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Excerpt from the book Predators in Our Pulpits.

On one hand we have the evangelicals ignoring and openly rejecting the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, and on the other extreme we have the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation cult) and WOF (Word of Faith cult) movements misusing those gifts and the power of God. So what’s the biblical balance?

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” – Acts 4:31

What is a cessationist? A cessationist is one who believes that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit are now obsolete in our day – that God has changed and no longer functions through the gifts and power of His Holy Spirit. The cessationist is taught of men that the power, gifts, and spiritual blessings of God ended with the original apostles of Jesus and that believers in Jesus today have no need of these blessed divine gifts and the power of God Jesus instructed and sent us with. The cessationist denies the need for the LORD’s gifts and power here in this last hour, directly contrasting the history of the early church and the warning of Jesus that satanic power would be at an all-time high in the final days (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 12:12).

Concerning one cessationist, one author writes:

Pastor John MacArthur teaches the speaking of tongues by believers at Corinth was demonic. – *56. Truth About Speaking in Tongues – John MacArthur 1, T. 7:38-8:27. | Are Tongues Demonic? | John MacArthur Exposed

One writer notes:

“The fact is, John MacArthur’s doctrine of cessationism is not an ‘error’, as in a mistake. He is preaching what he knows is FALSE. He knows exactly what he is doing.”

Because of the deadness in the church, he teaches the believers in Corinth were deceived into feeling God by speaking in tongues. This is why he teaches the work of the Holy Spirit within the Charismatic movement is a counterfeit of Satan.

The night I prayed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit I had never seen anyone speak in tongues. Reaching out for some ecstatic experience was the furthest thing from my mind. I simply wanted more power to be a better witness for God. It’s true—especially in the past decade—admired teachers have deceptively introduced heresies within Pentecostal and Charismatic churches (2 Peter 2:1). This still doesn’t nullify the godly lives of over three hundred million Christians in the world that have been baptized in the Holy Spirit with the physical evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 1:5; 2:4; 8:17; 10:46; 19:6).

For those who love the Lord and speak in tongues, I give this warning. The assault upon us for using the gift God has given us when we were baptized in the Holy Spirit, is intensifying. Pastors like MacArthur, Stanley, and Jeremiah are slandering the entire Pentecostal movement because of false teachers and heretics like Ken Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, and Paul Crouch. Jesus warned us of this division within the body that would occur as we draw closer to the great tribulation.

The blood of the cross has already been shed as Jesus “spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). Satan must hinder Christ’s people from reading, believing, and experiencing His power to “cast out devils” and be used of God in “the ministry of reconciliation” as His very “ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). The most powerful way the enemy can do this is by having his agents on the inside, posing as representatives of Christ, while robbing Christ of His glory and pilfering His divine power from His body in the earth.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Of this war against the divine power of the Holy Spirit, Randy Orris writes:

All these years of the Church history, the Enemy has masterminded an infiltration strategy: to have Christians enthusiastically embrace the counterfeit gospel, the false prophets and the sensual substitute … while actually rejecting the genuine Power and Gifts of the Holy Spirit which the Head of the Church gave to us and our children forever: “For the promise is UNTO YOU, and TO YOUR CHILDREN, to your children, and TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

The following verses are still in effect, and will be until Jesus comes:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; and YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. – Joel 2:28

For THE GIFTS and THE CALLING OF GOD are WITHOUT repentance. – Romans 11:29,

We would not deny the LORD who purchased us—why would we deny the very gifts that He purchased for us … which are to glorify Him, and not us?”

There are many today who erroneously believe we only need God’s written Word and not His power and presence. Scripture contradicts such a notion. The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).

Our LORD Jesus said: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

Is “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), or did the LORD lie to us in His Word? Has He changed? “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

In order to control things themselves, the cessationist reduces his version of the gospel down to a set or a book of facts. But that very book—the Bible—contradicts that one who would erroneously suppose that the head knowledge of sound doctrine alone is necessary to walk with the LORD. Such a notion is not consistent with the earliest believers who, while biblically intensive and discerning, were also moved upon by the presence and power of God to preach, to love their enemies, to bring healing, to walk in God’s love with the brethren of Christ, to please the LORD, and to see divine miracles (Book of Acts). These who would teach some new program are not continuing “stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).

New Testament Christianity involves walking with the LORD in the Holy Spirit and His power; not just learning the facts about God (Luke 24:49; Acts 1-2, etc.). “But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

HOW many people know that you and I have never once had the “problem” of having too much of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives?

Paul gave us Jesus’ one true Gospel and he stated: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power(1 Corinthians 2:4).

Satan’s goal is to hinder Christ’s sacrifice from being fully effectual and realized in the lives of as many souls as possible. Remember, it is a grave error and extremely dangerous action to take away any part from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). Changing in any way, the original Gospel program that was instituted and carried out by our LORD and His holy apostles, is a deadly undertaking.

Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

The primary passage the cessationist uses in his lame attempt to peddle the evil, Spirit-quenching wares of God’s arch enemy, is the end of 1 Corinthians 13. He grossly reads into and distorts this passage for his own self-serving agenda (2 Peter 3:16). At the end of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is simply contrasting the eternal nature of love and the temporal nature of the gifts of the Spirit. However, Paul never says anything to indicate the ceasing of those gifts until “that which is perfect is come.” Obviously, this will not be the case until we are actually with Him. “That which is perfect” is not yet come. We are not yet in glory.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. – 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

1 Corinthians 13 is purposely wedged between chapters 12 and 14 to establish that the “greatest” priority in God’s kingdom is “charity. He says nothing to remove the functioning of the gifts of the Holy Spirit here and now in this Church age. Yet, those eager to control the minds and lives of men use Paul’s words to dismiss the presence and work of the divine Person of the Holy Ghost. This is an insidious preoccupation, motivated by the enemy of Christ himself and perpetrated by Satan’s wolves to steal the glory and power from the LORD and His blessed people. To say that there is no Holy Ghost baptism or gifts of the Spirit is to call Christ’s apostle Paul a liar, and likewise the Holy Spirit who was inspiring his writings.

Paul introduced the Spirit’s gifts, as well as the proper order and usage of them, in chapters 12 and 14. Just because God says that charity is most important does not give any sinful man the license to try to remove HIS gifts. Attempting to do so is undiluted arrogance! Anyone participating in this should repent at once, cease leaning to his own understanding, and stop removing things from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). Limiting God is a sin (Psalms 78:41). The denial of the work of the divine Person of the Holy Ghost in and among His people is a ploy of Satan to take glory (and control) from the LORD Himself and hand it over to mere sinful men who are venomous, thieving wolves. This is that doctrine and the deeds of the Nicolaitans which Jesus says He hates (Revelation 2:6, 15).

In 1 Corinthians 13, “that which is perfect” is clearly speaking of Heaven. To the cessationist, I would say: If you will read the 1 Corinthians 13 text and stop regurgitating the lies of the wolves you have been deceived by, the LORD will open your eyes. He is calling you to repent, and fear and serve God and not man. His “counsel” is the very “thoughts of his heart” and the very “lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path” (Psalms 33:11; 119:105).

Feigning to love, worship, and desire more of God while rejecting His clear counsel concerning being baptized in the Holy Ghost, is betrayal. Saying that intellectual knowledge of His Word is enough is rebellion. Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Jesus said we must worship Him not only in “truth” but “in spirit” (John 4:23-24). On this very note, Jesus told the false teachers of His day that they went into error for two reasons—they rejected the full-counsel of His Word and they rejected His divine power in their lives. “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, NOR THE POWER of God” (Matthew 22:29).

To further illustrate this truth, one may wish to reflect upon the lives of Jesus, Paul and other apostles and New Testament saints. Were they just full of head knowledge? Is that all being a follower of Jesus consists of? Was not Christ and His apostles and servants active in casting out devils, healing the sick, laying hands on people, and doing other exploits for Jesus’ glory under the Spirit’s power? Well of course they were. When was the last time you read the book of Acts?

Even a child who reads the New Testament can witness a myriad of Gospel action. Do the Great Commission passages sound like Jesus was sending us forth to simply learn knowledge and theory, or is there a thrusting forth into Gospel work and action with the promise of His divine power being present to bless, heal, deliver, and bring forth the fruit of lives saved and made whole by Him? Let’s review what Jesus said:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, A l l p ow er is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Matthew 28:18-20

Well, is it “the end of the world” yet? No! So, we know that Christ is still working in, through and with His true disciples today who go forth to preach His Gospel and teaching all men His Word.

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

“Signs” certainly do follow the preaching of His Word and the absence of such power and blessing is more evidence that His original Gospel, in its full-counsel, is not being set forth.

Now, we are not to seek signs. No. We are to seek the Savior and to obey Him fully and diligently as we dispense His truth unchanged from its original form as written in His Word.

Yet, why are these things not happening more often? Why are such signs, deliverances, and blessings seldom or never seen in today’s so-called “evangelical” church world? It’s simple: tradition-loving, Christ-denying modern Pharisees have long ago taken over the helm, stripping Christ, the only “Head” of His true body, of His blessed glory and power (Mark 7:6-10; Colossians 2:18-19).

The answer to the gross lack of divine power is obvious (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). Believers know that communicating or preaching the Gospel message or Word of God is most important and yet, it is not our prerogative to diminish anything from the Commission of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 26:2).

Please allow me to encourage you to dismiss the lies of the cessation beguilers and get deeply into God’s Word for yourself so that you rightly divide the Word of divine truth (2 Timothy 2:15). As you do this, the truth will be manifested in your heart.

Prayer: Blessed and holy Father, I love You. Imbue my life with Thy holy fear. LORD, please clean my heart and life of all unbelief, traditions of men, false notions, erroneous teachings, and all sin. I will trust and walk only in what You have clearly stated in Your Word LORD. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit Father as I now surrender my life afresh to You in repentance and return wholly to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Capture Points

  • Discuss what a cessationist is and how this is affecting the modern church

Predators in Our Pulpits [book]

Spiritual WarfareOn the Truth Can Make us FreeNeither Give Place to the DevilResist the Devil and He will Flee from You

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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 Jesusto 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. 33 And 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.

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Abiding

“You Who are Troubled Rest with Us” [podcast]


Many instill fear in Christ’s saints concerning these last days. Paul says: “You Who are Troubled Rest with Us” 

“Rest with us” because Justice is Coming

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Divine “vengeance” is coming “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (v8)

Remember, while He instructed us not “avenge,” He also promised that “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19

We shall rejoice to see the LORD retribution come upon the wicked.

“The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 that a man shall say, 11 1  So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” Psalms 58:10-11

The Happenings just before Christ’s Soon Return

Luke 21:25-28

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

Being Prepared for His Return

Luke 21:34-36

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36 

Walking unwavering with and suffering with Christ and His body now – as we look forward to being with Him!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

The LORD knows all before it happens and He’s not surprised of anything. God is going to use all these things to conform His people to Christ. Remember, all things are not good but God takes them and uses them to conform us to Christ, to be “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20).

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

This truth has never been so relevant saints of Christ and the signs of the season of His return are at hand. He’s coming for you precious one!!!! Rescue mission!!! The Return of Heaven’s KING

May God allow us to preach in such a way as to cause His people to begin to be homesick for Heaven to be with Him.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

I wonder how full our hearts will be as we become nourished up in His Word concerning Heaven. Will our hearts not burst forth and be filled with excitement, overflowing with joy like before we go on a vacation, the anticipation filling our hearts as we eagerly await being with our glorious Savior and Father? Read John 14:1-6 and Revelation 21.

Calling on the name above all names today. He’s the Maker and Controller of His whole universe and He’s coming back soon to retake control of it all – to decisively, violently put down all of His enemies both demonic and human (Colossians 1:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16).  

No matter what’s going on – good or bad – WE KNOW that the song is true …. that our “God is so good, God is soooo gooood, God is so good, He’s so good to me…..” … There’s NO way to sing this simple song of praise and not get happy in Jesus! Impossible.

Our LORD Jesus is coming to establish His perfect Government on His earth. Stand by. Occupy. Rejoice. Look up. “Your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28).

“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 shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 

We can be sure that mankind is fallen and cannot solve his own problem – which is sin against His Maker. Only the Prince of Peace, our LORD Jesus, can do so…. and He will (Isaiah 9:6-7).

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

He is going to crush His enemies under His feet (Romans 16:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 27).

PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, please break me, cause me to be truly poor in spirit with a humble, contrite heart of flesh. Please grant a deep compassion in me dear LORD Jesus as You conform me to Your holy image in the crucified life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Idolatry

THE SIN, THE CURSE, AND THE FRUIT OF IDOLATRY [podcast]


“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 26:1 

Idolatry will damn the eternal soul to hell (Exodus 20:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21, etc.). Just one idol. ANYthing that is more important to you than Jesus Christ is an idol. You must repent and receive Christ or you will perish in the flames of eternal damnation (Luke 13:3; John 1:12). If you aren’t willing to give up your religion to follow Jesus, you are a hell bound idolater who has chosen to pay for your own sins for eternity in hell.

God will not be worshipped by physical objects, idols. Jesus says:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

2 Corinthians 5:16 says “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” This verse, this divine truth has helped me out much. God forbids any attempt to worship Him through, via any images, anything physical (Exodus 20:3-7). According to this Bible verse, we do not even know Jesus after the flesh.

Jesus stated the divine essential, the non-negotiable imperative that “they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

17 Soul Damning Sins

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

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:14-16

IDOL’ATRYnoun [Latin idololatria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve.]

1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.

Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals.

2. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.

from Websters1828

Anything you refuse to give up for Jesus is your idol.

Any person who will not give up their religion to follow Jesus is a hell bound antichrist idolater.

The Stark Contrast between True and False Worship

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Whatever you won’t give up for Jesus is a soul damning idol (Mark 9:43-49).

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 He requires non-negotiably 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.).

The cross message of Christ and His holy apostles is not a novel concept, idea, or mere suggestion but rather it is a non-negotiable essential component of the original Gospel.

Recently, I ran across a comment by a person who wrote: “A cross (or crucifix, picture, statute, etc.) is not idolatry so long as it leads the person to worship God, and not the object itself.”

Is this true? No. This is pure human reasoning and a denial of the Word of God. As you can tell, this person commenting was most likely catholic. Speaking of the catholic church, they removed the second commandment because it was costing them money. The 2nd commandment says:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

God is not and will not be worshipped through images. In fact only Satan receives worship when images are used (Exodus chapter 20;  1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Satan is the entity who received worship when someone does that which God forbids….

Committing the sin of Idolatry yokes you with devils.

“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17

Making Peace with God

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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