THE DEEDS AND DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS (Part 1)
(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.
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 Truth about Church Attendance and the Modern Church [podcast]
Abiding
The Greatest of these is Charity [podcast]
God sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins and He now calls you to lose your life in this fleeting world and follow Jesus – His example and His teachings.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16
Loving God and Others
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Following Our LORD Jesus by Putting God and Others Above Ourselves
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5
Due to the Many Evil things Transpiring in this Late Hour before Our LORD Returns, the Love of Many toward God and Others, is Waxing Cold
“All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
Keeping Ourselves in the Love of God
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Romans 12:9-10
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
The Savior’s Love in His True Disciples vs the Lovers of Self
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
God’s Love in Us
THE LOVE CHAPTER
Read it each morning this week in the King James Bible.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now, in Jesus’ name. Please make good on Your prayer of oneness – that Your people, Your body will be one with You. Thank You for dying for my sins Jesus, for shedding Your precious blood to purchase me to Yourself and the Father. Please break me, let me be poor in spirit and pure in heart. Cause me to be full of Thy holy love toward You and others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
The Return of Christ | Discipleship
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Articles
Upholding Jesus, the Only Head of His Body [podcast]
YOUR first thought when you hear “God” or “Christianity” should be JESUS! Not some church, pastor, or church program!
The ministry continually receives emails from people who have latched on to some mere man, his personality – instead of worshipping Christ supremely (Colossians 2:18-19). And in doing so, they defend those mere men angrily, doggedly, having never stopped to put them to the biblical test.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
“Not everything is at it seems. Their job is only to keep everyone’s minds occupied on everything else except for God and Jesus. I learned that a couple of years ago and why I no longer listen to anything they have to say since.” Diana Rogers
Boom! And Colossians 2 is a must on this topic! The motherlode.
What is his doctrine? This is the very first thing to judge (Acts 17:10-11).
“But thou hast fully known my DOCTRINE, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” 2 Timothy 3:10-11
Any person who’s been born again and yet is not continuing in the doctrines of Holy Scripture, no long has the LORD – but rather has departed from the faith! (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in (does not remain in) the DOCTRINE of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9
Paul warns us of the many deceivers in our midst who do not hold Jesus Christ, the only Head of His body, His people – they do not uphold Jesus Christ as the unique, exclusive, and supreme LORD and Savior! “Beware.” (Colossians 2:4, 8, 18-19)
Beware of those in ministry who capture for themselves and intercept the affections of your heart – removing them from Jesus. Beware of any person in ministry who is not, via a crucified life, working with the grace of God, fostering in you a greater love for Jesus, for His Word! (Colossians 2:18-19)
One of the ways Satan targets, deceives, and snares saints is via false leaders – wolves who wear sheep’s clothing. Jesus warned us of just such a threat (Matthew 7:15). Satan uses false leaders to turn the affections of people’s heart away from Christ and onto them. Their personalities and ministries and church building projects are projected in the minds of their prey so regularly, therapeutically that most people never realize it. Study Colossians 2:18-19 closely saints.
We see this happening with David and his son Absalom where his son “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6) Absalom intercepted the affections of the hearts, directing them upon himself instead of King David. David was a type of Christ and Absalom is a type of false teachers and the antichrist. Anti means in place of. Absalom sought to put himself in place of his father David – to replace him in order to be esteemed, popular, worshipped (Colossians 2:18-19). This is what false prophets do. They get your attention, your support, and your money on them – Not Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)
We have no wealth outside of that which we have in Christ (Colossians 1-2).
LOOKING where to read? Read Colossians 1 and 2. Christ reigns, is Divine, Creator, unique in all history, and preeminent!
Recently I was privileged to meet a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and teeming with God’s love and the joy the LORD produces in those who abide intimate and obediently with Christ (John 15:1-16). It was obvious that this man was holding Jesus up high in his personal life and that Jesus was pouring His life and blessed virtue into his life. When in our individual lives we diligently seek and magnify/lift up Christ to the first priority in our lives, He fills us. In fact, who did Jesus says He will fill up?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Mathew 5:6
Our LORD’s divine virtue flows directly from Him into our lives but only as we begin and continue to seek and to worship HIM “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) If the affections of our hearts depart from Christ, His divine virtue ceases to flow into our lives (Colossians 2:19). The LORD’s name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). The same is true for any group of Christians who gather in Jesus’ name and that’s exactly why so many “churches” are utterly dead and nothing but fluff and entertainment. The result of true worship is divine virtue flowing from Heaven into His people and Jesus’ spiritual blessings and health that God alone can supply To say this is an extremely important biblical truth is a complete understatement. This truth may be best captured here in Colossians 2:
“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19
Notice how we are instructed here to “Let no man beguile” or deceive you with any form of false worship or worship with a false emphasis (Lamentations 2:14). Then He defines what false worship is – “And not holding the Head.” Then we are told what occurs when we sincerely worship the LORD – “from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
Those who do not uphold Christ, the only “Head” of each one of His people, individually and the whole of His church, are misleading people and blocking the ministry, the divine virtue of the LORD from flowing from Heaven into His body – “not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
The apostle is teaching us here that the remnant disciple of Jesus is never to enter into or allow the robbing of true worship of the Father through Jesus Christ by any subtle diversion away from Christ. ANYthing except Jesus Christ is idolatry – Anything!
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware 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. 9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
There are so very many examples of Jesus being replaced today in the apostate modern church world. Think about this: When is the last time you gathered with a group of believers and the Person of Jesus Christ was truly preached straight from the Holy Scriptures and was truly magnified so much so that you left that gathering filled afresh and loving Him more and more?
Paul’s deep concern was that the heart affections and faith of those he ministered to were fixed on Christ, not him (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5).
“We should be singing “I exalt thee” not “I exalt me.” Read in the King James Bible in John 8:28, John 3:14, John 12:32-34 Amen!” Charles Pray, the late
You see, today, in the vast majority of cases, the people are gathered and the entertainment begins. What’s emphasized and made to be important is serving at the local church circus, being a good church member with good attendance, attending the small group meetings, church membership, tithing, singing in the choir, etc. The fanfare and bureaucracy is to the pastor’s glory and has crowded Christ Himself right out of the local gatherings. This is exactly how wolves run their church businesses. There’s far too much going on. Jesus does not matter to the leaders or the people. They just want to be entertained and made to feel better about their selves in their current, unsanctified state. They do not want to change which begins with repenting (Jeremiah 5). The people want their children entertained not blessed with the knowledge of God’s truth and not learning how to worship the LORD in spirit and in truth and being prepared for the work of the ministry.
That’s what non-wolf pastors are busy doing – they are busy preparing the believers they oversee for “the WORK of the ministry.” Hello!
”And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12
Here’s what the earliest disciples of Jesus were all about. This is what they were doing:
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
You see, millions today are being robbed or beguiled but it’s a willing participation. Isaiah says that this is “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.”
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law (Word) of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not (do not see and expose our sins); and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Isaiah 30:9-11
Nothing has changed (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The LORD tells us here through Isaiah that it’s only the “rebellious people” then and today who refuse His Word and “heap to themselves” these false leaders who refuse to speak on what the Bible says concerning sin and repentance. The cry out for no exposure and for “smooth things,” or entertaining niceties.
To the contrary, God’s Word says:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1
This hour of great apostasy was long ago foretold, where men would not be upholding Jesus as supreme:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For 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; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (fairy tales).” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
The hireling wolf wants you there in attendance and he wants you coming back. After all, it makes him feel better when you’re there and he needs that money to keep the circus wheels rolling. So, in order to get you there and keep you there, he must say light and entertaining things. He can’t possibly be abandoned to simple “preach the word” because there are too many hard truths that would cause some people to leave.
The sad reality, but nevertheless, the reality, is that pure and true worship is nearly non-existent unless the individual has it in his own personal life.
“For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Here’s the place of our refuge:
“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
Jesus is coming back exclusively for those who are looking to and for Him.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
Jesus did the work of redemption the first time He came and when He returns, it will be to gather together for a glorious eternity those who are truly looking to Him and not man.
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
All who do not uphold Christ blatantly, continually, and without apology are wolves who should be warned and marked if they don’t repent (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11). They should be earnestly contended against (Jude 3-4).
We should repent of helping wolves before the LORD judges us for participating in this betrayal of Him.
“Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 19:2) ANY person who helps the ungodly are just as guilty as those wolves in the eyes of a holy God who says “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)
Helping God’s enemies makes you His enemy!
If you in any way “bid … Godspeed” to or in any way help or defend a wolf, you yourself are just as guilty as they are in the eyes of God.
Especially behold the last 2 verses in this passage:
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.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth 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.
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The glorious book of Colossians
A Tad More….
SATAN constantly seeks to rob Christ of the glory due only His holy name! Yes Acts 15 gives us some restrictions and yet men have grossly added to these things in their self-righteousness and evil desire to rule over others by using/adding man-made restrictions …..while they refuse to uphold, magnify, and celebrate Jesus (Colossians 2:18-23).
“That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Acts 15:29
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Colossians 2:16-23
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Abiding
Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]
Explosive Podcast Featuring Expose’ of the prophesied end times wolves and rich Christology!
Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”:
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23
False leaders are to be marked, to be scoped out and labeled in order to protect God’s people.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (self-serving carnal appetites); and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Beware of the Band aid Bandit Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing!
There are no shortcuts in serving the LORD. One must deny self and take up the cross daily to follow Jesus.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
This is what gets to the root of that old man, that iniquitous evil bent, the flesh in us. Read Romans 6 each day this week prayerfully.
Lots of people, lots of fake pastors offering cross-less coping hacks, surface level “solutions” that have done nothing but perpetuate sinners in their sin. This is the same thing the greed-driven false prophets of old did…. in order to gain notice, to gain nickels, noses, and numbers for their own self-serving agenda to make merchandise of the people (2 Peter 2:1-3). A message without the cross is not the Gospel (Galatians 2:20; 6:14. etc.).
“They (the false leaders of Israel) have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11
They operate by the principle of “coddling them in their sin while you confiscate their cash.”
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (stealthily) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
False Prophets Promise Eternal Security to those Living in Sin. False Prophets give False Promises.
There are conditions to appropriating the promises of God. | Conditional Divine Promises
“They (the false leaders) say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace (with God); and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” Jeremiah 23:17
In other words, false prophets lead people to believe that they will continue to have peace with God while they are living in sin and that they are judgment proof. Same lie Satan told the man and woman in the Garden which led to their fall into sin (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Satan told Adam and Eve they would still be eternally secure if they sinned against God! Lie! Read Genesis 2:17 and 3:4 now. | Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
What was Satan’s first teaching? Is he really still teaching that same lie?
Like the “many false prophets” of our day, the prophets in Israel were promising “Peace, peace” to the people – peace between them and God – when judgment loomed on the horizon (Jeremiah 23:17; Matthew 24:11). This is exactly what the eternal security wolves do when they promise, they give assurance to those are living in sin. Promising peace to people living in sin and under divine condemnation is criminal and could only be the work of the enemies of Christ. Promising peace to sinful people is a money maker for now and yet will land the liars and their prey in hell. Nothing could be more clear from Holy Scripture. The vast majority of pastors today are wolves who do just this. The wages of sin is still death and all who die in sin will perish….. Wolves entertain goats and condone their temporary trinkets at the costs of their eternal souls….
No one is going to walk in peace and assurance just because they speak of it, claim it, or because they desire to have peace and assurance. No, it’s only when we obey the Word of God that His peace and assurance flood our being. There’s no short cut to obedience (1 John 3:16-18).
Of this, Adam Clarke writes:
“Peace, peace – Ye shall have prosperity – when there was none, and when God had determined that there should be none. Here the prophets prophesied falsely; and the people continued in sin, being deceived by the priests and the prophets.”
The wolves among us stick a band aid on a wound that needs surgery. Surgery would involve painfully cleaning out the infection, the deep cut sin had caused. This would be the only way to bring healing, wholeness. In contrast, false leaders deal only at the surface level…. in fear of losing their audience and money, they withhold the divine truth from the people – because they aren’t concerned about the people but rather themselves (Philippians 3:18-19).
“Jehovah directs him (Jeremiah) to pour . . . out the message of impending doom because of their covetousness, the falsehood of the prophets and priests, and their shamelessness. It is characteristic of false prophets to promise prosperity in a time of spiritual declension… They were covetous and deceitful, and dealt with problems superficially. For their shamelessness they would share in the coming time of punishment.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
Only obedience to Christ, to His cross message, will yield the fruit of freedom from sin.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The truth sets no one free from sin – until they obey Him, the Truth.
One man who recently discovered the divine power of the cross life shared:
“I’ve laid all my past sins at the feet of Jesus finally! Porn was 1 that I struggled with…it’s been gone 30 days now..1st time in 30 years…the pills are no more! Feels good to be truly saved my friend…thanks for all you do.”
Jesus forgives and sets free – as only He can do. Every other “source” is a lie.
Christ is Our Foundation
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4
The Sound Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures is the Way God Ordained that We Know Him
“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deuteronomy 32:1-4
The link between sound “doctrine” and being grounded in, knowing and dwelling in the LORD, “the Rock,” are inseparable.
Getting Gospel Grounded = Getting Grounded in Christ
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 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. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
The Gospel is all about Jesus and anyone not becoming increasingly grounded in knowing and worshipping Him, is being led astray.
Getting Gospel Grounded is getting grounded in Christ, in studying and knowing Him, the reason He came… not following the latest global gimmick or “global revival gimmick” that some false prophet is pushing to bring attention to himself…. when you are becoming grounded in Christ you will not be lured in by the gimmicks.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
3 truths that will greatly increase your grounding in Christ…
1. John 10 – Knowing, following, and hearing the voice of the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
2. John 15 – Abiding in Christ and thereby bearing the fruit that He alone can produce and that glorifies Him.
3. John 17 – Being one with Christ and the Father – prayerfully being brought deeper into that interpenetrational union with the Lord.
Knowing God
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Jesus Christ doesn’t need our acceptance, the acceptance of sinners – we are in utter need of His acceptance. We are all sinners and in desperate need of the acceptance of our Maker. Because we are separated from Him in our sin, God “commandeth all men every where to repent,” not to accept Him (Luke 13:3; John 1:12; Acts 17:30, etc.). When we admit we have sinned against Him and receive Jesus into our lives by faith, we are then and only then “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
“Churching the Un-Churched” is the stated goal of the apostate modern local churches that litter America’s landscape.
False churches today seek to sell families on the need to join their country club where’s there’s fun for the whole family. These beguilers cater to the urban family to build their church business, with no intention of preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel (Jude 3-4). Their goal is to entertain and to grow their church enterpri$e and not to ground their prey in Christ (Colossians, etc.). It’s all surface level, cosmetics. There is no repentance, no blood of Jesus, no King James Bible, no cross – no crucified life, no Holy Ghost baptism, no repentance, no personal holiness, no Christology, no readiness for the soon return of Christ, etc. The apostate modern church world exposed.
TODAY: A dear Christian young lady asked me why I am not part of a church group any longer. A gently-communicated litany of doctrines purposely not being taught in the modern churches ensued. Also the fact that that the King James Bible is no where to be found. They only use pitifully lame fake “bibles.” It’s a busine$$ to the modern pastors who refuse to preach cardinal biblical doctrines such as the divinity of Christ (Christology), hell, repentance, judgment to come, confessing and cleansing ourselves of all sin, the return of Christ and being ready for it at all times, the cross – crucified life, etc.
God is Calling Us to Follow Jesus – not Mere Men
Hebrews 6:17 speaks of “the immutability of his counsel.” Because of the immutability of the LORD Jesus Christ, the divine Author and Finisher of our faith, there is no muting His counsel, His Word. It is eternal and unchanging (Psalms 119:89; 146:6; Mark 13:1; John 10:35, etc.). God is eternal divine perfection and therefore His Word, His truth, His counsel cannot be muted, silenced, set aside, or changed.
So many looking for a word and not THE Word.
“God forbid”
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
The Gospel centric disciple revels in, is immersed in the glory of the Savior. He understands that salvation is about Christ and not himself.
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:2-7
Paul made a determination.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
From the very foundation of the world and forever more, the Gospel, salvation has always been and will always be about Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God – the crucified, buried, and raised again Savior of the world.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
Religion is perhaps Satan’s greatest tool to wedge itself between the “one Mediator” and the people – before and after one is saved.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Abiding Fruit. Light Shining.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Perhaps the greatest spiritual blessing teeming in and overflowing from the lives of believers that allows for powerfully moving evangelism, is the joy of the LORD. Moved men move men. Yes, men filled with the Holy Spirit’s fruit, the love, the joy, and the peace of God, are powerfully used of God to win men to Himself (Galatians 5:16-23). No sinner, no backslider has these treasures but every one of them desires them! The fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in Christ’s saints is a big part of that light Jesus instructed us to let “shine” before men.
Being is more important than doing. Abiding in Christ, rooted and grounded, assures that “fruit,” “more fruit,” and “much fruit” will be produced in our lives (John 15:1-16).
Emanating from the Jesus-worshiping Gospel-grounded disciple will be every dimension of Heaven’s fruit and glorious fragrance
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Gospel Foundation
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3
Is “the foundation of God” being laid in your personal life? (2 Timothy 2:19) If you are not diligently, daily, relentlessly, and perpetually in God’s Word, not only is His foundation not being built, you are backslidden and in utter need of repentance before it’s too late.
Those without the proper, the biblical foundation, will fall instead of flourish – with no exception (Psalm 1). Our LORD taught concerning the absolute necessity of being deeply rooted and grounded in Him.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49
Summation:
- Worshiping, trusting, and obeying God are essential.
- Abiding in Christ guarantees the fruitfulness that glorifies Him.
- Every life not carefully founded, soundly grounded in Christ, on His stated terms, His Word, will be washed away in the coming storms and judgment.
- Only those whose lives which are built upon the foundation of obedience to the Word of God will be left standing before the LORD for eternal blessing.
- Great shall be the irrevocable ruin in hell of all who refused to do things God’s way in their brief earthly life.
Read Psalm 1 and 92.
In these final days, you can get all scared, sulk, filled and paralyzed with fear, OR you can settle down and get deeper, as you “search the scriptures” (John 5:39-40; Psalms 119:165).
Jesus is washing and sanctifying the bride He’s returning for. Like the five wise virgins, Christ’s true bride is in love with Him, ever and eagerly looking for His soon return, the Marriage of the Lamb, the Great Bridegroom with His true bride and their dwelling place, the New Jerusalem (Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 21). This remnant body is submitting to Christ (John 13:8; 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-10).
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3
Crisis Management Mode vs Perpetually Dwelling in His Word
The modern church world, run by lightweight seminarians, are perpetually in crisis management mode, never building “the foundation of God” in the lives of God’s people (2 Timothy 2:19).
Perpetual Blessings require perpetual fellowship with Heaven’s coming KING.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Continually seeking the LORD guarantees that you remain full of His strength, His joy, His divine peace.
Running to the LORD continually is essential. Instead of praying and the reading of God’s Word being simply a crisis management reaction, why not make it our meat, our lifestyle – that which we do daily, diligently, and fervently?
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
Are you running to Jesus?
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
If you are going to established in divine peace, if you are going to be “safe,” you must run to and remain grounded at the feet of Christ! Read Philippians 3:1-3.
Get filled, stay full, keep your lamp filled and overflowing (Matthew 25:1-13).
Matthew 7
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 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. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:19-29
Hindrances to a sound, solid foundation.
“And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:16-19
Satan is the great distractor. His job, his work is to “steal, to kill, and to destroy” so as to cheat you out of the abundant life Jesus came to give you.
“The thief (Satan) 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. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
This is like eating trashy, no-nutritional-value snacks, filling up on them and then having no room, no appetite for the steak and potatoes. What happens then? In an hour or less, your body is craving real nutrition. Junk food is a cheap substitute for real food that fills and nourishes the body. In the same way, eating the steak and potatoes of God’s Word fills the mind, the heart, and the life of all who banquet at the table of sound doctrine.
There are so many, the majority of those doing ministry, who have their flashy lures they use to draw you in and yet the shallow content only leaves you remaining in the entanglements, the snares of sin and the world…
What’s the LORD convicting you of friend? Could it be that He’s drawing you aside to Himself, to tuck your feet under His infinitely bountiful table…. drawing you to come and dine, to feast with Him?
These novices issue forth constant promises of God blessing you, of His favor and blessing being upon your life. Yet there’s no mention of any of the divinely stated conditions. This leaves those empty who who are being preyed upon and led astray, wondering what’s missing. These who flash the shiny lures to catch your eye, perhaps do so to gain you as a follower. Yet, what has this ever done to root and ground your heart and life in Christ?
Ever heard the saying, “All that glitters is not gold”?
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