
The Most Obvious Sign that Jesus is Coming Soon! [podcast]
What is the first thing on the list of signs of Christ’s return?
What was the very first sign Jesus gave us concerning and to mark His soon return? As you will now read in the passage below, Jesus’ answer was in response to the question of His disciples as to the sign preceding His return.
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:3-5
Coming “in the name” of Jesus doesn’t mean that one is truly of Christ. In many cases it simply means that someone is using Christ’s holy Name, His divine credibility, as a front to peddle wicked wares that do not belong to the Holy LORD Jesus Christ. These are the generation of wicked religious hypocrites Christ severely rebuked while on earth (Matthew 23, etc.). They profess one thing and do another.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
Satan has his own “ministers” and they are in our midst pretending to represent Christ (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). How can we know the difference between those who are truly Christ’s and the pretenders who are devouring wolves? We must discern, we must “prove (test) all things” against the written Word as did the Berean disciples, and only hold to that which is biblical, rejecting that which isn’t (Acts 17:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Jesus foretold that the proliferation of false prophets would be the most prominent, the most obvious sign of His return (Matthew 24:3-5). Paul echoes this truth when he speaks of the exponential invasion of wolves in sheep’s clothing as the day of Christ nears.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13
But what’s the deciding factor? How do we know who is “of God” and who is “not of God”? Great question which Jesus also answers:
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Memorizing these words of Christ (above) will pay large dividends in your own discernment, your ability to weigh in the balance and decipher those who come in Christ’s Name. Also, this will be something you can share with other saints (Ezekiel 44:23; 1 Peter 3:15).
“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
“Anyone that profits off of you being blind will never teach or inspire you to see.” unknown
Think of this in the context of how false teachers refuse to teach discernment (Ezekiel 44:23). Any man pretending to lead for Christ who doesn’t warn you about the “MANY false prophets,” is himself a false prophet (Matthew 7:15; 24:11, etc.).
Those who do not love God and therefore do not love the truth, will be deceived.
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
Another Jesus, Another Spirit, Another Gospel
Recap of this passage above: Beware of those who preach:
- “another Jesus” – one who doesn’t require repentance and the daily cross (Luke 13:3; 9:23-24).
- “another spirit” – evil spirits who perpetrate their “doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
- “another gospel” – false doctrine, half truths, not the whole of the message of Christ and His holy apostles (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 4:2-4; Jude 3-4, etc.).
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
False leaders deceive their prey by misleading them via false teaching and actions not consistent with holy Scripture concerning servant leaders. | Beware of the Nicolaitan Wolves Today
Stolen allegiance is the order of the day in the apostate modern church world (Colossians 2). Satan has come to perform pure evil against mankind which is created in the image of God. The Bible informs us that he “walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil, the arch enemy of our LORD, aggressively seeks whom he will be allowed to steal from, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10;1 Peter 5:8). Only those who are truly, authentically grounded in Christ and the cross, will survive and thrive (Colossians 3:1-4, etc.). There’s only one place to be “hid with Christ in God” from this vile enemy.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Regrettably, this enemy of all souls owns the hearts and minds of most in ministry today in this late hour of prophesied great apostasy (Isaiah 56:8-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23; 2 Peter 2; Jude 1, etc.).
MINISTRY which pleases God includes endeavoring to preach the whole counsel of His Word, helping people know and grow in Christ for themselves – by the cross life and getting into HIS Word for themselves so they can follow HIM, not you! (2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:5; 10-12, etc.). True ministry always fosters in the hearers faith in God, not the preacher or local church organization! Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5.
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5
False leaders today have people trained to look for little coping bandaids, things that profit their immediate situation yet squandering their present and future state. The false leaders today can be known by their messages which coddle their prey in their sin, never calling them to true repentance, to the cross, to a holy, separated life, etc. The result is that these people want nothing to do with a Bible message, a message that is actually Bible-intensive. And this is exactly why these shallow dwellers are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
2 Timothy 3 and 4 speak prophetically to this phenomenon. Read it.
Scarcely do we see an elder today calling God’s people to true repentance, to lay down our lives in this world, deny self and take up the cross daily, and rooting and grounding them in a daily, humble, Bible-devouring walk with Jesus.
If you don’t hear the following Bible truths coming from the mouth of your pastor, you know he’s one of the “many false prophets” our LORD and His holy apostles warned us about (Matthew 7:13-29; 24:3-5, 11; 1 John 4:1, etc.). These following Bible words prove a man is preaching the original Gospel or a false gospel, “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9). Are you regularly hearing these words, these cardinal doctrines of the historic Christian faith?
- Repentance (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Revelation 2:4-5, etc.)
- God created us to know Him and without this knowledge, this relationship, there is no salvation (John 17:3; Philippians 3:10, etc.)
- Holiness (Psalms 4:3; Isaiah 6:3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc.)
- The daily cross, the crucified life (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20; 5:24)
- Fearing God (Psalms 2:11; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Luke 12:4-5; Romans 11:20-22, etc.)
- Salvation is conditional, not un-conditional (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Luke 8:13; Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 2:3; 3:12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2-3, etc.)
- The essential of obedience to the Word of God (Deuteronomy 13:4; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 2:26, etc.)
- Purity of heart (Psalms 51; 139:23-24; Matthew 5:8)
- Seeking God with a whole heart (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8; Matthew 5:6; 6:33, etc.)
- Ready for the return of Jesus (Matthew 24: Luke 21:34-36; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 2-3, etc.)
If you really want the presence of the LORD in your life you must obey Him, walking in an abiding relationship with Christ as He instructed in John 15. Also, read John 14:15, 21-23. The false teachers today want you to believe that you can go into a room and “soak” in the presence of God and that He’s going to consume you. They’ve led a whole generation of fruitless Christians to believe and practice and expect this heretical concept. It’s not working and never will because God doesn’t change and men who don’t meet HIS stated conditions will be fruitless and perish (Psalms 107:17; Jeremiah 5:25, etc.). Jesus taught that God is going to manifest Himself into your personal life as you obey Him, as you deny self, take up the cross daily, and walk with Him daily (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Those who are crucified with Christ will be filled with the resurrection presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
So in not teaching what Jesus taught, false leaders today have betrayed the LORD and are leading a generation of counterfeits to eternal damnation.
“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12
Jesus commands you to lay down your life – to live a crucified life, raised up by Him. Yet, false leaders make it all about their church and their church services and not about a grounded life in Christ daily… they are not interested in seeing Christ’s saints rooted and grounded in sound biblical doctrine and the daily cross walk, abiding in Christ…
The LORD holds “the leaders of this people” responsible and also those who bid God speed to them – support and patronize them (2 John 10-11).
“For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:13-16
What I Look for Personally
Words such as “born again,” “Jesus Christ,” “Jesus is coming,” or “washed in the blood” are not just Christian buzz words or “Christianese” as some call it. No, these are cardinal biblical truths which only proceed out of the mouth of true disciples of Christ.
Jesus told us that what’s in the hearts of men will be witnessed in that which proceeds from their mouths.
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34
So there are two classes of people we must discern – Those who come in Christ’s Name and also, those who come in the name of “spirituality.” The latter is the easier to discern of the two because the New Agers among us don’t claim Jesus Christ verbatim and yet they do claim things like “Christ consciousness”…f
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11
ANY and all spirituality that is not soaked in the holy name and blood of Jesus Christ, is diabolical, a cheap counterfeit which doesn’t even qualify to be called a ban daid.
“Beware of false prophets” saints (Matthew 7:15; 24:11, etc.).
Coming in the name of Jesus Christ means coming in His authority rather than coming pretending to be His representative, hiding behind His holy Name.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7
John Wesley on Exodus 20:7 and taking the LORD’s name in vain:
“Exodus 20:7 The third commandment is concerning the manner of our worship; Where we have,
[1.] A strict prohibition. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain – Supposing that, having taken Jehovah for their God, they would make mention of his name, this command gives a caution not to mention it in vain, and it is still as needful as ever. We take God’s name in vain, First, By hypocrisy, making profession of God’s name, but not living up to that profession. Secondly, By covenant breaking. If we make promises to God, and perform not to the Lord our vows, we take his name in vain. Thirdly, By rash swearing, mentioning the name of God, or any of his attributes, in the form of an oath, without any just occasion for it, but to no purpose, or to no good purpose. Fourthly, By false – swearing, which some think is chiefly intended in the letter of the commandment. Fifthly, By using the name of God lightly and carelessly. The profanation of the form of devotion is forbidden, as well as the profanation of the forms of swearing; as also, the profanation of any of those things whereby God makes himself known. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless – Magistrates that punish other offences, may not think themselves concerned to take notice of this; but God, who is jealous for his honour, will not connive at it. The sinner may perhaps hold himself guiltless, and think there is no harm in it; to obviate which suggestion, the threatening is thus expressed, God will not hold him guiltless – But more is implied, that God will himself be the avenger of those that take his name in vain; and they will find it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Adam Clarke on taking the name of the LORD in vain:
“Exodus 20:7 ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain’ – This precept not only forbids all false oaths, but all common swearing where the name of God is used, or where he is appealed to as a witness of the truth. It also necessarily forbids all light and irreverent mention of God, or any of his attributes; and this the original word לשוא lashshav particularly imports: and we may safely add to all these, that every prayer, ejaculation, etc., that is not accompanied with deep reverence and the genuine spirit of piety, is here condemned also. In how many thousands of instances is this commandment broken in the prayers, whether read or extempore, of inconsiderate, bold, and presumptuous worshippers! And how few are there who do not break it, both in their public and private devotions! How low is piety when we are obliged in order to escape damnation, to pray to God to “pardon the sins of our holy things!” Even heathens thought that the names of their gods should be treated with reverence. Παντως μεν δη καλον επι ηδευμα, θεων ονοματα μη χραινειν ῥᾳδιως, εχοντα ὡς εχουσιν ἡμων ἑκαστοτε τα πολλα οἱ πλειστοι καθαροτητος τε και ἁγνειας τα περι τους θεους. “It is most undoubtedly right not easily to pollute the names of the gods, using them as we do common names; but to watch with purity and holiness all things belonging to the gods.”
The Lord will not hold him guiltless, etc. – Whatever the person himself may think or hope, however he may plead in his own behalf, and say he intends no evil, etc.; if he in any of the above ways, or in any other way, takes the name of God in vain, God will not hold him guiltless – he will account him guilty and punish him for it. Is it necessary to say to any truly spiritual mind, that all such interjections as O God! my God! good God! good Heavens! etc., etc., are formal positive breaches of this law? How many who pass for Christians are highly criminal here!”
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:5
This warning of Jesus not only refers to those who come saying they are the Christ but more insidiously, those who come using His Name in vain to peddle their wicked heretical wares.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for creating me, finding me in my sin, and saving me into Your eternal family by the perfect sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I love You dear Father. I love You Jesus. Please cause my heart to be a heart of flesh and extremely sensitive to Your leading, discernment, conviction, and wisdom. Please use me to serve, to love, to minister to Your people as we earnestly prepare with great expectation Your soon return. In the name of Jesus, amen.
The Modern Church Exposed | Is there a Conspiracy among the False Teachers Today?
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God |
What’s the Most Predominant Doctrine in the Whole New Testament? [podcast]
The Truth about Church Attendance and the Modern Church [podcast]
Abiding
The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]

Idol Shepherds Abounding!
The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7
When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.
They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.
Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke
They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)
” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
YOU do it.
“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
The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.
No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley
“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke
The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Let Him be Your Fear [podcast] | Why We Need Not Fear Death | Fear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]





Abiding
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]

Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith and He requires our personal participation both initially and ongoing, as we “endure to the end”, abiding in Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15, etc.).
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand?
FB Meyer on John 6:60-71
“THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS
Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. ‘Thy words give us and nourish within us the eternal life.'”
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
There are many today, who like the 5,000 who departed from Christ, leave when they hear the cross message – the divine command to be crucified with Christ. Jesus asks us today: “Will you allow He who authored your faith to finish it?”
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4
“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 ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
“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? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”? Romans 6:1-16
“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 2:3-10
The Gospel, the Resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Making Peace with God | It is Finished! | Discipleship | The Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood | Christology | The Gospel: What is It?



Abiding
“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me” [podcast]

There are 7 portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. One of those seven portraits is Jesus our “the good shepherd.” (John 10)
The first thing the good shepherd of the sheep did was give His life to purchase the sheep with His own blood.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Jesus who created us, then came to die to buy up back to the Father and Himself.
The Bible, God’s Word, is full of illustrations of who God is, and who He is to us. He is our shepherd….the shepherd of His true sheep. How do we know who His remnant saints, sheep truly are? How do we know if we individually are truly His?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
“John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice – But ye will not hear: – my sheep follow me; but ye will neither follow nor acknowledge me. Any person who reads without prejudice may easily see, that our Lord does not at all insinuate that these persons could not believe, because God had made it impossible to them; but simply because they did not hear and follow Christ, which the whole of our blessed Lord’s discourse proves that they might have done. The sheep of Christ are not those who are included in any eternal decree, to the exclusion of others from the yearnings of the bowels of eternal mercy; but they are those who hear, believe in, follow, and obey the Savior of the world.” Adam Clarke
We know He is our shepherd if we are reading, listening for, and walking out the voice of His Word. That’s why He gave us His Word. The voice of His Word is His voice. This is why God gave us the Bible, His Word, the “voice” of His Word. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” and the “voice” of Jesus is with us, is God’s written Word. We have the “voice”, the very words of our LORD on record. “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 3:16-17)
The primary way God’s voice is heard by His sheep is the Holy Scriptures….. reading God’s Word is hearing the voice of God.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14
Our LORD, the good shepherd of our souls, told us that His sheep are those who hear His voice, the voice of His Word. Those not in the Word are not hearing the voice of God.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Those who are “of the truth” hear the voice, the words of Jesus Christ.
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Jesus made it clear who His true sheep are ….
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, He knows them, they follow Him. They don’t listen to nor follow their own feelings, human reasoning, their own wicked heart, nor any mere men … “follow your heart”? No. That’s a lie from hell. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus died to save you so you would be His, and that you would follow Him, His voice and none other.
Jesus, on record in John 10:27-29, is telling us that it’s only those who are hearing His voice, the voice of His Word, and following Him, who are going to be kept in His holy hand. After being saved, only those who abide in Christ to the end will be kept by Him and with Him eternally. Read John 15:1-6 where you will see that any whom Jesus saves and yet then they don’t “abide” (remain, continue) in Him will be cast into the fire of hell (v6).
Take a closer look at John 10:27-29. Anchor the promise in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are—those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The divine promise here to be kept is a conditional
promise requiring the individual recipient of the gift of God to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). If you are born again, a sheep of Christ’ pasture, and you cease hearing His voice and following Him, you are no long His.
Many today detach, separate our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology which is Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
The LORD saved you to be His – to hear the voice of His Word and to follow Him, to walk with Him.
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
To be kept you must live “through faith” – to hear and believe the voice of His Word, and walk with Him accordingly.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Eternal security”, otherwise known as “once saved always saved”, is a lie from hell. Run from any and all wolves peddling this, Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
To be “kept” by Jesus, the saved sheep must live his life “through faith.”
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
The recipient of salvation must “through faith” be “kept.” God never removes man’s free will and requires not only initial but also continued faith. Jesus foretold that some would be saved and then not continue with Him and “fall away” (Luke 8:12-13).
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9
Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and require my faith to the end of this life. Make sensitive my conscience, quicken my spirit to repentance and to be holy as You are holy. In Jesus’ name.
Jesus Christ our LORD is “that great shepherd of the sheep.”
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” Psalms 95:7
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3
“To hear His voice, we submit to the pruning of the Holy Ghost in our heart. The fruit of righteousness can only be produced in an ABIDING relationship with Jesus and cultivated by the Holy Spirit given to them that OBEY him. (John 15:3-5; 14:15-17)” Jon Crane
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at and amazon. English and Spanish.
See what others are saying about this devotional book.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Hell | Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ | Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast] | Fresh Start with God | Peace with God | Jesus is Coming Just as He Promised [podcast] | Having No Part Dark [podcast] | An Angry Man in Hell | Tormented in this Flame | Wolves Exposed | The High Treason of False Leaders | A Quick Nugget on Discerning Wolves | Knowing Your Enemy [podcast] | Is God Faithful to save us if we aren’t faithful to Him?




-
America6 months ago
The Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles7 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True