement. The current PK president Randy Phillips is a member of the Boulder, Colorado Vineyard Fellowship. The pastor of this church, James Ryle, is a PK Board of Directors member. Bill McCartney is also a member of this fellowship (27). This dangerous Dominionist connection to PK is clearly seen by the goal of to “see the entire world know God’s love.” According to Scripture, this goal will not be reached in this present age. Furthermore, this is also the goal of those who seek to build the One World Church (it is not clear which “god” they desire to reveal).

Returning now to the first question (What are these walls of division?), nestled within the answer to this question are the same common denominators previously noted—the Church of Rome and the forsaking of biblical truth for the sake of unity. Therefore, red flags of warning quickly turn to alarm as one continues to inspect the Seven Promises. Promise One refers to a man’s relationship to God. This chapter, written by Jack Hayford, speaks of this relationship. Under the subtitle, “Redeeming Worship,” Mr. Hayford relates:

“Redeeming worship centers on the Lord’s Table. Whether your tradition celebrates it as communion, Eucharist, the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper, we are all called to this centerpiece of Christian worship.” (28)

This statement reveals the “walls of division” are the walls that separate the Church of Rome and the Orthodox Church from the balance of Christendom. The truth is that the Eucharist and Mass are not equivalent to the Lord’s Supper. The Church of Rome and the Orthodox Church teach that this sacrament is efficacious in and of itself. Furthermore, they believe the bread and wine became the literal body and blood of Christ via an act of alchemy performed by the priest (this is called transubstantiation). The commemoration of the Lord’s Supper is simply what Scripture demands—a memorial service (“this do in remembrance of Me”) (29). The Lord’s Supper is IN NO WAY EFFICACIOUS—forgiving no sin of the partaker.

This exposes an attitude of unity at the expense of doctrine. Again, this is a direct violation of Scripture. The PK organization is willing to sacrifice Biblical truth for unity with the Roman Catholic Church. PK also includes Roman Catholics on the PK Board of Directors. Mike Timmis, a Catholic PK board member, prayed at the 10/4/97 Washington rally:

“We recognize that we do have doctrinal differences . . . but Father, we will not let these differences destroy our unity.” (30)

This statement echoes the Ecumenical and Charismatic Movements—”Do not let doctrine prevent unity.” PK takes the call for unity even further. They have extended their hand to the CULT of Mormonism. They contend that the Mormons believe in Jesus Christ. However, who is the Jesus of Mormonism? Mormonism teaches that Jesus was the elder brother of billions of spirit children born to a god and his wives in some spirit realm. Furthermore, all of humanity consists of his younger brothers and sisters. THIS IS NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE! Yet PK is willing to exercise tolerance in ignoring these “insignificant, petty, miniscule, irrelevant doctrinal differences” in order to join into the bond of unity with Mormons. Lest anyone feel ignored, Reuters News Service reported the PK call for unity was also extended to Louis Farrakhan and his Nation of Islam in the form of an invitation to join the 1997 PK rally in Washington, D.C. (31).

Promise Keepers has many merits. Men certainly need to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and churches. There are those who have become better husbands, fathers, and leaders due to their association with PK. PK does present the gospel, and the gospel needs to be preached to all who will listen. However, the “encounter group psychotherapy” methods and unity at any cost are not biblical principles. The policy of blindly embracing other religious groups that simply “name the name of Jesus” is not sufficient. Jesus himself related that all who call “Lord, Lord” will not enter into heaven (32). In the final analysis, TRUTH MUST BE THE ULTIMATE GOAL—NOT TOLERANCE. M. K. Reynolds, in Foundation magazine noted:

“Separation from, not reconciliation with false teachers is God’s way of preserving the purity and power of the Church.”(33)

In the spirit of the Ecumenical and Charismatic Movements, PK has sacrificed doctrine for unity. Doctrine will always divide because truth divides. Hugh Latimer, while burning at the stake, cried out, “Unity must be ordered according to God’s Word, or else it be better war than peace” (34). As the end of the age approaches, this PK policy of unity is creating a bridge from the “Evangelical Community” to the One World Church.

Jesus Christ will return. He will establish His Millennial Kingdom on the earth. Prior to that time, however, the inhabitants of the earth will witness the strongest deception in all of history. The One World Church is a key ingredient to that deception. All religions will worship Antichrist as God (35). The stage is now being set and the siren song of unity is invading every of established religion. Born-again Christians must pray for discernment to fight, not tolerate the ecumenical philosophies of the time. The Church is facing guerilla warfare, and the enemy is not easily identifiable.

The book of Jude instructs the Church “to earnestly contend for the faith” because “there are certain men crept in unawares” (36). I Timothy predicts “that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith” (37). II Timothy warns “that in the last days perilous times shall come . . . (men will have) a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” (38). These passages speak of the deception from within the ranks of the professing Church in the latter days. There is warning here of deceptive “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that will infiltrate the body of believers to turn them from the faith. Jude instructs the true believers to contend for the faith. Does contending for the faith include tolerance of and cooperation with those who deny fundamental doctrines? The conclusion of the matter can be summed up in the simple statement of Timothy:

‘FROM SUCH TURN AWAY.” (39)

Born-again Christians are obligated to obey the Great Commission. This includes not only evangelization but also TEACHING:

“Go ye therefore, an TEACH all nations…TEACHING them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (40)

The ECT document prevents evangelization of Roman Catholics. Promise Keepers forbids the teaching of doctrinal truth to Catholics and Mormons so as not to threaten their unscriptural bond of unity. The bridge of the gospel, supported by the foundation of doctrinal truth must be extended to those trapped in false religious systems, while the bridge of unscriptural ecumenical unity must be burned. These are simply the requirements of the Word of God. May God give us courage and discernment to stand for the truth in these perilous times.

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on our Moments For My Master email devotional list. We would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:6). Sign up here.

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ENDNOTES

1. Hunt, Dave. Jerusalem, a Cup of Trembling, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR.,
1995, p.350.

2. “ENI News Highlights,” Ecumenical News International, World Council of Churches,
December, 1997, http://www.wcc_coe.org/eni.

Ibid.
Cloud, David. Way of Life Encyclopedia, (as quoted by) Aho, Barbara, Watch Unto Prayer Ministries, http://www.watch.pair.com/pray.html

Ibid.

Dager, James Albert. “Kingdom Now,” Media Spotlight Newsletter, Vol. 7, No.3, July-December, 1986, p.18.

Ibid.

Hunt, Dave. A Woman Rides the Beast, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR., 1994, p.431.

“Religion in Politics,” Political Christianity, http://www.isrp.org/PolChrs.html., p. 12.

Dager. P. 45.

Revelation 17:9.

Hayes, Kathleen. National Research Institute Trumpet, May, 1991, p.1.

Kah, Gary. The Demonic Roots of Globalism, Huntington House Publishers, Layfeyette, LA., 1996, p.140.

The Council,for a Parliament of the World’s Religions brochure, Chicago, IL, 1993.

Swing, William. “Invitation to Share the Vision,” United Religions, San Francisco, CA., p.3.

Howard, W.B. “World Conference of Religion and Peace,” Despatch magazine, August 8, 1997, http://www.cth.com.au.

Aho, Barbara. “Evangelicals and Catholics Together,” Watch Unto Prayer Ministries, http://www.watch.pair.com/pray.html.

A Woman Rides the Beast, p.389.

Ibid. p.347.

Ibid. p.388

Ibid. p.411

“Van Impe Accused of Bias,” Personal Freedom Outreach, http://www.pfo.org/vanimpe.html.
II Corinthians 6:14-17.
McMahon, T.A. “Compromise Keepers,” The Berean Call, November, 1995, p.1.
Philips, Randy. The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, Focus on the Family Publishing, Boulder, CO., 1994, Cover Fly Leaf.
Hunt, Dave. “Unity and Truth,” The Berean Call, April, 1998, p.1.
Randles, Bill. “An Open Letter to Bill McCarthy,” August 22, 1995, p.5.
Hayford, Jack. The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, p.19.
I Corinthians 11:24.
“Unity and Truth,” p.1.
Meyer, David. “Promise Keepers and Farrakhan,” The Last Trumpet newsletter, June, 1997.
Matthew 7:21.
Reynolds, M.H. “Promise Keepers is Dangerous,” Foundation newsletter, vol. XVI, issue 1.
Hangraaf, Hank. Counterfeit Revival, Word Publishing, Dallas TX., 1997, p.248.
Revelation 13:8.
Jude 3-4.
I Timothy 4:1.
II Timothy 3:1-5.
II Timothy 3:5.
Matthew 28:19-20.

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A Word of Encouragement on Ministering to Others

“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

It’s God’s Word, the “incorruptible seed” of the truth of God that shatters that which stands between Him and sinners. Listen closely and grasp these divinely inspired Word through the prophet Jeremiah:

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

The rock of unbelief is broken by the words of God entering the hearts of men. The light of divine truth pierces the darkness:

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130

When the very words of God enter the human heart, by its nature – light – darkness is exposed for what it is.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7

YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make me a consummate soul winner, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Many times, due to a lack of the cross in our lives, are we not rather in the flesh instead of the Spirit and therefore do we not attempt to force or coerce the truth of God on others?

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

EVER BEEN THERE? There are times when we are to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” and other times when the enemy is trying to get us to take the bait, to bite on something minor and not be quiet, listen, and meekly minister the Word and love of God (Jude 3-4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). May God bless each of His children to be led by His Holy Spirit in each instant and glorify Him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Preaching AT someone and ministering TO someone are mutually exclusive. Are we preaching in our own self-righteous wrath and don’t yet realize it? The words of James are stinging and should be memorized:

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

May God fill us with His love and bless each of us to edify (build up) the members of His body.

Both rebuking and ministering are certainly Scriptural and yet, personally, I can look back in regret and see that when God wanting me MINISTERING TO someone, I was instead preaching AT the intended target/person. They are not a target but an eternal soul heading to Heaven or hell. And at times, God will mercifully lead His people to send forth a strong rebuke in order to turn the sinner to Himself.

There are many instances in Scripture where unrepentant rebels are dealt a hard blow with strong preaching, strong rebuke – the call to repent (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; Revelation 3:19, etc.).

I wonder if it would help up today if we paused to consider the process that transpired in our own lives. Though salvation is instantaneously imparted upon repentance, it most likely took a few people sowing the seed of God’s Word in our hearts before we repented and received Christ, right? Is that what happened in your life? It sure is in mine. I didn’t stop and get saved the first time some bless-ed disciple ministered to me. Did you?

When we put a seed in the ground to get a crop, it has to first be planted and then it begins to germinate, right? Then comes the crop and the fruit. This is a process and Paul speaks of it when he writes:

“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

Here below is a passage the LORD quickens my heart to pour prayerfully over on a regular basis:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

PEOPLE go public about a lot of things. It’s time for God’s people to GO PUBLIC about JESUS!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Like everything in Christ’s kingdom, nothing works outside of the cross – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ happening in our lives daily.

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“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 The man who is truly faithful to God will search out, diligently study, devour, and learn the words of God and be used of Him to communicate them to others. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8 They read the Word itself. They gave the sense to help the people understand it. Phillip was able to give the sense […]

Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]

Explosive Podcast Featuring Expose’ of the prophesied end times wolves and rich Christology! Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18) There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel […]

Articles

Recovering Biblical Womanhood [podcast]

by Lindsey Griffin

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱’ 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱?

The more I think about this, the more I wonder whether we have been taught to look at male responsibility through the eyes of a child watching someone else get something she didn’t get.

“He gets to be in charge? That’s not fair! I want a turn.😠”

But what if what we have been calling a privilege was actually a responsibility?

The more I study the responsibilities Scripture places primarily upon men, the less I find myself coveting them. Headship sounds wonderful if all you see is the seat at the head of the table. It looks very different when you realize that the man sitting there is supposed to answer for what happens at that table.

Biblical authority isn’t simply getting your way. It comes with responsibility, sacrifice, service, provision, protection, difficult decisions, and ultimately accountability before God. Scripture repeatedly connects greater authority with greater accountability. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48). James even warns that not many should become teachers because teachers “shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1).

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” James 3:1

And that has made me rethink the entire way women have been encouraged to view male leadership.

Maybe instead of asking, “Why does he get to have that authority?” we should have been asking, “What does God require from the person to whom He gives that authority?”

Because I don’t think we can demand all of the authority traditionally associated with men while simultaneously asking society to make allowances for us whenever the realities of being women become inconvenient. We cannot insist, “Don’t treat me differently because I’m a woman. I can do anything a man can do,” and then turn around and argue, when accountability becomes painful, that our hormones, emotions, reproductive stage, or sex should substantially change what is expected of us.

If we want identical authority, then logically we are also asking for identical accountability.

The Bible never says that men are more valuable and women are less valuable. God gave men and women DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES, with DIFFERENT BURDENS attached to them, and neither sex needs to covet what God entrusted primarily to the other.

I’m increasingly grateful that I don’t have to occupy every position a man occupies simply to prove that I am his equal in value.

I have a seat at the table. I don’t need to usurp his seat in order for mine to matter.”

“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14

Abiding

Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death?

Where’s the victory come from?

The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.

The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.

If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.

Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36

Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).

They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!

The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!

The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).

Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.

The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.

We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)

Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.

In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!

When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

Must Take a Ruthless Stand

Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.

Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.

Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).

We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).

While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).

There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).

Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.

Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.

A showdown – conquer or be conquered.

Life or death.

Sink or swim.

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.

“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple

“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”

The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.

“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17

The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.

When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.

There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.

The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.

Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Cross Cache, Cross Saturation

G.O.D. = Game Over Devil [podcast]

Ousting the Enemy! WHO’s READY FOR SOME VICTORY? Your issue is with the God you have sinned against, and not me, a mere messenger of His. Blaming everyone except the sinner who caused your separation from your Maker will only dig yourself deeper in misery. The sin you are living in has given full control of your life to Satan who has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). The following information will equip you to know what the LORD requires of you to be back into His graces, in a vital union with the Savior. Sin […]

The Laid Down Life [podcast]

Chapter 5 from the book Raised Up (narration) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 You know the counterfeits far outnumber the authentic followers of Jesus when you put out a […]

The Reign of Christ! [podcast]

God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Three Dimensions of the Reign of Jesus Christ: 1. Christ Reigning Over His Creation, 2. Christ Reigning in Your Life, and, 3. Christ Reigning Over the Wicked. Christ Reigning Over His Creation “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there […]