Excerpt from the book Predators in Our Pulpits.
“For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said , We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.” – Jeremiah 6:13-17
Just as we see in our day, in Jeremiah’s day, the people who once served the LORD had become “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-14). They had become “lukewarm,” and were now damnably “at ease in Zion” (Revelation 3:15-16; Amos 6:1). The covenant people of God were now living in sin and the leaders of the people were further leading them down the path of darkness and destruction by giving them what they wanted and not what they needed—the divine prescription which is God’s written Word (Ezekiel 3:4; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 Peter 4:11). These “blind guides” were shamefully leading the willingly blind further down the wide road and into the ditch of eternal demise (Matthew 23:16, 24; Luke 6:39).
These people who once knew the LORD, were now fallen away from Him (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:20-22). Have you asked Him to break you lately and grant you ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to you and His true church (people)? Keep in mind that the prophet Jeremiah rebuked the false prophets of his day for offering a fake solution—all in order to tickle the ears of the people, gain their allegiance, and exploit them for their money. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). True healing (namely heart healing) and a pure heart can only come from the LORD. He will only do this in response to our personal surrender in repentance to Him (Psalms 147:3; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Ezekiel 36:36; Hosea 10:12).
The false prophets “healed the daughter of my people slightly.” In other words, the wolves of Ezekiel’s day are the same as the conspiracy of wolves today who offer happiness and your best life now, to be purpose driven instead of Holy Spirit led, and all kinds of other self-centered, self-actualizing falsehoods that leave their victims empty, sinful, under judgment, and spiritually bankrupt. Hell awaits (2 Peter 2:1-4).
God always goes to the root to bring the healing and His healing is authentic, life-giving, tangible, and completely transforming (Jeremiah 1:10; Luke 4:18-19).
The prophet Isaiah also wrote of these false leaders when he wrote: “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (Isaiah 9:16).
“The Old Paths”
“Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:13). Divine truth is not like clothing styles, it is always in vogue—divinely and eternally fixed, immutable, consistent, and unchanging (Psalms 119:89; Mark 13:31).
“The scripture cannot be broken.” – John 10:35
“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” – Psalms 119:89
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter (change) the thing that is gone out of my lips.” – Psalms 89:34
Like He who is “the truth,” divine truth is eternally “settled in heaven” and not like the fickle, gullible, and sinful hearts of mere men because “the truth is in Jesus” who is the eternal God, Creator, and Sustainer of all life, the very “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Psalms 119:89; John 14:6; Ephesians 4:21; Colossians 1:15-18; Revelation 1:8).
Those who are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,” jumping from one foolish fad to the next, are not grounded in the LORD (Ephesians 4:14). IF they were, they would migrate only to His holy truth, being relentlessly hungry for more of it in order to see Him more clearly, day by day (Proverbs 4:18; Colossians 2:6-7).
Those who do not seek out the LORD in the “old paths,” that is, the ancient immutable Word of God, will seek to change “the truth of God into a lie,” making it whatever they wish it to be in order to evade true surrender in repentance.
“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” – Romans 1:25
Of Christ it was said that He “teachest the way of God in truth” which today can rarely be seen in those feigning to be Christ’s servants (Mark 12:14; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
All who hold to and are diligent stewards of the Word of God in their own lives and in contending for the truth among men are manifestly of the LORD. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
God’s true people are the keepers of His holy truth as they themselves are being sanctified by it daily. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s true people are known by their vigilant and diligent stewardship of His truth. It is the duty of every true believer to be the steward of the Word of God (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
There are believers who gather together to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints,” and that is a good thing. Yet, no organization has a monopoly on God’s eternal truth (Jude 3-4). It takes no organization of men to accomplish this. “The house of God” and “the church of the living God” speak of the people of God, which is the definition of Christ’s “church” (Matthew 16:18; 1 Timothy 3:15). Jesus’ church is not any specific organization of mere men, but rather is the very and authentic people of God—those who serve Him on His terms and not their own—those in whom He dwells— “a spiritual house” (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:5). “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
As has been the case in every generation, false prophets and false teachers apply a surface level, feel good, solution, or a band-aid to the problems sin causes in the lives of those who are supposedly God’s children. As we observe in what Jeremiah writes in chapter 6 of the book he was inspired to pen, these wolves tell the people that “everything is okay.” In this scenario, there is a reciprocation between the speaker and his audience. Sin is not dealt with in the biblical way by the leadership and is basically ignored or redefined. Predictably, there is no conviction or repentance found in the hearts of the people– “they were not at all ashamed” and will therefore “fall among them that fall” (v. 15).
Like the wolves of Jeremiah’s day, modern beguilers selfishly desire to have a vocation, to be applauded, and to garner ill-gotten gain. They will say what is expedient in order to advance their own self-serving cause. They are heroes in the eyes of the rebellious-hearted who love their lives in this fleeting world and refuse to lay them down at Christ’s command (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 14:27, 33; 19:27; John 12:23-26).
As in the days of Jeremiah, the false prophets today say “Peace, peace” (even when those claiming to be Christ’s are living in sin) and God says, “there is no peace.” When men live in sin, vainly believing they belong to God, there is no true peace due to the rebellion He sees in the people (Isaiah 59:1-2). The LORD today calls for those who have back-slid or apostatized to “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said , We will not walk therein” (v. 16). The LORD sends His servant “watchmen” to call people to repent by sounding the truth “trumpet” of His holy Word and still many “will not hearken.”
This is why the Bible tells us that only a few will ultimately be saved yet “many” name Jesus as their “Lord” (Matthew 7:21-23).
“Any Other Gospel” Will Do!
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” – 2 Corinthians 11:1-4
There is always a counterfeit for that which is true and genuine. The enemy of all souls has set up an endless variety of ways for men to rebel against God. This very often occurs when a person does not seek out the truth in God’s Word for themselves but takes man’s word for things. So when “another Jesus” or a false Christ is propelled and pushed out there by “another spirit” it leads men into a false or “another gospel.”
We are so very often warned to “Beware” of the reality and impending danger of being beguiled. In this late hour, so many are trading in the Savior who rescued them for some cheap, phony, and counterfeit substitute. It’s as if they are saying with their lives and actions “Any other gospel will do! We will take anything but the truth! We want everyone and anything except Christ! We don’t want to go to hell so that’s why we want just a little bit of Jesus but don’t want to be bothered with the details of serving Him in this life!” Make no mistake friends, this is “the spirit of antichrist” at work (1 John 4:1-6).
“To the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. … Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” – Colossians 2:2-4, 8-10
How Does a Person Become “Led Astray”?
Peter wrote: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (2 Peter 3:17).
Those who choose not to love the truth that reveals the one and only Savior—Jesus Christ—will be sent by the LORD Himself a “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Desiring, loving, and obeying the truth is essential to remaining rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ—abiding in Him. The born-again disciple must never slack but rather must unrelentingly seek the face of the LORD daily, counting Him more important than even life. The following passage makes it more than obvious that those who “abideth (remain) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath (have) not God”:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” – 2 John 1:9
Jesus says to “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you,” which simply means that spiritual darkness will overtake all who do not walk in the light of truth, found only in His written Word (Psalms 119:1-5, 130; John 12:35).
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). There are those who, when they were shown (or knew) the light of truth, chose not to walk in it and therefore darkness came upon them. The choice a person makes regarding believing and obeying the LORD determines that person’s relationship with Him (John 8:30-32, 36). The LORD requires belief and obedience. Or, we could say that those who truly believe or possess saving faith, will obey Christ (John 15:1-16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3).
The importance of being rooted and grounded in “sound doctrine” that establishes the believer in Jesus Christ cannot be over emphasized! That dark, prophesied hour is upon us where masses who have a mere “form of godliness” are not choosing to “endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 3:5; 4:3). Rather, they are giving ear to and migrating to false, ear-scratching teachers and thereby being led to eternal damnation.
In light of the coming reality of each of us standing before the Almighty to give account of our lives in this world, the apostle Paul charged Timothy and us with this:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4
One believer noted: “People do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.” – (Unknown).
Lying against and/or twisting the truth is a serious offense. It emanates out of the desire to cover up sin, whether one is cognizant of such or not. Beginning with the first transgressor, we have all done evil and sought to evade the Holy One we have offended. People who lie against God do so to avoid their own personal responsibility to Him, and yet they have no sensible reason to do such—they “hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness” and are “without excuse” (Romans 1:18, 20). Such an attack on God and His Word emerges out of the heart which simply refuses to humble itself in true repentance. One who has a heart like this will not ask for His forgiveness and mercy for the myriad of offences against His holiness. God stands ready to forgive those who come to Him in brokenness and true repentance (Psalms 86:5,15).
There is no shortage in these last days of the variety or flavor of conspiratorial vipers who are influencing people to sacrifice Jesus Christ on the altar of what is immediately convenient, expedient, and self-serving (Ezekiel 22:25-27). Few leaders today preach the biblical truth of the laid down life. This is what Christ and His apostles taught (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). The cross-less false gospel of most in leadership today identifies them as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).
Ashamed or Adhering to His Words
The person who denies the Word of the LORD, denies the LORD Himself.
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therfore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:34-38
Putting aside the words of the LORD for any other or foreign philosophy, tradition, or system of man’s theology, is the height of rebellion, insult, and disdain toward the LORD. This is what the Pharisees did, and Jesus harshly rebuked them for this evil.
“This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition … Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” – Mark 7:6-9, 13
The enemy of all souls does not care what bait people take, as long as they take his bait instead of repenting and serving the LORD. Whether one trades Christ in for Calvinism or Catholicism, or any other system of falsehood, Satan is pleased because Jesus is rejected for “another gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9).
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach ANY other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:6-9
What one and only true Gospel is the apostle Paul referring to here?
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Holy Hatred
“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:104). The central theme of all of Scripture which defines the true Gospel is the Person of Jesus Christ and no other. Because He is the Son of God, the work He did is the sole propitiation for all of mankind. Any other way is a “false way” and must be recognized that it is of Satan and hated by all true disciples. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:128).
The religionists of Christ’s days on earth traded in their own Messiah for their traditions and doctrines of mere men. They betrayed their own Messiah as many are doing today and, as did Esau, are throwing their own eternal souls away for a bowl of soup (Hebrews 12:14-17).
God has chosen to reveal Himself through His own words. Those who put something else in place of His Word have rejected Him, be it the Catholic catechism or Calvin’s corruptions. These are systems of theology external to the Word of God and convey the image of a false Christ and a false gospel. They are initiated and perpetrated by “another spirit” (2 Corinthians 11:2-5).
As “the prince of the power of the air,” Satan has provided many choices, methods, systems, and varieties of poison for people to rebel against their Maker (Ephesians 2:1-3). If a person doesn’t choose to respond in repentance to the drawing of the Holy Spirit and conviction of their sins, they will migrate to one of the many Christ-denying false gospels and philosophies available and serve the god of self through that medium. In this sense, as the Bible tells us, God created evil (Isaiah 45:7). In other words, He gives every man the choice to choose Him or not (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Romans 6:16).
The rejection of truth in some is so brazen that it produces a hatred against God and is manifested in violent persecution of His messengers. Acts 7 records the evil-hearted hatred of those who have a mere “form of godliness” and yet, simultaneously reject the reign of Christ in their personal lives:
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” – Acts 7:51-60
The result of this aggressive, murderous persecution against this messenger of Heaven was, for Stephen, a glorious entrance into the very presence of the Almighty who stood to receive him into eternal bliss. As His disciple, Stephen was making a stand for Him and His truth, and “Jesus” was “standing on the right hand of God” to welcome him.
Stephen declared the truth of Holy Scripture to the religious audience who then killed him. Today, many shun and slander and seek to discredit those who hold to the original Gospel given us in the written Word (Jude 3-4). While many claim to be Christian, only a few have a true relationship with Jesus which is tested by either the acceptance or rejection of His precepts. Christ told us exactly who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.” In a conversation with the religionists of His day, the Son of God said:
“Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God ‘s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” – John 8:46-50
These Jewish religionists are no different than the deceived today who vainly believe they are God’s children and yet have no desire, taste, hunger, or diligence for His Holy Word. According to Jesus, this alone proves that they are “not of God.” In many cases, they migrate to and embrace a system or school of theology that is external to the Holy Scriptures. This then causes them to see the words of Holy Scripture through the lens of the theology of mere sinful men. Millions of souls are already in hell for this same deliberate rejection of their only Hope–Jesus Christ–who gave us His Word to save and protect us (Acts 20:27-32; James 1:21).
God did not leave us without the clear and full knowledge needed to be His child (saved) and live pleasing to Him in this life, ready to be with Him for eternity. Jesus made it clear that the Word of God — “Moses and the prophets”—is fully sufficient for these things (Luke 16:19-31).
It is clear from the whole counsel of God’s Word that who a person looks to is exactly who they are serving. The source of a person’s allegiance identifies exactly who that person is serving. If a person does not search God’s Word for themselves and rather looks to their priest, pastor, or religious organization for answers, that is exactly who they are serving. No man or religion can save any soul from eternal damnation.
You know you are dealing with a lost religious person when they consult with their organization instead of God’s Word. When challenged, so many today run to their religious organization to find answers instead of the LORD by searching the Scriptures. This identifies that person as “not of God” according to Jesus who said, “he that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47).
Unity’s Only Foundation is Jesus Christ–The Truth
“There are two types of unity: the man-made variety, and that which can only be given by God and will always have the cross as its foundation. The unity predicted in this prophecy (noun: prophecy, verb: prophesy) will be accomplished by the HOLY Spirit, and yet cannot be perfected until the coming of the Lord. A lack of unity is because of a lack of fidelity to the Bible. Fidelity to the Bible brings about the commanded blessing of its divine Author.” – Carol Burke
God did not leave us without specific instructions and doctrine concerning “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4; 19-21). So, to negate the authority of Holy Scripture is to defy the Almighty—to thumb one’s nose in His infinite face.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
This passage and many others make it clear that the true unity of all disciples of Jesus is founded and possible only upon the bedrock of His Holy Word. Every single true disciple of Christ declares with Paul the apostle, “Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
There cannot be, nor is there, any true unity outside of the truth of the One who is “the truth” and the very Word of God. He is the One who gave us His written Word, instructing us to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39; 14:6).
Displacing the written Word leads to one becoming spiritually deluded and drunken with “another gospel,” which is the doctrine of devils (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). Many are being seduced and swept onto the wide road that leads to destruction by personal neglect of the truth of Holy Scripture (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). This is the great falling away foretold to occur just prior to the soon return of our LORD.
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition … Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 9-12
“The working of Satan” is involved in this “falling away” and yet cannot override the will of the individual when he is truly submitted to God (James 4:7). The devil is our enemy and not a fictional character, but rather a very real and extremely dangerous being who aggressively hunts and seeks to devour souls; namely the people of God (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-12). Satan does not care what flavor of false gospel one may choose among the many available. He only cares that men and women choose something other than the original Gospel of Christ and His apostles. The arsenic in any other gospel will curse and kill many (Galatians 1:6-9). In their rebellion against the LORD and gross neglect of the study of His precepts, many today are grabbing onto and buying into things foreign to the original Gospel “once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3-4).
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Jude 1:3-4
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask You to forgive me for not diligently searching, believing, and doing Your Word. Please forgive my unbelief. I now denounce any rebellion against You—whether I realize that rebellion or not. Wherever I have not embraced Your holy Word and/or migrated with itching ears to false shepherds, please forgive and purge me Jesus. I here and now denounce any system of theology that I have ever heard and abandon myself to Thy truth. In the name of Jesus I pray. I love You LORD. Amen.
Capture Points
- Write out John 8:47 and begin to meditate upon and memorize
- Read 2 Thessalonians 2 and ponder and discuss what the Bible prophesies to be the sequence of apostasy and falling away.
Predators in Our Pulpits [book]
Spiritual Warfare | On the Truth Can Make us Free | Neither Give Place to the Devil | Resist the Devil and He will Flee from You
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Judging Prophecy | A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast] | Prophetic or Pathetic? | The Holy Spirit | Beware of False Gifts |
Antichrist
THE ANTICHRISTS ARE MULTIPLYING [podcast]
Jesus’ apostle John told us there were “MANY antichrists” in His day (1 John 2:18). THOSE FLAMING HERETICS WHO DENY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD ARE ANTICHRISTS OF THE MOST PROFOUND DEGREE. SUCH REBELS DO NOT KNOW HIM. John the apostle also writes: “…Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20,21). Read that again. Memorize it.
How can we know who the “many antichrists” are among us? (1 John 2:18)
“Antichrist” means against and in place of. An “antichrist” puts something in front of “the doctrine of Christ” given us in the record of Holy Scripture. They replace what Scripture records with something, anything else.
Doctrine – a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.
The Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, “the Word was Made Flesh, and Dwelt Among Us.”
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
“God was manifest in the flesh.“ 1 Timothy 3:16
Since human blood had been contaminated by sin, of necessity it had to be divine blood shed for mankind’s sin – hence the prophetic utterances and fulfullment of a virgin conceiving by the Holy Spirit – and the Word, the “mighty God” Himself being made flesh to dwell among us and die for our sins (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Matthew 1:21-23, etc.).
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28
The biblical doctrine of the deity of Christ is simply that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh (John 1; 1 Timothy 3:16, etc.).
1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ IS COME IN THE FLESH is of God:
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ IS COME IN THE FLESH is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2 John 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ IS COME IN THE FLESH. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
“Immanuel”
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Of necessity, perfect blood had to be shed to atone for the sins of fallen mankind and this required that God do such Himself – hence Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, came to the earth, born of a virgin, and was “God with us.” He alone qualified. No man, no sinner qualified (Isaiah 59:16; Ezekiel 22:30). There was no other way.
“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” Isaiah 59:16
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30
Jesus Christ is God’s man to redeem man. We owe a debt we cannot pay. He came and paid a debt He did not owe.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
What does God’s Word say about the deity of Jesus Christ? – Jesus Christ is equal to and identical with God.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” Philippians 2:6
“That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father (because the Son is also God). He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:23
The Eternal God, the Word, was by a miracle conceived and born of a virgin – “A virgin shall conceive.”
“A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 9:6-7
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16
Three times the Bible tells us that “Jesus Christ IS COME IN THE FLESH” (1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7). In other words “GOD was manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16).
From the inception of the New Testament church, the antichrist Gnostics and Origen and other heretics taught that Jesus Christ was not God. The same evil spirit that possessed them possesses the modern antichrists who go about as a roving band to make twofold children of hell after themselves (Matthew 23:15).
You will notice also how these antichrists HATE the real Bible, the King James Bible. Why? The devil himself possesses them and it was the devil who empowered evil men to concoct the fake “bibles” so many today read – “bibles” which deny the deity of Christ. Here’s but one example of such:
1 Timothy 3:16
KJB: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
NIV: Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
ESV: Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
NLT: Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
In this one example, we see here that the KJB clearly states that it was God who was manifested in the flesh while the modern translations obscure the passage by removing and replacing “God” with “He.” He appeared in a body? Well, just who appeared in a body? We’ve all appeared in a body. Come on now. Also, these are new age “bibles,” concocted by Satan, that are preparing people to receive the antichrist and so they had to steal the identity and glory of the real Christ!
What does it reveal to us that Satan’s children are attacking the King James Bible and the deity of Jesus Christ? Hmmmmm.
Whenever you see the most evil of Satan’s children hating these things, you can deduce that it’s Satan himself behind it all. And have you noticed that they make accusations without any evidence?
EMAIL RECEIVED:
“Since I’m still on your email list…. why are you mistreating women truthseekers on Facebook? It’s very disturbing. You are insulting the spirit while claiming you are 💯 without any theological error. YOU ARE WRONG.
Your beloved KJV has errors. I just went through that eye opening study. Holy GHOST 👻??? This is a serious mistranslation among hundreds of others. The TRINITY? The anointed Messiah Christ King Jesus did not claim to be the Almighty. There is ONE God who can’t die or be tempted and is not a man.
At least treat other believers with more respect, drop the pride and study YOUR BIBLE again. You are absolutely NOT getting it all right.
In truth,” Jennifer
REPLY:
Communicating God’s truth, Word, is not “mistreating women” or men or anyone else. Yet you are using this occasion to make this look sexist? Truth is only “disturbing” to you because you are a vile, demonic heretic who wouldn’t know Jesus if He stood in your rebellious face.
God is calling you to repent.
You are an antichrist…. For denying the deity of Jesus Christ.
Repent now sinner.
JESUS SAYS:
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY.” Revelation 1:8
Jesus Christ is God – and anyone who denies such is the most evil of antichrists. | See Jesus Christ is God
To be saved, one must repent and believe on Christ according to “the record that God gave of his Son.”
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” 1 John 5:10
Rebels love butchered, toned down, satanically stripped fake “bibles”. The King James Bible uses “Holy Ghost” and because they’ve been demonized to ridiculously think that the word “ghost” always refers to demons. They are trained by Hollywood and so they can’t understand that He, the Spirit of God, is the “HOLY Ghost” and not any other ghost, spirit. There are spirits, evil spirits, and there is the “HOLY Spirit.” She foolishly conflates and assumes any and all spirits are unholy. Not.
“Holy Ghost” appears 183 times in God’s Word. Yet as you will see for yourself, this antichrist woman, who denies Jesus Christ is God, has foolishly listened to antichrists and pretends to know better than the unspeakably educated scholars who translated the King James Bible as they were guided by the Holy Ghost Himself – in fulfillment of the prophecy of Psalms 12:6-7. See 2 Peter 1:19-21.
You will notice that she doesn’t even respect the LORD enough to capitalize “Spirit” as in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Take a look.
“The antichrist spirit is strong in that woman. Just plain nonsense in her comment. She made it clear who her god is and it’s not Jesus Christ or the Father. She doesn’t even know who the Holy Spirit is.” B.
Keep in mind saints that people like Jennifer, above, have been sent “strong delusion” from God Himself for not loving His truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). This is all “after the working of SATAN” himself. When you read this important passage, you will witness how God actually takes it personally when people do not receive the love of His truth.
Some Gnostics adamantly deny that the supreme being, God Almighty, came in the flesh, claiming Jesus to be merely a human who attained enlightenment through gnosis and taught his disciples to do the same.
One writer notes:
“Make no mistake, however: There are professing Christians who reject essential doctrine about the person and work of Jesus Christ and who can therefore rightly be labelled heretics. I recently read a two-views book, which centred on the question of whether or not Jesus is God. Both writers claim to be Christian. Both, in fact, claimed to be evangelical Christians. By his rejection of Jesus Christ as divine, however, one of the authors negated his claim to being Christian. Christians do not reject the divinity of Jesus Christ. But that is exactly the error into which the Gnostics fell.
The Gnostics ‘denie[d] that Jesus is the Christ.’ John and his fellow apostles preached Jesus as the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. The Gnostics rejected this teaching and, as such, minimised the biblical teaching on the person and work of Christ. And their teaching invalidated their claims that they were Christian.”
John did not consider these Christ-denying “antichrists” to never have been Christians. No, they only departed from the body of Christ because they departed from the faith which Scripture tells us some would do (1 Timothy 4:1). Instead he says that “they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19).
They only departed from the true believers because they chose not to “abideth (does not continue) … in the doctrine of Christ” and the fact that Jesus Christ the Messiah is God is abundantly obvious from Genesis to Revelation. See Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:21-23, etc.).
2 John 9 is key. Memorize it.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 9-11
Nothing could be more integral concerning “the doctrine of Christ” than that He is God Almighty. Any person denying such is a child of the devil, 100%.
In 1 John 2:19, interestingly, the word “never” does not appear in this verse above which is so often used to “prove” OSAS. Let’s read it again with an objective mind. And, also remember what Jesus says about the primary importance of His teaching of the seed and the soil, the sower and the Word:
“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Mark 4:13
For more on 1 John 2:19, go here.
Warning Concerning Antichrists – Read this Closely
1 John 2:18-27
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
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Abiding
What Eternal Security Wolves Refuse to Teach [podcast]
THE 5 SINS THAT KEPT ISRAEL (God’s own covenant people) OUT OF THEIR PROMISED LAND OF BLESSINGS and will keep us out if not relinquished. Friend, please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with all your might. Make this text your meat.
The world seeks to romance sin but if God says it’s sin, that’s what it is. Toning down the terms changes nothing. Judgment Day is on the way.
We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and “more than conquerors” over sin through Jesus who loves us and bought us with His own blood! (1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:4; 13:12; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:37)
There are the 5 sins listed here that kept God’s people out of His blessings. We all need to L.I.F.T.M. up to the LORD in repentance and for His perfect forgiveness and cleansing. God the Holy Spirit warns us here through Paul’s pen (1 Cor. 10:1-13), that Israel and these sins are “examples” (vv. 6, 11) to all NT believers. God destroys those who go back on Him after knowing Him (transgressors – Ps. 68:21; 73:28; 125:5, etc.). If not ridden out of our lives, any one of these 5 sins WILL keep us out of our promised land. God is holy (Heb. 12:14). As taken in order from 1 Cor. 10:6-10, here are those 5 sins:
-
Lust
-
Idolatry
-
Fornication
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Tempting Christ
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Murmuring
This simple acronym should help us to remember these sins and remain separate from them as we grow today to know and love our Savior more fervently. “Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
Committing the sin is one thing (1 John 1:8-10, right) and refusing to repent of it is yet another. Refusing to acknowledge, repent, confess, and cease is what snares the soul and ousts us from Christ (Proverbs 28:13).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
If the Holy Spirit has quickened any offences of your heart, simply L.I.F.T.M. up to Christ the Redeemer, Forgiver, Cleanser, and Transformer of lives.
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 10 completely destroys the OSAS / eternal security argument.
Notice the word “OUR” in verses 6 and 11. This is directly spoken to warn NEW Testament saints that they are going to hell if they live and die in sin.
Case closed.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were OUR examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.
7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The cross. Christ raises up those who are crcified with Him – outside of which no man can overcome sin. Romans 6.
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Eternal security is a false teaching. 1 sin separated Adam and Eve from God and “The wages of sin is (still) death” because God is Holy (Rom 6:23, etc.). Moral coward counterfeits hate, despise the Gospel essential of the cross, the crucified life. They want Jesus to save them to Heaven but not from sin. These are the sin-justifying, grace-perverting “ungodly men” Jude warned us about (Jude 4).
The divine declaration that “The wages of sin is death” which means separation from God, appears throughout Scripture (Romans 6:23).
“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” Proverbs 19:16
Die or death always means separation.
OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell. OSAS was Satan’s first lie and so it’s blasphemy to teach this doctrine of devils and claim it’s part of the Gospel. You are attributing Satan’s lie to the LORD Jesus. Repent now sinner. See Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 4, etc..
The concept of an un-conditional eternal security is not established in Scripture … Except for it being Satan’s first teaching, His first lie – the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
“Psalms 51:1-19
Psalm 51: Sweet Perfumes of Penitence
Alexander Maclaren once said, ‘The alchemy of divine love can extract sweet perfumes of penitence and praise out of the filth of sin.’ We have an illustration of this in Psalm 51. As the heading explains, it was written by David after Nathan the prophet had boldly exposed him for committing adultery with Bathsheba and for murdering Uriah. Utterly convicted of his sin, David pours out this torrent of penitence from his broken and contrite heart.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Read and pray Psalm 51.
Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Eternal Security/Once saved always saved is a lie from hell.
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?
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Apostasy
“THE GREAT DRAGON” [podcast]
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
Origin of Evil
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” ~ Revelation 12:9
Like it or not, you have a sworn enemy. He has drawn a line in the sand. You are in a war for your eternal soul and you must fight or you will be destroyed.
The introduction to the God of all creation and lover of His highest creation—mankind, is of supreme importance. And so is realizing and understanding the existence of the most wicked and iniquitous being in this universe. He is one of the major themes and realities in this record of mankind’s beginning. The Word of our God unveils creation’s account, leading to our present day and into the eternal future. What is set forth in the book of Genesis would set the stage and affect all of the history that would follow.
This book of origins is about that fatal falsehood which emanates from the Garden where it all began—a garden that was sinless bliss and perfection until the lie was introduced and acted upon by the first two people.
Of this very archenemy of the Most-High, from whom all lies originate, the Word states: “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God” (Ezek. 28:13). The serpent, animated by the vilest of all beings, was allowed to slither into the innocence and purity that originally existed in the sanctuary of creation. This was due to the fact that perfect divine wisdom has seen fit to allow His creation to have the opportunity of choice between good and evil (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Job 12:16; 1 Cor. 11:19).
Satan has a purpose. Since love is volitional by its very nature, our Creator has seen fit to permit this evil and beguiling villain to remain present amidst those professing sanctuary in the LORD. Life on earth is a test for all—all humans are on probation. Love is a choice and so is rebellion. The Maker of all made man with free will so that the choice could be made to love or not to love Him. Among volumes of other Scriptures found in Holy Writ which demonstrate this, the following words from on high make plain that the LORD made Man with free will: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15).
Such a statement would not have been spoken by the LORD if He had not made man with the ability of choice. Man was created with the ability to “choose” every “day” whom he will serve, and this choice is ongoing while men are upon the earth in this temporal life.
It would be remiss to attempt discussing the very lie of the ages without opening the grand subject of the one whom Christ said was the father (originator) of all lies. Of Satan, the Son of God informed us, as He spoke to the rebellious religionists of His day:
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” ~ John 8:44
All men are born in sin and are “by nature” the “children of disobedience.”
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” ~ Ephesians 2:2-3
There are, at this moment only two classes of people in the earth—those who have relationship with the One who made us all, and those who don’t. According to this passage (Ephesians 2), all those who have not been brought into the kingdom of God through Christ, have as their father, the devil. The reason the Son of God came to the earth was to sever the ties and claim of Satan from mankind. He came to deliver men from this relationship of fear, domination and bondage that is only enabled by sin.
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” ~ Acts 26:18
“Who (God the Father) hath delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan), and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” ~ Colossians 1:13-14
The mission of Christ was to reconcile or restore the relationship that had been severed by the sin of the first man and woman which caused death (separation) to fall upon all men, the whole race (Romans 5:12). He fully accomplished His mission and is now seated at His Father’s right hand, enforcing this victory (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25-26).
From the dawn of the creation and fall of mankind, all evil, tragedy and pain in history has been caused by Satan and enabled by man’s sin (Prov. 26:2). Only the LORD, the One whose holiness is violated when sin is committed, can save, restore and heal (Jer. 17:14; 1 Cor. 15:57; Rev. 21:4).
Victory was obtained through the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Being forgiven and released from all sin and its evil effects and the dominion of Satan, comes through Christ alone. Jesus utterly conquered His enemy on the cross (Col. 2:13-15; 1 Jn. 3:8). Blessed forgiveness and spiritual power enables the individual disciple to serve the LORD without fear and bondage to sin. Sin enables Satan’s rule and only those who are free from it by Jesus Christ can rule over His enemies (Ps. 8:6; 17:4; Jn. 8:31-36; 1 Jn. 4:4). Christ triumphed over the enemy of all souls with His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Read the following passage for all it’s worth:
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” ~ Colossians 1:19-23
The Son of God accomplished complete victory in bringing God and men back into perfect union by “the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20).
“And you, being dead (separated) in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened (made alive) together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show (sport; spectacle) of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” ~ Colossians 2:13-15
The “serpent” who was in the Garden of creation and still “walketh about” in the midst of the earth, is specifically identified as Satan and the devil (1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:9; 20:2). This ultimate enemy of all that is good took control of the serpent in his attack against man. The serpent, animated by the enemy of souls himself, was used as the instrument that led to the fall of mankind and the righteous retribution of the holy Creator. Yet, Jesus Christ accomplished mankind’s redemption through “the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20).
Know Your Enemy
Allow me to parenthetically say here that if one does not personally believe in a literal devil (Satan) and his insidious work of evil among men, then perhaps that person will do well to begin to search God’s Word for the volumes of Scripture which identify and describe him along with unveiling his wicked purposes. The LORD inspired the Scriptures and has much to say about His enemy—our enemy. It is interesting to discover that the word “devil” appears 57 times in the Bible. The word “Satan” appears 50 times. These are the most utilized terms to describe this darkest of fallen beings, and yet there are several more which identify this enemy of all souls who is the personification of evil, such as “serpent,” and “adversary” (1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:9).
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” ~ Revelation 12:9
His goal may be summed up this way: Satan’s complete and total purpose that underlies all that he does is to cause men to fall from grace just as he himself did and was banished from fellowship with the life-giving God. There is a horrible prison of fire which will be the eternal home of all who leave this earth apart from a personal and intimate relationship with the One who died for sinners.
On Judgment Day, that Great and Terrible Day of separation between the righteous and the unrighteous will include these horrible words “from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away”:
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” ~ Revelation 20:11-15
To those whose existence in this temporal life ends disconnected from the only Savior, the following will be the verdict delivered to them in Judgment: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
Hell is a place of indescribably horrid eternal punishment and was created by the LORD for his archenemy and all those who are not His.
Back to the enemy, the one who wants you dead and in hell: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
One may find great intrigue in uncovering this iniquitous fallen foe and gain much insight into the dark world of demons and deception along with gaining perception into the real battle in the spirit realm that rages over mankind.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” ~ Ephesians 6:11-12
By the volume of information about His enemy included in His Word, we know that the LORD intended for us to know our enemy—His enemy.
Believers are to give him no place: “Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27).
Believers are to set themselves against him: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7); “Stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
Believers are to know his scheming goals and ways and avoid them lest he gain advantage of us: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).
The devil seeks to trip up, war against, wear out and devour the sheep of the LORD’s pasture. He has come to wreak havoc among the Lord’s highest creation: “The thief (devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Power Over All the Power of the Enemy
Believers are warned to live in obedience to the Word of God in order to escape falling into “the condemnation of the devil” and being caught in “the snare of the devil” or giving an “advantage” to him (1 Tim. 3:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:26; 2 Cor. 2:11).
The enemy of our souls prospers through the ignorance of God’s people—he is shut out and his work nullified by the knowledge and obedience of God’s people.
“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” ~ Psalms 17:4
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” ~ Psalms 91:1
Disciples of Jesus are kept from being destroyed by the enemy in obeying the Word of God. Holy Writ informs us that Jesus came to successfully “destroy the works of the devil” and that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 3:8; 4:4).
Christ promised power to those who are truly His:
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” ~ Luke 10:17-20
Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, became flesh so that He might destroy the works of the enemy of our souls:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” ~ Hebrews 2:14
Believers are told to be of a sober mind and diligent in light of the proactive and evil plans of Satan to destroy them:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world”. ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9
Here’s what the Bible says about Satan’s work in the last days:
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
As foretold here, the work of the evil one is accelerating in this late hour before the destruction of all rebellion and return of our LORD Jesus Christ.
The Alpha and Omega is coming back, and His enemy’s end is sure:
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” ~ Romans 16:20
“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” ~ Revelation 20:2-3
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” ~ Revelation 20:10
Surrounded and Outnumbered
Elisha’s servant was brought to the understanding that there are more angels of God with God’s children than there are fallen angels who rebelled:
“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he (the prophet Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” ~ 2 Kings 6:15-17
The one who is following Christ need not fear. LORD Jesus open our eyes! Nothing has changed—there are “more” angels of the LORD “with us…than they that be with them (the enemy).” The saints of the Most High are promised protection and His angels are part of that plan.
“Are they (God’s angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” ~ Hebrews 1:14
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” ~ Psalms 34:7
In Heaven and in eternity past, two-thirds of the then-angelic beings remained under the command and blessing of the Almighty, while a third chose to depart with Lucifer and are forever alienated from the Most High. Let’s take a glimpse into a war that took place in Heaven in eternity past, a war that has great impact today:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. ~ Revelation 12:7-12
It would remain difficult to understand this life and present world system, and the world to come if one were to pass lightly over this war of wars that occurred (took place) in Heaven. When we begin to delve into the data given in this matter, understanding comes of our great God and His arch adversary. Enlightenment and understanding into the 6,000 years of mankind’s history open to us when we know what preceded this time period. Knowledge into what we are told prophetically is transpiring before our very eyes. As we are seeing, the Holy Scriptures reveal much about that dark and sinister being called “Satan” and the “devil” who is and will have a large part to play in the fulfillment of prophecy. Although his rebellion against the Almighty began in eternity past, the serpent’s workings among men began in the Garden of Eden. He crept in to accomplish his wicked agenda. He has seemingly succeeded for this moment, yet the divine promise is that his time is running short. “The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Rev. 12:12).
The First Fall-Out: Eternal Termination
We all understand what it means when someone says, “John and Mark had a falling-out.” This means they were friends or business partners, and then because of some disagreement, they parted company and are no longer friends. Well, the first falling-out occurred between the Almighty and Lucifer. The angel Lucifer fell out of the favor of God and consequently fell out of Heaven. Of Lucifer’s ejection from Heaven, the Son of God stated: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Lk. 10:18).
The evil one was evicted from Heaven when he turned against God. Originally, he was a good angel, “the anointed cherub,” who led the worship of the Almighty, until the day that “iniquity was found” in him (Ezek. 28:14-15). Lucifer, who became Satan and the devil, led a third of the angels of the Most-High God in rebellion against Him. “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth” (Rev. 12:4).
Ultimately, all deception and all lies have their origin in this greatest of all enemies who brought about the sin and fall of mankind and wages war today against the Almighty’s highest creation (mankind). Of Satan, the Son of God said: “for he is a liar, and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44). He also informed us that this supreme adversary has come to do three things— “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10). He wages war against God and His people. He is defined as and called “the accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:10).
Satan is a real being. He is not a figment of someone’s imagination. In fact, anyone who is convinced of such has already been conquered by his deception. He is forever the sworn enemy of the LORD, and will ultimately be put away for good, never again to tempt another soul to rebel against the Maker of all that is. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
The one who studies the Word of God will gain priceless insight into the reasons for the current condition of the world, and, into the future blessedness of all those who know and follow the One who bled to save us from God’s holy wrath against sin and Satan (Rom. 5:9). In fact, a divine blessing is pronounced upon all who read and obey the words of Holy Scripture: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:3).
PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, please bless me to know You more and to be kept from the evil one and his wicked schemes against Your people. Right this moment I ask You for and receive a fresh cleansing of all my sins by the blood of Jesus Christ my LORD and Savior, whereby I am blessed to overcome, along with the word of my testimony of how you have washed and delivered me. I declare afresh and aloud, right this second, if never before, that Jesus Christ is LORD of my life, and He alone will I worship and serve. Glory to His precious Name! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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