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Miracles or the Master?

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seenvainly 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 

Like all Latter Rain deceivers, in his pride Todd Bentley believes he can go into the heavenlies and the glory of God anytime he so chooses and get whatsoever he wishes to get. He is simply and plainly “intruding into those things which he hath not seen.” That’s why this is written here – to warn us of people who do such. In other words, he is his own god and in control – in place of the one true God. This is antichrist, which means in place of the real Christ/God. This is a classic example of what the Holy Spirit was warning us about here in Colossians 2 when He warned us all of those who do not uphold Jesus Christ as the only Supreme Ruler and “Head” of His body. He speaks of those who are “intruding into those things which he hath not seen” as they are “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Bentley and many other popular false prophets today are presumptuously venturing into things they know nothing of – if they did they would not dare do such a thing. These men do not fear God. The preposterous stories Todd Bentley tells are things he “hath NOT seen” by the LORD but rather in his own depraved imagination and that which is fueled by devils. He is speaking of visions of his own sinful heart like the false prophets have always done. Jeremiah 23:16 says: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” No true disciple speaks of things on his own (1 Pet. 4:11). In fact, the deceiver is identified by not teaching only from God’s Word (Isa. 8:20). The one who is true to the LORD Jesus comes only from God’s holy Word. He is true to the LORD alone and this is proven in that he refuses to preach any other gospel.

Anytime someone goes beyond what Scripture tells us, he is “intruding into those things which he hath not seen.” (Col. 2:18) Speaking of “intruding into those things which he hath not seen” and being “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” check this out:

Here are a couple of excerpts from Todd Bentley’s 2003 article entitled Angelic Hosts:

    • “So when I need a financial breakthrough I don’t just pray and ask
    • God for my financial breakthrough. I go into intercession and
    • become a partner with the angels by petitioning the Father for the
    • angels that are assigned to getting me money: ‘Father, give me
    • the angels in heaven right now that are assigned to get me money
    • and wealth. And let those angels be released on my behalf. Let
    them go into the four corners of the earth and gather me money.’”

There is no mention of Jesus Christ here in Bentley’s praying. He just partners with angels to get what he wants as he presumptuously intrudes into things he has no true knowledge of because “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) Any person who does things like this openly reveals (as their true fruit) that they do not fear God and therefore do not have His true knowledge and understanding because they do not know Him.

Bentley has figured out what works to create the phenomenon to draw the crowd and yet there are no verifiable miracles and true biblical fruit to validate his claims and the claims of the deceived people who support him. It’s all hype. Though he throws in some Gospel here and there to court those who care, in the overall picture, there is no true divine substance in his meetings. He is what the Bible calls a cloud and wind without rain (void of true divine substance – Prov. 25:14; Jude 12). People support this movement and “revival” because they are wanting something to happen. Because they are looking to man and for a sign, they forfeit relationship with Jesus and in fact, He calls them “evil and adulterous.” (Matt. 12:39) – Jesus said: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” Left without His discernment due to not seeking His face with a whole heart and placing His Word as final authority, these sign-seekers are willing to believe the hoax and further the cause of a false prophet against the LORD Almighty (2 Jn. 7-11). Their faith is not grounded in Jesus so they are left to desire seeing something that will help fill the void only Christ fills in the hearts of those who simply and fully trust Him. Those who know and seek Him are “complete in him.” (Col. 2:10) He is their all sufficiency and supplies their every need and desire – spiritually and otherwise.

Not only are miracles not the sign of a true prophet, God foretold that false prophets would actually utilize lying signs and wonders to deceive those who do not truly love Him and His holy truth (2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 16:14; 19:20). Signs, dreams, miracles, or prophesies, are not proof that a person is a true prophet. The LORD actually foretold us that especially in the last days lying signs and wonders would be performed by those who actually call Him “Lord, Lord”and yet do not know Him and are on their way to hell as they lead others with them (Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 16:14; 19:20). It’s about doctrine and godliness, not signs and wonders (Deut. 13). Jesus is coming and He told us that it is “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” (Matt. 12:39)

Looking to these externals (signs, wonders, dreams, miracles, etc.) is tied with looking to mere men. They become idols of our hearts. If we are going to look to men, look to the apostle Paul, John, and Peter. They were authentically His disciples, filled with His Spirit, honored His holy Word above all else, and walked with Him. The Bible tells us they were “holy men of God.” (2 Pet. 1:20-21) God Himself approved these men as opposed to the many self-proclaimed prophets and self-promoting deceivers on the scene today. Look to Jesus Christ. His Word is final authority (Rom. 3:3-4). Didn’t Jesus tell us that false prophets who come in His holy name would deceive “many”? (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24) Also, did He not foretell that “MANY” who call Him “Lord, Lord” and even use His name in vain to do miracles, prophesy, and do many wonder works, are going to hell? (Matt. 7:21-23)

Do you really know Him? Do you truly desire more of Him? Do you really love and seek His face? Where re the affections of your heart?

We are to be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” (Col. 1:23) Why such a warning if there were no possibility of being “moved away from the hope of the gospel”?Is God a lunatic? Or, was He, as “the great shepherd of the sheep” lovingly warning His sheep/people to beware of the wolves who are sent by their master Satan to move you away from Christ using any method they so choose? (Heb. 13:20)

The whole verse of Colossians 1:23 says: “IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.”

Looking to man is a sin – it is spiritual adultery and idolatry. Looking for signs and wonders reveals that we have an un-redeemed heart and is “evil and adulterous.” (Matt. 12:39)

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22 

God is Calling Us to Get our Feet on the Ground!

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psalms 1:1-4 

It is essential to the believer to be rooted and built up in Christ and this comes from learning of Him and walking daily with Him and not be seeing supposed signs and wonders or getting prophetic words. The book of Colossians establishes His utter and exclusive supremacy as the only Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. God be praised forevermore! This wonderful, marvelous, and monumentally important book of Colossians is especially so vitally important in this late hour as we look for the soon return of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t believe there has ever been a day where the following passage is more pertinent to the saints of Christ:

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 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. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:6-10 

The Christian life is all about being “Rooted and built up in him” – Jesus! Chasing signs and wonders is not consistent with being a disciple of Jesus. Those who truly know Him seek and love Him and walk with Him by faith in victories, testings, chastening, and fruitfulness. They do not abandon the eternal Savior by going to seek after a mere temporal sign.

Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are “complete” (perfectly filled up and supplied) in Christ and not in signs and wonders or miracles.

The Greek word for “spoil” here is sulagōgeō and means to be seduced away from Christ.

Before we close, let’s break down the Colossians 2:18-19 passage we began with:

“Let no man beguile you of your reward” – the reward of eternal life can be forfeited. Just a few verses prior this warning the Holy Spirit issued another warning. He warned us of being spoiled which means robbed of eternal life through philosophy, tradition, etc. Why in the world would God warn us of something if there were no danger of losing out? Are we not warned in the New Testament Scriptures how Esau gave up his very birthright for a temporary bowl of soup? (Heb. 12:14-17)

“in a voluntary humility” – this speaks of self-imposed false humility undergirded by a self-serving agenda.

“and worshipping of angels” – a preoccupation with angels. Involving angels outside of what Scripture reveals and thereby moving the heart affections of God’s people away from Jesus Christ (Col. 3:1-4).

“intruding into those things which he hath not seen” – this is when people tread into places that Scripture does not sanction such as the worshiping of angels and today’s so-called “prophetic” movement, etc. This comes from people who are not rooted and grounded in a relationship with Jesus and therefore use God’s Word for their own personal agenda – to deceive others (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1-5; 2 Pet. 3:16). These beguilers use Scripture with private interpretation in an unsound and out-of-context manner.

“vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” – deception emanates out of a prideful heart that does not put God first and foremost and does not fear the LORD though it sports an outward image of doing so – “form of godliness.”  (2 Tim. 3:5)

“And not holding the Head” – this is the whole crux. The true disciple loves, clings to, studies about, and preaches Jesus Christ. The counterfeit is identified in that he simply emphasizes something (anything) other than the Person of Jesus Christ revealed in Holy Writ.

“from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God” – proper nourishment from Heaven and spiritual growth can only flow to and through believers who are set apart to, upholding, and looking to Jesus Christ and not angels or mere men or any other idol.

It is essential to believe what God has revealed to us about Jesus Christ. We must remain in those fundamental doctrines of Christ or we will lose out in the end. The mission of the enemy is to use one of his many deceivers to move you away from the doctrinal and spiritually pure worship of Jesus Christ our LORD. Examine this next passage closely. 2 John 7-11 says:

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not (does not remain) in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 

Let’s Get Fat!

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” Psalms 92:12-14 

PRAYER to be set apart to the LORD completely: Father in Heaven, I this moment return to You! I repent of seeking to something or another person or angel in place of You. Thank You Jesus for shedding Your sinless blood for me on the cross and rising from the dead to justify me completely. I am complete in You alone. I love You my LORD Jesus and am looking to You and Your soon return. In Jesus’ name Father, Amen!

MORE

“So is God still working miracles today or not, or are you taking a cessationist position?”

ANSWER:

Jesus Christ hasn’t changed (Heb. 13:8). So, we know He still heals and does miracles (Mal. 3:6). Yet He told us repeatedly to TEST all who come in His name and He also warned that “MANY” who prophesy and cast out devils and do many wonderful works don’t know Him (Matt. 7:21-23). “Beloved, believe not every spirit but try (test) the spirits to see whether they are of God, for MANY false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) See Deut. 13. Also, it seems that many times in the book of Acts and in the sequence of Mark 16:15-20, there is FIRST the preaching of God’s Word (to bring forth the greatest miracle – men coming to repentance and being born again), and then miracles. In either case (regardless of what happened first) there WAS ALWAYS THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD at the forefront and as the centerpiece of the work of the kingdom. “Preach the Word…” – and especially in light of the foretold reality that many would turn away their ears from the truth, not enduring sound doctrine, and would be turned to fables (2 Tim. 4:2-4). In His ministry Jesus Himself preached, taught, and did miracles (Matt. 4:23-25). He taught and preached the kingdom of God and then healed and cast out devils, THEN He gave (preached/taught) the “sermon on the mount” which was a long teaching about His kingdom (Matt. 5-7). THEN, immediately following in Matt. 8:1, Jesus heals a leper…wow. LORD, please grant us understanding. Seems like the preaching of God’s kingdom Word and healings, miracles, etc., were intertwined – yet we should remember that the true works of the kingdom are never divorced from the Word of God and communicating it boldly. The point is, that when someone like Todd Bentley gets up and is supposedly doing miracles and signs and doesn’t preach the Word of God, he should immediately be marked for what he is – FALSE (Rom. 16:17-18). There “is NO light” in those who don’t preach God’s Word (Isa. 8:20). In fact, it is the very Word of God that gives the light of God (Ps. 119:105, 130).

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebews 13:8
 
Has Jesus changed? No. Impossible. Did Jesus do miracles while on earth? Yes.
 
Does God still do miracles? YES. Hebrews 13:8. He does miracles and gives prophecy but not fake stuff. The LORD’s works are real, tanglible. They can be proven and not just propped by false ministers (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). God’s miracles are authentic and bring glory to Him and not the mere men (1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Colossians 2:18-19). Lots of frauds pretending to raise the dead and prophesy and do miracles – Jesus foretold this very thing and told us that they’d be cast into hell (Matthew 7:21-23). These are Satan’s counterfeiters and yet, their evil in no way negates the miracle working power of our unchanging LORD Jesus today!
 
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

God the Father answers prayer and does miracles in the name of Jesus and on His perfect merit alone! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Anything added is of Satan in order to draw attention from and steal the glory from Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)

THE NEW “APOSTOLIC REFORMATION” DECEPTION

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you ready to begin retaining the Word in order to mediate upon it and communicate it with others? Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining it? We can help you. This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

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Articles

Soul Sleep Exposed: Where Do We Go When We Die? When do we Go there? [podcast]


Do you realize that upon death, immediately, each soul is instantly translated, transported to their new and eternal place of existence – comfort and joy or hell fire? Instantly each soul is already judged upon death and literally in hell or Heaven now (Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6, 8; Philippians 1:21-23; Hebrews 9:27).

When the Bible speaks of “slept” or “sleep”, it’s speaking of the body, not the eternal soul. For example, the soul sleep cults use verses like 1 Kings 2:10 to attempt to “prove” soul sleep.

“So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.” 1 Kings 2:10

“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,” Acts 2:34

Notice here in Acts 2:34 that it says “David is not ascended into the heavens.”

Primarily this is speaking of Jesus, the son of David and the prophecies Peter is speaking of in this message He’s preaching.

“Act_2:34: Ascended not for is not ascended, A.V. For David, etc. The ascension of Christ is inferred from the previous prophecy, “Thou wilt show me the path of life,” etc.; and is there distinctly proved from Psa_110:1, which Peter (remembering, probably, our Lord’s application of it as recorded in Mat_22:42-45, which he had doubtless heard) shows could not apply to David himself, but only to David’s Lord.” Pulpit

David’s eternal soul is in Heaven now.

“[David is not ascended into the heavens] This refers to David’s body in resurrection, not to his soul and spirit which are in heaven (Heb_12:23; Eph_4:8-10; 2Co_5:8; Php_1:21-24).” Dake

Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 22:11 make it clear that when one dies he goes straight to his eternal destination. Any compromise on this doctrine is evil and constitutes that which seduces the believer towards lasciviousness Jude 3-4. There will be no second chance to repent. Death is final and as one dies so shall he be forever (Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11).

Fact: Only cults teach soul sleep.

Praying for someone who’s already dead is futile. At death, the soul goes to Heaven if the person is a born again Christ or eternally, irrevocably to hell. Read Luke 16:19-31 in the King James Bible. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)

The Word of God tells us that anyone living in sin, upon death, is going to hell, immediately upon death. Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; Ezekiel 33:12-13, etc Those who are born again and abiding in Christ will be with Him immediately upon death (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23). You have to be born again to be in Christ.

To Day Shalt Thou be with Me in Paradise”

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

“To day” this repentant former thief who hung next to Jesus was going to be “in paradise” and not asleep in the grave.

The doctrine of soul sleep is taught by many cults including the Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Roman Catholic version of this antichrist, diabolical lie is their teaching on purgatory (an in-between state where average Catholics supposedly get their sins burned off by fire because the blood of Christ was not good enough to cleanse away those sins). This false teaching (soul sleep) supposes that when people die they go into a state of sleep or nothingness. Yet, the Bible reveals something very different. These false teachings are a diabolical attempt to remove the severe reality of conscious, eternal torment (Mark 9:43-49).

The flames of eternal damnation shall forever feed upon the conscious souls of all rebels. Mark 9:43-49 KJB Are you born again? Go here now and make peace with God before its too late.

Recently I replied to a post that was pushing the soul sleep heresy. Here it is….

REPLY:

Soul sleep is another false teaching taught only by the cults. Beware of those peddling this lie. Luke 16:19-31 makes it more than clear that upon death, the eternal soul of the individual goes to Heaven or hell based upon the spiritual state at the moment of death. Upon death the soul goes straight to Heaven or hell. Heb 9:27; 2 Cor 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23

The righteous who have died, are “under the altar” in Heaven, right now.

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw UNDER THE ALTAR the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” Revelation 6:9

No Sleep, Just Judgment at the Moment of Death

The grave is the “final resting place” of no one. Heaven or hell await – immediately upon drawing one’s last breath on earth. Read Luke 16:19-31 and Hebrews 9:27.

QUESTION RECEIVED:

“Todd where do you believe we go when we die? Why do some preach we go to the grave until Christ returns?”

REPLY:

The Bible tells us we go directly to glory or hell (2 Cor 5:6-8; Phil 1:21-23; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43). It’s false to teach we go to the grave only. Cults teach that. That’s a false teaching that gives us a clue that we are dealing with a cult.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

According to the full-counsel of God’s Word, when a person dies, that soul goes directly, immediately to the destination God has judged them to go.

When someone dies, they are immediately in the place they have merited with God – Heaven or hell. Then, the wicked will be dredged up and will be formerly sentenced. Those not found written in the book of life will be brought before the Throne of God to be terminated or “cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

As a person dies – that is, in the spiritual state they die in – so shall they be for all eternity. There are no second chances.

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11

The apostle Paul taught us that immediately upon death he was going to “be with Christ”:

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” Philippians 1:23

“Philippians 1:23: To depart – Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ – In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.” John Wesley

“Notice that Paul did not believe in any theory of soul-sleep. He believed that the Christian goes to be with Christ at the time of death and that he is in the conscious enjoyment of the presence of the Lord. How ridiculous it would be for him to say, as some do today: “To live is Christ; to sleep is gain.” Or, “To depart and to sleep is far better.” “Sleep” is used in the NT of the believer’s body at the time of death (1Th_4:14), never of his soul. Soul-sleep is a myth. Notice, too, that death is not to be confused with the coming of the Savior. At the time of death, we go to be with Him. At the time of the Rapture, He comes to us.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Remember how the rich man in Luke 16 died and immediately he was in hell?

“the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:22-23 

Read Luke 16:19-31 and you will see that immediately upon death, the wicked and the righteous go to their separate places and are fully conscious. No such thing as soul sleep.

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

We are fully confident that the moment we pass, we breathe our last, we shall “be present with the Lord.”

“2 Corinthians 5:8: Present with the Lord – This demonstrates that the happiness of the saints is not deferred till the resurrection.” John Wesley

“2 Corinthians 5:8:  [to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord] To die and be absent from the body means we go to heaven to be with the Lord (Php_1:21-24; Heb_12:23; Jas_2:26; Rev_6:9-11). This is proof that the inner man does not go to the grave at death, but to heaven if one is righteous. If one is wicked he goes to hell awaiting the resurrection of his body (Luk_16:19-31, notes; Rev_20:11-15).” Dake

On this matter of where the human soul goes immediately upon death, refuting soul sleep, Donald Stamps wrote:

Psalms 16:10 THOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL. ‘Hell’ (Heb. Sheol) here means the grave. A personal relationship with God will give believers confidence in a future life with God and certainty that He will not abandon them to the grave (cf. 73:24-26). The apostles Peter and Paul both applied this verse to Christ and His resurrection (Acts 2:25-31; 13:34-37).

(1) Sheol, found sixty-five times in the O.T., is translated thirty-one times as ‘the grave,’ thirty-one times as ‘hell,’ and three times as ‘the pit.’ When the N.T. quotes these passages, it generally translates it with the Greek word Hades. Some scholars believe Sheol always means the grave, while others think it never has that meaning alone.

(2) In general, the O.T. views Sheol as a place associated with some sort of punishment. (a) When Jacob indicated that he would go to Sheol because of the loss of his son Joseph (Gen. 37:25), he felt he must be under the judgment of God; thus he refused to be comforted. There is no evidence that he sought God further until after he heard Joseph was still alive. (b) David clearly indicated that Sheol was the place where ‘the heathen’ would go (9:17), and Isaiah said that the heathen king Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria, upon his death, would meet in Sheol  the kings he conquered (Is. 14:9-10). (c) There are several passages that indicate the Israelites did not expect to go to Sheol at all at death, but would instead go where they would enjoy the blessings of God’s presence. When David died, for example, he anticipated dwelling in the house of the Lord forever (23:6). Another psalmist believed that God would redeem him from the hand of Sheol and receive him to Himself in heaven (49:15; cf. 73:24-25). And Solomon testified that the wise, God-fearing man goes to the place above, ‘that he may depart from hell beneath’ (Prov. 15:24).” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 820

Of this biblical doctrine, brother Charlie Anthony writes:

“Concerning the time between the believer’s death and his or her bodily resurrection, Scripture teaches the following. (a) At the time of death believers are brought into Christ’s presence. (2 Cor. 5:8 – Phil. 1:23). (b) Believers exist in full consciousness ( Luke 16:19-31) and experience joy at the kindness and love shown by God (Eph. 2:7). Amen!”

But the wicked go straight to the conscious torment of hell immediately upon death (Luke 16:19-31).

Soul sleep is a lie that only cults teach (Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Revelation 6:9).

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Apostasy

Pride and False Prophets [podcast]


“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”  Matthew 24:11

What’s the difference between true and false servants of the LORD?

Jeremiah 23 is essential concerning recognizing the “MANY false prophets” which Jesus foretold would “deceive MANY” in this late hour before His return (Matthew 24:11).

True servants of the LORD stand in the counsel, the WORD of the LORD and not in the evil imaginations, dreams, or visions of their own wicked hearts.

Jeremiah 23
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17  They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18  For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19  Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20  The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21  I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22  But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”

ARE YOU in God’s Word daily or have you backslidden? It’s either one or the other.

True servants of the LORD, as was the case with Paul and Timothy, will get YOU into God’s Word for yourself…

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

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

So both the LORD’s apostle Paul and the apostle Peter instructed believers to get into the Word of God for themselves – to “study” and to “desire” it. Any man pretending to represent Christ and not do this very thing repeatedly is a bona fide wolf in sheep’s clothing, a devil.

Imagine parents who continued to feed their infant and never taught that baby to pick up the spoon and feed themself….  so that child would perpetually be dependent upon someone else feeding them…. in the natural this is unheard of, yet it’s rampant in that which claims to be Christ’s “church.”

Read Jeremiah 23.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:6-10

“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

Pride vs Humility

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) True humility before God first, then men, always wins – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

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“Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden, and I will Give You Rest” [podcast


God is “Holy, holy, holy” and “God is love.” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8, 16; Revelation 4:8)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

Jesus came and died to save us “while we were yet sinners.”

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

The Proof of God’s Love for all Men

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:4-8

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please do Your ever-deepening work in my heart and life. Please imbue my innermost being with your holiness, holy fear, and love. Bless this vessel to be purified, cleansed of all iniquity and falsity, made authentic by You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For a daily dose and feeding of God’s Word, as a component of your study of the LORD, of His Word, the Moments with Our Master 365 daily devotional is available. | STORE

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe 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 PrayerThe 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 BeneathPrayer

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