Is Todd Bentley a False Prophet? –
Is Lakeland a False Revival?
“Strong Delusion”
2 Thess. 2:11
Someone might say: “How can you imply that Todd Bentley is a false prophet?!” My reply: Because I can read. Can you read? Have you and are you daily searching the Holy Scriptures? (Jn. 5:39; Acts 17:11) If not, you have no discernment and are ultimately going to be “ashamed.” (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:11-14). Read God’s Word and repent of trusting men and not Him alone – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart…” (Prov. 3:5-6) – “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)
Any thrill-seeker who does not put this Lakeland “revival” to the biblical acid-test is in disobedience to the Almighty who instructed us to “believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because MANY false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1)
Bentley seldom uses Scripture which alone makes him completely false – “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20; Ezek. 3:4; 2 Tim. 2:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:11)
Certainly, when Scripture is seldom mentioned, it will never be “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus” or that God is holy and hell is coming to all the unsaved.
I want to warn those who would support in any way or even be so brazen as to defend this deceiver, that you are going to answer to the LORD and be partaker of his evil deeds (Ezek. 14:1-; Hos. 4:9; 2 Jn. 7-11). Also, if you do repent and come out of this deception, you are going to be very embarrassed personally for having endorsed this wolf.
The Bible instructs us to “buy the truth, and sell it not” and to “hate every false way.” (Prov. 23:23; Ps. 97:10; 119:104; 128).
The frivolity/lightness by which he operates also identifies Bentley as a false prophet.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18
God’s people, in their backslidden and rebellious state, were divorced by Him for their lightness toward Him (Jer. 3:8-11).
Todd Bentley’s false visions, dreams, and lightness (instead of fear) toward the LORD are telltale signs that he is false:
“Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:32
Did you catch that last part of this verse? – “they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.” There will be no good fruit from this “revival” because of Bentley, yet perhaps people are being healed because of their own faith, or maybe there are no authentic, verifiable healings? In fact, beware because lying signs and wonders are connected to deception in 2 Thessalonians 2:
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
As we read in Jeremiah 16 (below), some are set in their hearts to shun His holy light of truth and go on in the lie. To them will be sent a “strong delusion” by God Himself:
“Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.” Jeremiah 16:17-19
Bentley grossly over emphasizes angels and even leads people to chant for angels to invade the meetings. Fallen angels (demons) oblige. The Heavenly Father/God’s Word tells us that He has spoken unto us in these days by His Son and that it is in His Son (not angels) that He is “well pleased.”
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:1-2
“And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11
BEWARE: We are warned about those who do not uphold Jesus Christ but rather direct people to look to and worship angels:
“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, 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
It is being said that the angel that enables Todd Bentley’s ministry is the same angel as enabled the ministry and false teachings of William Branham in the 1940’s. William Branham began the “Latter Rain” movement out of which much of the dominionism theology comes today through a myriad of Word of faith deceivers.
The angel that visits Bentley’s meetings is a fallen angel. He is an angel for sure and he is either Satan or one of his fallen angels (1/3 departed from God). Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred, risen Savior is not glorified but rather the angel. There is no reconciliation with this angel showing up and the ministry of Christ and His apostles. Also, Todd Bentley calls the angel “Emma-O” and yet there is no mention of a female angel in the Bible. The Bible reveals Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer…all male angels. Note that Bentley (the one selling this whole bag of goods) is speaking here. He acts like he hears God as natural as one breathes. If so, why didn’t John, Paul, Peter, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Moses, or David hear God that clearly? Has the LORD changed? – “I am the LORD, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6) Is Bentley closer to the Almighty than these men whom we know walked with the LORD? Pfftttt He’s not even saved. Also, what happened when John saw the LORD? What was his reaction? He fell to the ground as one who was dead (Rev. 1:17). Bentley speaks as if he has this hearing ear and life that is always being visited by the Almighty…daily. Hardly. He is selling the crowd with these made-up stories. Not even the prophets and apostles mentioned above had this kind of relationship with the LORD. They certainly didn’t make common (profane) the LORD by acting as if He was their chum buddy. Can’t we see that he is making naïve people believe this so they will follow him and believe he is some great man of God? It’s a mere marketing scheme. Bentley is a circus conductor. He knows the formula for “revival” that gathers a crowd and that includes creating a phenomenon that makes it look like something is happening and act as if “God” is moving by doing physical things and psycho-suggestively seducing people to believe something is actually happening.
As we witness in the book of Acts, the apostles of Jesus “preached Christ” and gave glory to Him alone and it was in His holy name that devils were cast out and miracles were wrought by the LORD – not through an angel (Acts 3:16; 8:5; 9:20). Obviously the angel that accompanies Bentley is Satan, the fallen angel or one of the (one-third) angels that departed from God with him (Ezek. 28; Rev. 12).
There are gaping holes in his claims. For example: EVERYthing he is doing is being filmed and yet not 1 (not even one) of the numerous people he is claiming to have raised from the dead is on film. Not one resurrection has been validated by any independent organization. How interesting. Bentley and his marketing team claim that thousands have been saved through his ministry. How are people being brought to repentance and led to Christ when he doesn’t even preach the Word? Who/what is he leading them to? Pandemonium? This guy is the most obvious false prophet I think I have ever seen. There are many other things that reveal him as counterfeit.
Psychosomatic suggestion occurs when people’s minds are induced with an idea or notion and they are purposely conditioned in a certain direction or course of thinking. The whole atmosphere, tone, and ambiance of the Lakeland “revival” has been orchestrated to bring the desired results of its perpetrators. The attendees have not idea what planning has gone into those meetings. They think it is God. The place is charged with a type of hypnotic suggestion. From the tone of Bentley’s voice to the supposed claims and testimonials of miracles, to the false prophecies and words, to the well-trained stage hands, etc., all is intentionally set forth to suggest that something is really happening.
Like most so-called revivals today, the hypish marketing is a mere sales pitch to get people to come – and they do, by the thousands. Basically nearly any circus act that comes to town has an audience. People are so void of truth from personal elevation of Jesus Christ, denial of self, and study of God’s Word, that they are susceptible to any clown who comes on the scene with a new circus act, claiming it is of God.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15
That’s all these “revivals” are – The architects create a phenomenon and make it look like things are really happening and the self-seeking and clueless flock. It’s a simple formula and hucksters know it – perhaps they are literal Satanists.
- “False teachings always point Christians to man, man made organizations, denominations, self, material things of this world, and how to please men. Many times false doctrines have some element of truth in them but the end result is always deception. Many times false doctrines might seem to use Scriptures as their basis but in many cases, scriptures are twisted so as to promote a tradition or false teaching…so, watch out.”
http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2007/11/25/consequences-of-false-doctrines-on-a-christian/
Are things beginning to come clear as to what our LORD warned us was coming in the final days of this age?
“And MANY false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive MANY…For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:11, 24
The names of these conferences always include the words “signs and wonders” to draw sign seekers, not Savior seekers (Truth seekers). Truth seekers know better. They are not blinded by their lack of seeking God and diligently studying His Word and therefore will not be ashamed or embarrassed in the end (2 Tim. 2:15).
What did Jesus say concerning those who seek signs and not Him? – “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it…” (Matt. 12:39)
Jesus commanded His people to go forth and preach the Gospel to every creature and THEN signs and wonders would follow – The LORD Himself would confirm His Word (Mk. 16:15-20). But Todd Bentley is not preaching the Word, so who is it that is doing the signs and wonders (if any) that are being done in these crowds of sign seekers who reject the truth? – “Even him, whose coming is after the working of SATAN with all power and signs and lying wonders…” (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles…” Revelation 16:13-14
After listening to and watching Todd Bentley for several hours, the discerning disciple will perhaps find that he is simply telling stories. They are preposterous. His stories are endless and the crowd just laughs and goes along with anything he says because of the supposed signs and wonders he is doing. It seems that the gullible just drink in anything that he says while completely ignoring the words of the One they claim to serve. How foolish.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
To deceive some people, all a person has to do is have a stage act and it doesn’t even have to be a good one. All that is needed to gain a large following and draw international attention, is to have something to say and sound like you know what they are talking about. It’s just that simple in these last days because most “Christian” leaders are not right with God and therefore haven’t taught people to study to show their own selves approved unto God and test every spirit and doctrine against God’s Word (Acts 17:11; Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Jn. 4:1).
Look around you at the flakes who show up to see Bentley. No offense meant. The bottom line is that most people do not want to daily walk with Jesus by denying themselves, taking up the cross and following Him in a real way. So, they run to the next Mr. wonderful who claims that “God” is moving to get that quick fix to make up for their own personal rebellion and disobedience. Instead of getting the Holy Spirit, they get devils (2 Thess. 2:9-12). Quick fixes that are dependent on a mere man just isn’t how the LORD works. He also doesn’t bandaid our rebellion. We can’t shortcut the simple program He set up for us to love and learn of Him as we walk with Him through times of great joy and times of great tribulation and suffering and persecutions as He is conforming us to His holy image (Rom. 1:19; 1 Pet. 4:1-2; 12-13; 5:10, etc.).
This whole movement, like Brownsville and Toronto, is guided and controlled by subjective experiences and very bizarre ones at that. This foolishness is not reconcilable with biblical Christianity which is founded upon truth and doing it (Jn. 8:31-32; 17:17). The clowns who run these circuses pretend to be able to control or turn on and off the very Holy Spirit of God at any time THEY so desire. The LORD is not in control but rather THEY are. Their anthem is that of Satan and all rebels – “Not Thy will but rather MINE be done!” These men are utterly deluded. They pretend to have “faith” to “go up” to Heaven any time they so desire.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Being gullible is a curse, not a blessing – “The simple (gullible, naïve) believeth every word: but the prudent (wise) man looketh well to his going.” (Prov. 14:15)
They say things like “The things of the Spirit cannot be understood by the natural man.” BUT, they refuse to mention that the Holy Spirit will NEVER contradict what He gave us in His written Word – LOGOS (1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Tim. 3:16). These deceivers speak of being moved past the written Word to the “rhema word.” In this they are “beguiling unstable souls” who are not grounded in the LORD via His Word (Col. 2:6-10; 2 Pet. 2:14). The written Word is given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and more authoritative than God the Father’s voice speaking audibly from Heaven (2 Pet. 1:16-21). – “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4)
“Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17
I believe it is highly possible that Bentley is a warlock and so are the other false prophets/apostles who have endorsed him. They are channelers of demons and have converged upon the gullible masses. Listen in these videos to the hideous laughter Bentley and others belch out. It sounds more than human as they laugh mockingly at how gullible people are to buy their bag of goods which they know is empty. This writer believes that this whole movement is a well-organized, premeditated infiltration being perpetrated by warlocks and witches. Some of the witches are out in the audiences channeling demons into those services.
While watching the videos, one will notice that Bentley is always forecasting and planting seeds about other nations to go before him in order to export or project this same demonic revival upon the souls of the people in those nations.
In these false revivals, it’s all about suggestion, posturing, and gimmicks. That’s why he has to say “fire, fire, fire…..” and “angels, angels, angels…” He is building people up into a frenzy and it is working. The power of pyscho-sematic (?) suggestion is one of the tricks he is using. Only those who study and know God’s Word will escape the “MANY false prophets” coming on the scene using Christ’s name to propagate these delusions and falsehoods (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24). Jesus is coming – ready or not!
The story telling clown has gimmick after gimmick that the naive buy wholesale without question….“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”(Rom. 16:18) – the very verse before this tells us that deceivers like Todd Bentley are to be marked/exposed and not followed and supported.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 says:
“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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (stories).”
People who refuse to seek God in His Word to know Him, are being turned over to Bentley’s “fables.” Bentley is anything but a true preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He bears no resemblance of a godly man. This all just brings to focus of what the Holy Spirit forewarned us would be going on in the final days of this age before Christ’s return – people are so void of biblical truth in their personal lives and hearts that deeply hunger and thirst to know Jesus, that they look for something physical and so anyone who says something physical (sign, wonder, dream, vision, story) is happening in their ministry, becomes an overnight sensation.
Notice that Bentley’s endless stream of preposterous stories/fables are not on video – the actual event is never on video – because they never happened. Wake up! Neither are any of the people he claims to have raised from the dead on video. This is why he has to tell the story – because they never happened! How gullible can we be!?
QUESTION: Where in the Bible do we have even the slightest resemblance of kicking someone in the face or God telling a man of God to close line someone? Anyone who refuses to become a Berean believer is going to be led astray and ultimately damned –
“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 17:11)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
They speak of “releasing the glory of God” as if God Almighty is being controlled by them. How arrogant!
The bottom line is that so many people just want to travel to some place and get an impartation of something because they are too lazy to seek God for it themselves. God only anoints those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Disobedient people do not want to obey the LORD by denying themselves, taking up their crosses and following Jesus in a real way daily (Lk. 9:23-24). No, instead they want to go to a false prophet, believing he has an “anointing” to impart to them, not realizing that demons are being released into their lives.
Now, watch these videos below: Could it be that witches and warlocks (knowingly) have descended upon what is called “revival,” since there are so many gullible people willing to jump, shout, hooray, and travel hundreds and even thousands of miles to a sign-seeking thrill? Watch those who are laughing hideously. Seems to me they are laughing AT the naive who have gathered to receive of their lord Satan, captured by their own unwillingness to study, learn, and discern truth from error (1 Jn. 4:1). Where and how is Jesus Christ being glorified through this? Where is this reconcilable with Scripture and the true moving of the LORD? What is the point of just laughing and being intoxicated? Is it not a selfish thing? Where do we see such senseless nonsense in the New Testament Church in the Scriptures? If you are going to defend this, the burden of proof is upon you to produces several Bible references to what is transpiring in Lakeland (2 Cor. 13:2). Where are the changed hearts and lives? Where is the call to repent and lay down one’s life, be water baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost? (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4, 38-39; 19:1-6, etc.). Is sin being exposed? (Isa. 58:1; Lam. 2:14; Acts 3:1-26; Gal. 5:19-21) If there are true signs and wonders, where is the associated preaching of the truth as seen throughout Acts? Where is the fruit of the Holy Spirit being produced, calling and manifesting the love and holiness of God? Where is the witness to the world? (Acts 1:8)
NAR Delusion! Watch the video ordination of Todd Bentley by all the top NAR Warlocks
EXPOSE’ LINKS: Watch these and notice that as in any false revival meeting, the more foolish the stage actor becomes by falling over, acting like an animal, telling preposterous stories, chanting, or laughing hideously, the more the crowd responds positively as if that indicates that God is moving? How absurd! When the LORD moves people to repentance for their wickedness, then you have revival – but not until then. He is “holy, holy, holy.” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8) Also, notice that Bentley and some of the other people have to shake unnaturally to try to make people think that God is somehow working big in their lives – this is more marketing…it is suggestive and is supposed to be proof that THEY are super special, that something is really happening, and those who aren’t moved to shaking aren’t. Don’t be fooled by these gimmick “revivals.”
False Revival
David Wilkerson on this False Revival – http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/i-cant-laugh-when-they-make-the-holy-ghost-look-like-a-fool/
Todd Bentley’s Occultic Tatoos http://www.toddbentley.org/todd-bentley.htm (these tatoos were done recently)
Exposing Todd Bentley: Part 2
Todd Bentley Videos http://www.toddbentley.org/todd-bentley-videos.htm
Wrestle Mania with Todd Bentley!!!
http://earthless.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/todd-bentley-lakeland-revival/#comment-423
Signs and Wonders and the Lakeland Revival – Part 2
Lakeland/Bentley Tribal Dance
The Luminous Vibrating Todd Bentley (more preposterous stories)
Aping the Practices of Pagan Spirituality
In this next video, you will see several name brand, known false prophets getting on the bandwagon since Bentley is now so popular. Was his “commissioning” for his sake or for their advantage to be associated with this and get free publicity? Also, since when do we see a woman in the Bible laying hands on and sending forth a minister? A woman can’t even be an elder (1 Tim. 3:2). Notice that there is no admonition whatsoever. Watch what is spoken over Bentley in these videos. You will notice (from the other warlocks) that the whole thrust of Satan here is to get rid of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and to replace it with something “new” and send it into the nations. Oh this whole movement is not new, it is a continuation of the manifest sons of God movement which began with William Branham and has been continued through false prophets like Benny Hinn, etc. It is “new” only in the sense that the enemy of souls wants to replace God’s Word and the true moving of His Holy Spirit which always brings a revelation of God’s holiness, the need for repentance, salvation, water baptism, the in-filling of the Holy Spirit and discipleship (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1-3, etc.). According to Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so we know His Great Commission hasn’t changed and is still being carried out by those who are true to Him in this last hour. Now watch this foolishness if you must as you keep in mind what the LORD told us was to come in this final time before His return – “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Rev. 12:12) Demonic Manifestation during Todd Bentley’s Apostolic and Prophetic Commissioning
READ EZEKIEL 34 JEREMIAH 23.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA! Todd White and Shawn Bolz – Proven Cold Readers!
Abiding
It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2
“Hated”
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“Ye shall Laugh”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22
“Through much Tribulation”
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
“To Make them White”
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35
“Made white … the wise shall understand”
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
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Articles
7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]
What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?
Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?
1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).
This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).
Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6
2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).
He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).
Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14
3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).
This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).
Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28
4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).
Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).
Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.
5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).
Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.
Application to us: We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)
Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.
Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).
7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).
This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.
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Abiding
Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]
The Cost of Discipleship
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES
By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:
And the fifth:
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12
Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.
If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.
Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:
“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”
“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”
In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36-37
Of this Adam Clarke wrote:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”
Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:
“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES
In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.
As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”
To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15
Jesus Addressed the Excuses
Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).
“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62
Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.
“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28
The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).
Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.
So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).
Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.). 
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7
Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms
Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5
May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5
“Be Not Weary in Well Doing”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68
Discipleship | Enduring to the End | Abiding | The Blessing of Suffering
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