Articles

THE DEEDS AND DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS (Part 1)

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

(Excerpt from the Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us book)

“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (means conquer the laity), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:6, 15

Some years ago, after being found and apprehended by God, and saved by the grace of Jesus, I lived in a city where there was a cartel of eight volatile and controlling pastors. These men organized and operated a control ring where they tracked church attendants and their movements and dealings. This intelligence system was set up to help these men monitor the movements and activities of God’s people in an organized fashion in order to control the people. Doesn’t this sound like a microcosm of the coming one-world antichrist governmental system of control? Unfortunately, these pastors worked deceitfully and went so far as to maintain tithing records and files on all congregants in order to spy out their lives and liberties and limit their dealings with those who didn’t give as much as they wished. Over a period of several years, I personally attended and was ministerially involved in more than one of these local churches. These men operated under the authority of the “covering” doctrine, and the evil results upon myself and many others was great. The evil after effects of this authoritarian rule were more than can be noted here, and it took years for the LORD to heal my mind and heart from such abuse perpetrated by these leaders who exercised control over those they were called to serve. The LORD delivered many of us from the witchcraft perpetrated by these men, and for this I am thankful.

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24 …. Elders are “overseers”, not overlords! Acts 20:28

Exercising control over another person (anyone other than one’s self) is witchcraft. In Revelation 2, Jesus speaks to two different churches and declares His utter hatred for the “deeds” and “doctrine” of those who seek to bring God’s people under their own control by misleading and misguiding their affections away from the Redeemer. This is a dangerous occupation at best, and one makes himself God’s enemy when doing this, because he infringes upon the divine work and the blessings He died to give His beloved people.

The “doctrine” and “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” consists of the control of a person or people through manipulation, false teaching, and various persuasions, some more subtle than others. The instilling of fear in relation to disobeying men is usually present in this type of destructive environment. Proper submission and accountability, as taught in Scripture, are taken to an extreme in this type of atmosphere of control. The absence of servant-leadership in true, godly humility is an earmark that one is among wolves (James 3:17-18).

Could it be that leaders who operate in this form of domination, do so because they personally lack the true grace and spiritual substance that comes only through simple obedience in experiencing intimacy with Christ? If they were truly following the Good Shepherd, would they be laying down their lives for His precious sheep instead of controlling them for their own purposes?

The definition of the term Nicolaitanes is found in the word itself, which is a compound Greek word. Nico means to conquer and laitanes mean the laity.

Jesus Hates Witchcraft

Jesus told us that He hates the “doctrine” and “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” (Rev. 2:6, 15). Nico means “conquer” while Laitanes means “the laity.” So, “Nicolaitanes” simply means, “conquer the laity.” This is the doctrine of control that the Master addresses here. In fact, this doctrine and the deeds that accompany it, so infuriates the LORD that it is the only thing that Christ ever went on record to say that He “hates”! Selah!

Jesus hates the evil, controlling, witchcraft deeds and doctrines of the “Nicolaitanes” which means “control the laity” or people. This is what deceivers and false apostles do (Rev. 2:6, 15).

No true apostle in the New Testament Scriptures coerced people to submit to him as an apostle, and they were real apostles, not self-proclaimed “false apostles” that Paul warned us to beware of and that Jesus warned us of (2 Cor. 11:26; Rev. 2:4)

No believer is ever called or given permission to lord over another’s faith. According to God’s Word, each believer is to first submit himself to the LORD and only then, to godly men (2 Cor. 8:5). Modern-day Nicolaitanes seek to direct men’s trust to themselves first. They make promises to the people they rule over, encouraging their trust in them (the leaders). This they do to persuade their victims to believe that God will be well pleased because “God” set them (these very men) in authority.

“In 1 Peter 5:1-6, Peter, writing under divine inspiration, forewarned presbyters about this malign tendency in the heart of man to exercise dominion over the souls of others. His antidote was that church leaders should clothe themselves with humility and emulate to serve the brethren with a willing spirit, not for base and worldly gain and prestige, but rather to please their Chief Shepherd who has engaged them into this service.” Author unknown

A False Covering

The control of men can come in many forms and with many faces. The “covering” teaching is one of those forms, and it is no new thing. Have you heard of this teaching? This “covering” teaching is merely one of the “cunningly devised fables” utilized by “false apostles,” “false prophets,” and “false teachers” to bring people under their own control in place of being under God’s refuge (2 Cor. 11:26; 2 Peter 1:16; 2:1; Rev. 2:2). I speak about most but not all who use this “covering” term. For some, whose hearts are right with the LORD, the term “covering” simply means having godly oversight and accountability. For many who use this term, it is all about control. This chapter addresses the evil agenda behind these deeds and doctrine. We shall seek to sharpen our discernment by addressing those who unlawfully use this “covering” teaching as a tool to exercise control over the lives of others. We shall compare Bible revelation to this doctrine of sinful men.

This variation of the doctrine of control, the “covering” teaching, and its proponents, calculatingly, cunningly, and deliberately assert that all Christians are to be “covered” (closely overseen) by an elder or elders. Their definition of “covering” a person would be more accurately defined as micromanagement and control. The goal of such a doctrine and its proponents is to gain control over people – control that rightfully belongs only to the One who made them. Some leaders teach this hyper-submission doctrine as if it were a foundational, essential doctrine of the Christian faith. They elevate this teaching and give it prominence, in order to fulfill their agenda to exercise an evil control over others.

This “covering” teaching simply takes what the Bible teaches as godly submission to an extreme, causing the control of people by someone other than their Maker and Redeemer. Though it varies, those who espouse this doctrine of control require people to check with them and get their permission (the human “covering”) before doing any ministry or making serious life decisions of any kind.

It is interesting that this doctrine would even be called “covering.” The words “cover” and “covering” only appear in the Bible once as they concern spiritual matters and are in the negative sense (Isa. 30:1). Listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals through Isaiah the prophet:

“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me, and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.” Isaiah 30:1

The first thing we observe in this verse is that there are those that God calls “rebellious children” who “cover with a covering” that the LORD states is “not of my spirit.”

The “covering” doctrine and deeds are deadly to the spiritual life of those brought under its bondage. This teaching and associated measure is cultic at best.

It simply does us no good to be submitted to earthly leaders if we do not have a daily vital and thriving intimacy with the living Savior.

According to Jesus Christ, servant leadership is the only legitimate leadership in the body of Christ (Matt. 20:24-28). All godly leaders actually seek to help their hearers be grounded in submission to God foremost, and they teach that submission to mere men is in vain unless one is submitted first to the LORD.

“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:5

This divine priority revealed in this verse alone annihilates the control/“covering” teaching. Deceivers position themselves between people and the LORD – this is exactly what present-day Nicolaitanes do. They proudly emphasize their self-appointed position, qualifications, degree, experience, and/or title. They then ‘lord it over’ others. This could be termed ‘power positioning’ – where sinful men place themselves over the people and set themselves up as an esoteric priesthood to rule over the captives of their flock.

Robbing What Christ Died to Give

Jesus came to dwell AMONG His people and not rule over them as an authoritarian.

“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

Controllers are under the influence of unholy spirits and are thieves of the liberty Christ came to give to each and every individual believer. The “covering” doctrine and practices (deeds) rob God’s people of the rich blessings of individual priesthood and the authority of God in their lives.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

In order to remain in the liberty of Christ, one must possess an ever-deepening personal relationship and daily communion with the LORD which begins with the secret chamber of prayer and a deep, daily study of Holy Scripture. In this place of intimacy, the truth will keep the believer out of the bondage of men and Satan and in the liberty Christ died to grant (Ps. 119:45; Gal. 5:1). The replacement of an intimate, life-giving, direct, and individual relationship with the LORD with submission to a mere human or hierarchy of men is simply spiritual robbery or spoiling. Theft!

“Beware lest any many spoil you (rob you) through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

People who do not have that individual intimacy with Christ are especially vulnerable to coming under this control teaching and its spiritual bondage. Mere human teachings relate more to horizontal relationships in lieu of vertical. They rob the affections from the hearts of believers that should be reserved for the LORD alone. This control teaching taught by some leaders solicits and demands over-allegiance and undue loyalty to mere men. Leaders and teachings that have control as the goal seek to make the student believe that, because they are aligned with a certain man or group/organization, they are aligned with and in right standing with the LORD. Yet we know that there is only One Mediator between God and men – Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5).

Diotrephes

Diotrephes was an early church leader who exercised control over God’s people. The apostle John cited:

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 3 John 8-11

Diotrephes was an authoritarian controller who held a place of leadership in the local church. Authoritarian leadership is the complete antithesis of what Christ taught. Jesus taught His apostles and the leadership servant leadership, and He perfectly exemplified the same. See and learn this all-important kingdom truth. Practice what Jesus taught and modeled about leadership. See Matthew 20:20-28 and 23:8-12.

“…All ye are brethren.” Matthew 23:8

Controllers today, like pride-filled Diotrephes, do not want to be cross-examined or have their “doctrines” or “deeds” put to the acid test of Holy Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; Acts 17:10-11). They simply do not want to be brought under godly scrutiny with the divinely inspired, clear revelation given to the Church (the Holy Scriptures). So these men operate like one of their predecessors (Diotrephes).

Diotrephes single-handedly:

Hindered the truth instead of being “fellow helpers to the truth” (3 Jn. 8)
Monopolized the pulpit (place of authority) – “loveth to have the pre-eminence among them” (3 Jn. 9)
Blocked godly men from having input – “receiveth us not” (3 Jn. 9)
Used “malicious words” against the apostle John, instead of kind words from a concerned heart with God’s glory in mind – not his own (3 Jn. 10)
Refused to “receive the brethren” (3 Jn. 10)
“Forbiddeth” those who would seek to help the Church and “casteth them out of the church” (3 Jn. 10)
Did “evil” by monopolizing the place of authority in the local church. Diotrephes did not honor the gifting and authority resident in John the apostle and others in the body of Christ who sought to serve God and His people(3 Jn. 11)

Usurping God’s Place

The doctrine of control (“covering” doctrine, etc. and any teaching or deeds that usurp God’s authority among His people) is a clear indictment against the LORD – it implies that He is not able to cover His people all by Himself. Could this be partly why Jesus told us He hates these deeds and doctrines? Such a position clearly conveys that He, the Almighty, needs mere men in order to accomplish His will. Interestingly and conveniently, it is those who teach such lies that are actually the ones who claim God has put them in elevated places to “cover” His people. This “covering” teaching has been spawned and perpetuated by those who seek to be in control of other people and resources. Serving Christ and His people is simply not their ultimate goal – self-exaltation and domination is. Instead of seeking to become the chief servant, and thereby earning the trust and submission of others, they seek to gain positions and titles by force and by false teaching to leverage themselves among God’s flock. Make no mistake: These are present-day Pharisees. They desire the title and yet not the trials, toil, nor associated tribulation. They seek after the spoils instead of serving the saints, the exalted position instead of a humble prayer posture for those they oversee.

We are dealing with a usurping witchcraft demon that seeks to bring believers under its control through false ministers.

Overseeing another person involves helping them grow in the grace of the LORD, while controlling another involves using manipulative seduction and force. He created us with free moral agency, so force is not the way the LORD has chosen to interact with His people, but rather, gentleness whenever possible (Jer. 31:3). Jesus leads us, and we are free to be led of Him or not (Rom. 8:14). He deals with His people according to how we posture ourselves and whether we choose to serve Him or not (Deut. 30:19; 1 Sam. 2:30; Isa. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 11:6).

Flattering Titles

“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” Job 32:21-22

Let’s look into what Christ stated about leadership in His kingdom – first, how it is not to be done, then how it is to be done. In Matthew 23, while indicting false spiritual leadership and their practices, Jesus teaches that humble servanthood is the measure of leadership, not position, office, or title. Speaking of the Pharisees, Christ said:

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi. But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren (on the same level). And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:5-12

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matt. 23:9)Here Jesus clearly instructs all His people to refuse to come under the seduction or control of any person or organization seeking to be placed in spiritual authority over them. Such a position is earned and freely assented to, never forced. The alignment of His people for spiritual growth, which glorifies God, is to be done as unto the one “Master” and “Father which is in Heaven.” (Matt. 23:8-9) This is to be done, not by force or deception, but voluntarily by mutual agreement.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (not men).” Ephesians 5:21

Any leader who teaches men to depend on him, instead of helping people foster faith and trust in God, is totally false and to be marked as such.

God’s Heritage, Not Man’s

The Bible tells us that the Savior with the nail-scarred hands and feet is the “Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

The goal of God is not that His children become card-carrying members of any certain denomination or local church. There is little or no virtue in such, and predominantly in this is harm and hindrances to open and sincere worship of Jesus Christ. The LORD is intent upon the sheep of His pasture experiencing and enjoying fellowship with Him and those who are His (Acts 2:42-47). Local church membership, as we know it today, is simply not found in the Bible. Actually, it can be (not necessarily) the first step into deception used by deceivers who operate out of local church buildings made of sticks and bricks. Buildings aren’t evil, but misplaced trust is, and so is ministry that doesn’t blatantly and forthrightly declare the truth and liberty Christ died to grant all in His kingdom (Gal. 5:1). The identity of the New Testament believer is strictly in Jesus Christ and His people, and the wrongful alignment and covenanting with organizations of men dilutes the purity of this intended relationship.

This whole control movement is the antithesis of what the Bible clearly teaches concerning leadership in the kingdom of God. Please listen prayerfully with your heart to what the Holy Spirit had the apostle Peter pen to the New Testament Church concerning eldership in the kingdom of God:

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint (force), but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready (willing) mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:1-3

According to this all-important text concerning the duties of godly elders, the Word tells us they:

“Feed the flock of God” – they don’t fleece the flock – “for filthy lucre (illicit or excessive, monetary gain)”
Take the “oversight” and godly responsibility over “God’s heritage” – not assuming an unnatural position of rulership over the people Christ died to redeem. This they do (serve) without “constraint” (force) or deceit but “willingly” out of a servant’s heart. They are not “lords (self-serving rulers, controllers) over God’s heritage”

Notice that all of the LORD’s people are “God’s heritage” and not man’s heritage. For a man to seek to become a lord over God’s heritage makes him the enemy of the Almighty.

Authority to Serve

Upon whose authority did John the Baptist minister? Who was His covering? Who did he go to check with before openly rebuking the religious leaders of the establishment of his day? What greater authority could there be than the Almighty who led His life and ministry?

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8

Beloved of the LORD, a physical building has absolutely nothing to do with kingdom authority. A building, following, or college degree grants no person even one iota of kingdom authority. Authority in God’s kingdom comes from being submitted to the King of the kingdom and serving His people (Matt. 23:11; 2 Cor. 10:6; James 4:7). Those who are of God seek to serve Him and His people. Those who are counterfeits in our midst seek personal control and to control others. Their judgment is sure (2 Pet. 2:1-22).

Those under the control of the Holy Spirit do not want control over the lives of others. In fact, they refuse such a position. The Holy Spirit is gentle and loving and would never lead one man to control another.

Forced Submission or Free-Will Serving?

Note what we read in Hebrews 13:

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (way of life, not position)…Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7, 17

These verses have been misused by some who operate in controlling people, to gain a place of undue authority over those they are leading. But let’s read it again and carefully. When we do, we may just observe that it doesn’t say here to submit to those who hold an office or position of leadership, but to those “who have spoken unto you the word of God” and who “watch for your souls.”

Those who serve earn authority in God’s true kingdom. A position or college degree grant no kingdom authority, neither does the fact that one has been appointed to a position of leadership. In the economy of the kingdom of God, authority is granted to those who obediently serve the King of the kingdom – the way He prescribed in His holy Word. Check this out:

“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:10-12

Matthew 23:11 is how God’s kingdom works – “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Any local assembly not operating according to kingdom truth simply is not a true New Testament fellowship. “Flee” is the operative word for all true disciples of Christ who find themselves in such a cultic environment.

Jesus had much to say about how leadership is to operate.

“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4

The forced submission of mere men is an ugly evil, despised of God. The very premise of such seems to be founded upon the pride of sinful men who hold positions of leadership. The kingdom of God is all about Jesus Christ, the supreme King, and He never forces submission. No man genuinely submitted to Him will be deceptively or blatantly seeking to place people under himself in a subordinate position. Such is unnatural and foreign to kingdom principles. The worship of the believer’s life and heart is to be reserved for the nailed-scarred risen Savior and not directed toward mere men.

Note, in this following New Testament passage, the posture of leaders toward those they lead.

“As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.” 1 Corinthians 16:12

Did you catch the fact that the apostle Paul wanted Apollos to go on a certain mission to do ministry, and Apollos chose not to go? Did Paul manipulate or for him or throw him away? Have we any record that Paul the apostle demanded that Apollos submit to him or come under his “covering?” Obviously Paul didn’t see his position or authority as something to be used to force people to do what he wanted. We see no trace of a dictatorship mentality in his ministry and life. Paul simply never lorded authority over others, even though he was a lead apostle. | The Covering Doctrine is Witchcraft

Do we read here or anywhere in Scripture that Paul or any of the apostles of Jesus reacted out of arrogance and pride? Was the apostle Paul divisive in any way toward Apollos, who didn’t want to do what he desired him to do? No.

In God’s economy, submission is a free will offering. The LORD Himself never forces anyone to serve him. Did He force the rich young ruler to give up his goods and follow? When the rich young ruler turned and walked away from Jesus, did our LORD command him to come back? Getting the picture?

If the very Son of God didn’t force men to serve Him who is all in all, why would anyone else dare attempt such?

“‘Only by pride cometh contention’ a work of the flesh (Proverbs 13:10). Srife is ‘I want you to think exactly the way I think.’ You don’t have the right to do that for anybody… you have no right to make people think the way you think. You need to examine your own thoughts and be fully persuaded in your own mind. I have no right to make you think a certain way. I’m a pastor and I will feed you with the Word, but you have to work it out.” Michael Caesar

“Let No Man Glory in Men”

Listen closely to what the apostle Paul stated concerning the believer’s position with God and Christ, and how he contrasts it with the position of mere men:

“That no flesh should glory in his (God’s) presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD…Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; 3:21

Lifting Christ, Not Self

People in ministry who are truly right with God never seek to build themselves up, but rather Christ.

John the Baptist existed to exalt Jesus, and he knew denial of the self-life was essential to such. He cried:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

Shouldn’t this be our daily verbal confession and heart rendering?

Take a glimpse at Paul’s aim:

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

Salvation is of the LORD and not men. It is by faith that we are saved and that we are to live unto the LORD. The Bible tells us that “The just shall live by faith” right? In fact, we are told that we cannot please God without faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him...” Hebrews 11:6

Faith pleases God. A wise man once stated that:

“Faith is only as valid as the person or object in which it is placed.”

Displacing one’s trust from God to a mere man cuts off the flow of God’s grace into his heart and life (Jer. 17:5).

“Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” Psalms 16:4

“Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.” Hosea 13:4

The sin of idolatry kills all love, joy, and peace. Liberty, love, joy and peace come only through proper submission to the LORD.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God…” James 4:7

The doctrine of control short-circuits or intercepts faith in God and misdirects it to mere men. Faith is to be directed only to the LORD. Christ said “Have faith in God.” This is why Jesus said He hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes – because it steals glory from His name (Rev. 2:6, 15).

Submitted to God First

When speaking of the Macedonian Christians, the apostle Paul stated that they “first gave their own selves to the LORD, and (then) unto us by the will of God.” (2 Cor. 8:5) So, we see it to be “the will of God” to “first” submit or give ourselves to Him, then be properly aligned with other men of God.

A blatant example of such obvious fruitless misalignment is the structure of the Catholic Church. A billion souls are submitted to this leadership while not being submitted to the LORD Himself. This is the way they have been led by those men who have insulated them from God by usurping the place that the LORD Himself alone is worthy to hold. In stark contrast to heretical Catholic teaching, The Good Shepherd says:

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9

Catholic tradition erroneously holds that since God gave Peter (the so-called first “pope”), the keys, that all who submit to the popish successors and the Roman Catholic institution are in the one true religion and follow the true way to God. As every true believer in the one and only “holy Potentate (Supreme Ruler),” Jesus Christ, understands, nothing could be further from the truth (1 Tim. 6:15).

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5

For many reasons, we know that Peter was not the beginning of what is known today as the Roman Catholic church, including the fact that this religion of mere men didn’t even begin until 300-400 years after Christ and Peter were gone from the earth. Peter is never seen as a “pope” in Holy Scripture. Neither he nor Jesus nor anyone else ever called Peter a “pope” nor looked to the apostle Peter as some mystical figure who was vastly superior to other mere men. Such an office is antichrist – in place of Christ, a substitute. The popish office replaces the real Christ, who is the very Alpha and Omega, with the headship of a sinful mere mortal. There is only one “Head” and “one holy Potentate” in God’s kingdom and that is King Jesus (Col. 2:19; 1 Tim. 6:15). Hail Jesus – not Mary or the pope or Catholic Church.

The whole Catholic system is a blatant robbery of the glory of God and blessing He came to give mankind. The fury of the LORD is soon to be poured out upon this system and all others like it. The cup of divine holy indignation is near full, and He will soon come with flaming fire to take vengeance upon such rebellion (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 17-19).

Do we not have spiritual “popes” in the body of Christ today? Is the same demonic spiritual conspiracy not at work in the midst of those who call themselves Christians? There are those who have placed themselves in positions of undue rulership over God’s people in our midst.

Jesus Christ came to give men a personal relationship with God (Mk. 15:38). This was His foremost reason and purpose for coming to the earth (Jn. 17:3).

Submission to mere men is futile, before one is in obedience to the Savior by first acknowledging his own sinful, depraved state, having violated a holy God. It is only in realizing our own sinful state that the blessed propitiation of Christ will be appreciated. Submitting one’s life fully to Christ is the beginning of all the blessings of God.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

The doctrine and deeds of the Nicolaitanes is a perversion in that it reverses the order in which men submit. Instead of the biblical way, first God and then men, this perversion teaches men that their greatest need is to submit to other men, and that in doing so, they are submitted to God.

Like Paul, no godly leader would think of expecting, allowing, or permitting a person to submit to them before that person submitted himself first “to the LORD.” The “discipleship” movement of the 70’s is not dead. This teaching and the spirit behind it still lives on in men today. Make no mistake, the “covering” teaching is a deed and doctrine of the modern day Nicolaitanes, or leaders who operate under a spirit of witchcraft which seeks to bring God’s people under its control. This “covering” teaching is used by leaders to control others. This is exactly why Jesus hates it. Beware.

Those who promote the “covering” teaching (that it is essential for each Christian to have a human spiritual covering to help him make decisions) strongly assert to others that they must find and submit to some elite person or board of elders or apostolic authority. Yet, there is not one verse in the Bible that is a direct instruction to New Testament believers to go out and find and blindly submit in this manner to mere men. No such posture is found within the New Covenant Scriptures.

God had 27 New Testament books to definitively command His people to go hunt down and submit to a certain kind of spiritual, earthly authority, but he simply didn’t. He is the Master “wolf detector” and knows that these organizations have always enabled deceivers to mislead His precious sheep. The LORD never instructs us to unduly submit to men. Such a stringent command and rendering of allegiance or obedience to men is never ordered under the New Covenant, as some would forcefully assert. In the Bible, we are instructed to submit ourselves to the elders over us for they watch for our souls (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Pet. 5:1-6). These are men who have earned, before God and men, in clear conscience, the place of servant leadership due to their serving with a pure heart, not because they demanded to be in authority over others due to their charisma, positioning, degree, or intelligence. True under-shepherds do not lead by force. Such is an unbiblical posturing of leadership, and it reeks of self-appointment and not Spirit-led appointment and anointing to serve.

The joy of Jesus is the strength and wisdom empowering those who lead in unbroken fellowship with Him.

The role men are to play in overseeing God’s people is never to interfere with the individual priesthood relationship of each believer, ratified by the very blood of the Son of God at the cross and as He sprinkled His holy blood on the mercy seat in Heaven (Mk. 15:38; also see the Book of Hebrews). Under the New Covenant, the individual Christian has the divinely purchased 24/7 privilege of total blessed access to the throne of God’s grace “to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:14-16) Such an unspeakable blessing was not purchased nor given to us by a mere man and cannot be taken away by a mere man, unless it is stolen because the individual believer does not know the Word of God and understand His blood-bought privileges (Matt. 22:29; Hos. 4:6).

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, train my heart and mind in Your righteousness and truth. Establish my life in Your precious grace that I might grow in Your love and be free to serve You and my fellow men in the liberty of the Holy Spirit. Fill my heart with Your love for Your people. Enlighten my heart and mind and expose any controlling elements or people who may have usurped the place that only You should occupy. Deliver me, LORD, from any ungodly yoke or allegiance to mere men. Let the blood of Jesus this moment flood my life, spirit, soul, and body. Amen. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Part 2

Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us

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FEEDBACK:

“✝Aᴍᴇɴ♥, awesome message! It is a must-read. God bless you and thank you for sharing this!!” Carolyn Annette J.

“Thank you for this awesome lesson my brother! Sending our love to you and your family on this Blessed Eve….” Pete C.

“God showed me this over 15 months ago while attending a new members covenant membership class! Within 10 minutes of the pastor giving his “talk” on WHY one must be covered. The verse kept coming to mind about; “there shall be NO God ‘s before me”; and James 5:12 – “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” Needless to say, I asked WHERE in Scripture THEY [the pastor & his wife] found Scripture to back this up, because God is telling me James 5:12!! We all need the only Covering there is – THE LORD. Ps 91:1″ Lisa F.

Message Received:

“Isaiah 30:1 Is a further warning against Hezekiah’s seeking counsel (an alliance) with Egypt against Assyria. To depend on Egypt to help against Assyria would only result in shame for Judah. I don’t see how this applies to people of mutual faith in Christ Jesus?” Charles H.

Reply:

Hi Charles. Well, many have brought the world (Egypt) and it’s wicked ways into the church. Paul specifically warned about this very thing (Colossians 2:8).

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THE DEEDS AND DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS (Part 2)

What is Witchcraft? Who’s Wielding it? [podcast]

The Truth about Church Attendance and the Modern Church [podcast]

Abiding

“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26 [podcast]

From the book I Die Daily

“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26

“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” Matthew 27:42

“Come down from the cross” is the cry of the enemy of all souls. Here he inspired God-less men to tempt Christ to not complete the work of redemption. In the same way, today, God-less pulpiteers and writers say nothing of the daily cross Christ commanded to be taken up by any person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). These are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ” Paul warned us about (Philippians 3:18-19). Of this phenomenon, a disciple writes:

“Satan works both angles. First, he tried to keep Jesus (and us as His body) from going to or staying on the cross. On the other hand, he puts us on the cross as per what he did through Judas, the high priests of Judaism, and Pilate, and the Romans. Satan is somewhat schizophrenic as to this. But 1 Corinthians 2:8 is making the point that had he, the main prince and his underling princes, if they had known what they were doing (defeating themselves as a house divided), they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. Satan’s house is a house divided against itself and is therefore laid waste by his own forces just as Jesus stated in Matthew 12. Peter himself reviled Jesus when Christ told him He would be going to the cross. Jesus attributed that work to Satan.”

When Peter, being used of Satan spoke, the Son of God turned, and said to Peter…

“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man 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: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:23-26

Here Jesus spoke not only of the necessity of His own redeeming cross, but also of the daily cross to be taken up by each and every one of those who would follow Him. This should forever underscore and cement in our understanding the necessity of the daily cross.

One preacher wrote:

“Galatians 2:20 says, ‘I am crucified with Christ,’ and Romans 6:5 says, ‘For if we have been planted (united) together in the likeness of His death.’ These are both in the Greek perfect verb tense.

This indicates a past event WITH CONTINUING EFFECTS. So, it could literally say ‘I have been and continue to be crucified with Christ’ and ‘For if we have been and continue to be planted ….’ Romans 8:36, 2 Corinthians 4:10, and 1 Corinthians 15:31 clearly speak of a daily death with Christ.

Ephesians 4:22-24 talks of a continual putting off (death) of the old man, as does 2 Corinthians 4:16. Martin Luther taught of a daily Spirit baptism and called it ‘dying upward.’ These people who teach otherwise resist the daily cross. This is the error of triumphalism.

As we appropriate the finished work daily, we become more
and more what we already are. We possess our possessions.
Compare Colossians 3:3 with Colossians 3:5.

Let’s take the advice above and put together verses 3 and 5
of Colossians 3: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ
in God … Mortify therefore your members which are upon the
earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

T. Austin-Sparks stated the following:

We have not to die; we are dead. What we have to do is to
accept our death … In baptism … we simply step in there and
say, ‘That position which God has settled with reference to
me is the one which I now accept, and I testify here in this
way to the fact that I have accepted God’s position for me,
namely, that in the Cross I have been brought to an end.’
The true disciple is always “delivered unto death for Jesus’
sake” (2 Cor. 4:11.) He has “crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). He is daily putting to death
“the deeds of the body” and being “raised up” by the power of
the same Holy Spirit “that raised up Christ from the dead”
(Rom. 8:11, 13). He rejoices in “Christ Jesus” and has “no
confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).

“I die daily … Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake … that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians
4:10-12

Concerning the raising up process of the Gospel of God, T. Austin-Sparks wrote:

“The unalterable basis of an open heaven is a grave, and a
crisis at which you come to an end of your own self-life. It is
the crisis of real experiential identification with Christ in His
death.”

Though we entered into His death upon initial salvation, accepting and experiencing that death is still a daily choice, an individual decision to be made on an ongoing basis. One’s choice to continue to persevere, following Christ as He clearly prescribed, will determine his eternal destination (Luke 9:62; 19:13; 21:19; Romans 6:16; Galatians 6:7-9).

The insidious circumventing of the cross can come in many clandestine ways that are masked with pious outer garb. Today, while refusing to utter the full counsel of the One they claim to be representing, smiling and charismatic men stand in sheep’s clothing, promising heavenly life to those who live in sin. They only prosper due to the volitional biblical illiteracy of the masses. Ignorance of the truth is a choice with eternal consequences (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Many like to hide behind works they do in and surrounding their local church home. They relish singing in the choir, ushering, doing drama or being a part of the technical team, helping in various ways, or even preaching a message, and yet the life of Christ is not manifesting in their personal lives as they go out into their world daily. His light in them is not bright enough to shine into the darkened hearts of men through personal evangelism. They have been steeped in a mere formula of godliness that does not manifest the evidential fruit of one who is truly in Christ, radiant by His glory, and flourishing in His life. A. W. Tozer wrote:

Another substitute for discipleship is: Our Lord referred to
this when He reproached the Pharisees for their habit of
tithing mint and anise and cumin while at the same time
omitting the weightier matters of the Law such as justice,
mercy and faith. Literalism manifests itself among us in
many ways, but it can always be identified in that it lives by
the letter of the Word while ignoring its spirit. It habitually
fails to apprehend the inward meaning of Christ’s words,
and contents itself with external compliance with the text.

If Christ commands baptism, for instance, it finds
fulfillment in the act of water baptism, but the radical
meaning of the act as explained in Romans 6 is completely
overlooked. It reads the Scriptures regularly, contributes
consistently to religious work, attends church every Sunday
and otherwise carries on the common duties of a Christian
and for this it is to be commended. Its tragic breakdown is
its failure to comprehend the Lordship of Christ, the
believer’s discipleship, separation from the world and the
crucifixion of the natural man.

Literalism attempts to build a holy temple upon the sandy
foundation of the religious self. It will suffer, sacrifice and
labor, but it will not die. It is Adam at his pious best, but it
has never denied self to take up the cross and follow Christ.”

Prayer—Forgive me, Lord, for trying to follow You without taking up that self-death instrument daily.

Yet another way the depraved heart, cloaked fully in a mere form of religion, seeks to circumvent the work of the cross, is by denying or ignoring that there is a cross to take up “daily.” The one whose theology is undergirded and poisoned with the unconditional eternal security lie, must resist all personal responsibility. He must take the line of least resistance. He is a moral coward, who while feigning to be walking in grace, has actually acquiesced to such a mythical position in order to avoid dying the death.

He refuses to buy into the truth of the Gospel when it threatens his own personal comfort zone he has built around himself, using half-truths and twisted and convoluted blends of philosophy, clichés, and Scripture. At all cost, he must remain intoxicated with the lie that he can do nothing to violate and fail the grace of God, and forfeit his place with God, which he erroneously believes is eternally secure—no matter what rebellion he may choose to commit against Him who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). So, he must fight the truth violently using his keyboard, pulpit, or pen to defend his paper-thin position. He must at all costs make sure anyone he leads believes that “God requires nothing of him, that salvation is of the LORD, and there is absolutely never any personal responsibility placed upon the individual recipient of salvation.”

What a tragic, fraudulent lie this deceiver is casting upon those naïve enough to give him ear! The bowels of hell have been nourished by millions who have bought this lie and have descended into the gaping and inescapable abyss (Isaiah 5:14). God forbid that anyone under the care of the “grace” deceiver be burdened with the slightest incentive or motivation to live holy, because in his evil theology, God Himself is no longer holy and just and doesn’t punish sin in His own people. Using whatever deceptive means and even Scripture-twisting, the deceiver will do away with all thought of personal responsibility from among his flock. He further seeks to lull them asleep with himself, as they bask in the lukewarmness of hell-bound Laodicea and those “at ease in Zion,” refusing to hear and hearken to the severe warning to turn back to the LORD—“Repent” and “Woe to them” (Amos 6:1; Revelation 3:14-21).

Circumventing Schemes

In order to accomplish keeping his flock asleep, the beguiler must only acknowledge the positional cross, while seeking to deny the experiential or daily cross Christ commanded His followers to take up (Matthew 10:38-39; Mark 8:34-39; Luke 9:23-24). Those who deny the “daily” cross Christ commanded, deny Christ (Mark 8:34-38). To deny His words is to deny Him (Mark 8:38; John 8:47; 14:21). Those who do not teach Christ’s command to deny self and take up the cross daily, hold a position of lawlessness; such are false teachers, “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin)” (Romans 6:1-2, 15; Jude 3-4). We are to “earnestly contend” against them and the heresies they spread.

Concerning the “remnant” which is a descriptive word defining the only people to be eternally with Christ, Isaiah 37:31 says: “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” No one can “bear fruit upward” unless he is willing to humble himself “under the mighty hand of God.”

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:6

The Last Days

God’s Word forewarns us that only a few among those once righteous will be in Heaven. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18).

With all the popular last days type books in print, it is regrettable that few of them if any deal with readiness as the Scriptures present it. The human authors seem to completely overlook such an essential truth, because they have been schooled in this cross-denying way themselves. They completely overlook Christ’s severe words of warning in Luke 21:34-36. The typical modern church posture is that if one has at some moment in the past received Christ, he is forever and indelibly secure for Heaven no matter what, with no possibility of losing out with God. Is this what the Bible teaches us?

Great tribulation is coming, such as has never been experienced upon the earth. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

We are told by the Son of God that only those with the oil of God in their vessels will be admitted into the marriage feast of the Lamb (Matthew 25:1-13). Only those who are intently connected with Jesus Christ, foregoing the things that would hinder their relationship with Him, will “escape all these things that shall come to pass.”

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

He told us that if we will overcome and be with Him, we must “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” By this we know that some shall not “escape.”

The LORD Jesus beckoned those who would follow Him to the end, to be waiting and ready for His imminent and pending return:

“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:35-40

The enduring saints must discern keenly, and the only way to do such is to fully repent, love Him personally and supremely, and cast off all worldly ties that draw us from the Bridegroom (Revelation 3:14-18).

In order to escape this promised and epidemic onslaught of the enemy of God, one must be daily “crucified with Christ,” being separate from iniquity and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Galatians 2:20). It is only in being “dead” that we are “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). It is only in experiencing His “death” that His “life” can work in us and through us to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). It is only in taking “root downward” that He will raise us up to “bear fruit upward” (Isaiah 37:31).

As was prophesied, the enemy’s seduction of souls is in full swing and ever-increasing as the time of the return of Jesus draws nigh:

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

In the above passage, those who are already safe with Him in Heaven are told to “rejoice,” while those who remain upon the earth in this last hour are solemnly warned to beware because “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Perhaps there would yet remain among us some who are still ignorant of the devices of the enemy, and not so sure about the activities he is perpetrating among the remnant. Listen closely to what Jesus says concerning the final days which we are now living in:

These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
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,
These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
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. And now,
little children, abide (remain) in him; that, when he shall
appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that
every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him
(the hope of Christ’s soon return) purifieth himself, even as he
is pure. 1 John 2:26-3:3

According to these Holy Spirit inspired words penned by John the apostle, there are “many deceivers” seeking to “seduce you” (1 John 2:26; 2 John 7-11). One of the most insidious ways these wolves, who “lie in wait to deceive,” operate, is by refraining from preaching the true Gospel which includes the taking up of the daily cross (Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 9:23-24). If one will be safe in heavenly glory, never to suffer another iota of pain for all the eternal future, he must stay clear of the “many deceivers” who have answered the call of evil, and are sent forth to “deceive” those who would be prey due to:

• Having a lack of knowledge—not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29)
• Not watching and praying (Matthew 26:41)
• Not submitting to God (James 4:7)
• Not being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
• Not being “dead” and having their lives “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)
• Not having their affections set upon things above (Colossians 3:1-4)
• Minding earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19)

There is abundant proof that so many today vainly believe they can have the benefits of the cross without the responsibility of the cross. They want the crown but not the cross. They are self-serving (“whose god is their belly”) and so desire to feel secure by trusting that because Christ died and was buried and rose again, they are safe.

As was long ago foretold, many in this deceived generation are trusting in Christ’s atoning death without their own personal participation. They call Him “Lord, Lord,” but in the end will hear the horrific words of termination, “Depart from me” (Matthew 7:21-23.) From His blessed presence they will be forever alienated, vanquished into “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness).” Matthew 7:21-23

So many who claim the name of Christ conveniently ignore what Jesus said about taking up the cross and following Him to the end. In the riveting words listed in the above passage, did Jesus not tell us that only “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” will be allowed into His Heaven? The daily denial of self, taking up the cross, and following Him is at the heart of the Gospel Jesus gave us.

According to the Son of God, overcomers will be allowed into Heaven and no one else (Revelation 2-3).

Readiness test:

• Are you daily taking up your cross? (Matthew 16:24-25)
• Do you daily deny yourself so that Christ can reign in your mortal body? (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:11-12)
• Are you following Christ in the way He prescribed? (Matthew 7:21; John 8:47; 1 John 2:3-6)
• Are you purifying your life of all that offends God? (Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 3:3)
• Are you coming out from this sinful world system and the apostate religious system? (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:14-17)
• In obedience to the LORD, are you remaining clear of any and all wolves, who preach or pen a cross-less gospel? (2 Corinthians. 11:2-5; Philippians 3:18-19)
• Are you learning yet more and more to hate this sinful and rebellious world system, lest you become the enemy of God? (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
• Are you daily in the Word so the Word is getting into you and washing your heart and mind of all that is not according to the mind of Christ? (Psalms 119:9, 11; Proverbs 4:4, 21; Jeremiah 15:16; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26)
• Are you keeping your lamp full by daily communion with Jesus? (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 1:3-9)
• Are you abstaining from fleshly lusts and departing from all iniquity? (2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 2:11)
• Are you overcoming the wiles of the enemy who seeks to seduce you from self-denial? (1 John 2:26-3:3)
• Are you watching and praying, so as to be blessed to take up your cross daily and not be seduced from essential obedience in following Christ? (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:35-40)
• Are you watching and praying so as to escape all sin and remain ever ready for Christ’s soon appearing? (Proverbs 8:34; Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:34 -36)
• Are you calling others to come to the Fountain of living waters from which all life flows, and in which all blessings abide? (Revelation 22:17)

In this late hour, may God bless each of us—His children—to be in fellowship with those who are embracing instead of evading the daily cross, and who “call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

As we were long ago forewarned, the “great wrath” of the one who “knoweth that he hath but a short (brief) time” has “come down” upon us through an epidemic of apostate leaders, who like the deceivers of old, erroneously promise His eternal life to those who refuse to take up their crosses to follow Him (Jeremiah 23:17; Amos 9:10; 2 Peter 2; Jude 3-4). Beware! “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” (Colossians 2:8).

PRAYER: Jesus, please deeply quicken Your holy fear in my inner most being. From this instant forward, I look fervently for Your soon return. Heavenly Father, I beg You to unite my heart to fear Thy name and make ultra-sensitive my conscience—to be so easily convicted upon the slightest thought that varies from Your holy will. Into Your hands, I now commend my spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Capture Points

• Read and discuss Matthew 27:43 and how it applied to Christ when He was on the cross, and how this same temptation applies to the believer in his daily walk with Jesus.
• Transcribe 1 Peter 4:18 on an index card and discuss. (KJB recommended)
• Read and discuss Luke 12:35-40. (KJB recommended)