Which Are You Under?
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
As you may very well know, when we set out to communicate the truth – all of it – without apology, He promised that we will be ousted by those professing to know Christ, namely those in positions of leadership. Jesus was! Paul was! The Jewish prophets were! Anyone who embarks upon going all the way with the LORD will be rejected and falsely accused, attacked and cut off (financially) by the antichrist spirit operating in the organized church world (See Matt. 10:22; Jn. 16:1-3; Matt. 5:10-12, 1 Kings 18:4, etc.).
When we learn true authority, by deduction we will discern false authority.
Always remember that “ALL” authority has been given unto our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ and He only gives it to those who obey Him (Matt. 28:18-20; Jn. 14:21,23; 2 Cor. 10:6; etc.). The unchanging Son of God, in whom “ALL” authority is vested, never grants His divine authority to any person who holds a position of leadership in a corporate setting – unless that individual is abiding fully in Him.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18
How much power/authority has been given to the Son of God? “ALL power.” What/Where is the sphere of this power specifically? “Heaven and in earth.” Where do you live? On “earth?” Are you living in fervent obedience to the Master of the Universe in Whom all authority abides? How much of His power is entrusted into your life at this time?
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20
While on earth, Jesus walked a life flawlessly committed to His Father and purposely did not commit Himself to mere men. Unlimited authority was invested in Him (Jn. 2:24-25; 3:34; 5:30, etc.).
“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” John 3:34-35
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
The early believers met in houses as well as at times in the Jewish temple (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; Philemon 1:3, etc.). When those who held the positions of leadership refused to purge themselves of unbelief, wrong beliefs (false doctrine), sin, and rebelled against the Word, Paul “departed from them, and separated the disciples” (Acts 19:9). Church splits can be a blessing! Beloved, we need not be so naïve as to believe that those who have the positions (hirelings in most cases) are necessarily in the right – correct. When we view life from a Scriptural perspective, we find that throughout Old and New Testament history, in the vast majority of cases, those who held offices in organized religion, were the greatest enemies of Christ – antichrist (Is. 56:10-12; Jer. 23; Ezek. 34; Matt. 23; Phil. 3:17-20, etc.). Is anything different in our day? No.
Jesus spoke a more piercing, furious, potent, and lambasting rebuke to religious authorities than any other class of men (read Matt. 23). It was men who held leadership positions in organized religion who called for the death of Jesus Christ. They did this while believing they were serving God, deceived and not knowing that they had been turned over to a demonic, deluding spirit because they did not love and obey divine truth (Matt. 27:12,18; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).
When looking at history we find that it was when the church (called out remnant) was removed from homes in the 4th century that men were able to begin to come in and mislead, distort, deceive, separate, polarize, and bring blindness to people’s lives. The purity of worship was lost in most cases. The Holy Ghost foretold that this was coming. This is exactly one aspect of what the Holy Spirit was prophetically foretelling and revealing to the apostle Paul when he told the Ephesian elders: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30)
This they were able to do by moving the gatherings to their own buildings, separating people from intimate fellowship in the Word, Holy Spirit, and among themselves. Compare Acts 2:42-47.
It should be no surprise that the Roman Catholic Church, which is an antichrist system, began about that time. No one system has corrupted the Gospel of the grace of God through Christ more than this system which Jesus Christ defined and told us He will destroy in “one hour” (Rev. 17-18).
“And he went into the synagogue (man-organized church), and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:8-12
We see that these believers began to gather “in the school of one Tyrannus.” The whole point of gathering is to worship the LORD Jesus Christ – when this is lost, no matter the physical locale, all is lost. A separate gathering place is not sinful. It only becomes sinful when men rule in lieu of Christ, the Supreme Ruler and Head of His body (Col. 1-2).
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11
“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17
His saints are to diligently and joyfully worship Him alone who is “the Almighty,” the One in Whom “all authority” resides – The Eternal Word, Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:8). Of the divine Person of Jesus Christ, the Book of Revelation states:
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Note in the text we visited above (Acts 19:8-12) that:
V8 – Paul the apostle is an incredible gift to all believers under the New Covenant. He determined to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified (Gal. 6:14; 1 Cor. 2:2). No matter where he was, the apostle Paul spoke “boldly … concerning the kingdom of God.”
In Paul’s ministry, it was all about King Jesus and the “things concerning the kingdom of God,” not men and their religious notions, fame, organizations, denominations, building and curriculum programs and projects.
V9 – In this arena of organized religion, the leaders were “hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude,” so Paul pulled the true believers out of that house of rebellion (Ichabod) and began gathering and teaching in an atmosphere of pure faith in Jesus. Nothing has changed: It is all too common for organized religious leaders today to speak evil of the LORD’s truth and those who are messengers of it.
V10 – For two years the apostle Paul taught and the Word of God reverberated to Asia.
V11 – As He promised, His power followed the preaching of the pure Word – “the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mk. 16:15-20).
V12 – Notice in this verse that there was the power of the LORD Jesus present to bless people as Paul and the other disciples walked unwaveringly in the Spirit and in divine truth. This is the remnant.
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22
Praise the LORD: Take a look at this snapshot of the blessed power from on high that was present in our LORD’s ministry:
“And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” Luke 4:31-44
When we are submitted under the “mighty hand of God” and not the religious props of mere men posing as His authority (wolves in sheep’s clothing), we can be assured that the blessing of His presence and healing power will be present in the midst of the pure worship of His holy saints (1 Pet. 5:6). Jesus is all-powerful. Jesus still heals broken hearts, broken lives, and broken bodies!
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
“O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalms 96:9
When men and women obey the LORD in sincerity and in truth, He promises to purely manifest His power to bless and meet all needs in the midst.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.” Psalms 24:3-6
To find or enjoy an environment of pure worship, there has to first be a cleansing of our own temples – first our own lives, then the gatherings. This ocurrs when we sincerely humble ourselves before the LORD our God our Maker and rend our hearts – tear them open and bare before His holiness (Joel 2:13).
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
It is a diabolical lie to believe that one is right with God while serving mere men. Pleasing God and pleasing men can be two totally different things – and usually is. So many today vainly believe they are in right standing with God while they serve the religions of sinful men.
We are only to submit to men inasmuch as they follow the LORD – according to His Holy Word.
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7,17
We are only to “submit” to God-fearing leaders who speak “unto you the word of God” and “they watch for your souls” in the fear of God and “warn” you to “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” (Heb. 13:7,17; Col. 2:8).
Those leaders who are true and not false “watch for your souls.” They oversee the people of the LORD by “preaching,” “warning,” and “teaching.” This is according to the apostolic pattern (Col. 1:28; 2:8).
So many leaders today want people to submit to them (including giving tithes and offerings) and yet they are not doing what the LORD told them to do. These men do not fear Him nor feed and protect the sheep of His pasture. Incredible! And most people in their audiences do not know the Word of God enough to discern that these men are smiling, charismatic wolves posing as sheep (Matt. 7:15-23). This accounts for much of the devouring doctrines which are rampant in parts of the church world.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23
Isn’t it time that we cease from propping up false authority and begin putting the LORD’s money into true works of Christ that align with the New Testament revelation?
Any leader who does not diligently watch over and protect with truth the saints of the LORD, is clearly identified as false authority according to Holy Scripture. Delivering a nice little sermon and shaking the hands of the people on Sunday morning, does not constitute the biblical model of God-fearing, obedient leadership.
Jeremiah 23 is a landmark chapter dedicated to the exposure of false shepherds among the people of God. This is how it begins:
“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:1-2
Make no mistake: The LORD is “against” these “pastors” who have “scattered” His “flock” and “driven them away, and have not visited them.” He promised to judge these wolves in sheep’s clothing.
False leaders have time and energy to collect tithes and offerings, yet they conveniently find little or no time to dwell among the people and visit them. Amazing! Any leader who is too busy for people, the people Christ came and died for, is too busy and totally deluded.
How long shall we fund the ministries of these wolves?
The LORD is angry with these men who usurp and intercept His worship, but it is only when people support these deceivers that they are able to continue beguiling and ravaging the sheep of His pasture.
Jesus Christ bought us with His very own precious blood – so we could know and worship Him and the Father (Jn. 17:3). Satan’s emissaries, wearing sheep’s clothing, are in our midst, diverting pure worship to themselves or something else other than the LORD – entrenching the affections of men deeper into this fleeting world by building greater and greater buildings, involving them in programs and fostering their allegiance to an organization of mere men. This is idolatry and spiritual adultery. Men are not to usurp, subvert, and intercept the authority invested in and granted by Jesus – “All power.” When such occurs, there is the quenching of His Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).
God is calling us to repent and be broken before Him before it is too late. He loves us. He loves you, and here is the proof of His love:
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
Let’s look at the divine prescription for getting right with the LORD and upholding Christ as the Supreme Authority of our lives and His body. At the beginning and end of His ministry on earth, Jesus cleansed the temple. In doing such He established a memorial of the zeal of God for holiness among His people, namely in having undiluted, unpolluted, pure worship:
“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out (purged, cleansed) all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” Matthew 21:12-17
Note what we see in this important text:
- Purging – “cast out (purged, cleansed) all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves” (v12)
- Prayer – “My house shall be called the house of prayer” (v13)
Power (to heal) – “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them” (v14) - Persecution from Pitiful Pharisees – “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased” (v15)
- Praise – “And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (v16)
- Peace – “And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” (v17)
We see from this biblical model that when there is first purging and prayer, there will then be power, persecution, praise (to God), and divine peace. First we must assure that the LORD Jesus Christ is truly the “Head” of our lives – exalted as the Supreme Authority and not subtly replaced by mere men (Col. 2:8-10, 18-19).
Ready or not – Jesus is Coming.
PRAYER of Consecration: LORD Jesus, I need Your holy grace in submitting fully to Your Lordship. I want to truly and genuinely love and serve You Jesus and be Your unspotted sheep – kept from the lure of the evil one and his false leadership that poses as Your true authority. Thank You my LORD for dying for me and rising again from the dead. Cleanse this temple – my heart, mind and body afresh with Your holy blood. I know You are coming soon LORD and I want to be fully pleasing to You in all things. Right this moment, I ask You to please take over my life completely. Reign upon the throne of my heart. Into Thine hands I commend my spirit. Wash and fill me my Savior. I love You supremely Jesus. Amen.
Abiding
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Dancing on the Defeated Devil’s Grave! Get some! Now!
What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”? (1 Timothy 6:12)
First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over?
What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context.
You have to “fight” to keep these damning sins out of your life – and the way you “fight” is to be rich in giving – otherwise you will have a sand foundation that will not stand in the judgment. You will go to Hell irrevocably. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, throughout. Read this closely:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Wisdom is fellowshipping with those who are on fire for Jesus, who refuse to be lukewarm, who are fighting the good fight of faith, who are finishing their course, who are keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) …. who make you wonder if you are saved. Conviction.
The cross is an absolute essential in the life of every saint of Christ. There will be no overcoming without putting the cross at the center of our daily lives. Paul said:
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Eternal security is the fairytale of counterfeits.
Jesus told us that the cross is “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). It must be daily or you will fall away. No one can truly serve God on any other terms but the ones He has set forth. The cross must be at the center of your life. You must plant, drive that stake in the ground. Your heart and life will never be flooded with His love, peace, power, and joy until you do.
Those who don’t endure to the end after being saved are going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 10:26-39).
Do you truly love God above self and all else? That’s the big question. If you love God supremely, you will give Him the preference in the life He gave you and for which you will give full account to Him.
Do you truly desire the power of God to function in your life? The cross is His way beloved.
YOU, yes you are in a war. The cross is the instrument of your death so that Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” might reign in and through your life (John 11:25). Don’t even think you’re going to conquer devils, principalities, when you haven’t even conquered your own heart, soul, lusts, and life.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Scarcely will we hear a man preach on the cross – the crucified life – which proves he himself is not taking up his cross. And the cross is a non-negotiable essential in the divine economy. Never wait for any other man to take up the cross or preach it. You do it. God holds you 100% responsible to do so – and you will appear before the Almighty to give full account for doing so, or not.
The war is won within – as you push your love upward to God and outward to men. This must be the labor of love deliberately won by fighting, battling through everything that seeks to assume first place in your life, time, your thoughts, your heart, your affections, etc. God only raises up crucified – dead and buried disciples. THAT’s when the victory is won and such a crucified disposition must be diligently procured daily by the cross – knowing that God is only going to raise up the surrendered soul.
Memorize:
“Let us labour (fight) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:11
Treasure that will be Eternally Tremendous or Trouncing
Where your money is proves where your heart is …. Take a look at your bank statement and see where the money is going and also your investments and property. There is where you will see where your heart truly is. Your bank statement will reveal to you who you really are – as in contrast with who you may claim to be. The self-deception will be exposed.
Getting “honest” in your “heart” and life are a required essential to bear fruit unto everlasting life with Christ, the Father, and the saints (Luke 8:15).
Jesus says: “WHERE you treasure (money) is, THERE will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Are you pouring into Christ’s kingdom? If not, what does that actually reveal about your life at this moment? – It reveals that you love this world, you love your life in this world.
Isn’t it time to lose your life in this world?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
Is Christ your Protector or is your money? Remember, you will soon be separated from your money – and stand naked before the Almighty (Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:6-11). What shall you say to Him in that day? Will He declare over you “Well done” or “Depart from me”? Read Matthew 25:40-46.
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
If you are rich toward yourself instead of “rich toward God” – you chose to forsake Christ, even though you were running a lot of religious interference. God sees through it all. Read what Christ taught in Luke 12:15-21 and 16:19-31.
Are the authentic ministries you know of, who feed you and others, well stocked with supply, fuel to function? Do you realize they have monthly bills and have a family to provide for as they have answered God’s call to do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth?
Jesus spoke of those who are and those who aren’t “rich toward God.” Those “rich toward God” have God first and nothing else. Nothing gets spent before Christ’s workers and work are supplied. They make sure Christ’s work and workers are fully fueled. They are the bless-ed Obadiahs and Epaphroditus’ of our day.
Who was Epaphroditus? Well, he was like Obadiah in the days of Elijah and the other true prophets of God. He kept laborers of the Gospel supplied so they could function in the calling of the LORD on their lives.
“Lay up for yourself treasure in Heaven, not things on the earth. Because it will all burn up one day, all will be lost. Can’t take anything of this earth’s wealth with you. Only all you’ve given to God will last. Give as a cheerful giver. Jesus cheerfully gave His life for you. He died for you to save you. Our giving will not out give God. Supporting the work of the Lord is laying up treasures in Heaven. God Bless.” Darlene
Epaphroditus is the New Testament Equivalent to Obadiah
Timothy and Epaphroditus
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
Read Philippians 2:19-30 to discover how this man, this brother in Christ named Epaphroditus, supplied Paul and the ministry of Christ.
WHO was Obadiah in the Days of Ahab and Jezebel?
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
“Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:4). Through his ministers that held high positions within the kingdom of God, the devil “cut off” the supply of finances to those prophets who remained in the truth, refusing to compromise with the system and majority. God-fearing Obadiah secretly supplied these servants of Christ with food and water to sustain their lives. Is there any new thing under the sun? No. In our day, when those few who refuse to compromise are being cut off from financial supply by those who have a stranglehold on the control of 99% of the finances flowing in the church world, we, the remnant, have been called out to be like Obadiah and supply those who remain true to the LORD in serving His people. See 1 Kings 18.
The Most Dangerous and Prevalent Sins?
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
One man of God noted that “More people will be in Hell for covetousness and greed than all other sins combined.” The honest student of Holy Scripture cannot but agree to this. There is a direct connection between your money and the Messiah, your supply and the Savior.
Those not laying up treasure in Heaven (digging their way into Hell) prove such by not being “rich toward God” but are rather rich toward the god of self, who cannot save them from eternal damnation.
“Yes! Amen. Jesus shine your light into my heart and reveal your truth to me. I can hide and not want to know what is in me. Turn up the heat so I will surrender to you what is not of you.” Karen Cochran
Jesus Instructs You to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
At the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul could declare with clear conscience:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Sin must be warded off, must be kept at bay, must be put under foot by the cross, the crucified life. There are not shortcuts. Knowing you are expected to cling to and know and walk with Jesus is one thing – and walking it out is another. Here’s a memory verse:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Those who answer the call of God to do His work forego, waive, give up their own earnings in this passing world in order to obey God by feeding and equipping His precious sheep for whom He died and rose again (John 15:16; 21:15-17; Acts 6:4; 15:26; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). It’s a blessing for us to be able to contribute, to get behind this most important and only eternal work of our LORD transpiring in His earth as His children live in fervent expectation of His glorious and soon return.
“Earth is planning for war.
Heaven is preparing for a wedding.” unknown
This is not our home beloved saints of Christ. NO ONE is going to do His glorious Gospel work except HIS own children – and that’s us!
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Jesus Christ is KING.
YOUR PRAYER OF REPENTANCE: Holy Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ and ask You to forgive my sin of self-idolatry, of spiritual adultery. I have lived in sin, in pride, in self-love and am now turning wholly to Thee my God – asking You to wash me clean, to clear my sin by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Here and now I denounce all covetousness for the trinkets of this world and choose, from this moment forth, to be rich toward You dear LORD – in getting behind and fueling Your Gospel work in the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ – let’s roll Jesus! Amen.
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 | Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and Prayer | The Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast] | The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast] | What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast] | “Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast] | A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast] | Departing from Hell Beneath | Prayer
Apostasy
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
WHAT WAS SATAN’S VERY FIRST LIE?
Who’s ready for a huge, life-changing revelation?
Satan’s First Teaching (below)
IN all of God’s creation, which being/beings know exactly what it means to be kicked out, expelled from God’s presence, kingdom, and blessings? (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-12)
HOW can a man teach Satan’s first lie and NOT be a false teacher? Impossible. Eternal security/once saved always saved is Satan’s first teaching. It was a lie and caused the fall of mankind into sin. See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4 for yourself. Open God’s Word and read these 2 verses together, side-by-side. God said what? Satan then said what? This is essential to your biblical foundation saints.
“Individuals have believed the worst lie unleashed by Satan on humanity when they believe redemption cannot be lost in the temporal realm. It is as the lie the serpent told Eve. The fact is, that the eternal security lie has been largely perpetrated by Calvinism. There are no verses that support it. It is the major reason for the apostasy, and currently the great and final apostasy.” A disciple
“That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” never left the garden of God’s creation and he won’t till Jesus slam dunks him into the bottomless pit (Gen 3; Rev 12; 20). He must be overcome “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) God is able. Satan
Eternal security is Satan’s first lie that cause the fall of mankind and Jude warned us about Satan’s agents today, “ungodly men”, who are “turning the (saving) grace of God into lasciviousness.” (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Jude 3-4)
OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell. OSAS was Satan’s first lie and so it’s blasphemy to teach this doctrine of devils and claim it’s part of the Gospel. You are attributing Satan’s lie to the LORD Jesus. Repent now sinner. See Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 4, etc..
The concept of an un-conditional eternal security is not established in Scripture … Except for it being Satan’s first teaching, His first lie – the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Satan caused the fall of the first man and woman using the “ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). This is the origins of what’s known today as “once saved always saved,” “eternal security,” or “perseverance of the saints.” JUST as Satan did with the first man and woman, as he caused them to fall from divine grace, calvinism is still his doctrine to make men believe they have no personal responsibility to obey God (Matthew 7:21). This robs the fear of God from their hearts and they live in sin, inevitably. Moral cowards absolutely love this system of heresies, where they are told they can just say a little prayer, supposedly get saved, and then go their own way, living any way they choose (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Yet in the end it’s going to catch up with them – irrevocably.
Moral cowards migrate to the “eternal security” heresy because they simply do not want to genuinely repent, to change. They want the crown but not the cross. They vainly believe they are going to use the Savior to get them out of hell yet want nothing to do with a worship-filled, engaged, abiding, fruit-bearing, obedient relationship with the Son of God while on earth. These are the rebel will hear the LORD declare to them “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:4. Read John 15.
ALL who peddle this OSAS/eternal security heresy are teaching Satan’s first lie. Irrefutably. It’s the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie with led to the fall of mankind and is leading to the fall of many today who buy this lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Beware of those who are skilled in the fine art of putting a spin on Holy Scripture instead of taking it at face value and allowing divine truth to speak for itself. Jesus cited the false leaders of His day for doing just that.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
What they do is sacrifice biblical truth to their traditions instead of letting GOD be true and EVERY man a liar (Romans 3:4).
Lots of “ministerial” training today involves teaching the students, the prey, how to not take God at His Word but rather to work it over, to whitewash it in order to cover for and promulgate the heretical tradition. Instead of honestly searching out biblical truth, allowing it to lead, many today have received traditions that are heresies and teach those same lies on others.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
Can you find what Satan added?
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:” Genesis 3:4
This is the very lie that got the first man and woman to fall and kicked out of God’s Garden, presence. Did God change? Did the saving grace of God somehow change His definition of sin? Did the Almighty cease to be “Holy, holy, holy”? (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
“The wages of sin is death” and “Death” in Scripture means separation (Romans 6:23). The wages of sin is still “death.”
James 5:19-20 is a warning.
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20
“Death” means separation.
“save a soul from death” is clearly eternal damnation.
“For this my son was dead (separated from his father), and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:24
“It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:32
OSAS is clearly revealed in Holy Scripture to be the doctrine of Satan and his false teachers (Genesis 2:17>3:4; Jeremiah 23:17; Jude 4, etc.).
THE DOCTRINE OF LASCIVIOUSNESS: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
They “Shall utterly perish in their own corruption”
MOST would rather make a god in their own image, one that overlooks their sins and allows them to live in sin. And by way of “the deceitfulness of sin” and their own hardened hearts, they still vainly believe they are saved and going to Heaven (Hebrews 3:12-14). This is the natural course when people refuse to repent and obey the LORD according to His written Word – on HIS stated terms (John 8:31-32, 47; Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16). Rebels who have a mere “form of godliness” refuse to “endure (hold themselves accountable to) sound doctrine” and so migrate to false teachers who tickle their ears (2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:2-4). This is exactly why the OSAS/eternal security teaching prospers as do the frauds who teach it. It’s a money-maker and an integral part of their business plan – their church busin$$. All of this is a sign of the final days. Read 2 Timothy 3-4 saints. Jesus is coming. Hallelujah! We will do things GOD’s way or we shall perish in our own corruption (Matthew 7:21). Of apostates, Peter writes:
“But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” 2 Peter 2:12
and just a few verses later …
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
“Sealed”? Are you sure?
OSAS (once saved always saved) / eternal security …. is a heresy, a doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 3-4, etc.).
“Sealed” simply means stamped and cannot possibly be indelible, unforfeitable because the same word “sealed” in Ephesians and 2 Corinthians is the same Greek word in Matthew 27:66 where Jesus’ tomb was UN-sealed when He raised from the dead. Case closed.
Jesus gave conditions for His blessings including the promise of having the Father keep you…. you must hear His voice – present tense – and follow Him or those promises are not yours – John 10:27-29. Context. Condition.
Just a few chapters later Jesus teaches that all who are in Him who do not abide (continue) with Him, will be cast into the fires of hell (John 15:6).
Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?
Support | STORE | | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSAS | Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed? | The Return of Christ | Support | Lie of the Ages [podcast] | 10 Questions about Eternal Security | Is Salvation Eternal? | The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast] | The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast]
Abiding
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
“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 answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Apostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the Word | Wolves Exposed | Giving | Fellowship | Christology = the Study of Christ
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR [podcast]
The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]
Tozer: The Cross
The Lying Vanity of “Eternal Security” [podcast]
WHAT’S On Jesus’ Prayer List? [podcast]
Rejecting the Swine: Swine Among Us! [podcast]
Mexico Ministry Update Part 30 [podcast]
The Lying Vanity of “Eternal Security” Busted and Exposed
5 Loaves, 2 Fishes, and 12 Baskets Left Over [podcast]
5 Loaves 2 Fishes and 12 baskets Left Over
The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]
Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]
Rejecting the Swine: Swine Among Us! [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” [podcast]
The Lying Vanity of “Eternal Security” [podcast]
WHAT’S On Jesus’ Prayer List? [podcast]
Tozer: The Cross
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
“THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED” [podcast]
The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]
“The Cross”
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
-
America9 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved