Richard Foster Exposed

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]

Wait, WHAT, WHO are Christ’s disciples to celebrate?

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

A Biblically based commentary on current issues that impact you

Richard Foster—Celebration of Deception

by Bob DeWaay

Christianity Today ran a glowing cover story about Evangelicalism’s recent embrace of medieval Roman Catholic mysticism entitled The Future lies in the Past.¹ The article traced the beginning of the movement as follows: “The movement seems to have exploded in a 24-month period in 1977-1978, which saw the publication of Richard Foster’s bestselling Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth and Robert Webber’s Common Roots: A Call to Evangelical Maturity.”²

The article views Foster as one who continues to guide the movement: “From Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and living practicing monks and nuns, they [those going back to Roman Catholic mysticism] must learn both the strengths and the limits of the historical ascetic disciplines.”³ So Foster was instrumental in starting a movement that is still growing 30-plus years later.

The irony about this particular CIC regarding Foster’s 1978 book is that in 1978 I myself was living in a Christian community committed to practicing much of what he promotes in Celebration of Discipline (even though we had not learned it from him directly). So I am not criticizing a practice about which I know nothing (or one in which I have no experience). I am criticizing a practice I foolishly allowed to deceive me for a significant portion of my early Christian life. When it comes to being deceived by mysticism, I have had abundant involvement. The only way I escaped it was through discovering and adopting the Reformation principle of sola scriptura.

In this article I will show that Foster’s “journey inward” is unbiblical and dangerous. I will show that most of the spiritual disciplines that he calls “means of grace” are no means of grace at all—but a means of putting oneself under spiritual deception.

The Journey Inward

The Bible nowhere describes an inward journey to explore the realm of the spirit. God chose to reveal the truth about spiritual reality through His ordained, Spirit-inspired, biblical writers. What is spiritual and not revealed by God is of the occult and, therefore, forbidden. We have discussed this in many articles and have produced DVD seminars on the topic. But the concept of sola scriptura is totally lost on mystics such as Richard Foster. They, like the enthusiasts that Calvin and Luther warned against, believe they can gain valid and useful knowledge of spiritual things through direct, personal inspiration.

Foster describes the idea of the disciplines that are the topic of his book: “The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm.”⁴ So Foster has conceptually repudiated sola scriptura on page one to replace it with a journey inward to explore the realm of spirits. Something must have been seriously amiss in evangelicalism already in 1978 to render this book a bestseller! It ought to have been repudiated on the spot. In a footnote to that statement Foster writes, “In one form or another all of the devotional masters have affirmed the necessity of the Disciplines” (Foster: 1). The devotional “masters,” by the way, are mostly Roman Catholics who never were committed to the principle of sola scriptura. It is not surprising that they looked for spirituality through experimentation. But as an “inner light” Quaker, Foster never was committed to sola scriptura either.

Forgetting that the Bible forbids divination, Foster explains what he is after:

[W]e must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation. In their writings, all of the masters of meditation strive to awaken us to the fact that the universe is much larger than we know, that there are vast unexplored inner regions that are just as real as the physical world we know so well. . . . They call us to the adventure, to be pioneers in this frontier of the Spirit. (Foster: 13)

Realizing that his readers would likely take this as an endorsement of Eastern religions, he makes a disclaimer that it is not Transcendental Meditation (TM) or something of that ilk: “Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to empty the mind in order to fill it” (Foster: 15). But what Foster wishes us to fill our minds with are personal revelations from the spirit realm that we naively are to think are the voice of God. This sort of meditation is not meditating on what God has said, but uses a technique to explore the spirit world. In other words, it is divination.

What we learn about the spirit realm either is revealed by God (once for all in Scripture) or gleaned by man-made techniques. That distinction is the difference between Christianity and paganism. Only Bible believers know what God has said about Himself and what He wishes to reveal about the unseen spirit world. Foster’s material continues to be popular because we live in an age where being spiritual pioneers on a journey into the unseen realm of the spirits is the essence of popular piety. It is the spirituality of secular talk shows.

To fully understand the degree of Foster’s deception, he even calls these techniques to the inner journey “means of grace”: “They [the Disciplines] are God’s means of grace” (Foster: 6). As with all who teach spiritual disciplines, there are no boundaries to these false “means.” For example, consider this recommended practice: “After you have gained some proficiency in centering down, add a five- to ten-minute meditation on some aspect of the creation. Choose something in the created order: tree, plant, bird, leaf, cloud, and each day ponder it carefully and prayerfully” (Foster 25). This after he had just taught breathing exercises (a means of “centering down”). Then he makes a startling claim: “We should not bypass this means of God’s grace” (Foster: 25). And there we have it: meditating of a leaf can be a means of grace!

Foster’s journey inward is to discover a spirit world that is available for any who search for it: “How then do we come to believe in a world of the spirit? Is it by blind faith? Not at all. The inner reality of the spiritual world is available to all who are willing to search for it” (Foster: 18). He claims that this spiritual search is analogous to scientific experimentation. Never mind that every pagan culture that has existed has believed in the “spiritual world.”

Spirituality of the Imagination

The Bible does not have anything good so say about the imagination. For example: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord'” (Jeremiah 23:16). A search of the KJV for “imagination” yields 14 verses, and in each case it is a bad thing. According to the Bible, the imagination is where people go when they do not want to listen to God.

However, for Foster the imagination is central: “The inner world of meditation is most easily entered through the door of the imagination. We fail today to appreciate its tremendous power. The imagination is stronger than conceptual thought and stronger than the will” (Foster: 22). Some of the authorities he cites on this point are C. G. Jung, Ignatius of Loyola, and Morton Kelsey. Jung is famous for his concept of the collective unconscious, and Kelsey was an Episcopal priest committed to Jungian principles. Kelsey wrote many books promoting mysticism. The advice Foster gleans from these teachers is that we must learn to think in images and take our dreams to be a possible doorway into the spirit world. Foster claims that dreams are something we already have and can help us develop the use of the imagination. He says, “Keeping a journal of our dreams is a way of taking them seriously” (Foster: 23).

There is, Foster warns, a danger to this process: “At the same time [that we ask for dreams to be God speaking to us], it is wise to pray a prayer of protection, since to open ourselves to spiritual influence can be dangerous as well as profitable” (Foster: 23). I would say that is asking God to protect us as we use various techniques to go where He does not want us to go (into the world of the spirits to gain information). The danger he warns of is far greater than Foster imagines. Those who take the journey inward will be deceived—every time! We are not equipped to gain spiritual information from that realm. That is why God speaks to us through His ordained mediators (the inspired Biblical writers); otherwise we would be fishing in the dark in a medium we are not suited for.

Foster teaches his readers to use their imaginations to experience Biblical stories with the five physical senses. Here is what he claims will happen:

As you enter the story, not as a passive observer but as an active participant, remember that since Jesus lives in the Eternal Now and is not bound by time, this event in the past is a living present-tense experience for Him. Hence, you can actually encounter the living Christ in the event, be addressed by His voice and be touched by His healing power. It can be more than an exercise of the imagination; it can be a genuine confrontation. Jesus Christ will actually come to you. (Foster: 26)

Showing that Foster’s ideas are still influential in our day, Greg Boyd cites some of Foster’s words here to support what he calls “cataphatic prayer” which uses the imagination and images as a means to contact God and gain spiritual information.⁵ Those who endorse this practice assume they are not being deceived by spirits, but I cannot see on what grounds.

Foster prescribes a practice using one’s imagination that mimics astral projection to the degree that he actually includes a footnote disclaimer stating that it is not astral projection (Foster 28). It begins by telling his readers to imagine themselves going out into nature into a beautiful place (Boyd describes how he practices this, as well as its results⁶). After enjoying the sights and smells (in your imagination) these are the next steps:

In your imagination allow your spiritual body, shining with light, to rise out of your physical body. Look back so that you can see yourself lying in the grass and reassure your body that you will return momentarily. Imagine your spiritual self, alive and vibrant, rising up through the clouds and into the stratosphere. . . Go deeper and deeper into outer space until there is nothing except the warm presence of the eternal Creator. Rest in His presence. Listen quietly, anticipating the unanticipated. Note carefully any instruction given. With time and experience you will be able to distinguish readily between mere human thought that may bubble up to the conscious mind and the True Spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart. (Foster: 27, 28)

I must ask how one knows whether “True Spirit” is not a deceiving one? Mysticism’s fatal flaw is that it naively assumes that Christians having subjective religious experiences must therefore be having Christian experiences that are truly from God—even if the experiences were provoked through unbiblical practices similar to those used by pagans.

Mental Alchemy

Foster’s approach to prayer is laced with mysticism as well. He claims that prayer needs to be learned from people who have the right experiences and are “masters” who know what they are doing. Foster does not teach ordinary prayer, whereby we bring our needs and requests to the Lord and know that He hears us (because He promised that He does). Here is why he thinks such prayer fails:

Often people will pray and pray with all the faith in the world, but nothing happens. Naturally, they were not contacting the channel. We begin praying for others by first centering down and listening to the quiet thunder of the Lord of hosts. Attuning ourselves to divine breathings is spiritual work, but without it our praying is vain repetition (Mt. 6:7). Listening to the Lord is the first thing, the second thing, and the third thing necessary for successful intercession. (Foster: 34)

Of course this means we have to become mystics if we want to pray.

He teaches that we first must hear personal revelations from God, using meditation techniques such as he teaches, before we pray. He says: “The beginning point, then, in learning to pray for others is to listen for guidance . . . This inner “yes” is the divine authorization for you to pray for the person or situation” (Foster: 35). No! Foster is wrong! The only authorization we need to pray is the Biblical command to pray—not personal revelations.

For Foster, meditation (mystical style) is necessary but not sufficient. He also brings the imagination into the process: “As with meditation, the imagination is a powerful tool in the work of prayer” (Foster: 36). He credits Agnes Sanford⁷ for helping him see the value of using the imagination in praying. Foster writes, “Imagination opens the door to faith. If we can ‘see’ in our mind’s eye a shattered marriage whole or a sick person well, it is only a short step to believing it will be so” (Foster: 36). Sanford got her ideas from Theosophy, New Thought, Jung, and Emmet Fox. These ideas, echoed by Foster, come from the unbiblical “mind over matter” thinking of that era. That kind of thinking uses creative visualization to change reality or channel spiritual power. Foster suggests, “Imagine the light of Christ flowing through your hands and healing every emotional trauma and hurt feeling your child experienced that day” (Foster: 39).

In his 1985 book, The Seduction of Christianity, Dave Hunt labeled creative visualization such as what Foster promotes, “mental alchemy.”⁸ Hunt warned the church that Foster promoted such mental alchemy in Celebration of Discipline, and as we have shown, he, in fact, does. So how is it that 24 years after Hunt’s warning Foster is more popular than ever with Evangelicals? The answer is end times deception. Now, a huge movement that claims to be a reformation promoting Foster, Willard and their versions of mysticism does exist (i.e., The Emergent Church). Things have gotten so very much worse.

Spiritual Directors

Once mysticism and the supposed need to gain personal revelations from God are embraced, there arises a need for new “masters” who are better at navigating the spirit world. Pagan societies have always had such persons. They are called “shamans.” Eastern religion calls them “gurus.” Deceived Christians call them “spiritual directors.” Foster explains, “In the Middle Ages not even the greatest saints attempted the depths of the inward journey without the help of a spiritual director” (Foster: 159). The problem, according to Foster, is that the churches (in 1978) lacked “living masters”:

No doubt part of the surge of interest in Eastern meditation is because the churches have abrogated the field. How depressing for a university student, seeking to know the Christian teaching on meditation, to discover that there are so few living masters of contemplative prayer and that nearly all of the serious writings on the subject are seven or more centuries old. No wonder he or she turns to Zen, Yoga, or TM. (Foster: 14)

Foster’s dream has come true. Today people can even practice Yoga in a Christian church. We have Christian TM; it is called contemplative prayer. Yes, Eastern religion has come right into the church, and Foster has helped usher it in.

But what about “living masters” or spiritual directors? In 1972 Morton Kelsey lamented their lack: “Indeed I would suggest that everyone who is serious about relating to the spiritual realm find himself a spiritual director, if there were more men trained and experienced in this way.”⁹ That “problem” has been solved in a huge way. Evangelical theology schools are now offering masters degrees in “spiritual formation” in order to equip people to be “spiritual directors.” Here is what Biola University says about its program: “This degree is designed to equip men and women for the ministry of spiritual direction, discipleship, formation and soul care in the local church and for further academic training in spiritual formation.”¹⁰ Spiritual Directors International will help you find a spiritual director regardless of your religion.¹¹ Richard Foster’s own Renovare, which purports to “encourage renewal in the Christian church,” has a list of spiritual direction programs.¹²

Foster explains the purpose of the spiritual director: “He is the means of God to open the path to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit” (Foster: 160). Apparently, in a full-blown rejection of sola scriptura where the Holy Spirit’s teaching is mediated to the church through the Biblical writers only, we need mediators for personal revelations beyond scripture.

Foster explains how spiritual directors lead: “He leads only by the force of his own personal holiness” (Foster: 160). In Roman Catholicism the Pope is called “his holiness” and in Tibetan Buddhism the Dalai Lama is called “his holiness” but now evangelicals are developing a class of people who evidently deserve the title. How exactly are we to judge when someone has gained “personal holiness” sufficient to be a spiritual director and mediate spirituality to others? Foster says, “Though the director has obviously advanced further into the inner depths, the two [master and disciple] are together learning and growing in the realm of the Spirit” (Foster: 160). Foster cites Roman Catholic mystic Thomas Merton about how this works: “The spiritual director was something of a ‘spiritual father who begot the perfect life in the soul of his disciple by his instructions first of all, but also by his prayer, his sanctity and his example. He was . . . a kind of ‘sacrament’ of the Lord’s presence in the ecclesiastical community” (Foster: 161).

End Times Delusion

When it comes to end times deception, Foster is on the cutting edge of embracing it. Consider what he wrote: “In our day heaven and earth are on tiptoe waiting for the emerging of a Spirit-led, Spirit-intoxicated, Spirit-empowered people. . . . Individuals can be found here and there whose hearts burn with divine fire” (Foster: 150). Such inclinations have led to massive deception. They smack of the Latter Rain deception, now embodied in such false teachers as Rick Joyner and Mike Bickle. They are elitist. They are in line with the beliefs of the Emergent Church as well. He also says: “Our century has yet to see the breaking forth of the apostolic church of the Spirit” (Foster: 150). Now we have the New Apostolic Reformation claiming to be just that. Foster’s ideas now embody the massive apostasy and end times deception that characterize our age.

Foster’s teachings have taken the church as far away from the Reformation principle of sola scriptura as the Roman Catholic Church ever was. The only thing left is for them to bring us all the way back to Rome. Christianity Today praises Foster for pointing us in that direction.

In early 2008 I wrote a CIC article about how abandoning the principle of sola scriptura would lead evangelicals back to Rome.¹³ It was partly a response to the CT article praising mysticism. The response I received was rather unexpected. I was contacted by former evangelicals who had rejected sola scriptura and had gone back to Rome! They wanted to debate me about sola scriptura. Sadly, my point was proven. As a response to their misguided challenge our church hosted a seminar on sola scriptura, called Faith at Risk 4.¹⁴ In the seminar Gary Gilley and I defended the scriptures as the sole authority for the church.

The aforementioned CT article discusses a new monasticism, former evangelical leaders converting to Roman Catholicism, and mystical practices like lectio divina—and they call all of it a good and hopeful thing. Chris Armstrong, the author of the article, concluded, “That they [evangelicals] are receiving good guidance on this road from wise teachers [Foster and Willard] is reason to believe that Christ is guiding the process. And that they are meeting and learning from fellow Christians in the other two great confessions, Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox, is reason to rejoice in the power of love.”¹⁵

Who is left to defend the principles of the Reformation? One would think Reformed theologians are, but they aren’t doing their job. In the last CIC article we mentioned Reformed theologian Donald Whitney who wrote: “Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline has been the most popular book on the subject of the Spiritual Disciplines in the last half of the twentieth century. The great contribution of this work is the reminder that the Spiritual Disciplines, which many see as restrictive and binding, are actually means to spiritual freedom.”¹⁶ That from a teacher in a Reformed seminary?

If a book that teaches Christian TM, Christian astral projection and mental alchemy by means of the imagination is a “great contribution,” then something is seriously wrong here. The delusion is so widespread that I see no other explanation for it than the end time deception predicted by Paul: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1Timothy 4:1). Another passage warns: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2Timothy 4:3, 4).

That time now is here. We are accountable to God for what we believe and practice. Those who wish to persevere in the faith in this age of delusion must base their beliefs and practices only on the truths found in Scripture. Foster’s journey into the world of the spirits will deceive all who enter it.

Issue 112 – May / June 2009

End Notes

1. Chris Armstrong, “The Future lies in the Past” in Christianity Today, February 2008.
2. Ibid. 24.
3. Ibid. 29.
4. Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: Harper & Row, 1978) 1. All subsequent citations from this book will be bracketed within the text in this fashion: (Foster: 1).
5. Greg Boyd, Seeing is Believing, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004). Boyd cites Foster to prove that the Lord will actually come to us through our use of “imaginative meditation.” I deal with this issue more fully in CIC issue 83 July/August, 2003: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE83.HTM
6. Ibid. 111-125.
7. I write about Sanford’s inner healing theories in CIC Issue 96: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE96.HTM
8. Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon, The Seduction of Christianity (Eugene: Harvest House, 1985) 138.
9. Morton Kelsey, Encounter With God, (Bethany Fellowship: Minneapolis, 1972) 179.
10. http://www.biola.edu/spiritualformation/programs/ SEE PDF
11. HTTP://WWW.SDIWORLD.ORG
12. HTTP://WWW.RENOVARE.ORG/JOURNEY_TRAINING_DIRECTION.HTM
13. CIC Issue 105; March/April 2008: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE105.HTM
14. Watch this seminar HERE
15. Armstrong, Future
16. DONALD S. WHITNEY, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (COLORADO SPRINGS: NAVPRESS, 1991) 23.

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The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits!

SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD!

IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil!

You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before.

ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking in lies? (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

There are not a few but rather “MANY adversaries” – “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are MANY adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9) All born again believers who are presently abiding/remaining in Christ are exclusively going to be with Christ (John 15:6). All others are destined for irrevocable damnation in hell.

OSAS/eternal security is irrefutably Satan’s first lie and anyone teaching it is an agent of Satan Himself – Genesis 2:17; 3:4.

MOST Christians have been weakened in their resolve via Satan’s first lie which is peddled today under the clichés of OSAS (once saved always saved or eternal security). This unconditional security heresy removes the holy fear of God from the hearts of those who allow it and lowers their guard, always leading to sin. This is EXACTLY what happened to Adam and Eve when this doctrine of devils was introduced to them (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

Remember that Satan is the first one to teach this eternal security lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Now, who’s peddling this same lie today, other than Satan’s human agents?

More proof that false prophets teach unconditional eternal security/OSAS:

“They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace (eternal security); and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil (judgment) shall come upon you.” Jeremiah 23:17

Satan and his false leaders are the only ones teaching OSAS as is clear from God’s Word (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Jeremiah 23:17; Jude 4).

Concerning Satan’s OSAS/eternal security heresy, one sister testifies: “This doctrine almost sent me to hell, thinking I was on my way to heaven while living in sin. It’s repulsive and damning. It feeds the ego and wicked mind of man. It props him up for a great fall. It’s a deadly and hellish deception.”

The central reason people want to believe OSAS is that they simply do not want to truly repent and die to self.

Like it or not, if you are peddling Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) – OSAS/eternal security – you are of him and not God. A false teacher is simply anyone who is teaching falsely.

IMAGINE THE TRUTH FOR JUST A MOMENT …..

The bowels of eternal damnation – hell – is chock full of eternally vanquished – irrevocably departed – consciously and forever suffering souls who once had the same opportunity you now temporarily have. There is no and will never be a release date from the incarceration of this righteous justice of the Almighty. Yet, even though many of those who now occupy hell got initially saved, they chose to deny Christ instead of self in their daily lives. They therefore ran out of fuel and like the 5 foolish virgins, had the door into the bridal chamber with Christ (the Bridegroom) shut on them! Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:1-13.

“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit AGAIN; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

MILLIONS now irrevocably occupy hell, horribly, consciously suffering with no end – ever. Many of these helpless tormented souls were in their earthly life saved by Christ and yet chose not to endure to the end, to abide – REMAIN – in Christ, and just as Jesus promised, were cast into the fires of eternal damnation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6). In fact, their sufferings are even worse than if they’d never known Christ (2 Peter 2:20-22). ANY person teaching an unconditional “eternal security” is a messenger of hell! Rebuke them sharply! (Titus 1:13) If they don’t repent, run! Expose them.

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

These are the foolish virgins of Jesus’ parable who chose to deny Christ for the cares and riches and pleasures of this fleeting world, to think about and coddle the false god of self …. Upon awaking in their mornings, they freely chose to read the paper, check Facebook and emails, watched the news, etc. …. They freely chose not to fill their vessels with God’s Word ….. and they will never cease to suffer consciously for it….. the lake of fire lies ahead and so it’s just going to get worst! Revelation 20:11-15 … When a billion years of earth’s time have passed, not even 1 second will have expired from eternity’s time clock!!

Is it really worth it?

YOU are going to choose!

No one else can choose for you!

May the LORD Almighty figuratively dip your soul in the bowels of hell. May He shake you to the core of your being … before it’s too late!

RUN for your life from every so-called preacher who refuses to preach on the essential biblical doctrines of repentance, the daily cross, holiness, judgment to come, and hell – and the absolute necessity of enduring to the end after being saved (Jeremiah 23:17; Amos 9:10; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6m 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.).

CHRIST said HIS work is finished, not yours (John 19:30). You are taking Christ’s words out of context. The ONE who died on the cross for your sins also commanded YOU to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him daily – and that’s what saving grace looks like (Luke 9:23-24).

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26

OSAS is a scam teaching. The lascivious, “once saved always saved (OSAS)” and Calvinistic devils tell others that God requires nothing at all of them after He saves them. But that is clearly a false gospel, another gospel, and they are “accursed” for preaching it (Galatians 1:6-9). Ridiculous. In His Word the LORD gives us initial and ongoing personal responsibilities which if not met, one loses out (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-13, etc.). Jesus commanded those He saves to “abide” – to remain in Him to the end or perish (John 15:1-6).

“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (hell).” John 15:6

Many do not recognize that in Scripture there is

1. initial salvation and,

2. final salvation.

False teachers will tell you that you only need to get saved initially. Yet the Bible teaches initial and final salvation. Jesus told His own that only those among them who “endure to the end” will be saved into eternal glory (final salvation).

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13

False teachers teach that just because you’ve been initially saved, you are now judgment proof! This is exactly what the false leaders of Israel taught. They refuse to call people to true repentance and personal holiness and promise eternal life/security/peace to those living in sin (2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Were the Gentile believers judgment proof?

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 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 11:20-22

Did the apostle Paul believe he was judgment proof?

“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

There is no guarantee of unconditional eternal security given in God’s Word and in fact many clear truths which reveal one can “fall away” after being saved (Luke 8:13) or be “cut off” (Romans 11:20-22), or cast into the fires of hell if the believer doesn’t abide/remain in Christ (John 15:6).

“I have not yet figured out how anyone can preach the true Gospel without including the fact of hell that we are saved to escape! In this positive think world, hell has become a `negative` and thus avoided. But it is still a fact that has to be preached, to warn others not to go there.” Shirley Moose Filer

The Truth about Holiness [podcast]

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty. Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it […]

Grace and Good Works [podcast]

We who are Saved by Grace through Faith are “His Workmanship” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 The born again believer is “justified by faith,” sanctified by faith, set apart to the LORD (Psalms 4:3). God deals with the sin and the sinner. He makes us new creatures in Christ upon […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

RADIO: Eternal Security Debate Todd Tomasella and Chris Bradford [podcast]

In this debate, I wish I’d have mentioned the truth and context of John 10:27-29 so that he couldn’t come in at the end and just mention v28-29 without the context, the condition of v27 😉 Todd “You’ll be eternally grateful if you listen to this debate. It’s an Eye-opener even to the “seasoned”!” Mirriam Nelani Unrepentant rebels who claim to be saved lack the discernment and ability to rightly divide the word of God because they refuse to turn their hearts over to the LORD – 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. OSAS dupes reject the mountains of Scripture that […]

More on Hell here | OSAS/Eternal Security Exposed

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Apostasy

Penknife Sacrilege [podcast]

When Bible Burning Backfires [podcast]

Bible Burners in the Modern Church World: Butchering the Word of God for Self-Serving Purposes

(excerpt from the book LIE of the Ages)

Forsaking the Full-Counsel of God

“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire (this is what is happening today in our churches) that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid (no fear of God), nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.” Jeremiah 36:23-24

“Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife” – like Jehudi, many today only read till they see something they don’t like in God’s Word.
“until all the roll was consumed in the fire” – one either receives God’s Word as a whole or he rejects it all.
“they were not afraid” – “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18) Rebels reject God’s Word with impunity and “judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life.” (Acts 13:46)

At this dark time in the history of Israel, the Scriptures had been lost and out of circulation among the people of God. Then they were found and read before the king, king Jehoiakim (the son of Josiah) and his servants. As a result, conviction of sin came and certain parts of God’s Word were rejected and thrown into the fire to be vanished out of their presence. Read Jeremiah 36.

This is a fascinating occurrence captured in Jeremiah 36 that is transpiring today in full scale, perpetrated by false leaders (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Satan was the original corrupter of God’s words and is behind all such rebellion in our day (Genesis 3:1, 4, etc.).

Be careful of those who carefully select Bible verses/promises while intentionally dodging the “hard truths” found throughout Holy Scripture. Such a person who siphons selectively is a wolf. Such a manipulator is positioning you in order to deceive you and to perpetrate their own self-serving purpose, not God’s (Philippians 3:18-19). For example: People know Jeremiah 29:11 but not v. 13 … or Luke 9:23-24…. amazing deception! Share this!

2 PARTIES GUILTY HERE: Just as it was in the days of the prophet Jeremiah, so today, many “kings,” that is, those in spiritual authority, and “servants” who claim to follow Christ, are allowing the Word of God to be diminished, distorted, damaged, denied, disdained, desecrated and dodged. Many of our leaders and those they lead are spiritual swine who refuse to “rend their hearts” in repentance of this travesty and trampling of that which is holy (Joel 2:13; Matt. 7:6). Instead of acknowledging and embracing the whole of the Word of God as we have been so privileged to have received, like the king of Judah in Jeremiah’s day, some are cutting out and denying those parts of Scripture which don’t line up with their denominational tradition. These deceitful workers refuse to lay down their lives and call upon the LORD to circumcise their hearts. They refuse to mortify the sins of the flesh in the fear of God. Those listening will never know what is being intentionally avoided and left out of their messages – unless they embark upon the blessed adventure of learning and knowing intimately the Holy Scriptures (Jer. 23:18; Jn. 5:39; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:2).

Jeremiah 36 summated: In this chapter we read how Jehoiakim king of Judah, burned the scroll where the Word of the LORD was written. Then God pronounced judgment on him (Jeremiah 36:29-31). You can burn God’s Word – ignore it, butcher it, read a fake version of it, etc. – yet that doesn’t change one iota the impending doom coming on those who refuse to obey Him (John 8:47). Denying, ignoring, evading, or destroying a Bible changes nothing – other than the wrath coming on those who do so (Proverbs 30:5-6; Jeremiah 36:29-31; Revelation 22:18-19).

Of this magnificently revealing Bible chapter, F.B. Meyer wrote:

“These written words had been directly given from God, Jeremiah 36:18. The fast was instituted to seek divine help in the approaching conflict with Nebuchadnezzar. But of what good is a fast while the evils of apostasy and disobedience are unredressed? It was against these that Jeremiah protested; and his words were read to a vast concourse of people by Baruch his faithful friend. It was the month of December, and the royal chamber was warmed by a brazier of burning charcoal. As Jehudi read, the godless king cut the roll with a penknife and consigned it to the fire. All down the ages false priests have dealt thus with the Word that condemned them. But a sailor does not escape shipwreck by destroying the chart which indicates the rocks on which he is drifting. God’s words are eternal, though the material on which they are written may perish. He who rejects God’s truth does so at his peril, while God hides His faithful servants in the secret of His presence, secure from the attacks of enemies.”

The tragedy is that many of those claiming to be the “servants” of the LORD, namely those who are not in the pulpits, refuse to discern and raise the red flag in protest of “another gospel” being preached (2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Galatians 1:6-9). Not only do they not object to falsehood by raising biblically-based questions, they financially support and promote these false teachings and teachers by attending churches that pick and choose what they will and will not acknowledge from God’s Word. The LORD holds us accountable for such (Isaiah 5:20-24). Believers are never to bid God speed (endorse or condone in any way) to any form of false gospel nor person peddling such (2 John 10-11).

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10-11

As it was in Jeremiah’s day, so it is today. There are those who will stand against the deceptions which are causing many to fall and leading millions astray. There is no doubt that eternal Hell is full of those who were (like the “kingdom of heaven” which Jesus likened to five wise and five foolish virgins – Matthew 25) once truly saved and did not endure to the end of their lives trusting and obeying the LORD with all their hearts, but rather allowed their heart lamps to run low and ultimately leak out the oil of His presence that was once there (Matthew 25:1-13). This was a parable of warning from our LORD Jesus. These foolish virgin believers did not pursue depth of relationship with Christ – they weren’t “planted by the rivers of water” (Psalm 1:3). The five foolish virgins had “received Christ Jesus the LORD” and yet did not continue to walk in Him nor did they choose to become “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith” (Col. 2:6-7). These who counted other things more important than their relationship with the Bridegroom, didn’t choose to endure persecutions and various sufferings associated with the true Christian life and allow Him to “perfect (mature), stablish, strengthen, settle” them in His grace (1 Peter 5:10). They didn’t stay in intimate communion with the LORD they were espoused to but rather took the path of least resistance and lived according to the flesh, breaking their engagement with the Bridegroom (Jeremiah. 3:8; Amos 6:1, 9:10; Luke 12:35-40; 21:34-36; Revelation 3:15-16, etc.).

Being Planted and Flourishing

It takes a whole Bible to make a whole, a complete disciple and Church!

Healthy fruitfulness is the sign of life and nourishment. As the roots of a tree go down into the earth, absorbing vital nutrients for healthy fruit-bearing and growth, so the believer who roots himself in the King and His kingdom, receives nourishment and grows and prospers. He grows and becomes stronger and stronger (Psalms 84:7). The LORD promised us that we would “flourish in the courts of our God,” “bring forth fruit,” and not grow faint and weary if we remained in the heart posture of hungering and thirsting after His righteousness and “planted in the house of the LORD” (92:13). See also Matthew 5:6; Luke 18:1; Galatians 6:9 and Hebrews 6:11-12.

“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Psalms 92:13-15

May the Lord be praised for those who are calling leaders to repentance for their doctrinal atrocities, for purposely avoiding hard truths in order to grow their own church businesses. The Almighty sees all and for this evil He will judge:

“Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. 26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take (capture, incarcerate) Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.” Jeremiah 36:25-26

God hid His faithful servants then and does so today. The only safety is to be in the pure truth of God.

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protector) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

These men (Elnathan, Delaiah, Gemariah) feared God, not man . They boldly beseeched the king not to cut out any part of the words of God – never to alter God’s word (Revelation 22:18-19). Are we beseeching leaders not to ignore any part of God’s Word? Are we cutting out, denying or dodging any truth we read in the Scriptures? Are you pandering to, using, and/or defending Satan’s corrupt version of God’s pure Word? Are we willing to elevate the LORD and His Word above all else and confront leaders for their refusal to teach His full-counsel from His preserved Word? (Psalms 12:6-7)

Of this incident, Adam Clarke wrote:

“Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah – Three of the princes wished to save the roll, and entreated the king that it might not be burnt. They would have saved it out of the fire, but the king would not permit it to be done.”

Does this incident not align with today’s purists, who seek to get God’s people back to His pure Word, the King James Bible? Yet many deceived souls battle to defend the enemy’s corrupt “bibles.”

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11

Note here that these “more noble” disciples of Christ refused to simply believe everything Paul the apostle stated before they personally verified such in the Scriptures. They put everything he said to the acid test of Holy Scripture – “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They were being wise instead of naive like many today who are quite frankly overtly gullible. These Berean believers took and compared Paul’s doctrine to the Scriptures to see if the apostle’s message was from God’s Word.

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

No leader alive today possesses more kingdom authority than the apostle Paul did. And yet, the Christians at Berea acid-tested what Paul stated against God’s Word to see if it were true or if it were false. They magnified the Word of God above any man’s teachings – “yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

As you can see from this account in Jeremiah 36, selective penknife sacrilege is no new thing. In fact, it started in the Garden when Satan added one word to God’s Word/statement concerning sin (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Adding to or taking away from God’s Word brings the ultimate death sentence (Revelation 22:18-19).

Is this not exactly what we are warned about in the very end of the Bible?

“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

More penknife sacrilege or taking away of God’s Word: The NIV removes 64,000 words from God’s Word. This is due to the fact that it is taken from the diabolically corrupted (few) manuscripts as are all new versions. See Bible Versions page on this site.

The believers living in the city of Berea are a glorious example of what the LORD desires in all of us – a noble heart that believes nothing unless they dig it out of His Word for themselves! Saint, consider making Acts 17:10-11 your focal text this week. Memorize it. Meditate upon it. Highlight, underline, and cross-reference this vital passage with other like verses. Pour over this text until it begins to take root in your understanding.

Some who claim Christ as Savior do not want all of God’s Word, only those parts which coincide with the lifestyle they are living. Many would rather buy into doctrines foreign to Scripture, teachings which do not demand death to the self-life. They migrate to teachings which place their lives at ease and do not call for repentance from sin. These teachings pander and grant license to those who do not possess the love of the truth. The uncircumcised heart chooses to please its own evil desires instead of honoring the LORD and His Word. We must delight in and endure sound, full-counsel Bible doctrine and love the change the Potter will bring as we allow Him to pour the water of His Spirit upon our hearts, making them pliable putty in His holy hands (Jeremiah 18:6).

Those who have been schooled in the “once saved always saved” message will have a decision to make after reading the myriad of irrefutable Scriptures in this volume, Lie of the Ages. The OSAS adherent will be faced with the decision of whom to trust – his favorite pastor, doctrine, denomination, or God. Divine wisdom instructs us in this way:

“Let God be true and every man a liar.” Romans 3:4

“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against (equal to) the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If you are ready and willing to embrace the purity and fullness of God’s truth and relinquish this ungodly, anti-biblical, unholy, license-to-sin teaching from your life, from a humble heart, repeat the following prayer aloud and from your heart:

Dear Father in Heaven, I truly love You. Thank You for finding and saving me through the blood of Your Son and for continually leading me into all truth about Yourself. Thank You kindly for all the grace and mercy you have shown me. I hereby repent of and denounce the unconditional eternal security lie and all its effects upon my life and those around me. Please forgive me for ever buying into this lie. I begin now to embrace the truth of Your Word, Your full-counsel. Please forgive me for believing this falsehood which is not taught in Your Word. Help me to discern truth from error. Restore to me the fear of the LORD. Father, please teach me Your ways and Your wisdom in all things pertaining to Your kingdom as I seek Your holy face and study Your words. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

There is virtually no end to the Bible truth that can be unearthed and studied to expose this lie of the ages as diabolical in origin and intent. Our Great Shepherd informed us that the enemy, the father of lies, has come to steal, kill and to destroy (John 8:44; 10:10).

The Word of God is absent of any such teaching as an unconditional eternal security. This teaching is no where to be found in Holy Writ except as the message of Satan and the false shepherds. In light of this, may God bless us to study what He has given us in His Word and apprehend His mind. May He grant us to have no other agenda but to know Him and His truth and to forsake all we have previously espoused which does not align with His Word.

Suggestions:

1. Get a King James Bible (accept no substitute – see BIBLE VERSIONS button on this ministry site).

2. Get up early and embark upon seeking the LORD’s face in Bible study and prayer communion.

3. Fast and pray regularly, pouring over Isaiah 58.

PRAYER: LORD, please make my heart tender with Your grace. I choose to magnify Your Word above the counsel of all others! Forgive my sin of ever dodging or ignoring anything from Your Word. From this moment forward, I count Your holy truth above the words of any and all mere men. Cleanse me with Your blood and Word, for my allegiance and loyalty is to You Jesus. I embrace the fullness of Thy counsel and despise all that does not align. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Doctrine | The Lunatic and the Letter | Fake News “bibles” Busted!

When Bible Burning Backfires [podcast]

Let us ever be aware of the Bible truth of sowing and reaping. ” Galatians 6:7-8 Read Jeremiah 36 (KJB) perhaps several times. In this passage, note: v28 – denial changes nothing. Burning a scroll or the whole Bible negates not one iota of the divine authority invested therein nor your personal accountability to it. John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15 v30-31 – king Jehoiakim denied, burned God’s Word, and God v32 – the Word of God stands forever (Psalms 89:34; 119:89; Mark 13:31). It cannot be erased, and anyone who tries to burn or erase it, will be erased, […]

"Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory" [podcast]

LET the LORD’s Gospel train roll on perpetually in your life – by flooding your heart and mind and actions with His holy Word – no matter what is going on against you or in the world (Proverbs 4:20-23; 15:15; Nehemiah 8:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 1:8; 4:12-14; 5:10). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven […]

God's Education vs Satan's Indoctrination [podcast]

You have a “degree” an “education”? How well do you know, what is your personal working knowledge of the most important Book in world HIS-story? How can anyone rightly claim a “higher education” when they don’t even know the contents of the Book of the MOST HIGH? They can’t. It’s a farce. “Higher education” … as in PhD = Piled higher and Deeper…… as in crap. From a Christian worldview, education was never intended to be one and done or confined to obtaining a certain degree by completing courses and tests – many of which are multiple choice. No rather, […]

"If any man speak, let him Speak as the Oracles of God" [podcast]

The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Amos of the day we now live in. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11 “Amos 8:11: A famine in the land – The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or […]

Abiding

Jesus’ Counsel to the Lukewarm [podcast]

Laodicea: How Jesus Instructs the Backslidden to be Restored

Jesus’ Letter to the Church at Laodicea

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The cross, the crucified life is the cure to the curse of sin—sin dominating our lives.

Romans 6

Inflation is part of the judgment of God upon a wicked people, nation. We see such in Sodom and in Laodicea (Ezekiel 16:49-59; Romans 1; Revelaton 3:14-22).

“It appears that in this scarcity each might be able to obtain a bare subsistence by his daily labor; but a man could not, in such cases, provide for a family.” Adam Clarke

Your money doesn’t go far….. inflation

“Revelation 6 describes the opening of the first six seals, which represent God’s judgment, often called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The third seal, broken by a “black horse,” is interpreted to show hyper-inflation and famine, where a day’s wage (a denarius) buys only a quart of wheat. The judgment includes a command to preserve the oil and wine, which some interpret as luxury goods, while essential food becomes scarce and expensive.”

“6:5, 6 In obedience to the third living creature, a rider holding a set of scales came forth on a black horse. This represents famine, which often follows war. A voice in the middle of the four living creatures announced that wheat and barley were being sold at prohibitive prices. The scales were used to weigh the rationed grain and were thus a symbol of famine. The expression do not harm the oil and the wine is difficult. Some say that these were the food of the poor. If they were staple items, then they must be protected in order to preserve life. It seems more likely, however, that the luxury items of the rich are contemplated here: historically, even in famine the rich can get some luxuries.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

The only thing needed to go to hell is to not be on fire for Jesus—to be “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Jesus instructed the Laodicean church… to obtain, to “buy of me….

“3:18 The people were counseled to buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire. This may mean divine righteousness, which is bought without money or price (Isa_55:1) but received as a gift through faith in the Lord Jesus. Or it may mean genuine faith, which when tested in the fire, results in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Pe_1:7).

Also the people were counseled to buy white garments, that is, practical righteousness in everyday life. And they should anoint their eyes with eye salve, that is, gain true spiritual vision through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This counsel was especially appropriate, since Laodicea was known as a center for banking, textiles, and medicines—especially eye salve.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee – O fallen and deceived soul, hear Jesus! Thy case is not hopeless. Buy of me.
Gold tried in the fire – Come and receive from me, without money and without price, faith that shall stand in every trial: so gold tried in the fire is here understood. But it may mean pure and undefiled religion, or that grace or Divine influence which produces it, which is more valuable to the soul than the purest gold to the body. They had before imaginary riches; this alone can make them truly rich.
White raiment – Holiness of heart and life.
Anoint thine eyes – Pray for, that ye may receive, the enlightening influences of my Spirit, that ye may be convinced of your true state, and see where your help lies.” Adam Clarke

Warning

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

Coming forth as Purified Gold

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

To “come forth as gold” refers to the finished product, where gold has been purified of all its impurities.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3

Idolatry is Sin

Putting, having anything or anyone before Christ in our lives is the soul damning sin of idolatry. Such a person has rejected Christ for something, anything else.

One such idol, one such cause today is patriotism for one’s earthly country. See Hebrews 11:14-16.

SO, you are fighting to save America (impossible) and not see souls saved for and by Jesus? Yet you claim to be following Christ who said “I MUST be about my Father’s business”? See Luke 2:49. You are deceived and in need of repentance before it’s too late. You left your “first love” and are in sin, in darkness (Revelation 2:4-5).

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please grant to my heart Your gift of repentance and the deep desire to have Your righteousness, to not be deceived by sin, Satan, or counterfeits and false teachers. Please forgive all my sins afresh, here and now by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Eyesalve to See

“Christian Soldier persevere. It’s about time for Jesus to come.” RN WHY did the LORD give us physical eyes? Protection. And this is why He wishes to grant us spiritual eyes. We cannot ever fake God out. We cannot deceive the Almighty or short His system – which begins with repenting. It’s only then that He opens our eyes to see which brings protection. We can’t be protected from the devouring wolves He often warns us to beware of unless we can SEE or discern them! We need the “eyesalve” that God alone can give us! When Jesus spoke to […]

The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold [podcast]

YOU know when you are listening to a wolf when He only speaks of God’s love for us but never about God’s command that we love Him – and if we don’t, we are going to hell. Beware. The LORD’s been 100% faithful to us and yet He requires our faithfulness to Him or hell awaits (Matthew 22:37-40). If someone’s love toward God’s people has waxed cold, it’s only because their love for the LORD first waxed cold (Matthew 24:10-14). Today is the best day to repent and return to the LORD. “And then shall many be offended, and shall […]

Am I About My Father’s Business? [podcast]

The Father’s Business [podcast] “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 SO, you are fighting to save America (impossible) and not see souls saved for and by Jesus? Yet you claim to be following Christ who said “I MUST be about my Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49) Repentance needed. You are deceived and in need of repentance before it’s too late. You left your “first love” and are in sin, in darkness (Revelation 2:4-5). “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is […]

Luxury and Lukewarm Lies [podcast]

Are we trying to save America, the American way of life, so we can continue to live lukewarm Laodicean lives – so we can extend our luxurious living and continue on our way to hell (Revelation 3:14-22). What matters to us – the temporal or the eternal, the kingdom of this world or the eternal kingdom of Christ? What matters is clearly revealed in where we put our treasure (Luke 6:19-24). So many jump to support temporal political causes while few sow into the kingdom of the LORD they profess to love. “For where your treasure is, there will your […]

The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]

What were the Real and Root Sins of Sodom? Explosive! DO YOU KNOW WHAT SINS THE BIBLE CITES OF THE PEOPLE OF SODOM WHICH CAUSED DIVINE JUDGMENT TO FALL ON THEM? THIS LIST OF SINS MIGHT SHOCK YOU. EXPOSING THE GATEWAY SINS TO SODOM’S DESTRUCTION Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. According to Romans 1 it seems that sexual deviance, namely homosexuality, is the sin, the final manifestation of evil before destruction transpires. The LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this sin and others and will or is destroying America […]

The Father's Business [podcast]

See the BECAUSE YOU CARE page for live action evangelism pics etc. “The church is not a business. It’s a body. But when that body becomes a business, it’s prostitution.” unknown The only reason I’d not be about the “Father’s business” would be due to being about my own business – a self-serving rebel (Luke 2:49; 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; 19:27). You can know if you are ready for the return of Christ by whether or not you’re calling others to come to Him in light of His soon return. Revelation chapter 22 verse 17. The Great Commission May our LORD […]