Abiding

What to Look for when Submitting to Elders [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

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

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

Wolves vs True Disciple-Elders

The purpose of elders in Christ’s body is to assist in your growing in Christ and never to use you for their own self-serving agenda to make merchandise of you, to exploit you to build their ministry busine$$. See Philippians 3:18-19 and 2 Peter 2:1-3.

WOLVES tell people to “come back next Sunday. Come to ‘church’ every time the doors are open.” Their goal is repeat customers.

TRUE DISCPLES of Jesus tell people to “Get into God’s Word daily—read, study, memorize, and meditate upon His words—all day every day (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; Luke 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17, etc.). Walk with the Savior, magnify your coming KING (Colossians 2:3-10; 3:1-14). Stay in God’s Word. Repent regularly, confess all sin (Luke 13:3; 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.). Live the life of a true disciple of Jesus daily—a crucified, buried, and raised up life of prayer” (Luke 9:23-24; 14:27, 33; 18:1, etc.).

The desire the true disciple labors for the body of Christ be matured, prepared to minister, and ready for the soon return of Jesus (Ephesians; Colossians). Their prayerful desire is that men would truly serve the LORD fruitfully on His stated terms and conditions – His Word (John 15; 2 Timothy 2).

In Hebrews 13:7 and 17 we see 2 things of great important:

v7 – true elders speak the pure WORD of God to you.

v17 – “they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.” They watch and pray for your eternal soul, instructing you only in the Word and do it in the fear of God, knowing they shall give personal “account” to God for such.

The vast majority of today’s false pastors aspire to build their church busine$$ (2 Peter 2:1-3). Their pray and goal is not that Christ’s saints be rooted, grounded, and established in Christ and equipped for the work of the ministry (Colossians 2:3-19; Ephesians 4:11-12). Getting you to bring your carcass and coin each week is their plan. They are not watching for your eternal soul nor feeding you the pure Word or getting you into it for yourself (John 21:15-17; Hebrews 13:7, 17).

Elders are to protect the flock of God from wolves who come to mislead and extort, and make merchandise of God’s people.

Titus 1:9-14

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Elders are to “preach the word” of God and also to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

“Preaching the Narrow Way is not Legalism, Correction is not Persecution, Warning is not Condemnation, and identifying false teachers is not Slander! But the Devil sure wants you to believe these lies because he wants to destroy you! It’s sad, but most church leaders today spread this kind of thinking and do more to help the Devil than they do to guard the sheep. Hirelings!” Wayne Voss

Leading by Example

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul’s Example of protecting “the flock of God.”

Acts 20:25-32

“And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

God’s Elders are to charge their understudies:

Paul instructed Timothy to:

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELISM, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5

“watch thou in all things,”
“endure afflictions,”
“do the work of an evangelist,”
“make full proof of thy ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:5

Bad things happen when those called to be elders cease from personal evangelism. They are not leading by example in obeying Christ’s Great Commission command.

When’s the last time they led someone to Jesus?

Are you preaching the Gospel to the lost in your daily life?

Elders are ordained obey God “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry.”

God fearing under shepherds equip the LORD’s saints “for the work of the ministry” and not to build their stupid church business (Ephesians 4:11-15). Beware.

They are undergirding your ministering and not just using you to boost their “ministry.” Their whole lives are about Jesus and you – not themselves. Selah.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 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; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-15

“The work of the ministry” in edifying the saints and evangelism.

From this moment forward, may God bless each of His saints to live and and walk in “the mind of Christ.”

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

Something to Own

When the topic of “what’s essential for salvation?”, here’s a verse that takes in the 2 necessities. It’s blessing how Acts 20:21 combines, contains brother repentance (first), then faith. This is a go-to verse for the essentials to be saved right.

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Acts 20:21

Also the 2 R’s of Salvation:

1. Repentance (Luke 13:3).
2. Receive Jesus (John 1:12).

IF you are not being equipped, prepared, and exhorted to evangelize lost souls, to minister to, to pray for Christ’s saints, you are submitted to a wolf (Ephesians 4:11-12). Let’s read this again:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (maturing, equipping) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

Such a wolf is not on Jesus’ mission, he’s on his own mission, doing his own bidding, building his own church busine$$. Jesus came to be upon His “Father’s business” and sent us to do Their mission also – the Great Commission (End of Matthew and Mark, etc).

Devil’s in the pulpits raise money to build their own kingdoms, names, ministries, “church” buildings, etc…. instead of investing that money into the Great Commission.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

JESUS came and died and was raised again from the dead to make no one a good church member. Are you being used, exploited, played by today’s wolves who falsely pose as representative pastors for Christ.

True elders of Christ will have these following earmark characteristics, fruits….

Elders true to the LORD are preaching the blood of His cross and the cross, the crucified life Jesus mandates for your personal life in order to follow Him (Colossians 1:20; Matthew 16:24-25; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 6:14, etc.).
They are feeding Christ’s sheep with HIS pure WORD, the Holy Scriptures (Jeremiah 3:15; John 21:15-17; Hebrews 13:7).
They watch for your soul – and that’s not giving a sermonette on Sunday mornings (Hebrews 13:17).
True elders are maturing and equipping YOU for the WORD of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
They get YOU into God’s Word for yourself, daily (2 Timothy 2;15).

In some cases, the ones arguing to define fellowship as coming to their “church” are the ones who profit from such—when they aren’t even fulfilling the duties of an elder. The fruit of their congregations aren’t living as cross-centered and Bible-based disciples of Jesus who labor daily in the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 2:49, etc.).

The elders laboring in the early church at Jerusalem, equipped the saints who were healthy in Christ. That’s why when persecution broke out in Jerusalem “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

Most church-attending “Christians” today can’t even pass out one Gospel tract weekly and have no conviction of this sin of rebellion—of not obeying Christ’s Great Commission mandate. Why? Obviously they are under false leadership (Isaiah 9:16; Hosea 4:9, etc.).

There are many “elders” vying for your submission. Yet many do not biblically qualify. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

TYPICAL modern church deceit.

Gateway church has HIRED a new hireling wolf who calls his wife the “co-pastor”. (1 Timothy 2:11-12; 3:2)

YOU know when a church is false when their “search committee” looks for the CEO type instead of a real elder who is biblically sound. They are doing nothing but looking to build their church busine$$. They don’t even know about the qualifications for an elder such as 1 Timothy 3 and they don’t care. Counterfeits. And these phony CEO pastors go from one gig to another, scaling upward their earthly career$ and portfolio$ to their own destruction and that of their gullible prey (Luke 6:39). It’s all a big game to them – at the expense of searching souls. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Judgment Day is on the way. Repent now or perish irrevocably in the lake of fire, world without end!

Hebrews 13:7 and 17 give us earmarked characteristics to look for in submitting to elders. 1. They must preach the pure written Word to you (v. 7). 2. They must watch for your soul by prayer, correction, admonitions, exhortations, equipping for the work of the ministry, feedings, etc. (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.).

Never put yourself under an elder or elders who aren’t preaching the Word to you and getting you into it for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; 4:2-4). See Hebrews 13:7.

How is he watching for your soul if he isn’t getting you into God’s Word for yourself and helping you to hear the voice of God via His written Word and Holy Ghost? (Psalms 119:105; John 14:26; 16:13-14, etc.). See Hebrews 13:17.

Also, never place yourself under any man or men who care more about you attending their “church” and submitting to their illegitimate authority than they do about you getting into the Word and bearing the cross daily, and living a life of prayer, every day (Luke 9:23-24).

IF a pastor/preacher is not preaching the crucified life, he is preaching “another gospel” and such proves that he is “accursed” and is not living the cross life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 11:3-5; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:20, etc.). This means he’s one of “the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” (Philippians 3:18-19)

100% there’s no possibility one could be taking up the cross in his own personal life and not being resurrected to preach that cross. Read that again and consider which preachers you know who are preaching the crucified life, the cross Jesus and His holy apostles preached.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

Knowing God is the reason He sent His only begotten Son—to bring us to Himself in a relationship. One of Satan’s tricks is to get the elders to intercept that heart affection worship.

“It has always been about Jesus. Before Christ came to save us from our sins, the Bible was pointing to Jesus. Now after Christ came, we still look to Jesus. It has always been about knowing and trusting in Jesus. Before He came people just did not know His name, but now we do!” Serena Wagner

Christ’s True Ministers are Servants and not Celebrities

Sadly, it’s more than obvious to see that most people in ministry today have over indulged themselves in flattery, in extortion, in exploitation, and in taking advantage with their ministry position. Did our LORD Jesus not warn us of this very thing? They have made themselves celebrities and charlatans instead of servants.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

Living for Jesus in the body of Christ is not in sum total about elders, bishops, or pastors as the “many false prophets” would have you think (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 1 John 4:1). No. Christ’s eternal kingdom is all about Jesus and no other. Elders are ordained of God to help us walk with HIM, to worship and glorify and obey Jesus Christ. Elders are not an end in and of themselves but rather a type of a moon reflecting the light of the sun, the SON. Read John 1; Colossians 1-2; Hebrews 1; Revelation 1.

In short, wolves in sheep’s clothing are those who use their position to elevate and enrich themselves instead of Christ (Matthew 7:15; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Bidding Godspeed (partaking in, endorsing, supporting) to the false church system means being eternally judged, damned with them. See 2 Peter 2:1-3.

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10-11

Seminaries Slammed!| Today’s False Church System

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Abiding

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deuteronomy 4:1-10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of Baal, one source notes:

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

In Ancient Religions

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

In Demonology & Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One writer notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Examples of Phinehas and Jael

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

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

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

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