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by Mark Herridge Sr., Pastor

The Fabled Kingdom

2 Timothy 4:1-4

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Luke 11:17-20

17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

1 Timothy 1:4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Titus 1:14

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

2 Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

In Reality there are only Two Kingdoms

There are many different Kingdoms in this world but we know that in reality there are only two different kingdoms. There is the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the Devil. These two Kingdoms are in opposition to one another and will never be in agreement.

The enemy would love for people to believe that there are more than two Kingdoms and he works relentlessly at attempting to convince mankind that there are many different ways to Heaven. No matter how you read the Bible there is still only two Kingdoms – not three!

Look at this scripture where Jesus mentions both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan:

Matthew 12:25-28

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Again I want to reiterate: there are only two Kingdoms! Further reading of the scripture underscores this dichotomy of Kingdoms:

Matthew 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Notice that there are only two gates, two roads, and two final destinations. There is no third legitimate option. Third options are a fantasy! Third options are a fable! Third options are a myth!

I want to ask this simple question before we move on to the next section: What will happen if someone believes something false as being true? The answer is obvious: they will suffer the consequences of their misguided belief.

The Imaginary Kingdom of the Religious Man

Most people today believe, or they live, as if there is another Kingdom. They believe there is a third (3rd) Kingdom. They will tell you they believe there is a Kingdom of the Devil and then there is the Kingdom of God, which is for people that want to go to Heaven. Unfortunately it does not stop there, for they have created their own religious rules and feel that they will go to Heaven living by these misguided missives. This third Kingdom is a Kingdom of Fables! It is make-believe! It is not the true Kingdom of God! It is a fantasy of man’s own imagination!

What most people today believe about the Kingdom of God is really an imaginary Kingdom of Fables and dreams that has no basis in the Bible.

When I was a child I loved to read about knights in shining armor doing battle with fire-breathing dragons – of leprechauns hiding underneath toadstools – of elves creeping through the forests – of nasty trolls hiding underneath bridges to charge tolls on those that wished to cross over. But these were all fables! They were make believe and without one ounce of truth! It would have been peculiar for me to grow up and continue believing these myths.

This is what people believe about this Fabled Religious Kingdom:

1. This Kingdom has no set laws and absolutes. No clearly defined right and wrong.

2. In their Kingdom people can do whatever they want and still go to Heaven.

3. In this Kingdom they can live rebellious and disobedient to God’s will and in the end God will still take them to Heaven as his dear children.

4. Their ruler (God) is so loving he will not punish anyone for wrong behavior.

5. In this Kingdom there are very few things that are considered a sin. About the only thing considered sin is some churches is murder.

6. In this Kingdom no one judges any other person.

7. In this false Kingdom preachers are deified as little gods.

8. In this Kingdom people can dress however they please.

9. In this Kingdom there is no such thing as worldliness.

Beloved this is a fable! Their kingdom is no different than one made up of elves, gnomes, trolls, and houses made entirely of candy! It is all make-believe! It is not based on the reality of God’s Word!

God’s Word makes it clear what the Kingdom of God is really like and it is nothing like the Imaginary Kingdom I just described to you. God’s infallible Word sets the parameters of what is and is not acceptable.

The Bible tells us clearly that in the Last Days there would be those that would believe in an Imaginary Kingdom. The Apostle Paul said that men’s ears “shall be turned unto fables”. As a “True Church” we have to battle this “Imaginary Church” all the time. We are constantly telling people “There is no such thing!” It is just as ridiculous as telling a thirty year old man that there is no monster hiding under his bed!

The Last-Day Fable Movement

Paul told Timothy that in the last days there would be a strong “Fable Movement”. Paul told Timothy, “For the time will come…” Beloved the time is now here!

He went on to give us these three defining characteristics of this movement:

1. They will not endure sound doctrine- This fantasy loving religious bunch will not adhere to sound doctrine. They cannot even “endure” listening to a true preacher preach the unadulterated Word of God. The Apostle Paul further said that they would turn their ears away from the truth. Have you ever tried to talk to one of those misguided souls? It is an exercise in futility! They will not listen to you!

II Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.

2. They will love teachers and teaching- Even though they will not listen to us they will listen to others, as a matter of fact the Apostle Paul said that they would “heap to themselves, teachers, having itching ears”. They are going to travel from meeting to meeting to hear the latest fad and fable. Today we are seeing just this: there has been explosion of conferences, retreats, seminars, and books/CD’s on every conceivable topic that is “spiritual”. The shelves of the “Christian Bookstores” are jam-packed with the latest and greatest from “In-Crowd” of preachers and teachers, who make millions of dollars of a gullible public.

3. They will turn to fables- The word fable here is the Greek word “Mythos”. This simply means that they will completely embrace the lie. They will embrace a false teaching, belief, and lifestyle. Today, people find it easier to believe a lie than to believe the truth and the more outlandish the lie the more “churchy” people seem to like it. Benny Hinn claims in his teachings that there are nine persons in the Godhead and that Adam was a Superman and could fly to the moon. Folks, if you think that is outlandish, I want you to know that there are thousands of other examples just as foolish and some even more so. People are so caught up in wanting to hear something new that they will accept any teaching as relevant. This is the generation that the Apostle Paul was writing about.

II Timothy 4:4

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The Pillars of this Imaginary Kingdom

The ancient Hindu mythology taught that the whole world rested on the backs of four elephants that in turn stood upon the shell of an enormous turtle. Does this sound pretty silly? Sure it does! It takes more faith to believe that than it does to believe that our God created the Heavens and the earth in six days. This fantasy kingdom of worldly churches is built upon a foundation just as ridiculous as the ancient Hindu’s view of creation.

This is no sillier than the “Imaginary Religious Kingdom” of many modern day church-goers. So, what exactly does their imaginary kingdom rest upon? Well, you guessed it: on four imaginary elephants!

The First Elephant: Tolerance. Today, intolerance is considered one of the greatest sins of all. Why, we are expected to be tolerant of every lifestyle, belief, and individual. We are told over and over, that no matter how outlandish or degrading their lifestyle, we must be tolerant of them for we are not their “judge”. The mantra of this imaginary belief system is “Judge not lest you be judged”, which is found is Matthew 7:1, but is so grossly misinterpreted and misrepresented that very few people today even know what this scripture means any more. Here is the scripture in the context of the other scriptures around it:

Matthew 7:1-5

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

As you read the other scriptures you begin to realize that Jesus was not talking about righteous judgment at all, but rather He was talking about “Hypocritical Judgment”, which of course is wrong. Certainly, we do not need adulterers judging adulterers, or murders judging murders. Righteous men must judge righteous judgment.

The Bible clearly encourages us to righteously judge. Here are scriptures that prove this point completely:

1 Corinthians 6:2-5

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

Does God hate judgment? Here is another scripture that reveal God’s attitude about judgment:

Psalms 37:28

28 For the LORD loveth judgment…

Isaiah 59:14-15

14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

These scriptures in the New Testament make it clear that we must judge righteously.

John 7:24

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:15

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

You see the unpardonable sin of this imaginary, make-believe, third Kingdom is intolerance. You hear this mantra chanted over and over from the religious circles to the political circles: “We have to be tolerant of other people’s beliefs and differences. You can’t judge anyone. You must respect their lifestyle”.

We are told to tolerate the homosexual, the lesbian, the transvestite, the trans-gender. We are told that we must tolerate the abortionist. We are told that we must tolerate adultery in men and women because it is just a genetic flaw in the cerebral cortex. We are told that we have to tolerate the youth “fooling around” (fornication) because “kids will be kids”. Body piercing? According to these misguided abusers we must tolerate it. There is only one thing these fable-believers will not tolerate and that is intolerance! They will not tolerate anyone standing up and saying that there is only one way and it is the Bible way! How dare we to think that our “narrow way” is superior to someone else’s way!

Their kingdom is not the true Kingdom of God. These worldly religious church-goers claim they are a part of the Kingdom of God but what they are really a part of is an imaginary kingdom that does not exist. It is a fantasy, a myth, it is not real! It is no more real than four elephants standing on the back of a cosmic turtle holding up the world.

The Second Elephant: Adjustable Truth. The second foundation of the imaginary kingdom is adjustable truth, or situational truth. False believers of today believe that truth is something that can be adjusted to each individual and each changing situation. They believe that multiple ideas and divergent beliefs can all be true at the same time. With this false idea they believe that two diametrically opposing viewpoints can both be right, or in other words, nothing or nobody is wrong, everybody is right.

Can two opposite things both be true? Can black be white or white be black? Can a lie be truth and the truth be a lie? No, of course not. Something has to be wrong and something has to be right.

First we must understand that Jesus did not come to bring us the truth. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the truth. The truth is not a thing, the truth is a person and that person is Jesus.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the truth! What mankind needs today is so much more than just learning facts and figures. They must intimately and personally know Jesus as the Lord of their life. There is no way you can memorize your way into salvation – salvation comes as a direct result to my submission to His Lordship through repentance.

Truth is not an adjustable commodity. Truth is not an opinion. We do not preach Christ because He is our opinion. We preach Christ the Word of God. Why? Because He is the only hope for this world! If you want to know what is God’s will for your life then read God’s Word. The Word of God clearly expounds the mind of God on all matters of faith and conduct. To love the Word of God is the love Christ. To reject the Word of God is to reject Christ. To despise Truth is to despise Jesus!

This fantasy kingdom of deceived religious people is built upon a faulty foundation that does not exist. Their false idea is that all religions, all creeds, and all people are going to Heaven that each person has to make his own path to Heaven. No! Jesus is the only Way! There is no other way to the Father but through Him.

The Third Elephant: Lawlessness. These people are often referred to as anti-nomians, or “Against the Law”. Many of the modern churches of today believe that they can live any way they choose to because the Bible does not teach any rules to live by. This is absolutely incorrect!

Can you imagine the chaos in this world if there were no laws to govern by? Just think about the roadways that you drive a car on: what if there were no speed limits? What if there were no stop signs at the intersections? What if there were no laws telling cars which side of the roadway to drive upon? What if there were no laws governing licensing, vehicle inspections, and safety? It would be complete chaos on the roadway! It would be unsafe to travel on the road. My friend, if we do not have laws then this world in its natural setting could not function.

The same is true of the Church. Without laws, rules, and directives to live by then chaos will ensue. This is exactly what is happening today in churches all over the world. Most believe that God is so loving that he would not tell them what they can and cannot do. They believe that God would not dare tell them anything that would make them the least bit uncomfortable and the moment anyone tells them that God expects obedience out of them they cry, “Legalism”. Well, I would rather be “legal” than “illegal”!

This imaginary kingdom that people think is God’s kingdom has no laws. You can dress (or undress) any way you want to. You do whatever you like. You can drink, curse, view pornography, listen to worldly music, hate you neighbors, and anything else you want to and at the end of your life the great imaginary ruler of this Kingdom will take you to Heaven and heap more pleasures upon you. Nonsense! You might as well believe in tiny fairies flying around your house at night will you sleep than believe that any kingdom of God exists as the one I just described.

There is law in the true Kingdom of God! There are absolutes, meaning, there are things that are absolutely right and absolutely wrong. God did not give us suggestions. God has given us commands!

Jesus said this about the Law of God.

Matthew 5:17

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

This scripture, along with others, makes it very clear that Jesus did not come to eradicate the law as so many claim today. The modern day anti-nomians claim that grace removes the law but Jesus never made no such claim. Rather, the grace of God enables us to live an obedient and victorious life over sin.

This leads us to the next conclusions of the anti-nomians that inhabit this kingdom of trolls, elves, and fairy godmothers: no one can overcome sin, everyone is a sinner, and you have to sin every day. One once-saved-always-saved (OSAS) preacher was asked on national television if he was committing adultery at the time the Rapture took place would he go to Heaven. His reply was without hesitation and he unequivocally replied, “Yes”. When asked by the interviewer to explain he replied, “Well if my sins are this high”, and he held his hand up to his chest, “the grace of God is this high”, and he held his hand over his head, “so no matter what I do the grace of God covers my sin”. This is a lie! And the saddest part of this is there are millions upon millions of people that believe this.

I want to make it clear that no such Kingdom of God exists! God will not excuse unrepented sin. A moral failing as I just described will damn a man’s soul to Hell for eternity.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

On the subject of sin the Bible clearly teaches us:

Romans 6:1-2

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1 John 3:6-9

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

John 8:34

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

This mythological kingdom that some men call church or religion today does not exist as far as God is concerned. They may claim they are a part of the Kingdom of God but their Kingdom in no way resembles the Kingdom of God described in the Word of God. Jesus did not save us so we could continue in sin but he saved us to free us from sin. It is possible for you and I to “walk in the Spirit” so as to not “fulfill the lusts of the flesh”. There is a complete victory over sin for the Christian! Perfection is not a pipe-dream but a reality and all Christians are striving for perfection in Christ.

The Fourth Elephant: Humanism. This fourth elephant is highly visible in the deceived churches of this hour.

The Kingdom of God in the Bible is built around Christ. Jesus is the central figure of the true Kingdom. Everything is about Him and for Him. Our service is not to ourselves but to Him.

Today, in the modern fantasy kingdom of the religious man, everything is about people. One preacher I know made this statement in a service where I had visited to hear him preach, “The Church is all about people. People are the most important thing in the Church.” This may sound good to you up front but this is a total error. The Church is not all about people! The Church is all about Christ! To be sure, there are people in the Church and they are important to God, but our focus should never be on people, our focus should always be on Christ. When you make the Church all about people then the Church becomes humanistic. This is exactly what has happened today.

Today everything in Churches is about making the people comfortable. If the pews are not soft enough they will add another layer of padding. If the temperature is not pleasant enough they will adjust it to your satisfaction. Is it too loud? They will turn it down! They will put a gift shop in the Church so you can shop before service or during bathroom breaks. They will put a Starbucks coffee shop so you can enjoy a latte on the way in.

This imaginary kingdom panders to every want and whim of its deluded subjects. We refer to this as the “Seeker-Sensitive” approach and it is the way of doing “church business” in the 21st Century. Their goal is to make the Church a completely benign and pleasing place to visit. Research firms are hired to poll the community to find out what the neighborhood wants from a Church. Psychologists are put on Church payrolls to advise the leaders on how to appeal to a larger audience. Interior decorators are brought in to make sure all of the colors and decorations in the building create a blissful environment to lull the senses. The Church staff is routinely sent to training classes to be taught how to engage the populace in their kingdom. No stone is left unturned in the attempt to make the human comfortable. Are they kidding themselves? Nothing in that Kingdom is about Christ! It is all about the flesh! Can you imagine how John the Baptist or the Apostle Paul would have fit in those churches?

The pampered, perfumed, petted, and powdered leaders in these seeker-sensitive churches do not preach the Word of God but they preach a trimmed down Gospel that has been sanitized from all references to sin, repentance, and holiness. The message of their false gospel is not what you can do for God but what God can do for you. The prosperity message of today is completely humanistic. By their estimation man was not put on earth to serve God but put here so God could load them down with blessings. The tables have turned! God is no longer the focus of the Church – now people are the focus!

Look at the titles of the books by the ever-popular Joel & Victoria Osteen and you can clearly see what their kingdom is all about:

1. Your Best Life Now

2. Becoming a Better You

3. It’s Your Time

4. Love Your Life (Victoria Osteen)

There is one word that all these books have in common: You/Your. Who are they kidding when they say it is all about Jesus? No it is all about “You”. Christ is not the center of this nefarious gospel, “You” are! This is humanism pure a simple. The human has become the center of this kingdom.

Conclusion

My friend, hear me loud and clear: most of what men call “Church” and the “Kingdom of God” today is not the Kingdom of God. The followers of this illusory kingdom do not resemble the Christians of the Bible that left all to follow the Lord and many of them were martyred for it. The leaders of this third kingdom are not following the New Testament pattern of the Godly, holy, and serving ministry that was willing to face death and dismemberment to preach the Gospel. The one law of this fantasy kingdom is “If it feels good do it”. This false kingdom does not exist.

When I grew up a realized there are no giant beanstalks you can climb into heaven upon, I realized that Goldilocks did not eat all of the porridge, and that the big, bad wolf did not talk to Little Red Riding Hood (Wolves talking? I may have to take another look at that!). All of those were myths, fantasies, and imaginary. The false kingdom of “religious ideas” of our modern day is just as ridiculous as the bedtime stories of our childhood. If you want the truth then you need to turn to Christ the Word of God.

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Apostasy

Beware of the “Intercessors” [podcast]


What could possibly sound more innocent than an intercessory prayer group, right?

Intercessory Prayer Witches Warning: There were no special “intercessory prayer groups” or special “intercessors” in the early church. Jesus is the Great Intercessor! (Hebrews 7:25) The Intercessor spoken about and revealed in the New Testament is Jesus Christ – not Satan’s infiltrating witches who claim to be special “intercessors”! Beware!

Recently, a woman claiming and announcing herself to be “an intercessory prayer warrior for 30 years” sent me a welcome DM. Here’s the reply she was sent:

There’s no such thing as an “intercessory prayer warrior” designated or appointed in the New Testament body of Christ. That premise is a bunch of witchcraft used by satan’s jezebels to infiltrate and destroy among God’s people. Repent now.

Saints, this is how they gain a stronghold, how they get their evil foot in the door. They must be rejected, turned away, called to repent. They witches are self-appointed and pretend to have special power in prayer with God. But we know that’s a lie because Jesus informed us that the Father answers the prayers of His people in Jesus’ name. Jesus says where 2 or more are gathered in His name right – there He is (Matthew 18:18-20). And the power is in HIS name in salvation, prayer, and everything in His kingdom – and not because some witches got together to offer their incantations! John 14:13-14; 16:23-24  

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Every woman I have come across that professes to be some special anointed prayer intercessor has turned out to be exactly what you’re describing. And they are usually rooted in NAR theology. My antennas always go up now when someone identifies as an intercessor. We all pray “intercessory” prayers when we pray for others. But I agree, there is no such thing as a intercessor anointing or anything like that. It freaks me out now after what I have experienced with these people.” Khrista

REPLY:

Exactly, there are many gifts and callings in the New Testament and not one of them is “intercesory prayer warrior” nor any such thing. I’ve found the same thing also…. they are all witches, infilitrating to destroy (Revelation 2:20-24). Jesus says where 2 or more are gathered in His name right….. and the power is in HIS name in salvation, prayer, and everything in His kingdom – and not because some witches got together to incantate! John 14:13-14; 16:23-24

“I will do a new thing” … what does that refer to? What does it not refer to?

One of the ways the witches and warlocks of today’s modern church world trick people to give up their eternal souls by following false doctrine, false systems of theology, false movements, etc., is to misuse, to use out of context, one portion of a sentence from Isaiah 43:19. They springboard of this phrase and then teach things the Bible never sanctions. One example of something not seen in the New Testament canon, in the earliest followers of Christ, is an “intercessory prayer group” and especially not one run by women, with no male elder overseer – which is a recipe for disaster.

The prophetic frauds of today’s modern church use the “I will do a new thing” phrase in Isaiah 43:19 to justify and trick people. Once they front with that “I will do a new thing” statement, then they bring in heresies. Yet we know that any “new thing” the unchanging God is doing, is not going to contradict His own Word.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 

Scripture says that “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God” and is given to us, “ALL” of it “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8) Oh and “For I am the LORD, I change not.” (Malachi 3:6) And “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31) And “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

“Prayer warrior” is not a calling listed in Scripture that is reserved for a few select, “anointed” who “bind” evil spirits in their “calling.” They are misled and illegitimate. EVERY saint of Christ is called to pray daily, perpetually for the members of Christ’s body, etc.

Most of the time, when you see someone claiming to be a “prayer warrior”, they are full of false teaching about prayer as this comes out of the grossly heretical NAR and Word of Faith movements, the same warlocks who have “intercessory prayer” groups.

Beware of the self-appointed intercessors. Beware of the intercessory witchcraft. Have you ever noticed that these self-appointed “prayer warriors” otherwise known as official “intercessors,” never ground you in the Word of God, the cross, the crucified life, as Paul did Timothy and Titus? (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; Titus 2:1) Instead, they entice and allure you to flatter you with the idea that you are gifted, you are special, and you’re needing to start a the church and you’re the man of the hour, etc. They flatter your flesh is what they are doing and causing, positioning you to become dependent on them, not God, not the Word of God. Therefore they stay upon their prey with regular phone calls and sessions in order to manipulate and control them. God says this is witchcraft.

What they do is deceive their prey to believe the lie that they have special power and access to God.

Today we see SO much pride-filled witchcraft going on in the name of “prayer warriors” and special “intercessors”. Personally I am learning to stay clear of the “prayer warrior” terminology and those who claim they are such, etc. Seems to lift up us, the mere pray-ers, and not Him and leads to pride in people as they boast of themselves, that they get prayers answered or that their prayers and calling is more important than others. Nonsense! Prayers are answered on one basis – the blood, the cross, the name of Jesus Christ. Any and every child of God can pray in the name of Jesus and God will answer it based on the righteousness of His only begotten Son, not some “powerful prayer warrior” or self-appointed  “intercessor” witch (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) | Why Does God Answer Prayer? On What Basis?

Beware that in any “prayer group” all it takes is for just one of those members to introduce a sugar-coated stealth request or attitude and the whole group is influenced. The course and direction of that group will be off target from that time forward. This is why many a disciple has and is learning to keep things down to a simple minimum void of the “need” or false obligation to join in with any and every “prayer group” that comes along.

The key is joining with one or two or so believers who are truly Christ-centered, biblical, crucified with Christ, teachable, humble, broken, and sincerely seeking the face of the LORD.

Like any cult type manipulation and control, these self-appointed “intercessors” wield their witchcraft over their prey by constantly having a word for them, by being their source. What the enemy is using them to do is to displace their prey from being one with Christ, in His Word, hearing His voice for themselves, and following Him as He, their Great Shepherd, is leading them (John 10; Hebrews 13:20).

Jesus says His sheep hear HIS voice and they follow Him and not other (John 10).

The primary way God leads His New Testament church, people, is via His written Word.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The LORD’s way is to train men through long seasons of learning and suffering and obeying the Word of God. He warns us about laying hands suddenly on no man, of partaking in ordaining a novice into the ministry (1 Timothy 3:16; 5:22).

There’s no such thing in Christ’s New Testament church as special “intercessors” or special intercessory prayer groups, especially not run by women. It’s a jezebel recipe for wicked women to manipulate the pastor and direction of that “church.” This can only function, happen where there’s an Ahab, a spineless moral coward “pastor” allowing it (Revelation 2:20-24).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;” Romans 15:30

Interceding in prayer, simply praying for another person, is according to Holy Scripture, yes, yet intercessory prayer groups of all women, not overseen by male elders, is a recipe for jezebel disaster.

BEWARE OF THE INTERCESSORY PRAYER WITCHES! Satan loves to use that which sounds noble and spiritual and yet is not biblical. And it’s not biblical for a good reason. God’s Divine wisdom. To protect His body. Let’s stay with the Word saints! 

THERE is lots of witchcraft going on in the name of intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare. THINK: Just what did Jesus do when combating the devil? He simply quoted GOD’s written Word which is final divine authority! (Matthew 4) It’s time to wise up and cease being led around by the nose by warlocks posing as Christ’s ministers! Spiritual Warfare

Are believers in Christ to pray together? Yes.

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Believers are to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name, individually and in praying with other of God’s people (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24). This post is a warning that involves out of control jezebels who wield witchcraft behind the guise of being an intercessory prayer group.

When we hear or read “spiritual warfare” teachings today, we must ask: Do we see anyone doing that in Scripture? So much of what is pawned off today as “spiritual warfare” is actually witchcraft.

Even the sending out prayers and breaking this and that over people can be witchcraft….. much of what is called “spiritual warfare” today in the apostate modern church is actually “spiritual witchcraft.” God will not deliver any person who will not turn their heart toward Him in real repentance (2 Corinthians 3:14-16; James 4:7). We should simply ask God in Jesus’ name and trust Him to do things and stay clear of adding to that simple Scriptural prescription. “Let your requests be made know unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

“WITCHCRAFT” is on the list of soul damning sins (Galatians 5:19-21). Witchcraft, in its basic definition means to preside over, to exercise control over. It’s simply when man takes control, in place of God. Cross-less. See Isaiah 14:12-15 and 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

No sinful human is qualified to make intercession for mankind and so God gave us Himself, the Word, the only begotten Son of God!

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 

“God is awakening those who will listen and hear Him. These false ministries have been blindly accepted for years. Under close scrutiny we can plainly see they’re based on fleshly desires of men to be elevated. No one person or ministry has a special place in the church save Jesus Christ. He alone is to be glorified. He alone is Lord.” Antoinette Yeboah

“Hi Todd, I just read your article on witchcraft in the Church and agree with it..I have just recently listened to a sermon by Derek Prince from 1971 and he says almost the same thing about the woman’s prayer groups and so on….The first 20 minutes says a lot. I have experienced my mother in-law operating in a Jezebel Spirit. My wife and I cut her off.” B.

The Great, Divine INTERCESSOR, Our Savior Jesus!

The word “intercessor” appears one time in God’s Word and is prophetically, specifically speaking of Christ. And, it says no man could be that “intercessor.”

“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” Isaiah 59:16

The word “intercession” appears 9 times in God’s Word and primarily, especially in the New Testament specifically speaks of Christ’s perfect sacrifice and therefore intercession for His people on earth.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Any time you pray for someone, you are ‘interceding’ for them. Guess we’d all better stop praying for others!”

REPLY FROM ANTOINETTE

“This is exactly the point. There should be no such thing as a ‘church intercessor’ or and intercessory ministry because we are all intercessors. We are all charged to pray for one another. Anything else is unscriptural and unnecessary. It’s man who complicated the gospel because of our erroneous and fleshly desires.”

More Interesting Feedback from Christ’s Body:

Good post, Todd. In all my years of being a believer I have been referred to as an intercessor, of which I have never been comfortable with. I had never seen it like you have explained it now. Now I know why! Thank you for sharing this teaching.” Anita

“Now this is a real problem in most churches, and it’s growing. I put witchcraft up there with voodoo and witch doctors. Only those who believe in it are defected by it. How does it get into the church? Start with false teaching.” Alan

Christ Makes Intercession for His Saints

“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he (Christ) hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and (Jesus) made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

HINT: Beware when a so-called “intercessory prayer group” (no such thing in Scripture) talks about everything and everyone EXCEPT THE GREAT INTERCESSOR HIMSELF – JESUS! (Hebrews 7:24-26, etc.). Or, more deceptively, they use His Word for things not clearly spelled out in His will/Word. Beware. Be grounded in Christ saints.

The Divine Holy Spirit Intercedes for Believers

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Modern self-proclaimed “intercessors” busted and exposed!

Next time you meet a self-proclaimed “intercessor,” ask them to show you the calling for such in the Bible – other than that each and every believer, through JESUS CHRIST, is to go to the Father in the name of the one Great Intercessor – Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25).

To say there are special intercessors in the body of Christ is to say:

  1. That God forgot to tell us of something important in His Word, namely that there are to be special intercessors,
  2. That Jesus, the real Intercessor, is not central to the Christian faith, knowing God, and
  3. That each and every individual believer doesn’t have full access to the throne of God via the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16).

There’s no such thing as a “prophetic intercessor” in the New Testament church. Such is a title used today in the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) movement for delusional witches!

Anyone who’s trying to control someone else is doing so because they’re not giving control of their own life over to God (James 4:7). This is called “witchcraft” in God’s Word and is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21).

The LORD avenges us of our enemies only when we submit to Him (James 4:7).

As long as we are not truly submitted to the LORD, Satan is in control of our lives. Memorize James 4:7.

“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2 

“Willingly” offering ourselves is spoken of in Romans 12:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Modern self-appointed “intercessors” are not submitted to God and are therefore under the power of the enemy.

Recently, in a conversation with a lady, she boasted that she’d been an intercessor for 30 years. What immediately comes to my mind is not a good image. If you’ve been in the charismatic movement and have since had your eyes opened, you know how this witchcraft works. The “intercessors” in these churches are basically witches who pray for what THEY want to see come to pass and since they are under the control of the “prince of the power of the air,” the devil, it’s Satan’s will being instituted and prayed for! Beware!

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

The Bible informs us that the devil is a liar, he is our enemy, and he “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8

The enemy of souls uses things as fronts that seem to be honorable, noble, or logical on the surface yet that are not sanctioned in Scripture. There are many gifts and callings listed in Scripture and yet there is no record of the special calling of an “intercessor.” Also, we see no “intercessory prayer groups” in the early church. There were none.

The next time you meet someone who says they are an “intercessor,” ask them to qualify that so-called calling with Scripture alone. Keep reading….

Personally, I’ve never met someone who calls themself an “intercessor” who wasn’t deceived or outside the un-biblical New Apostolic Reformation or charismaniac movement.

Jesus warned us of and taught on jezebel and the destruction that comes as a result of allowing such! Revelation 2:20-24

Regrettably, nearly without fail, women who call themselves “intercessors” are jezebels and in many cases part of jezebel ministries. The men who call themselves “intercessors” are without fail Ahabs which means they are dangerous, weak, jezebel enablers.

Lemuel’s mother taught him: “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3

YOU be the man. Study and know what God has made you for and requires of you as a man who is the servant of Christ.

Jezebel’s cannot and will not function where there is no Ahab but rather godly men who refuse to be moved off of truth! (Revelation 2:20-24)

“Intercessors” and “Intercessory Prayer Groups” in Today’s Church are the Manifestation of Jezebel!

Jesus’ warning in Revelation 2 about jezebel in the New Testament comes into focus. Notice that Christ say that she “calleth herself a prophetess.” She is self-appointed and self-important.

“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.” Revelation 2:20-24

Weak men, Ahabs, are guilty of allowing Jezebels to function and many times using the noble title of an “intercessor.” Charismatic churches are rampant with this evil witchcraft.

ANY person who puts their own supposed calling before the truth of God and body of Christ is completely self-serving and has no concern for the LORD or His body whatsoever. In fact, such a person is completely departed from the LORD and will bring great destruction on the body of Christ if allowed – if suffered. This is exactly what Jesus addresses in Thyatira and calls it “the depths of SATAN” himself (Revelation 2:20-24). In their self-deceived hearts, they are sure that God has called them to minister in a way He clearly forbids – just like the Jezebel who was allowed by the Ahabs in Thyatira who was self-appointed – “calleth HERSELF a prophetess.” (Revelation 2:20-24) Repent now.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Ephesians 5:23-24

Out of God’s order is out of God’s order. If God calls man to be the head, and He non-negotiably does, that means that MEN bear that personal responsibility for which they will be judged.

“Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3

“Strength”

H2428
חַיִל
chayil
khah’-yil
From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: – able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
Total KJV occurrences: 243

This is the same diabolical ploy to steal the glory of Christ we see played out over and over again…. the spirit of antichrist.

Counterfeits are known in that they refuse to uphold JESUS as the “Head” of His body!

“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

First off, isn’t it interesting that those today who call themselves “intercessors” never mention the matchless Great Intercessor who bled to redeem and ever liveth to make intercession for all believers at His Father’s right hand (Hebrews 7:24-26). Every believer should be an intercessor – simply pray for others. Do we ever see the word “intercessor” in God’s Word relating to us? No, in nearly every case the words “intercessor” and “intercession” are applying only to Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

These self-appointed modern “intercessors” are caught red-handed in this alone: They refuse to preach the Great Intercessor and only hail their own virtues and the need for themselves, insidiously replacing Christ with themselves. Anti-Christ means when anything, anyone is put “in place of” Christ.

Where is the special, named calling for an “intercessor” in God’s Word? There are servant callings in the New Testament and the nine gifts of the Spirit yet no calling named “intercessor.”

In Genesis 3, the curse…after the fall…. God tells the woman “thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Genesis 3:16) Scholars believe this in the Hebrew means that the woman will desire her husband’s position as the head. It should be obvious that many a woman has a difficult time submitting and not wanting to be the ruler. This seems to be part of the curse pronounced on mankind after the fall.

It’s when the cross is at the center of our lives that we “buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23). And as those who say with our brother Paul, “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) As Jesus’ disciples we refuse to use human reasoning to determine what we will believe (Proverbs 3:5-6). Scripture reveals to us that what one believes is always a matter of the heart – a choice to believe truth or anything else (Proverbs 23:23; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4, etc.).

JEZEBELS hate to be questioned or constructively challenged! They are stubborn, prideful, unaccountable, not submitted, and arrogant!

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

To identify the root of this rebellion against God, His order, Andre Viljoen writes:

“James 4 vs 7 So submit to (the authority of) GOD. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee.” Vs 10 Humble yourselves (with an attitude of repentance and insignificance) in the presence of the LORD, and HE will exalt you) HE will lift you up, HE will give you purpose.”

Those who are not submitted to the LORD truly, are under the influence and power of Satan himself.

The individual priesthood of each and ever believer is never to be violated by controlling witches or warlocks! Beware.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross to save you for any other mere sinful man to control you! You are bought with His precious blood! You are His! He is the “head” of your life!

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

LOTS of people in the modern church are doing “ministry” not seen in the New Testament Scriptures. They are suspect. Beware. They are subjecting their prey to this foolishness, this rebellion which is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Many follow what they learned from other deceived people doing “ministry” in the modern apostate church world! Instead of seeking the LORD earnestly, they continue to perpetrate these devices upon others. LET JESUS teach you from scratch – from the ground upward!

GOD calls all of His people, who are born again into Jesus Christ, to pray, not just those who are self-appointed “intercessors”, an office or gift never mentioned in Scripture other than that Jesus Christ is the Great Intercessor (Hebrews 7:24-26). All born again believers who are washed in the blood of Jesus, presently abiding in Christ, can pray to the Father in Jesus’ name! No such thing as an “intercessor” calling other than for ALL believers, not a special few. Beware of those who claim they are called “intercessors.” These are usually jezebels who cloaked their evil behind this title or supposed special calling.

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Beware of the Witches and Warlocks in the Church [podcast]

Are You Under a Spirit of Witchcraft? [podcast]

Jezebel The Depths of Satan


Testimony of Jeni 

“While standing in the gap and praying for others IS scriptural and holy, Satan often plays. His “playground” is often right inside “the church”. He is the master of twisting and perverting God’s holy truth. He has, from the beginning, wanted to be like God. He has always had his counterfeits to the things that belong to God. Once I was in a prayer line. Suddenly a lady came and laid her hands on my head. She began to pray, “Lord, give her dreams and visions…” I received the dreams and visions. I received them for years after…. They consisted of reoccurring tormenting dreams and never dreams of peace. The dreams were filled with demonic activity. I awoke often in fear, dread and a sense of hopelessness. We must be aware that often times when some are praying to the “Lord”, they are in actuality speaking to “lord”(our enemy and the deceiver of all mankind). We do well to remember that Satan can also work wonders. Yes, he can also give unto man, and send answers to prayers.. His main goal being destruction. Satan’s ministers are everywhere just as the bible warns, transforming themselves into ministers of “righteousness”. 2 Cor. 11 God graciously brought me out of that group. He allowed me to look back and see the “den” I was in. He revealed to me that it was not of Him. He brought me out because I am his sheep, and he is my Shepherd. We must lean fully upon our God to lead us out of the traps and deception of the enemy. JESUS is the way, the truth and the life. He promised to deliver his true ones from every evil work. We must stay close to the Shepherd and bishop of our souls for He knows the way and he can be trusted. Remember salt “looks” like sugar my beloveds. However, salt will never be sugar.”

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Apostasy

When Bible Burning Backfires [podcast]


King Jehoiakim Judged

Let us ever be aware of the Bible truth of sowing and reaping.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

Read Jeremiah 36 (KJB) perhaps several times. In this passage, note:

v. 28 – Denial changes nothing. Burning a scroll or the whole Bible negates not one iota of the divine authority invested therein nor your personal accountability to it. John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15

v. 30-31 – King Jehoiakim burned God’s Word and denied God.

v. 32 – The Word of God stands forever (Psalms 89:34; 119:89; Mark 13:31). It cannot be erased, and anyone who tries to burn or erase it, will be erased, burned in the fires of hell by the one true God whom they defied.

Jeremiah 36 records and details a pivotal moment in the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah, where he is commanded by God to write down his prophecies, leading to a direct confrontation between the Word of God and the defiant King Jehoiakim. The chapter serves as a testament to the endurance of God’s Word despite human efforts to destroy it.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

Historical Background

  • Timeframe: The events take place around 604-603 B.C., in the fourth and fifth years of King Jehoiakim of Judah.
  • Political Climate: Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, had recently defeated Egypt at Carchemish (605 B.C.) and was asserting control over the region. Judah was in a precarious position, shifting loyalties between Babylon and Egypt, creating a state of high political tension.
  • The King: Jehoiakim, son of the reform-minded King Josiah, was wicked and defiant, starkly contrasting his father’s humility.
  • Jeremiah’s Status: Jeremiah was “shut up”—likely banned from the Temple grounds—after preaching for over 20 years.

Overview of Jeremiah 36

1. The Command to Write (vv. 1–3)

In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, God instructs Jeremiah to take a scroll and record all the prophecies, warnings, and calls to repentance he has spoken against Israel, Judah, and other nations since the days of King Josiah. The stated goal is that the people might hear of the impending judgment and repent, allowing God to forgive them.

2. Baruch Records and Reads the Scroll (vv. 4–10)

Jeremiah dictates the messages to Baruch, the son of Neriah, his scribe. Because Jeremiah cannot enter the Temple, he sends Baruch to read the scroll on a fast day, hoping for national repentance.

3. The Officials’ Reaction (vv. 11–19)

Baruch reads the scroll to the people. Micaiah, a concerned official, reports this to the royal cabinet, who summon Baruch to read it to them. Upon hearing the content, the officials (including Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah) are frightened, recognizing the danger the message brings. They wisely advise Baruch and Jeremiah to hide.

4. Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll (vv. 20–26)

The officials inform the king, who sends Jehudi to fetch the scroll. As Jehudi reads it, Jehoiakim, in a state of defiance, cuts the scroll with a penknife and burns it section by section, despite pleas from some of his officials to stop. Neither the king nor his attendants showed fear.

5. The New Scroll and Judgment (vv. 27–32)

God instructs Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll and adds a specific, harsh judgment against Jehoiakim: his body will be left unburied, exposed to heat and frost, and none of his descendants will sit securely on David’s throne. Baruch writes a second scroll, which includes all the original words plus many more added prophecies of judgment.

Key Themes

  • The Indestructibility of God’s Word: The king burns the first scroll, the Word of God is simply rewritten and expanded, highlighting that human opposition cannot destroy divine truth.
  • Repentance vs. Defiance: The chapter contrasts the proper response to God’s word (fear and repentance) with Jehoiakim’s defiance.
  • The Role of the Prophet and Scribe: Jeremiah is the messenger, and Baruch is the faithful scribe who records and reads the word at great personal risk.
  • God’s Patience and Justice: God offers repentance through the scroll, but when that is rejected, judgment is inevitable.

In Jeremiah 36, the burning of the scroll by King Jehoiakim represents a pivotal moment of defiance against God’s word, where the king used a penknife to cut and destroy a prophetic scroll.

The Event (Jeremiah 36:22–24)

  • The Setting: The scene takes place in the “winter house” in the ninth month, with a fire burning in a brazier (or firepot) before King Jehoiakim.
  • The Action: As Jehudi read the scroll aloud (containing prophecies from Jeremiah), the king cut the scroll into pieces using a scribe’s knife (or penknife) and threw them into the fire.
  • The Destruction: The king methodically cut and burned the scroll column by column (or section by section) until the entire scroll was consumed.
  • The Response: The king and his servants did not show fear or tear their clothes in repentance, demonstrating complete indifference and hardening of heart.

Symbolism and Significance

  • Rejection of Divine Authority: The burning of the scroll symbolized an attempt to silence God and reject His warnings of impending judgment.
  • Contempt for the Message: Cutting the scroll, which was a parchment scroll of leather or papyrus, column by column, showed intense contempt for the message.
  • The Futility of the Action: Despite the destruction of the physical scroll, God commanded Jeremiah to write a second scroll, indicating that divine truth cannot be destroyed.
  • Judgment: The act led directly to further judgment from God against Jehoiakim.

Key Terms

  • Penknife/Scribe’s Knife: A tool normally used by scribes for cutting or sharpening reed pens, misused by the king for destruction.
  • Scroll (Roll): The parchment containing the prophecies.
  • Brazier/Firepot: A metal pan used for burning coals to provide warmth.

Those who despise the Word of God will be destroyed:

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”  Proverbs 13:13

Those who do not receive and obey God’s Word will be counted “unworthy of everlasting life”:

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9

May God’s Word be fully received in our hearts and be that burning fire emanating from our very bones and pouring out to those around us daily.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

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“A Flattering Mouth Worketh Ruin”

Using Deceit to Ensnare and Inflict Evil

“A Flattering Mouth Worketh Ruin” Proverbs 26:28

The “ruin” wrought by way of flattery is incalculable.

“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19

Firstly, realize that the LORD is warning us here about talebearers or those who carry or bear about tales. Then we learn that the “talebearer revealeth secrets” or dispenses to others “secrets” not fitting to be shared with anyone else other those necessary, that is, those who already know those things. Because of how the enemy of souls uses talebearers, we are then warned to “meddle not” with such persons who are characterized by their cunning ability to flatter their way into our lives, making us feel comfortable with them so that in a vulnerable moment, we reveals “secrets” to them about something in our past that they really had no business knowing. Beware saints. There are those who operate this way. They sliver into your life by flattering you, telling you how wonderful you are and how well they like the way you minister. Then, they insidiously siphon out secret information from you, saving it in memory for just the right time to use against you.

You are not accountable for divulging past sins to anyone. When you repented and confessed that sin before God, He forgave you and remove those sins “as far as the east is from the west  (infinity).”(Isaiah 44:22) The LORD has “cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.  19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

Your sin was against God and God alone who alone is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” Psalms 51:4

Sheep in the Midst of Wolves”

WHEN to depart: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:7)

A believer armed with these truths will be far less susceptible to the while of the wicked wolves who lurk in our very midst.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

The innocent seem to be the most vulnerable because they imagine in their hearts that others are as they are, innocent.Be on guard and walk prayerfully, according to the Word, and in the Spirit and the LORD will deliver you from “the snare of the fowler” or hunter (Psalms 17:4).

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” Psalms 91:3

Beware of those who seek to manipulate you to divulge information about your past, even in so-called counseling sessions, most of which are not holy or biblical anyway. Jesus told us to not give out pearls to swine. In principle perhaps that refers to giving anything to swine who will use them against you in the future.

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

Proverbs 26:28 says: “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

Hunters are very clever at capturing their prey. Deceivers are clever and use clandestine methods to beguile their intended prey. The intended victim must be enticed or lured in using some type of bait or false affirmation/flattery. Concerning wolves who prey on Christ’s precious sheep, the Bible uses the imagery of a hunter who sets a trap for his prey.  It speaks of those who “lie in wait to deceive.”(Ephesians 4:14)

“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” Proverbs 29:5

It’s obvious that there is a hidden motive in that one who would flatter. Holy Scripture would instruct us to know that some people, while speaking smoothly, have war or evil in their hearts. They hide their hatred and wicked agenda behind a flattering tongue and a smile.

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Psalms 55:21

In order to spiritually know when someone is deceitfully flattering, the disciple should ask the LORD for keener discernment and the “discerning of spirits” which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). One of the reasons that we need this gift of the Holy Spirit, is because some who flatter to snare actually seem to be men or women of God. Some of these guys actually preach some good stuff, have a website, call themselves “pastor” to gain clout, and are devil-possessed. Beware and stay in prayer.

People who have self-appointed themselves as representatives of Christ and Christianity are no knew thing. Wolves amidst the sheep of the LORD is no new reality. Even in eternity past, Lucifer (the light bearer) beguiled and misled a third of the LORD’s angels. We then see him slivering into the Garden of creation as a cunning snake who with flattery, lies, and deceit, caused the first sin among men and the fall of mankind (Genesis 3).

“The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.” Hosea 9:8

False shepherds and false prophets have always dwelled among God’s people (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23, etc.).

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