
4 Bible Characters Teach us Secrets to Safety in Times of Trouble
by Chris Sitter
This article is written for those who love the Word of God, and specifically – for individuals in the following categories:
- Those who desire that they and their families would be saved in their times of trouble.
- Those who wish to find mercy on Judgment Day.
- Those who fear God and who have no desire of incurring the wrath that comes upon His enemies, and from opposing His true representatives.
Ebed-Melech, Barzillai, The Shunamite Woman, Hananiah, Amaziah, Onesiphorus & Alexander the Coppersmith…What would God have us to learn from these 7 Old & New Testament stories?
The word count in this article will mostly come from the scripture selections that tell us these people’s stories. The comments at the end of all these passages will be shorter than the full scripture passages, as I believe the scriptures themselves will help to make the primary points I am trying to make – very clear.
Let’s start with Old Testament Good Guy #1 – Ebed-Melech, in Jeremiah 38 – who risked his life to help Jeremiah
38 Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
2 Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
3 Thus saith the Lord, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.
4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king saying,
9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.
10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
11 So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
12 And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Jeremiah 39:15-18 (God remembers Ebedmelech – when the Babylonians take the city)
15 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.
Barzillai – Old Testament Good Guy #2
2 Samuel 17 – Wealthy Barzillai and some others give lots of Food and other needed items to David and his companions – when they were running for their lives from Absolom.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
2 Samuel 19 – When King David was returning – after Absalom was dead – David Remembers Barzillai for his kindness
31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
Blessings for Barzillai:
- He obtained Favor with King David – when David returned to his kingdom
- Including David’s offer to have him come dine at his table and take care of all his needs – for the rest of his life!!!
- Favor to have David treat Chimham his servant – very well, to the point that David said he would do for Chimham whatever “seems good to Barzillai”,
- Favor to have David also say “whatsoever you shall require of me – THAT WILL I DO FOR YOU!
- There are many parallels here, of helping God’s afflicted people (and perhaps even more of a direct parallel for this particular story – his persecuted and true leaders and preachers and prophets) now – before the King returns to planet earth at his Second Coming: ”And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” Revelation 22:12
Old Testament Good Person # 3 – The Shunamite woman and her husband – who helped to meet the physical needs of Elisha
2 Kings 4:8 –37 Shunamite Woman & her husband feed Elisha (& probably also Gehazi) and even build an extra room for him when he passes through their area.
Shunamite Gets a Son when her husband is old & then – years later – has her son resurrected, after dying from sickness.
2 Kings 4:8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:
27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.
28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.
34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
Shunamite woman is blessed yet again – with a warning of the 7 year famine which is about to come. And after the famine – the King “just happens” be having the miracles of Elisha read to him – and hearing the story of her son raised from the dead – when she approaches the King. Shunamite woman finds favor with the King and receives not only her land back, but also ALL THE FRUITS OF THE LAND. WOW!
2 Kings 8:1- 6
1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. 2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. 4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. 5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. 6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
Shunamite blessings:
- Good feelings in her heart about helping the true man of God – Elisha (and probably also Gehazi). “A good man is satisfied from himself” Proverbs 14:14
- Birth of a son when husband probably too old to have kids or maybe even too old to have relations with his wife
- Warning about the coming famine – with the result that her life and family were preserved for those 7 years
- Favor with the King after 7 year famine – upon returning to her land, and The Lord orchestrating how the King was asking about Elisha miracles during the moment when she walked in, and The King restoring not only her land – but also all the fruits of the land over the past 7 years.
- Think about this – NOBODY ELSE is listed as being warned about this coming famine…just the wife and husband who showed great hospitality and kindness to God’s true prophet and his helper (Elisha & Gehazi). What a major bummer – for the multitudes of Israelites who gave their time and money sacrificially and religiously to support the False Prophets & then – with no warning – tried to survive that entire 7 year famine. Makes me want to REALLY study my Bible so I can know who is true & who to support, and who to show kindness.
Old Testament Bad Guy #1 – Amaziah – False Prophet who Directly Opposed the Prophet Amos & The Word that The Lord had for His people at that time.
See what happens to him…
Amos 7 : Amaziah – Enemy of God’s messenger and his message
8 And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
11 For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.
14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
17 Therefore thus saith the Lord; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
Old Testament Bad Guy #2 Hananiah – False Prophet who Directly Opposed the Prophet Jeremiah & The Word that The Lord had for His people at that time.
See what happens to him…
Jeremiah 27:1 – 28:17
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;
4 And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters;
5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
10 For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.
12 ¶ I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
16 Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD’S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
17 Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
18 But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
19 For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
20 Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
21 Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
1 ¶ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD’S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
6 Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD’S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
8 The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
10 ¶ Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it.
11 And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.
12 Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
New Testament Stories – One Good Guy & One Bad Guy
New Testament Good Guy : Onesiphorus
2 Timothy 1:16-18
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Onesiphorus’ blessings:
- Apostle Paul praying that The Lord will give him one of the GREATEST blessings you could get – that The Lord will have mercy on him – on Judgment Day.
- Honor amongst the believers – and throughout the future of Christiandom – in Paul making note of his kind acts towards the Apostle Paul while he was in Ephesus.
New Testament Bad Guy – Alexander the Coppersmith
2 Timothy 4:14-15
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Study God’s Word Diligently – So YOU can confidently identify who is preaching the Truth, and who is not!
As I briefly mentioned earlier, these stories make me want to obey 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. If we get to know it well enough – we will know which preachers and prophets are true, and which are false.
Please do not take this exhortation to know God’s Word lightly. Ponder for a moment – the ratio of false prophets and preachers – throughout history – to those who are true. Think about Micaiah – in 1 Kings 22, when he stood before Ahab, Jehoshaphat and FOUR HUNDRED false prophets – who ALL told those 2 kings that they would have victory in the battle before them. That ratio was 400 to 1. And think about this…really think about this…all the people – the religious people – in ISRAEL – who supported those 400 FALSE prophets. Then, there is Elijah and the Prophets of Baal – and the story when they all tried to call down fire from heaven. How many false prophets in that story (1 Kings 18) – and how many true prophets in that story? Wasn’t it 450 false prophets (IN ISRAEL – which is supposed to contain God’s people) and ONE true prophet. So, we have two examples that provide a ratio of around 400 to 1. But those who were listening closely to the Scriptures they had in those days – would have known that those 400 + prophets were false. So, today – we need to make it a HUGE PRIORITY to REALLY KNOW God’s Word, because (like then) MOST of the preachers today are also telling God’s people lies. Today – like these stories from 2,000 plus years ago, millions of Bible carrying church goers today are supporting False Teachers. And not only are they MISSING OUT on God’s special blessings for those who would support the rare and true messengers of God – they are ALSO bringing judgement upon themselves (2 John 1:11 “For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”) for supporting another gospel and supporting those who are lying to God’s people. Jesus Christ loves those people who are being lied to so much – that He Died on a cruel cross to save them. He gives them life and breath every day – with hopes that they will somehow hear one of God’s true messengers and then turn from those lies and believe His Word, and then be filled with His spirit and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
The bottom line is this: Make it a priority to identify God’s true messengers and do something considerable to help them or bless them. Pull your support away from those who are speaking lies and ask God to forgive you for having supported false teachers – in the past. And while part of you will just want to selflessly support these true preachers and other workers – just because you truly want to please The Lord, another part of you can also know – that SUPPORTING THE TRUE MESSENGERS OF GOD OFTEN HAS THE BIBLICALLY BASED RESULT OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEING SAVED – IN THE TIMES OF TROUBLE THAT YOU & YOUR FAMILY MAY ENCOUNTER IN YOUR FUTURE! So, I would agree with one old preacher I heard years ago – who called meeting the conditions of promises like this: “Enlightened self-interest”. Do it for the true preachers & also…Do it for the good of yourself and your family. J
And since we are on the topic of Being Saved in Times of Trouble (war, famine, pestilence, etc.), I must take an extra moment to share one of the most incredible scriptures and LIST of precious promises – for those would study God’s Word and allow Him to “Correct” you. I am not sure that I have EVER seen such an incredible list of blessings – for meeting just ONE CONDITION. Many people spend thousands of dollars trying to be “prepared” for the possible emergencies and troubles that could happen to them and their family. The Proverbs do certainly tell us – twice: that “the prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself” (Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12), but as you put aside some extra flashlight batteries, canned food and other items for those kinds of “rainy days”…you really need to also consider the above stories – and the amazing promises in the following passage from Job chapter 5 – if you want your family to be safe – in the time of trouble. Check out the following amazing passage. And when I say “check it out”, I want you to print this verse, and highlight every blessing you get – for meeting this one single condition. In one of my Bibles, I think I actually numbered them. I think I counted 8 blessings – just for allowing God to “Correct” me. How many do you find?
Job 5:17-23
17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. 21Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
Exposing Satan’s Scheme to STEAL from both God’s sheep, and from His true messengers.
After seeing how plainly God has made it – that there is such a great blessing in identifying and heartily assisting God’s true messengers, I am CONVINCED that this is a HUGE PRIORITY in Satan’s kingdom – to do everything he can to:
- Keep people from studying God’s Word diligently enough to clearly identify who God’s True messengers even are.
- Thru that ignorance (and through Covetousness – for those who actually DO KNOW who God’s true messengers are) Satan wants to ROB people from the blessings of heartily supporting God’s true messengers.
- Satan wants to STOP God’s true messengers from doing their work, to hinder that work through lack of funds or having to do other jobs to make ends meet, and to discourage God’s true messengers – thru the frustration of consistent LACK! Satan wants to starve out these true Oxen – so much – that they just want to lay down and QUIT! Sometimes God’s true messengers actually get so frustrated that they just want God to take them home!
God Help us all – who call ourselves Christians – to not let this happen to these dear and True messengers, in Jesus name – for we shall all give account – on the day of Judgment. And May we also embrace the opportunities that The Lord gives us – to heartily assist His true messengers – knowing that The Lord has some VERY Special blessings in store – both in this life, and in the world to come (1 Timothy 4:8) – for those who follow in the footsteps of Ebed-Melech, Barzillai and the Shunamite woman (and her husband). J
Conclusion:
In conclusion, God has graciously spelled out 2 activities that help us to procure safety in the time of trouble, and even eternal favor. Those 2 activities are A) Make it a point to heartily do nice things for God’s True Messengers, and B) Study God’s Word and let it “CORRECT” you.
Something Else Very Important – that I did not see – until AFTER writing this article
(It was not until I reread these passages – yet another time, that I noticed something else very significant. Ebed-Melech, Barzillai and the Shunamite – did not just toss these true men of God a few leftovers. One made a whole extra room on their house & kept it available for whenever they happened to pass by. One risked their life speaking to the King for Jeremiah’s sake, and one gave literally tons of food and stuff – to King David and his men and their families – while on the run from Absalom. None of these 3 just tossed out a couple shekels of silver, or a few loaves of bread. Most of God’s true messengers will be thankful for anyone that decides to help them with any amount or in any way – as they push towards accomplishing the work God has given them to do, and God surely keeps very good accounting – with whatever we do or do not sacrifice – to assist these oxen, who are treading out the heavenly corn for God’s sheep. But do keep in mind the level of sacrifice exhibited by our 3 good examples – as you ponder the true message of what God is trying to teach us – from the above 3 Old Testament stories & New Testament Onesiphorus. The more I think about these good examples, the more I am wanting to consider them Helping Heroes – to God’s true messengers.
I also think of this final verse (in Isaiah 32) sometimes – when I think of this subject. Just make sure you know enough of God’s Word, that you can truly identify who God’s true “Oxen” are.
Isaiah 32:20
20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
Closing Prayer
Father in Heaven, Thank you so much for these beautiful truths in your precious Word. We rejoice in them as one who finds GREAT SPOIL! Please help us to discern who your true messengers are, and please guide as to which of them we help – and how we help them. Please also help us to be teachable and to allow your Word to correct us, that the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, and the actions of our lives – may more fully please you. Also, please call many of those who are either preaching lies or supporting false teachers – to repentance and true salvation, and help them to redirect their paths – that they (and we) might all hear you say on That Day…Well Done, thou good and faithful servant. In Jesus name. Any Amens?
“Make to Yourselves Friends of the Mammon of Unrighteousness”
Apostasy
Biblical Case Against Seminary [podcast]

SATAN’S SEMINARIANS [podcast]
Satanic Seminarian System
People have to be first indoctrinated in order to go forth and indoctrinate others, their prey. This is the purpose of seminarians.
What could possibly sound more innocent than a man wanting to serve God going to seminary, right?
BEWARE OF THE SEMINARIANS WHO ARE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES OF OUR DAY! Satan loves to use that which sounds noble and spiritual and yet is not biblical. There are no seminaries in the New Testament! And it’s not biblical for a good reason. God’s Divine wisdom. To protect His body. Let’s stay with the Word saints!
SOME of the most pitiful deceivers I’ve ever conversed with have had a so-called “higher education.” In reality, there’s no such thing as a “higher education” outside of learning directly from the Most High Himself, out of the never-changing, crowning jewel literary work in His universe, the Holy Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
HAVE you noticed the lightweight seminarians who peddle their half-truth false gospel, OSAS, calvinism, etc and how they market their community to build their church busine$$?
We should note that in general Christ warned us to “beware of men.” (Matthew 10:17) Jesus told us to beware of specific classes of sinful men. In doing so perhaps to some degree the Son of God was stereotyping. Here Jesus warns us to beware of the religious leaders (seminarians) and civil rulers and perhaps because they could do the most damage: “And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15)
The moment Jesus saved us, He inducted us into the school of the Holy Ghost and Word of God! THAT’S how God prepares His people for ministry! Seminary is a cheap substitute, waste of time and money (Psalms 119:105; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.). Christ sends men to the cross and Pentecost (Holy Spirit baptism) and never to the seminaries of mere sinful men.
Who needs a seminary to learn God’s Word? – only a lazy man who refuses to lay down his life in this fleeting world and study to learn God’s Word intimately. Such a man is “not valiant for the truth” and so will be turned over to “strong delusion.” (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
Personally, I waste no time on early church fathers or church history. They weren’t ordained, sanctioned by God exclusively to pen the words of Holy Writ, the Bible, which is God’s Word and the highest divine authority (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). What’s it matter if you know what they said? The LORD didn’t ordain them to communicate His truth to the world. This does nothing but create confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Many would rather listen to what mere men had to say about God and the Bible than to search, study, and learn for themselves what God said in His own Word. The LORD has always instructed His people to study and learn and attend to HIS words (Deuteronomy 4, 6, 11, Isaiah 34:16, etc.).
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Seminarian Repentance
Attention seminarian or Bible College student, graduate: Not only does seminary not prepare you to be used of God, it gives you many things to unlearn and costs you much more than just a lot of wasted money. The ONE who saved you (if you are in fact saved) is the only ONE who can sanctify and prepare you to serve HIM. Seminary is at its root, apostasy, a departing from God to mere sinful men. If you claim to be born again and yet run to men to prepare you, there should be great concern (Galatians 1:16-17). PLAIN PROOF: Today’s apostate modern so-called “churches” become as they are – ichabod – by way of the jesuit-trained seminarian hirelings who drove them headlong into that apostasy. Seminiarian Apostasy Busted and Exposed!
ONLY JESUS can call, prepare and ordain a man to His work! All other “ordinations” and certifications are a fraud! John 15:16 !!!
There were no seminarians in the New Testament except those of the hell bound pharisees.
GOD is unchanging. Jesus sent no one to seminary. Jesus sends men to the cross then Pentecost! Otherwise a man is not fit for ministry. Seminary does not qualify a man for ministry. No, in fact, seminary puts a man light years behind, having many things he must now denounce and overcome and rid his life of. Repent and denounce all your “higher learning.” Until then, you are on your own, full of foolish pride and rebellion and the LORD will not use you (James 4:6-10). Paul denounced his “higher learning” trophies to know, be known of, and used by the LORD! (Philippians 3).
“Despite God’s word commanding men not to boast in their wisdom, and despite being told that “not many wise according to the flesh” are called, today’s evangelical landscape is replete with scribes and pharisees whose default question is, ‘By what authority do you do these things?’ They put their stock in how many credit hours they have obtained at such and such a seminary. Seminary credentials never qualified a man for God’s service, nor does a lack of “formal training” nullify what God approves. Indeed, God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27) When God calls anyone to a particular task, it matters not if others approve.” Servus Christi
DOES this not sum up what ministry is? Read closely: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (Ezra 7:10)
We must go back further than the “reformation.” Nothing needed to be RE-formed…. because we have a Bible which is the final divine authority (Mark 13:31; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.). Many of the “reformers” were absolute heretics such as the demon possessed murderous maniac, John Calvin.
YOU see, in seminaries, their premise for teaching church history and about the reformers/reformation is so that their students will be able to discuss such when the topic comes up. But wait, you see THEY, the false priesthood of seminarians are the very ones who created that premise! Called out men must know God’s Word, not church history! SATAN is at work misdirecting men from simply learning God’s Word and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, he’s diverted seminarians from simply learning Scripture using a curriculum that includes pagan prayer practices (contemplative prayer/spiritual formation), church history, and marketing. Jesus never did nor ever will send anyone to a seminary! The Son of God sends men who are truly in His will to the cross and to Pentecost!
Jim Borge writes: “As a young man, I was taught to believe that the Reformation was a great thing. As an older man I have grown to believe that the Church never needed reformation, it needed regeneration.”
IF you went to seminary or Bible college, perhaps the LORD would today lead you to repent of this work of the flesh, denounce it, and announce you utter dependence upon Him! Paul denounced all of his higher education to know and serve Christ (Philippians 3).
Sadly, most seminarians learn the lies of the protestant reformers instead of learning God’s pure Word!
The idea of “reformation” is just another lie and deception. Caution: Paul Washer is a calvinist … we don’t need “reformation” … never did! We need to simply get back to the “old paths” which is the Holy Scriptures! (Jeremiah 6:16) The LORD has given us “ALL things” in His Word! (2 Peter 1:3-4) The insidious, lying idea of a “reformation” is that something needs to be re-formed or formed again! But this is another lie from Satan because God’s Word has been perfect from the beginning and has “all” that we need! Beware. The “Protestant Reformation” was full of devils who believed and taught “reformed theology” and the diabolical system of “calvinism.” Run!
Bottom line: EVERYTHING we need God gave us in His Word and it doesn’t seminary to study and learn God’s Word!
Satan’s seminarians are his invention to put the church on ice!
Thinking of going to seminary? Before you do, read this post.
“What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” John Wesley
YOU show me a church “pastored” by one of Satan’s seminarians and I will show you a cold, dead, apostate sham!
Today the embrace, connection, and fornication between seminaries and the churches is an embracing of that which was tolerated in generations past and has brought epidemic apostasy in the local churches. The Methodist church is a prime example.
John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist church which is now a dead denomination and has been for a long time. Yet, Wesley was a firebrand for Christ who traveled over 150,000 miles by horseback to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached over 40,000 messages from God’s Word in his lifetime!
It was only when the Methodist church began requiring it’s preachers to have a seminary degree that the fire of God extinguished (Ichabod) and the Holy Spirit was quenched. Today the Methodist church is dead men’s bones due to trusting in the flesh, degrees, etc., and not desiring and depending on the divine power of the Word and Holy Spirit.
SATAN HAD A PLAN TO ICE THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCHES AND IT WORKED – AS FAR AS THE VISIBLE BUILDING-BASED CHURCHES GO.
Simple Scheme: If Satan can ice the seminarians, he ices the people they speak to.
The seminary church system has never nor ever will work to fulfill God’s stated will for His New Testament church. It’s a satanic fraud and counterfeit that has replaced the stated will of the LORD! “Antichrist” means simply “in place of.”
The Pharisees
The hell bound hypocritical pharisees were the seminarians of Christ’s day (Matthew 23).
EVERY catholic priest is seminary trained. What does that tell you?
Calvinistic wolves posing as pastors are seminarian graduates.
What does that tell you? Jude 3-4
Today they control nearly all building based churches.
But wait, don’t men who servant lead need to know the Word? Yes, but that in no way necessitates a “higher learning” center where mere men are in control and inevitably will contaminate.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“It does take a little training to rightly divide the Word. Of Truth.”
REPLY:
Yes it sure does …. no seminarian needed which without fail indoctrinates it’s students with extra-biblical heresies no different than the training received by the pharisees/false leaders/seminarians of Christ’s day (Mark 7:6-9).
ORGANIC, HOME BIBLE FELLOWSHIPS IS THE WAY THE EARLY CHURCH BEGAN AND SHOULD BE FUNCTIONING TODAY (ACTS 2:42-47).
Beware of the Seminary Salesmen!
Interestingly, when one searches the internet concerning the case for or against seminary training, he may just find this to be the only piece written from a biblical perspective and against seminary training. In perusing some of the many pro-seminary articles, one will search in vain to find much, if any Scripture. These pro-seminary sales pieces were apparently written by seminarians – using little or no Scripture. One thing is for certain: Jesus and His apostles never once instructed anyone to go to a higher learning facility.
TRULY REPENTING, surrendering your whole being, reputation, and will to Christ, getting baptized with the Holy Ghost, and organically studying God’s Word is the divine equipment for ministry, not seminary!
GOD NEVER CALLED ANYONE TO GET A SEMINARY DEGREE. IF SO JESUS WOULD HAVE TOLD HIS 12 TO GO TO A “HIGHER LEARNING” INSTITUTION. NO, JESUS CALLED HIS 12 AND IS CALLING US TO DIE – TO DENY SELF, TAKE UP THE CROSS, AND FOLLOW HIM! LET’S REPENT SAINTS, THAT’S WHERE IT ALL STARTS, BEGINNING WITH A DIVINE REFRESHING IN OUR SPIRITS! (ACTS 3:19)
Paul had more “higher learning” than 10 seminarians combined and he denounced it all as “dung” (crap) to know and to learn and to teach Christ! Study Philippians 3 afresh.
Jesus led Paul to denounce all of his higher learning – read Philippians 3 afresh with this in mind … he counted it dung … when I did this – denounced my formal education – the LORD delivered me and there was an increased anointing …. only Jesus can ordain us and anoint us to do HIS work – “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
THE FRUIT OF THE MODERN CHURCHES IS CLEAR PROOF THAT SATAN IS AT THE ROOT OF THE SEMINARIANS WHO’VE DRIVEN THEM INTO APOSTASY!
Biblical Christian training does not involve organizations or institutions of sinful men – whose fruit reflects that of the sham false leaders of Christ’s day – who “love the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43) and set aside God’s Word to keep their own tradition (Mark 7:6-9). No institution of men needed for deep, thorough, organic, Spirit filled study of God’s Word. Jesus and His apostles never once instructed any person to go to a higher learning institution. In fact the seminarians of Christ’s day mocked the very Son of God specifically for not having a degree or the approval of sinful religious men (John 7:16-18).
To illustrate how indoctrinated seminarians become and why …. Have you ever noticed that when you see seminary students in coffee shops laboriously studying, you can spot them from a mile away – because they carry 3-10 commentary books of mere men around. That’s their curriculum instead of pure Scripture. Sometimes you can’t even find a Bible in the midst of their many books and when you do, it’s a lame, corrupted new per-version. SMH New Bible Versions and the Satanic Frauds who Invented them Busted and Exposed.
THERE’S A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEADING PEOPLE THROUGH SCRIPTURE AND INDOCTRINATING THEM IN EXTRA-BIBLICAL THEOLOGY SUCH AS THE DIABOLICAL SYSTEM OF CALVINISM/REFORMED THEOLOGY WHICH IS INTENTIONALLY DONE AT SEMINARIES.
One brother illustrates seminaries this way:
“Many colleges are just glorified roach motels…those who go in are infected and go back to infect the entire colony.” Nathan Noyes
JESUS told a seminarian of His day that he had to be “born again.” (John 3:3, 7) Obviously this man was not right with God. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John: He first visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus’ teachings (John 3:1–21). Obviously Nicodemus was not a member of Christ’s family yet. This is clear, landmark proof that being religious and/or a leader in a religion or movement assures not that a person is truly a child of God. Hell is full of religious leaders, most of which are “false” according to Jesus (Matthew 7:15; 24:1,24; 1 John 4:1, etc.). The LORD never designed for His people to go to a school of “higher learning” but rather to receive the only Higher learning available – directly from the MOST HIGH Himself! Remember how the LORD told Ezekiel to simply eat His Word and then go speak those words? (Ezekiel 3)
The rebel at heart will do anything and everything except truly repent. He will mask his rebellion by spending several years and a small fortune to obtain a seminary degree, but like the hell bound false leaders of Jesus’ day, he will not repent.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6
The profile of the seminarian is that he seeks the approval of sinful men and not God.
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15
Sinful men always wants to insert themselves, legitimize and attempt to make prestigious their own personal certification and institutions where they reign and complicate the simplicity of divine truth and its instruction. Beware.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7
Seminary will never make up for your refusal to authentically repent and get a real life with Christ! John 15:16
Personally, upon having attended 2 Bible colleges, I realized that many of the student, even those in their 4th year, were admittedly not born again. The fruit was obviousl
THERE was no such thing as a priesthood of professional clergy in Christ’s day or in the days of early church! (as far as HIS true kingdom is concerned) In fact, it wasn’t until the antichrist roman catholic cult formed that such a priesthood was instituted and has brought untold destruction since! In short, they’ve replaced the pure worship of Christ with everything under the sun! Jesus saw this coming and prophetically warned us about this when He said “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) Oh and “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”(Matthew 24:11) ….. Do you understand the import of Ezekiel 22:25-27? Here it is:
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (false leaders) in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests (leaders) have violated my law (Word), and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.” Ezekiel 22:25-27
The seminary system we see since the early New Testament centuries into the now is a clear manifestation and fulfillment of this prophecy given us by the LORD’s prophet Ezekiel. Exactly as Ezekiel warned, today there is a “conspiracy” among the fraternal order of seminarians who have a stronghold on the denominational franchises they run. Also as the prophet revealed “Her priests (leaders) have violated my law (Word).” (v26) The false prophet seminarians are man-fearing, man-pleasing hirelings who refuse to acknowledge, study, and preach the whole counsel of God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:1-4). Like the phony false priesthood of Christ’s day, they set aside the Word of God in order to keep the tradition and heresies they learned in seminary (Mark 7:6-9). In fact, this is a central biblical definition of false leaders and what they do – and we “know (discern) them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16, 20)
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside (rejecting) the commandment (Word) of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment (Word) of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
Satan’s Centralized System
We know from the revelation of Scripture that Satan has a well organized kingdom and uses his human agents and their systems to steal, to kill, and to destroy souls (Ezekiel 22:25-27; John 10:10; Ephesians 6:12).
Seminaries are a centralized organization of mere sinful men. SATAN is the centralizer! Think Babylon/Nimrod (Genesis 11). Think the upcoming centralized antichrist system (Revelation 13-14, 17-18). Yes, it’s God who has ordained that His assemblies of His people be autonomous and not controlled by a “headquarter” committee or centralized organization of modern pharisees who in most cases are indoctrinated into extra-biblical doctrines such as the cult of calvinism. Most pastors today are wolves who can’t even lead souls to Christ and deny the need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (for starters). Satan always, without fail, perverts the men in control and then doles it out to those downstream (the churches). That’s why he centralizes and we are “not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
The Bible itself is the learning source for every saint. God’s Word is His centralized truth! (John 17:17; 2 timothy 3:16-17)
It’s real simple:
- Are you genuinely born again?
- Can you read?
- Do you have a King James Bible?
Case closed: You do not need to go to seminary. If you do, like the majority of seminarians, you may never return to the LORD to be used of Him and worse.
In the early church there were no professional clergymen as we see today in the apostate modern church world. This was Satan’s plan to denigrate and cease the power of the Holy Spirit which was poured out from Jesus on Pentecost and resulted in thousands being saved. Read Acts. At the hands of seminarian wolves, the modern church world is full of entertainment, marketing, and gimmicks and is plainly lukewarm and dead (Revelation 3:15-16). New Testament elders are not seen in the 27 book New Testament canon as those today who lord it over that which claims to be Christ’s flock. No, rather, elders in the early church were those who navigate and feed oversee (1 Peter 5:1-6). They were more like those who moderate the assemblies of God’s people in contrast with the seminary-trained, hi-jack artists we see in place today.
Seminaries are Wolf Factories! Beware!
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” Jeremiah 12:10
Nancy Paul Cote writes: “Thanks again for your ministry’s articles. They so hit home and relate to my experiences of error. We were just talking about this in my new Berean Church yesterday. Both my husband and I can attest to this. Both of us were on fire for God and studied the word of God with our church ministries. We started out with an un-compromised Bible (KJB). Then, we listened to many say that to further our education with God we must go to a Bible College to get a degree to be more equipped for Ministry. Well, as we attended Bible College for 4 years I did not see our passion for biblical Truth growing—but declining. There were so many different views and different Bible Versions it only made me less prepared and more confused. We began relying on what the teachers said rather than what the Bible said because we were sure they know more because they had a degree, right? No, it was almost like I had to detoxify myself of all of man’s wisdom and get back into my KJB and fellowship with those with like-minded passion. I did just that in 2014. God has been so good to me. ‘Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace’ (James 3:13-18).”
False leaders have been the demise and damnation of millions. Hell is full of false leaders and those who chose to follow these wolves in sheep’s clothing instead of Christ.
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed (in hell).” Isaiah 9:16
Jesus never told you to go to seminary. Rather, He commanded you to lay down your life right now and follow Him. Now read these words from Jesus and see if you need seminary to understand this simple truth:
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
Professional clergymen have hi-jacked and ruined the life of Christ from that which feigns to be representing Him. Most of them came from Satan’s seminaries!
Seminarian wolves have hi-jacked the local churches and that’s why true followers of Jesus are gathering organically – without the contamination of professional clergy wolves. Individual believers and true ministers of Christ who are not part of their fraternal, Jesuit-trained order are intentionally shunned in the apostate churches and yet are fulfilling their call like Jesus and His apostles – without a building to contain them from reaching the people.
NEWS FLASH: SATAN CONTROLS THE SEMINARIES, CHURCH SYSTEMS, AND LOCAL CHURCHES.
If your thought and perspective of serving God is the vision of a so-called church building, you do not have a kingdom perspective and are in desperate need of repentance, deep Bible study, and praying that the LORD opens your eyes.
When you truly realize that the MOST HIGH, the very KING of kings saves and ordains you – and you truly fear Him and not men – that will be the only ordination you ever mention or acknowledge! (John 15:16) Those to truly know the LORD and obviously fear Him, do not seek the approval of mere sinful men, especially the “accursed” who preach another gospel (Galatians 1:10). | Pastors According to My Heart (Jeremiah 3:15)
THE TRUE DISCIPLE OF JESUS WILL NOT BE SELF-MADE OR SEMINARY-MADE BUT RATHER SAVIOR-MADE! SELAH! SUCH A MAN DILIGENTLY AND DAILY SEEKS THE FACE OF THE LORD IN A LIFE OF PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY! LIKE THE ONE HE IS TRULY FOLLOWING, HE SEEKS NO APPROVAL OF MEN.
God never sends any man to seminary. They are self-sent. Jesus says to follow Him: He had no degree and was mocked by the hypocritical religious leaders of His day (John 7:15-18). God has not changed. Those who truly know and follow Christ entered into the school of the Holy Ghost and Word of God the day He saved them!!!
ANY LOCAL CHURCH THAT SEARCHES FOR OR WOULD EVEN TAKE AS AN ELDER A SEMINARIAN WHO HAD NOT REPENTED AND DENOUNCED HIS PHONY SEMINARY DEGREE IS AN APOSTATE CHURCH! JOHN 15:16
In the qualifications for an elder among Christ’s body, can you find the need to be degreed?
Biblical Qualifications for Overseers
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7
THERE IS NOT ONE MENTION OF A HIGHER LEARNING DEGREE IN THE BIBLICAL LIST OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ELDER. SUCH HAS BEEN ADDED BY MEN AND DEVILS.
The Son of God Didn’t have a Degree!
“And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters (Jesus had no degree from sinful men), having never learned? (no formal education)
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:15-18
On this passage, William MacDonald, author of the Believer’s Bible Commentary, notes:
“7:15 Those who heard the Savior marveled. Doubtless it was His knowledge of the OT (Scriptures) that impressed them most. But also the breadth of His learning and His ability to teach attracted their attention. They knew that Jesus had never been to any of the great religious schools of that day, and they could not understand how He could have such an education as He did. The world still expresses amazement and often complains when it finds believers with no formal religious training who are able to preach and teach the Word of God.
7:16 Once again it is beautiful to see how the Lord refused to take any credit for Himself, but simply tried to glorified His Father. Jesus answered simply that His teaching was not His own, but that it came from the One who sent Him. Whatever the Lord Jesus spoke and whatever He taught were the things which were the things His Father told Him to speak and to teach. He did not act independently of the Father.
7:17 If the Jews really wanted to know whether His message was true or not, it would be easy for them to find out. If anyone really wills to do God’s will, then God will reveal to him whether the teachings of Christ are divine or whether the Lord was simply teaching what He Himself wanted to teach. There is a wonderful promise here for everyone earnestly seeking the truth. If a person is sincere, and truly wants to know what is the truth, God will reveal it to him. “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.’”
7:18 Anyone who speaks from himself, that is, according to his own will, seeks his own glory. But it was not so with the Lord Jesus. He sought the glory of the Father who sent Him. Because His motives were absolutely pure, His message was absolutely true. No unrighteousness was in Him.
Jesus was the only One of whom such words could be spoken. Every other teacher has had some selfishness mixed in his service. It should be the ambition of every servant of the Lord to glorify God rather than self.”
Cross-Less Curriculums of Seminaries
“Enemies of the cross of Christ.” Philippians 3:18-19
CHRIST’S KING-DOM IS ALLLL ABOUT KING JESUS!!! AND NOT SOME CHUMP WHO’S BUILDING A CHURCH BUSINESS BY ENTERTAINING SELF-SEEKING GOATS WITH MUSIC AND TONED DOWN CLICHE’S, CATCHY PHRASES AND NEUTERED, “SUCCESS” MESSAGES.
“I once heard a wise old pastor say, ‘The best way to strip a man of his Christianity is to send him to Seminary.’” Gina Martin
“I have learned more from born again evangelists who never went to seminary, than those who did. They preach from the heart, keep the message plain and easy to understand, and know their Bible inside out!! More sacrilege and blasphemy has come from seminaries than I can count here. The Holy Spirit will God us in all we do, if we let Him.” Donna Hawthorne Riegler
Jeff Scholz writes: “God’s anointing is in His word. Even someone who is newly born again that barely reads the Bible, when they pick it up, even for the first time, as soon as they start reading God is already speaking to that individual. The LORD can call and use anybody at any time, any one of His people.”
Saints, the seminaries and their seminarian agents have created a stronghold over many parts of that which claims to be Christendom, smothering and snuffing out the life of Christ. Beware. Pray for understanding and insight and spread the light of truth on this darkness that has blanketed the minds of so many. These are the Nicolaitan devils, the very agents of Satan himself and their false systems and doctrines Jesus says He hates (Revelation 2:6, 15). Nicolaitan Devils Busted and Exposed!
Satan uses seminaries and seminarians in pulpits to produce these false leaders and to intercept and distort that innocence of the new believer who is a new creature in Christ by way of being now born again (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
In the vast majority of local churches today, little emphasis is placed on the divine priorities of essential biblical truth such as the divinity and holiness of the LORD, the necessity of the daily cross and prayer, etc.
SEMINARIANS ARE TAUGHT TO READ WHAT OTHER MEN SAY ABOUT THE BIBLE INSTEAD OF SIMPLY STUDYING THE BIBLE FOR THEMSELVES. THEY ARE COMMENTARY INTENSIVE INSTEAD OF SCRIPTURE INTENSIVE!
I’ve been to two Bible colleges and many of those who attended (the students) were not even born again! Many of them openly and laughingly admitted to such!
Having a seminary degree means that someone has been taught well to not personally study and assimilate the whole counsel of God’s Word in an honest manner but rather to manipulate Scripture to teach and defile others which such diabolical systems of theology as calvinism and un-conditional eternal security. Calvinism is the Devil’s System and all who teach it are his wolves! Beware.
True servants of the LORD must be called and prepared by the LORD, not mere men who falsely feign to be Christ’s representatives. | Divine Preparation for Ministry
“Taught of God” …. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
“The Holy Ghost teacheth”! 1 Corinthians 2:13
Seminary prepares no one for ministry – Only Jesus can do that in the life of the called-out, obedient men who choose to do things HIS way and not man’s way! “for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME – GO TO THE SAVIOR, NOT SEMINARY!
If Jesus created, found, saved, and called you, can He not prepare you? (John 15:16)
Where is your faith? Is it in men or God? (Hebrews 11:6)
Some would argue that the world is more civilized now than it was 2,000 years ago when Christ came. Nonsense. They therefore argue that seminaries are a product of our enlightened age. Nonsense.
In the first century, we know of certainty that there was much emphasis placed upon the prestigious institutions of higher religious learning. This is further established by the mocking mention of Jesus not having a degree in John 7:15, and Paul’s credentials – being taught at “the feet of Gamaliel” and “an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5) Obviously there were great centers for religious learning, namely Jewish, in the days of our LORD and His apostles. Yet not only do we have not a single instance of Jesus or His apostles sending anyone to a higher learning center, the graduates of those institutions were actually the greatest persecutors of Christ and His apostles. They were antichrists. Nothing has changed! We have the same scenario transpiring all around us today in the professing church world.
There is no hate here toward men but rather the devil who has deceived men, leading them away from God while claiming to be representing Christ …. this subversion is characteristic of “the spirit of antichrist.”
The very reason we don’t have more intense and diligent Bible learning in the church world is due to seminarian leadership. Meditate on this. Seminary is like the catholic cult – designed by the enemy to keep people out of God’s Word for themselves.
The way “the spirit of antichrist” works…. is while feigning to be representing Christ, it misrepresents Christ. Subversive, insidious deception perpetrated against Christ and His people (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 John 4:3).
ANYONE WHO CRASSLY DISMISSES THE FACT THAT JESUS NEVER SENT ANYONE TO SEMINARY IS ALREADY OPERATING ON HUMAN WISDOM AND NOT GOD’S WISDOM AND IS DESTINED FOR A WASTED LIFE OF WOLFERY!
Seminaries train men to please men, not God. They train men to operate in devil-inspired and man-controlled churches which are apostate, Ichabod!
The Almighty is not impressed with a seminary degree and in fact cannot use you until you repent and denounce it and announce your full and complete dependence upon Him!
Seminaries create a type of brotherhood or fraternal order which causes the sin of respect of persons (Romans 2:11). In this God-less connection, there is respecter of persons which is a clear and sinful violation of God’s Word (James 2:9).
When some Jews got saved, Jesus told them to continue in the Word and as they did they would know His truth and be made free. Christ had all the opportunity in His Universe to direct these new believers to go to some higher learning institution that had set itself up. No such mention from the Son of God! Here it is:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Heaven’s King here taught these new believers that His truth – knowing and obeying it – would make them His disciples and make them free. Jesus clearly infers here that they could and would definitely know His truth if they “continued in” His “Word.”
To be Holy Ghost filled is very important per Scripture and yet not enough. You must have both the power and revelation of the Holy Spirit and astute adherence to the “sound doctrine” of Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17, etc.).
NO, YOU DON’T NEED SEMINARY, YOU NEED THE SAVIOR! MORE OF JESUS IS THE ANSWER AND PREREQUISITE FOR MINISTRY.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
Seminaries are an open pit, drawing men who were never called of God in the first place and intercepting, indoctrinating and destroying men who are actually God-called, making them “twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15).
Many who sign up for seminary see what they view as an easy profession. All they have to do is get the degree and they can send out resumes. Seminaries are a breeding ground for self glory which is completely contradictory to the teachings of Jesus.
Saints, this pride we see coming from people who claim to be Christian leaders because they attended a seminary is proof of the truth that seminaries do not prepare people to serve God, period. Many are full of self and may God grant repentance. See John 7:18 – “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”
“Higher learning” is in reality indoctrination, brainwashing.
Is the world getting smarter or dumber? Want to get humbled and embarrassed? Look up the 8th grade primer from just 100 years ago here in America. Most college graduates couldn’t answer near half of those questions. Shocking dumb down! In the same way, preachers of old knew God’s Word and had mountains of Scripture from the King James Bible committed to memory.
EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHESIED GREAT FALLING AWAY / APOSTASY (2 THESSALONIANS 2: NOT 1 SEMINARY TODAY USES THE KING JAMES BIBLE WHICH IS THE PRESERVED WORD OF GOD TO THE ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD (PSALMS 12:6-7).
Prayer of Repentance: Father, I here and now acknowledge You and how You alone made, saved, and called me for Your purposes. In the name of Jesus Christ, right this moment, I confess my sin of pride and self-idolatry and for not seeking Your face in this matter. I now see how I went my own way and not Yours. Please forgive me now LORD and instill thy holy fear in my bosom, leading me in Your paths to know and be prepared to be used of You. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Seminaries Slammed!| Today’s False Church System
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Abiding
The LORD Lift Up His Countenance Upon Thee, and Give Thee Peace [podcast]

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. ” Numbers 6:24-26
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Abiding
Mexico Army Personnel Receive the Gospel [podcast]

“Excellent podcast! I am in awe of what God is doing in the hearts of the people of Mexico.” Karen Cochran
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
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