Abiding

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

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

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

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

The LORD has created and then died to save you into His kingdom family. He saved you primarily and first and foremost to know Him (John 17:3). This relationship with the LORD must always be first priority and anything else is damning idolatry (Exodus 20:3-4).

Some people are so worn out by their involvement with their local “church” that they don’t even deeply study God’s Word for themselves. Something’s got to give – and for the God-fearing, the local church involvement will give!

“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

Many today are so busy going to “church” that they don’t have time for God.

TODAY: A dear Christian young lady asked me why I am not part of a church group any longer. A gently-communicated a litany of doctrines purposely not being taught in the modern churches. Also the fact that that the King James Bible is no where to be found. They only use pitifully lame fake “bibles.” It’s a busine$$ to the modern pastors who refuse to preach cardinal biblical doctrines such as the divinity of Christ (Christology), hell, repentance, judgment to come, confessing and cleansing ourselves of all sin, the return of Christ and being ready for it at all times, the cross – crucified life, etc.

In these modern churches church (cult) members are conditioned by the pastors to fish for new church members – not to minister the Gospel, the Word, and win souls to Jesus – but rather to “church the unchurched” for the self-serving benefit of the CEO pastors who are building their own kingdom in this fleeting world.

Anyone attempting to make you their “church member” is corralling you for their own self serving purposes. You are bought by the very and precious blood of Christ and made a member of His universal body of saints (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4, etc.). That’s your identity, not some local church and being a member of it. 38 times the Bible uses the word “body” to describe the people of God the world over, the whole body of Christ. This clearly communicates that Jesus does not desire that His people pigeon hole their perspective into one local gathering, one building on Sunday morning, but rather to love all of His children no matter where they may be geographically. Such created sectarianism which is what Christ rebuked in His then young disciples.

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50

The sectarianism, the separation we see today causes born again saints to feel one with the believers at their local gathering on Sunday morning and yet distant from those blood-bought saints they work with on Monday morning.

So many today waste their time, energy, money, and allegiance on a local church – instead of Jesus! Sad.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus says “Come unto me” and “Follow me”, and not “Go find a church and join it.” (Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus and the apostles went to the people for the most part of their ministries. (Matthew 9:35-38; Book of Acts). A physical building called “church” doesn’t make someone an official minister of Christ. In most cases, pulpits in buildings are “manned” by wolves in sheep’s clothing who’ve set up a church busine$$ (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Jesus didn’t die to make His people good church attenders or members but rather His disciples – those who “daily” deny self, take up the cross and follow HIM (Luke 9:23-24).

“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17

There is no record of Jesus or His holy apostles teaching men to become good church members or attenders! Read that again please. Making men good church attenders or members is the work of wicked religious men! Beware. Follow Jesus!

Faithful to fellowship, which should be “DAILY”, is God’s will and not church attendance once or twice weekly at a certain location!

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

The modern church is catering to the carnal instead of preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). Beware of the cross-less false gospel being peddled by those God says are “accursed” for preaching “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9). They are the “enemies of the cross of Christ” our LORD (Philippians 3:18-19). | The Modern Church Exposed

God’s will is for each of those He saves is to become grounded in a “daily” cross walk with Him (Luke 9:23-24).

Identity Check: As a blood-bought, born again saint of Christ, you’re not a church member of a local church. Stop it. You are a born again, blood bought son/daughter of the King of all kings who came and died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to purchase you to Himself. You are a member of the one, universal body of Christ! You were bought with Christ’s blood and belong to HIM and not some man’s ministry, organization, or circus called “church” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23; Isaiah 2:22).

SO you go to church yet aren’t learning God’s Word, aren’t digging in it daily, diligently, aren’t ministering to others? Wow! You are clearly “lukewarm” and have been snared in the trap of the devil, ready to be spued (rejected) as Jesus promised (Luke 3:15-16). Repent now and run for your life – lest you go to hell with the wicked (Matthew 24:10-13; Revelation 3:15-16).

Christine Farr writes: “Subject: Questions on The Truth About Church Attendance’

UPDATE FROM A DEAR SISTER WHO READ THIS POST AND LISTENED TO THE PODCAST:

Christine Farr writes: “Subject: Questions on The Truth About Church Attendance

Message: You wrote, ‘Think about this: How many church-attending Christians do you personally know who are on fire, Christ-glorifying, Scripture-literate daily disciples?’ Well, this is one of the issues I was contending with: Here I sit (with my husband), a student of the Word, not a scholar by any measure but a serious student who has a pretty good grasp of the Scriptures. And all around me are babes in Christ who have been like that (babes) for as long as I’ve known them! AND they are more faithful to church than I am (and more faithful to church than to God!). But I am the one growing and learning …. and they are still in grade school, babes. And my education has not come to me solely from the preaching of the Word but mostly (99%) from my own personal studies. I also see this contradiction. So, I talked to the Lord about It, and He began to stir something in me that caused me to feel like sitting in church was a waste of time as I could use that time to be home at my desk studying and learning the Word. The fact that my husband was on the same page with me was a confirmation that God was working. Then my dear Christian sister said the most profound thing to me when I explained my situation, ‘You’ve outgrown that pastor.’ God knows how to answer our prayers!”

WE SHOULD CONSIDER STARTING a fellowship grounded in Christ, upon His Word….. “finding a church” is futility in these final days and nothing but a trap. Simply facilitate a gathering (Hebrews 10:25). We must be HIS church 😉 Check this out: Fellowship Defined by Holy Scripture

There’s no doubt that some church gatherings offer at least a small measure of edification for believers. Yet, we must take a step back and ask this question: Just what has the modern church–all this attending church–really produced?

Think about this: How many church attending “Christians” do you personally know who are on fire, Christ-glorifying, Scripture-literate daily disciples?

If God is calling you out of the church attendance lifestyle, which has robbed, ruined, wasted, and damned untold millions, obey Him. It’s late. Isn’t it time to mobilize and use your faculties, your life, your energies and resources for Christ’s kingdom and cease building the church businesses of sinful men?

Isn’t it time we stopped funding the frauds and their carnal aspirations and agendas?

Jesus never told us to just “huddle up” or to make gathering together an end in and of itself. No, He commanded us to …

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
“Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13)
etc.

If it be for this reason alone, all true disciples today, in this final hour, should depart from the modern church:

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

According to Christ, all it takes to go to hell is to get saved and then die lukewarm.

Oh and it’s not till you come out of Sodom as did Lot, that you look back from a distance and see the Christ-denying catastrophe of the modern church for what it is – bellowing with smoke, up in flames, torched from Heaven!

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

Read the Bible for yourself beloved. Read it daily, thoroughly, intentionally, intently – to know its Author – the One who shed His blood to save you unto Himself (John 17:3).

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

Did John the Baptist corner himself in a weekly mutual admiration society clown show call the “church”? No. Did Jesus and His apostles? No. The fellowship spoken of in the often misused verse of Hebrews 10:25 is not at all what we see in the modern church world.

You allegiance is first to God and then to His people – daily – and not some church business that is doing nothing to root and ground you deeply into Christ. | Rooted and Grounded in Christ

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10

True fellowship in the New Testament record looks more like Acts 2:42-47.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47

Only the LORD Himself can add to His blood-bought church in the earth. Notice “THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH daily such as should be saved” in contrast to false leaders building their own nickels, noses, and numbers via church membership, etc. (Acts 2:47) Mere men who seek to “church the unchurched” are self-willed rebels operating under their own self-serving greedy agenda, using the name of the LORD in vain to build their own empires – void of essential biblical truths such as the virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ, hell, judgment to come, the imperative of repentance, holiness, etc. Only Christ, the Head of His body, can add to HIS church which He promised He would “build.” … “I will build MY church.” (Matthew 16:18) While enterprising antichrist’s build their own “churches”, Christ is building His one remnant body, organically!

Just as is the case with your body, your spiritual immune system is made healthy by the intake of clean healthy foods, right? Right. Ingesting the words of God daily, plentifully, diligently, and voraciously, is essential to your spiritual health (Jeremiah 15:16).

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True vs False Fellowship [podcast]

One of the main and stated reasons for fellowship is to prevent God’s people from falling away. Notice: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another DAILY, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” Hebrews 3:12-14 If your “fellowshipping” is limited to Sunday mornings, instead of “daily”, as Scripture prescribes, you […]

Wolves Who Deceive, Devour, and Defund their Prey [podcast]

Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Colossians 1:28; Jude 3-4). Simply put, it doesn’t matter what you think: The LORD has commanded that Satan’s ministers, his human emissaries, be exposed. Time to shut up and obey! (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) “Let God be true and […]

House of Prayer - TABLE-FLIPPING SAVIOR! [podcast]

As an eternal memorial for His holiness, and His requirement for His people to be holy, the LORD Jesus cleansed the temple twice and these are book ends with great significance … Jesus says that God’s people are a praying people! Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans […]

Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they are not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel given to us in the New Testament, they are preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9). “For MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, […]

Abiding

WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]

“Baal was most often portrayed as a strong warrior and was considered the god of storms and fertility. He was said to rule from his palace atop Mount Zaphon, the highest peak in Syria. Baal is referenced several times in the Bible’s Old Testament, where he is depicted as the main rival of the god of the Israelites.”

We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.).

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

DIVINE JUDGMENT, the “severity of God,” IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!

Christians avoid doing as did the Israelites when they worshipped baal by worshipping the LORD, the Father and Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 1:3) This begins with fresh and complete repentance, confession of all sin, and denouncing of all dependence, idolatry, all pagan practices like yoga and mantra chanting, etc., and by understanding that truly worshiping the LORD, the one true God, is based on sincere loyalty to Him and not to get things from Him like success or possession in this fleeting world. The heart of the disciple of Jesus must be circumcised perpetually and this is happening as we examine our hearts for idols, the daily crucified life, living a life of prayer, setting boundaries against temptations, and being wholly accountable to the LORD, while avoiding syncretism (mixing pagan rituals with Christian practice) and prioritizing God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 4:1-10

24,000 of God’s own people, men, departed from obeying the instruction, the standard, the Word of God and were destroyed. They partook in the soul damning sin of fornication.

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:1-10

Departing from the pure Word of God always leads to sinful living as was the case with 24,000 of God’s people’s worship at Baal Peor.

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns God’s people not to change or depart from the LORD’s Word and brings up the example, reminds the people of God’s judgment upon 24,000 of His own people for doing so (Numbers 25).

Of the worship of Baal-Peor, one writer notes:

“Yet what was this worship of Baal-Peor and why did it draw such wrath from God? Baal-Peor is a Moabite god who was worshipped with obscene rituals. The name means ‘Lord of the Opening’ from Baal meaning owner/ husband and Peor coming from pa’ar meaning ‘open wide.’ ‘I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.’ (Hosea 9:10) The worship of Baal-Peor IS an abomination. Notice that those who join themselves to Baal-Peor also ‘become’ an abomination before the Lord.”

Every person who has an idol, just one, has demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Repent now. Follow Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 4:3, Moses brings back to the memory of God’s people the judgment that fell upon the 24,000 of His own people for their idolatry and fornication. This idolatrous abomination is recorded in Numbers 25.

“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Numbers 25:6-9

Dear reader, camp out on Numbers 25, the whole chapter. Your life is not complete without this vital component of divine truth.

Of Baal, one source notes:

Baal was a major ancient West Semitic storm and fertility god, meaning “lord” or “master,” prominent in Canaanite and Phoenician cultures, associated with rain, thunder, and agriculture, and often depicted with a thunderbolt. He was seen as a powerful deity, central to life, but became a focal point of biblical opposition as Israel’s worship of him (linked to lust and sometimes child sacrifice) was seen as idolatry against God, culminating in Elijah’s famous challenge on Mount Carmel. In later demonology, Baal (or Bael) is a powerful archdemon, and the name appears in various modern media as a demon or powerful entity.

In Ancient Religions

Identity: A powerful god of fertility, weather (rain, lightning, wind), war, and kingship, often identified with the storm god Hadad.
Worship: Widespread in the Levant (Canaan, Phoenicia) and beyond, with temples and rituals often involving cultic prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice, especially during droughts.
Mythology: Key myths involve his battles with the sea god Yamm and the god of death Mot, representing natural cycles, and his dwelling on Mount Zaphon.
Biblical Conflict: The Bible portrays Baal worship as a major temptation for Israelites, a rival to God, whose priests (including those of the Phoenician goddess Asherah/Astarte) were famously confronted by Elijah.

In Demonology & Culture

Demon: In demonology, Bael (Baal) is a powerful archdemon, often the first of the three kings of Hell in grimoires, associated with invisibility and wisdom.
Modern Media: The name appears in many forms, from Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons (Bhaal/Bael) to anime like Gundam and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, often as a powerful demon or god.”

Not one of us has lived perfectly holy and yet, at this moment in time, some will choose to truly repent and confess their sins and others will refuse (Proverbs 28:13). Eternity depends on true repentance which always, without fail, yields a changed life, a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:3).

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

These 24,000 Israelites were slain for their sin. God is still holy and “The wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4).

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

Zimri, a Simeonite (of the tribe of Simeon) was the Israelite whom Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, did slay for his utterly audacious display of sin, having brought the fornication in the middle of the camp of God’s people and even into the midst of their worship (Numbers 25:6, 14).

The great apostle brings this very incident to account 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and warns New Testament saints never to partake lest they also be destroyed. The sins Paul cites form the natural acronym L.I.F.T.M. = lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, murmuring.

5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]

The spear of Phinehas must begin with ourselves – as we truly repent, lay down our lives in this world, and cut off the hand, pluck out the eye of any sin in our lives. The conscious eternal suffering, the severity of eternal judgment coming on any person who dies in sin is most profoundly declared by the Son of God Mark 9:43-49. Many of the new fake “bibles” removed this important passage.

The new “bibles” have lowered the standard and weakened many by their changing of God’s Word which Moses specifically warns us of in this main text, Deuteronomy 4.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

Departing from the Word of God, not obeying God on His stated terms, is the sure way to be weakened, destroyed, here and eternally. The LORD speaks often in His Word about this.

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2

Each Man is Choosing to Drink from One Cup or the Other

Baal was ultimately Satan himself and involved things like sacrificing ones own child in exchange for being blessed by this false good. Jesus informed us that Satan has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10).

As was the case at Baal Peor, Satan is behind every idol and so all idolatry is the worship of Satan.

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22

This passage above is speaking of the Baal Peor event and also to the temptation of Satan and his children today. Baal worship is alive and well today, calling God’s people to worship at the altar of devils, to partake is vile atrocities that separate one to Satan and away from the LORD. “No man can serve two masters” and anyone living in sin is not serving the one, true, holy LORD and Savior (Matthew 6:24)

“They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Psalms 106:28-31

One writer notes:

“Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God.”

Baal Peor consisted of the worship of a false god, Satan, and fornication. Satan is behind the worship of all idols and such idolatry is filled with his devils/demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

Modern day types of Baal Peor are the pornography, strip clubs, and everything in our society that has to do with any form of fornication. Movie and media are filled with such evil. The 24,000 who were destroyed in Moses day (Numbers 25), departed from the Word of God and the standards set forth there for holiness and the divine prohibition of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Read Deuteronomy 4 and Numbers 25 side by side.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Before their blunder at Peor, after God brought them out of Egypt (the world), Israel was innocent. Judgment, destruction ensued their sin of all who participated. Today, we can witness that many who once worshipped God with a pure heart, have now turned away to the worship of idols involving fornication of all kinds. Those who would rebuke these backsliders could be liked unto Phinehas.

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:10

“I found Israel – The Lord speaks of himself in the person of a traveler, who unexpectedly in the wilderness finds a vine loaded with grapes; such love did God bear to Israel. Your fathers – Whom I brought out of Egypt. As the first – ripe – As the earliest ripe fruit of the fig – tree, which is most valued and desired. Separated themselves – Consecrated themselves to that shameful idol. Their abominations – Their idols, and way of worshipping them. As they loved – As they fancied.” John Wesley

Deuteronomy 4, Numbers 25, and 1 Corinthians 10 speak of the same event – the sin of God’s people in Baal worship at Peor and the consequent divine judgment that fell upon 24,000 of them. This is an eternal memorial for the judgment of God against all sin, namely idolatry and fornication.

“To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord’s Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord’s Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord’s Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit.” FB Meyer

Those who depart from the standards set forth in God’s Word separate themselves to idols, to devils and are under divine judgment from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6).

The Examples of Phinehas and Jael

Perhaps we can liken what Phinehas did in spearing the sin out of the camp of God’s people, with those who call His people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and according to His pure, uncorrupted Word (Numbers 25:10-18; Psalms 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). Phinehas boldly, courageously in the fear of God stood up and stamped out sin in the camp. The judgment ended. Those who stand and boldly, fearlessly declared the Word of God and call out sin among God’s people, are the Phinehas’ of our day. Do we have a Phinehas priesthood in our midst?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

In Job 4:21-22; 5:24-27 we read about another bless-ed patriarch of the faith who stood up, who rose up against sin, slaying a wicked king.

In both the cases of Phinehas and Jael, these biblical accounts make specific record that the LORD greatly blessed these faithful followers of His, and their families, and He will do the same today for His true bold witnesses who stand against the evil of this late hour.