Pornography Study Facts
A new secular study has been released that reveals the abrasive truths of pornography: http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09K57.pdf
A few facts from this report:
Men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity.
Prolonged consumption of pornography by men produces stronger notions of women as commodities or as “sex objects.”
Pornography engenders greater sexual permissiveness, which in turn leads to a greater risk of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. These, in turn, lead to still more weaknesses and debilities.
Child-sex offenders are more likely to view pornography regularly or to be involved in its distribution.
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A lady, a few months ago, told me her husband counsels many pastors in the Boise, Idaho area and they are into pornography. Why these men are still in the pulpit is beyond me. They should not be allowed in the church until they fully repent in true deep sadness and reveal total hatred toward the sin. A pastor must be above reproach in every way.
Today’s churches allow every evil thing in the door in the name of tolerance. The sexually deviant should not even be allowed in the doors of fellowships. Christians are not allowed to associate with those who call themselves believers and are sexually immoral; 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 6:9.
Many in our churches are addicted to the sinful, bodily revealing vise of pornography. Most anything is endorsed in our fellowships because many leaders are into pornography and rock music. I believe immodesty and sexual moves, often seen in churches, are motivated by the present rock music and the indecent things set before the eyes of church attendees.
These facts certainly pose the question, “How many pastors and congregational members have been actually washed in the saving blood of the Lamb.” The pastors who have opposed me for not being pornography-tolerant, have been deceitful Calvinists and I would never confirm their salvation. When you follow a man instead of a holy God, you can justify anything and engage in everything until you are caught.
God never lies nor His Word. We are to walk in holy uprightness and not allow the world and its immodest and impure ways to stain us. We are called to be a peculiar people, not fashioned by those who endorse this world. We are commanded to come out to be separated, being consecrated unto God alone and His callings for us. If we are true believers, we will seek after the holy, pure, and modest. We will separate from any cultural questionable way. We will hunger and thirst for the Word of God and strive to obey it. It is holy, inerrant, immutable, and never changes. The true God of Scripture is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He will not revise Himself to please a postmodern sensual church society.
Val Lee (1 John 5:10-13—the Bible) http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/
Revelation Chapters 1-10 Explained
The Throne of God is countless years
beyond our little earth
“The heavens and highest heavens cannot contain Him,” 2 Chronicles 6:18. And the earth is His footstool; Isaiah 66:1
Revelation’s Seven Churches
Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
John, the loving apostle of Christ, scribed Revelation. He also penned the book of John, and 1-3 letters of John. He was our Lord’s appointed secretary; recording future events in exactness as they frightfully unfolded before him.
At the time of the vision, he was on the island of Patmos for his witness of Christ; Rev. 1:9. Obviously, outrage at the Gospel message provoked the godless to seek his silence. The unsaved also sought the silence of his blood brother, James, for his witness whereby he was killed by a sword; Acts 12:2. In the Gospels, John and James were called the sons of thunder. Their father was Zebedee (I assume he was not the quiet man). Their mother made herself famous by making a request of Jesus. She selfishly asked that her sons have the right to sit on each side of Him on His throne in His coming kingdom; Matthew 20:20-23.
Satan assigned Roman Emperor Domitian in 95 AD to the task of ending John’s witness proclamation. Not fearing what man could do kept John proclaiming his Savior everywhere. John kept preaching until that fateful day when Domition imprisoned him on the rocky side of the island of Patmos. God’s Word was still unveiled as His omnipotent will prevails even in isolated seclusion. The chains of silence held no victory as Christ reigns over all hindering circumstances implemented by vile mankind.
Such victory grandeur can even be witnessed today as I read of a pastor who was placed in a dungeon chamber 30 feet below the earth and who was repeatedly tortured for his Gospel message. He saw his witness now in defeat. However, he would preach to himself loudly and daily in that isolated cell. Unbenounced to him, prisoners and staff were listening. He gained a reputation as the “Hallelujah Pastor” in all the penitentiaries in Romania. Not until later, did he learn that his voice had been pulsating to so many. You see, God’s will prevails.
Patmos
Revelation 1:9
Patmos, a horseshoe shaped island, holds magnificent scenery and bears white crags (steep sharp rocks) of the shoreline and beauty of the open ocean. The island is about 8 miles long and 5 miles wide, and has 40 miles of shoreline. It is a rock or petra which seems to be floating on the surface of the sea and at the same time appears massive and impressive! The west coast is very rocky and windy and has only a few accessible beaches. The most beautiful beaches of Patmos are scattered on its eastern coast.
Patmos is 140 miles from Athens, which takes about 10 hours by ferry. It holds 3000 inhabitants, with 3 schools for about 300 children. It is 163 miles from Piraeus. It is volcanic and rocky with little rainfall. It is very barren producing very little grain, but abounding in partridges, quails, turtles, pigeons, snipes, and rabbits.
From the 6th to the 9th century, Patmos was raided by pirates. Then was under Turkish dominion from 1523-1912, then Italian, later a part of Greece in 1948.
Patmos is in the route between Rome and Ephesus. Christians were persecuted in Ephesus by the Roman emperor Domitian. Domitian’s prisoners were compelled to work in the mines of Patmos. John was exiled to Patmos during this time of persecution—95 A.D. The new emperor Neva gave John permission to return to Ephesus and allowed the continuation of his ministry. John died in 104 A.D. at the age of 99 and was buried in Ephesus.
John was released when Emperor Neva replaced Domitian. Neva believed in religious freedom and withdrew John from the island of Patmos.
John continued in ministry until he departed to be with his most glorious and holy Savior in 99 AD.
I personally believe John had been the overseer, head elder, of these seven churches addressed. Five of the seven churches were compromising and this was possibly due to John’s lost influence. Perhaps he had been the glue that made them secure in their faith; his powerful preaching keeping these believers on task until his arrest.
The seven churches were in close proximity but all were differing in personality. John was not far from these churches to which his seven letters were delivered. Patmos is 40 miles from Ephesus, which received the first letter. God provided an unafraid messenger to do His bidding in delivery of the correspondence though how performed in this prison setting would all be speculation. Perhaps John was allowed visitors.
God does care about all His churches, which has resulted in us still owning the seven letters today for our edification and warning.
From the study of Revelation chapters 2-3, and all scriptures concerning the church and its calling, we recognize apostasy is very present today as it was back then. The same actions that Christ reproved through these letters appear in various forms in the contemporary church.
Many books are available and there have been movies produced to interpret the settings in Revelation. I personally would not want to be in the shoes of those who have written fantasy tales in the name of explaining Revelation. Some of the books hold a Hollywood heroism type mentality. I have been sickened by the godless and carnal presentations of God’s children who are out to kill the antichrist and who portray a Star Wars mentality.
These entertaining books are far different from the words of our Lord and what He has ordained for this vile sinful earth filled with vile rebellious people. God states in the end of Revelation, 22:18-20, that if anyone adds to the book or subtracts he will receive the plagues written in the book. God will also take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city. A friend told me yesterday that her friend knows one of the authors of these so-called Christian Revelation revealing books and his life is very sinful and wicked. His life is a mess and she wouldn’t want to be in his shoes for anything.
There are also apostate in-vogue analyses of Revelation that attempt to discredit the book. One main prominent philosophy is the Preterist view. R. C. Sproll is a Partial Preterist and his son, a total Preterist. We need to be aware of this heresy as it is prominent in Christianity today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preterism
Heresy Pretertistim in the Church:
At a previous church I was shocked to find our pastor believed in the Preterist view of Revelation that proclaims all prophecies have already unfolded. Preterists believe that the holocaustic prophecies of Revelation and elsewhere uncovered, occurred in 70 AD when Titus of Rome destroyed Jerusalem.
Most preterists believe the following:
1. Nero was the Antichrist. There will be no future individual Antichrist.
2. The Tribulation Period is already over. It occurred when the Roman army under Titus besieged Jerusalem in AD 66-70.
3. Christ “returned” in the clouds in AD 70 to witness the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army.
4. God replaced Old Testament Israel with the Church. Therefore, all the biblical promises to Israel belong to the Church.
5. Armageddon already happened in AD 70. The fall of “Babylon” refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
6. Satan is already bound in the abyss and cannot hinder the spread of the Gospel. Revelation 20 has already been fulfilled.
7. We are already in the Millennium, but it is not literal. Some preterists equate the entire Church Age as the Millennium. The 1,000 years are not literal but figurative, even though they are mentioned six times in Revelation 19-20.
Revelation reveals God’s wrath is to fall upon the whole earth, not just on a certain local. Many Calvinists are Preterists as they believe the church has replaced Israel and the apocalypse concerning them has been deleted from the prophetical picture.
People have to be blind to believe this nonsense. I did discuss this with this pastor and he may have changed his mind a bit, as I quoted many verses that totally reveal the folly of such a view. However, because God has delayed the forecast of the future, many are turning to this heretical teaching.
Eschatology facts to refute the Preterist view:
70 AD is the key date of the Preterists. This is when they believe all future events transpired. This is when Titus of Rome came and destroyed Jerusalem. This view is totally out of sync with the scriptures.
The Tribulation is going to devastate the whole earth, not just Jerusalem. Whenever you read scripture concerning the tribulation, it says the whole earth! Please Read Revelation chapters 6-9 and 16. A third of the earth will be destroyed holding mankind, animal life and vegetation. 100 pound hailstones will fall from heaven. Tremendous hail fell during the time of Joshua as recorded in Joshua 10:11; but this will be shockingly worse. God is a literalist. Nothing witnessed in the past compares to what is to unravel.
When it comes to the Jerusalem temple, it will be present during eschatological times. Various scriptures reveal that there will be an earthly and heavenly temple. In Acts it states the earthly temple will be rebuilt from its foundation; 5:16f. Ezekiel speaks of the future Jerusalem temple before the Millennium as well. We know Ezekiel could not be speaking of the heavenly temple as the priests can only marry virgins or widows of priests. There is no marriage in heaven as Christ proclaimed; Mark 12:18-25. Ezekiel also makes it clear that everyone in Jerusalem will be murdered except for the 144,000 male virgin Jews taken from each tribe (the 144,000 are expanded upon in Revelation chapters 7 & 14). Everyone dies except those with the mark or seal—the 144,000. The 144,000 are secured because they “sigh and groan over all the abominations” which are in Jerusalem. They will hate all the sin and mourn over it resulting in the protective sealing by God. All those without The Mark die in Jerusalem in the tribulation; see Ezekiel chapter 9. This includes men, women, children and the elderly.
I have also read of the Great Tribulation in Jeremiah and various other places in scripture; nothing in history resembles what is to come.
There will be earthquakes upon the whole earth as never before and incomprehensible acts of our furious God. It is God’s judgment on the whole earth, just read Revelation!! It affects all the kingdoms of the earth!
Search for the truth dear friends!
Revelation chapter 1 overview
These are things that will “soon take place;” this is according to God’s timetable not men’s. We see in verse 1, all that is revealed in Revelation was communicated to John, an apostle of Christ, who viewed himself as sustaining no elevated position. He was simply a slave who had personally, under no taskmaster compulsion, chosen to serve his master—Jesus Christ. He held no divided interests; his eyes were only set on his Master.
The time is near, verse 3, so all believers must sit up and take heed to all the teachings presented in this book.
Verse 5 is the Gospel message in short summary. Christ is revealed here as God and ruler of the kings of the earth. It is He who “loves us and released us from our sins by His blood.”
Verse 7 is prophecy from Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 12:10-14. This concerns Christ’s millennial return as well as the mourning of those who pierced him. All the people who have ever lived will cry in anguish because they rejected the Messiah. Zechariah penned the Old Testament prophecy concerning Christ’s piercing and the Revelation tribulation mourning around 500 years before He was actually pierced with the sword that confirmed His death passing. You must read this passage in Zechariah as it enlightens our eyes more to how great the sadness will be for those who rejected Christ; though Zechariah just deals with the Jews in this regard. God’s Word is perfectly woven together by its Author, who is the perfector of our faith. A good deal of the New Testament is composed of Old Testament quotations.
We recognize from chapter one that there is no way one cannot see that Jesus is God. He is the Alpha and Omega; verse 8. He is the one clothed in a modest kingly robe reaching to His feet. He has white hair and His eyes are like the flame of fire, and a sharp two edged sword extends from his mouth; verses 13-17. He is the ancient of days as also seen in Daniel 7:9-10. I cannot say too much concerning these verses that are bursting with the omnipotence of our God and Savior. It is all about Him!
Traveling a bit further, we witness John falling like a dead man before Christ and no wonder especially after seeing the slicing sword stretching from His mouth—which holds the voice of many waters.
This is not a modern contemporary Christ who will be everybody’s buddy. This is the Christ that one falls before in a dead-like state of fear. We are all called to tremble and fear before Him as we work out our salvation; Philippians 2:12. Revelation provides the true photo of Him who is to be feared above all else.
The heaven of Revelation is not a contemporary heaven filled with rock music playing everywhere being performed by all the top Christian rock groups. It will not be filled with Christian comedians whereby everyone is going about laughing at all the fun jokes. You cannot help but see as you read Revelation and all of Scripture that trendy American Christianity holds no place before our holy, wise and undefiled reigning LORD.
Verse 20 is one key in understanding the book. It must be marked in reference as it exposes the mystery of veiled events so they can be puzzled together. We learn here that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden lampstands are the seven churches. When Christ states He will remove the lampstand, He means the church for its lack of compliance to His Word. I have seen two churches removed when pastors fell into sin. I have witnessed church lamps diminish through transgression until faithful overseers revived them again.
It is believed that there were Jewish Christians set amongst these seven churches who had fled Israel following its devastation by Titus of Rome in 70 AD. Revelation was penned in 95. It wasn’t until the end of WWII that Jews began to reinhabit Israel.
Revelation chapter 2 overview
Letter to the believers in Ephesus:
In verse 1, we see John is assigned to write the good and the bad of this church so it can be uplifted and reproved through this letter. It is the hope of God that it repent and remain.
Christ lets it be known that He finds some favorable things in this church. First, that it does not tolerate false teachers who come in sheep’s clothing, feigning to be of the true faith, calling themselves apostles. The Ephesus believers tested those who tried to enter in the door of the church and if they were found to hold any beliefs contrary to scripture, they were shut out. How churches could learn from this example when everyone today is welcome to come and participate. The heresy teaching prevails “As long as they are in church that is all that matters.” This is all-contrary to the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 5:9-12 tells us not to associate with immoral people who call themselves believers. We do not associate with any Christian who is covetous, an idolater, reviler, drunkard or swindler—we don’t even eat with such ones!
2 John 2:6-11 teaches us we are not even to greet those who are not abiding in the commandments of Christ who come to church; we are not to let them in the door. 2 Thessalonians teaches we are not to associate with those who are not abiding in the apostles taught traditions and commands.
The Ephesus church was walking correctly in many avenues, but Christ was going to bring judgment. We all can ask ourselves “why.” This church seems superior to most churches today.
Christ was going to remove this church because it had lost its first love. This church did not love Christ with all its heart, soul and might as commanded from the beginning. This is the greatest commandment as stated by Christ and it was first delivered in Deuteronomy 6:5.
Christ called for the Ephesians to repent and we certainly trust they did as their witness was significantly needed within this pagan Roman Empire.
Letter to believers in Smyrna:
This church is the persecuted church. We do not grasp such a concept easily, as we live in a free country. The persecuted believers in oppressed nations can easily relate to the Smyrna church. We must always be consistently praying for our brothers and sisters in nations of oppression, as they are often times beaten, raped, imprisoned, and murdered for their faith.
This was an exceptional church due to its impoverishment and persecution. It had to rely on Christ and Christ alone for its sustenance and encouragement. It is a good thing when we have only Christ to run to, as He becomes our all and all. If we live in a styling society full of worldly entertainment and amusements, it is easy to put Christ second and the ways and things of culture first. However, we are commanded not to become entangled with those things adored by the unsaved population nor imitate them. Yes, satan makes everything fleshly-appealing but we are called to separate from them. If we do not, Christ will discipline as witnessed all so clearly in Revelation.
The believers of Smyrna had not lost their first love; they loved Christ unto death. Christ tells them in this letter that they will be tested and persecuted for ten days and that they were to be faithful until death so they would reap the crown of life. If these believers stayed faithful, they would not be hurt by the second death, which is eternal fire, as we know from Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15; especial verse 14.
Letter to the believers in Pergamum:
Christ is revealed with His two edged sword in verse 12; this vivifies His wrath and anger over sin in the believer’s life. This is to cause us to fear and tremble before Him; Philippians 2:12 and 1 Chronicles 16:30.
Pergamaum was a great city—a styling city of commerce, entertainment, religion, advanced medicine, sexual promiscuity…you just name it. If you wanted anything, it was here. This was a vacation spot of the world adjacent to the Aegean Sea. There was no better place to rock and roll…It was grooving. It was like a New York City. That is why it states in 2:13, that this is “where satan’s throne is.” The saints who resided here were under tremendous continuous temptation. Sound familiar?
In the Pergamum church there had been only one believer who had been faithful unto death—Antipas. He was Christ’s martyr. He was dedicated to Christ as His witness. Christ states only good concerning Antipas. We certainly desire that Christ view us in every positive way. Antipas is a Greek name meaning “against all.” He certainly was true to his name as he stood for Christ against a satanic culture.
Christ had certain things “against” this church. They held to the teachings of Balaam and Balak. You can read of these characters in Numbers chapters 22-25. You may remember Balaam’s donkey spoke and rebuked him in his folly. Balaam was a false prophet for hire and Balak was the king of Moab, an idolatrous nation that wanted to annihilate the nation of Israel. Balak tried to hire Balaam to bring about an end to the Jews, but God would not allow it.
Balaam loved money and would do just about anything to get it as a religious man. He even attempted to curse the children of God.
Balaam and his clones:
Balaam held the scent of greed wherever he trod. He can represent many today who use gimmickry so people will give to their cause in the name of false Christianity. Balaams are everywhere present in Christianity and they seem to be growing in number. Many televangelists are Balaams.
Balaams are people who serve God expecting substantial financial rewards. These types of pastors love large collection plates filled to the brim and thousands in their congregation to adore them because they have put their church on the map of success. There are pastors who will refuse to oversee a church unless the price is right and the price has to be significantly right. Balaams are in Christianity for what they can get not what they can give. These preachers will not engage in visitation as it is no longer in style in the pastorate role as it is a humbling chore.
Balaam and Balak (the king of Moab) were both immoral in intent. They coveted the Jews destruction. When this proved unobtainable, they desired to own the Jews so they would follow after false religious teachings and engage in sexual promiscuity of pagan kind.
Balak was not being successful in getting the Hebrews, God’s children, to stumble so he determined if they couldn’t beat them then they should get them to join them. Balaam and Balak instigated a plan whereby they would introduce the men of God to the lovely Moabite women, whereby they would intermarry with the pagan Moabites.
Balaam and Balak succeeded to a degree because many desired to follow their immoral religion of fleshly delights. In Numbers chapter 25, the sexually immoral daughters of Moab became triumphant in their persuasions of idol worship and sex, whereby the Jews followed and God’s judgment fell.
Balaam sounded very godly and even prophesied in the name of God. He was a powerful preacher who knew about God and His Word. Judas knew about God and performed miracles and preached with the other disciples, but he was a Balaam, following Christ for fortune. Judas, do doubt, reveled in everyone looking up to him as a miracle-performing preacher. He, though very religious in appearance, wanted everyone putting money in the collection box for the poor so he could steal its contents when no one was looking. He desired to be its greatest benefactor. He spoke flowery words that sounded so sincere when making a plea for the poor, but it all held ulterior motives. None of the disciples even suspected his heart of black wool as his sheep’s clothing costume of white wool was so sincere.
Beware of the Balaam dogs in religion—see Jude verses 11-16 and 2 Peter chapter 2, especially verse 12.
On top of following the immoral ways of Balaam and Balak, the Pergamum church also held to the false teachings of the Nicolaitans, which the Ephesians refused to follow. No one knows what these teachings were, but looking at verses 14-15, it probably combined Christianity with some sort of idol worship and immorality. It was a religion that most likely permitted license to some degree so they could blend in with culture. This church, though close to Smyrna, did not seem to be suffering the same arriving deadly fate…perhaps due to their compromising worldly compliance.
They were faithful in not denying Christ’s name even though they were under a tyrant Roman dictator who hated the Savior; verse 13. It does appear there was some suffering for not denying Christ but no death bell seems to be tolling nor closing of cell doors.
God’s judgment is going to fall on Pergamum believers if they don’t turn from their wicked ways of sinful sporting delights.
For those who refused to follow the false ways in this church, Christ had reserved a white stone (white represents purity in scripture) with a new name written on it.
Letter to believers in Thyatira:
This letter also commences with Christ positioned as a revengeful God as He is displayed having eyes like a flame of fire. His feet proclaim supremacy being of burnished bronze which spells fiery refining. This is a frightful way to start a piece of correspondence!
Christ is always swift to reveal a church’s good deeds before launching into their shortcomings. This church seems all on-fire for Christ as it is engaging in good deeds of love and faith. It is persevering and even increasing in these areas.
It is hard to understand since sexual impurity is present in this church; verses 20-23. How can they coexist? Well, it appears from verse 24 that there are innocent parties present who are faithful and pure—blameless in the ways of evil. They, without a doubt, hated those things indecently performed and let it be known. Ephesians 5:11-12 commands us to expose the evil ways of darkness as we are not even to speak of the intimate details of vile activity. We are to hate it. Jude verse 23 states, we are even to hate the garment polluted by the flesh. We are to hate every immoral way and never enjoy it. We must never deliberately place anything but innocence before our eyes and ears.
Despite what society proclaims, the Bible does not justify sinful tolerance. Christ condemns this church as it is being tolerant of a woman who is called Jezebel. Not her actual name, but that which represents her character. She is a replica to a degree of Jezebel revealed in 1 and 2 Kings, who was a false teacher and murdered true believers.
The Jezebel of Thyatira was an immoral sexy woman who allured the saints into acts of impurity and false religious beliefs. She, like the Jezebel of the Old Testament, set religious heresies before God’s people. She too was following the paths imbedded by idolatrous Balaam.
Death by disease was the fate of Jezebel’s children if she did not repent. Jezebel herself was destined for a bed of tribulation sickness where she would languish in excruciating pain.
The death fate was pronounced upon Jezebel of the Old Testament for her unrepentant sins—2 Kings 9:30-37 and on her sons—2 Kings 10:7. She tried to avoid what God had preordained for her. When God’s henchmen arrived, she tried to set before them a beautiful alluring woman. She caked on the eye make-up to divert them away from their calling. But no glittering Hollywood-like woman was going to stop them from fulfilling what the LORD had preordained. They threw her out a window, God’s fateful doom—“the dogs will eat Jezebel’s flesh.”
We do hope Christ’s painful wrath did not descend upon this alluring Jezebel of Thyatira. Christ was providing the time for her to repent and we trust she took the opportunity and all who followed her fleshly exciting behavior that always leads to the path of death; Proverbs chapters 6 & 7—especially 6:32 and 7:22-23. We hope and imagine that she became a woman of bashful behavior and modest dress.
Many believers today need to repent as they put Jezebels before their eyes continually. They indulge in the productions of sensual Hollywood filled with women who employ the most skilled make-up artists to paint them and seamstresses who create the most fancy-fitted seductive clothing to sell sexual pleasantries on the screen. Partaking in Jezebel’s mentality in any way is an abomination to Christ. Our minds and eyes are to be centered on the righteous ways of our holy, innocent, undefiled Lord.
Christ hates all sin in the church. He made this clear when he murdered Ananias and Sapphira for lying and deception. This same God still is overseeing the church and bringing judgment for compromise. We recognize through these churches that the slightest deviancy from His Word induces His sword of wrath. Verse 23 informs us that Christ disciplines the church and those within according to their deeds. We all reap what we sow and Christ makes sure this is so.
Lofty promises are provided to those in Thyatira who stay true to their Savior. He will grant them exalted rule over the nations in the millennial period. They will enforce Christ’s iron rod for obedience.
Verse 29 tells us we need to take great heed to all that is being stated in warning to these churches.
Letter to believers in Sardis:
All the letters to the churches were addressed to an overseeing angel that was set above each fellowship through God’s orchestration. This is declared in the first verse of each letter. We are commanded to respect angelic authority as we see in Jude, 2 Peter, and many other sections in scripture.
John is the secretary that is scripting physically the words of Christ. Each letter also came from the angels that were over each fellowship and from Christ, Himself; Revelation 1:5. We also know a male human messenger delivered the letters. He took them from John’s hand as John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his forthright fearless preaching of the Gospel.
Another text that reveals the importance of respecting angels who oversee the churches is 1 Corinthians chapter 11. This passage commands women who are praying or prophesying (telling forth God’s Word) to don a covering on their heads for the angels who observe the assembling of believers. By researching the Greek, you can accurately decipher the word “angels” found in this passage, is referring to God’s angelic army in heaven.
Women are also charged to have long hair in this Corinthian passage. God has devised distinctions between the sexes and one is through men wearing their hair short and women wearing it long. A woman’s locks are her crowning glory and a modest covering. Having a covering on the head marks her out more in her feminine portrayal that angels are attentive to. It also symbolizes her submissive heart to her husband.
Revelation 3:2 refers to Christ’s authority, as He possesses the seven spirits and seven stars. We know from 1:20 that the seven stars are the seven spirits who are the overseeing angels of the seven churches.
We also note in 3:2 that other fellowships believe this church is alive in the faith; however, Christ, who is the true discerner of hearts, announces, this church is dead. He knows their deeds and actions and He is the one who determines which churches are truly obeying Him in all Scriptural matters. It is not a determination by man’s assessment in any way, shape or form.
This is a warning letter to tell these Sardis believers to get about the business of their church, which is dying. It is almost time to pick out their tombstone; their living light is almost extinguished.
Most likely, unbiblical agendas had entered the doors of the church; perhaps the agendas of local society, which had deviated folk from commanded scripture. They set those things they were to be about on a back burner and the essentials had been left and forgotten.
Christ sees all and knows all; including what we have forsaken in the way of obedience. He is omniscient and nothing is hidden from His all-seeing eyes.
The church is responsible to be performing all that is commanded for it, which includes the work of the ministry. All the saints are to be equipped by the church for Christian service and Ephesians chapter 4 speaks to that fact. Christians are to be engaging in the work of ministry—discipleship, evangelism, teaching, etc. They are to be exercising their Biblical gifts in love; and are to be growing in the knowledge of God through comprehensive Bible teaching and the example set by leadership—in every scriptural designated area.
The books of Timothy and Titus instruct concerning the qualifications for church leadership and its functioning calling. (Alan and I enjoy supporting Thru the Bible ministries as Dr. J. Vernon McGee taught comprehensively through the Bible. Though he has gone to be with the Lord, his programs are still aired. All TTB producers meet the godly requirements of leadership listed in Timothy and Titus. My husband and I rejoice in such obedience.)
Every New Testament epistle is presented so every church develops into all that is commanded by the Savior. Christ calls for the Sardis church to repent and this would include all churches that fall short today as well. Christ warns He is coming like a thief to judge and no one will have an idea as to His arrival time.
One of Christ’s attributes is that of a thief, who arrives unawares. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, we read that Christ is coming like a thief to judge the earth when its fun-loving inhabitants are totally unsuspecting. Those who ignore Christ and His holy inerrant Word will not escape from His fiery judging hand. Such a warning is also located in Matthew 24:36-51 and many other texts in the Old and New Testament. We must not neglect giving out the Gospel so people are delivered from this wicked evil age of fleshly fun activities and the consequential lake of fire.
In verse 4, Christ makes it known that there are some believers in Sardis who have kept themselves clean and pure and will walk with Him in white apparel. We also read of the purity of the 144,000 male virgin Jews who tell no lies in chapter 14, verses 1-5.
The importance of holy purity is stressed in this Revelation section of letters to the churches. Nowhere do we find Christ commanding the churches to be grooving with secular, sensual and immodest society. God knows if believers are holding to all chaste and holy behavior—not being entangled by the world in its fruitless and sensual thinking—they will be a glowing light in this dark world.
We also note the true dedicated purified believers will not have their names erased from the book of life; 3:5.
Letters to the believers in Philadelphia:
This church is made up of good guys who wear white hats—well…to be honest…white clothing in heaven. It is interesting that white was what symbolized goodness in America several decades ago and black represented evil. General society knew that the Bible stressed a clean white garment type lifestyle.
Emphasized in verse 7 of Revelation chapter 3, is Christ possessing the key of David or key of Israel—God’s chosen people. He opens what no being can close and closes what no being can open. He is the ultimate omnipotent authority over all.
The converted Jews of this church were being harassed by godless Jews who attended synagogues. The synagogues did not acknowledge Christ as God and therefore were of satan. Everyone who is not saved is an obedient child of satan; 2 Corinthians 6:14f.
The Jews who attended synagogues despised the Jews of the Philadelphia church who had been reborn by Christ’s atoning blood; Revelation 1:5. We read throughout the New Testament of Jews who tried to place the requirements of the law on new converts. These deceived Jews insisted that new believers hold to the festivals and regulations that God delivered to the Old Testament Jews. Christ fulfilled the Law Himself—the law that sinful man could never fully achieve nor reach salvation, “By the works of the law shall no man be justified.” It is through the law that man learns he is a sinner; Romans 3:20. Man can never be saved by the works of the law or perfected; only by faith in the Savior, can a person be saved and regenerated. Only by the Holy Spirit’s controlling, can a person live righteously. Various religions teach salvation by works, but good works can never deliver from sin and its consequences. Good works and intentions can never purify a heart. We must believe John 3:16 and ask God the Father to forgive us of our sins through his Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross on our behalf and arose from the grave. We also yield our lives to God; asking Him to take control. We also ask Him to forgive us when we sin after we are saved.
The Apostles were Jews who stood apposed to those Jews (Judaizers) who held to the Old Testament laws. The Judaizers persecuted believers who acknowledged Christ. The apostles led the New Testament church into truth and godliness and away from attempting to accomplish good through the carnal flesh. They made it clear that apart from God, men can do nothing good.
Obedience to the Bible can only be accomplished through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit—yielding one’s life to God in humility. One receives the Holy Spirit when they surrender their life to Christ through faith.
Getting back to Revelation chapter 3, we note from verses 9-10 that Christ only considers born again Jews as forming the true Jewish race. Someday every living Jew will come to Christ as Romans 11:26-27 and Jeremiah 3:-31-36 acknowledge, but that is far from the case today. We read of the future elevation of the Jews in Revelation 21:14. Here the names of the 12 Jewish apostles will be written on the walls of New Jerusalem that descends out of heaven. Included in the names will be John the Apostle who wrote Revelation and was an example to the churches of living godly in Christ Jesus. The names of the 12 Jewish tribes will be inscribed on the gates of the New Jerusalem as Revelation 21:12 discloses. God’s chosen race will be elevated in the Millennial kingdom and throughout eternity. John and the other apostles will have a superior place in God’s kingdom; so will 12 of the Old Testament faithful Jews.
Peering at verse 9, back in Revelation chapter 3, we witness Christ graciously informing these persecuted Christian Jews that He is going to make sure their Jewish enemies—those who did not pick up their cross to follow Christ— will bow down before them someday. We do need to recognize, Christ does loves all true believers—Jews and Gentiles. His loving grace and peace are shed abroad in all believers’ hearts. He is longsuffering toward all of us who fall so short so often.
Verse 10 informs us the key of being in good standing with our Savior is keeping His Word no matter the cost to our being. His Bible is inerrant when translated accurately with no contemporary added spins, twists and turns. We can obey it in confidence.
The Philadelphia church was experiencing persecution for holding tightly to Christ. They were holding to the true Christ of Scripture, who is the only true Jewish high priest. His character embodies holiness, innocence, and undefilement. He is separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; Hebrews 7:27.
This church was elevated as a result of their undying faithfulness. Multitudes of countless people through the centuries know of this church of brotherly love that would not waver from its solid foundation.
A church in this general area survived through the ages until the Muslim faith removed religious freedom from Turkey about a decade ago. There may be a church hidden underground somewhere close to this local that is unknown. When Dr. J. Vernon McGee was alive, he took part in one of the church services in the Philadelphia, Turkey area that presented itself as the Philadelphia church and he was richly blessed by the surviving faith.
Christ stated that this church would be kept from the great tribulation that will fall upon the whole earth someday; verse 10. Warnings of this tribulation can be traced back to Enoch as we read in Jude 14-15. Tribulation warnings are placed throughout scripture. Nothing in time present or in time past can compare to what is to come when Christ rains His avenging wrath upon sinful mankind. This great tribulation period is the main theme of Revelation. It is to be preached in warning to mankind. These factual threats are what consume the majority of this book’s account.
The Philadelphia church body addressed is in heaven today and it did not endure the great tribulation that is to arrive on schedule—that has been predetermined by God’s time clock. This church was factual and the true dedicated church today can still reap the same blessings that Christ bestowed upon this faithful early assembly. Christ keeps true to His promises as the unchanging God of antiquity and time present. Obedience to His Word always produces blessings in any economy.
Even though Christ still has not arrived on the earth, it must be remembered, His time clock does not run on the same principal as ours. When Enoch preached the great tribulation in time beginning, it was as if it could arrive tomorrow.
2 Peter 3:3-9 also deals with God’s fiery tribulation judgment. It states that one day can be like a thousand years to God or visa versa. We cannot asses it in terms of global 24-hour time when trying to judge God’s prophetical Word.
Christ warns the Philadelphia believers to remain steadfast so no one robs them of their crown in Revelation 3:11. No earthly allurements can compare to the crown offered to those who are faithful unto death. We must always confront ourselves with the question, what eternal value does this hold?
Revelation 3:12 is full of promises of heavenly glories for those who overcome and do not give into any agendas divergent to the Word of God. God will display the believer and their name in the New Jerusalem which will ascend out of heaven. This verse is full of grandeur beyond our earthly comprehension. All we basically know, is a cursed earth full of wicked sin. A place full of righteousness and God’s splendid glory is a bit hard to grasp, but we know it will be genuine as God never lies or deceives.
Letters to the believers in Laodicea:
This is the final correspondence to the churches. Verse 14 is a glorious tribute to Christ our Savior, who is the only true Witness. He is the beginning of creation as the Biblical books of John, 1 John, and Colossians substantiate.
This is the lukewarm church that God was all disgusted with and many a sermon has been preached concerning it. This is the church that Christ was completely abhorred with, even to the point of vomiting it out of His mouth. Some versions do not translate the word “vomit” accurately. But the word is EMEO in the Greek and it literally means to regurgitate the stomach’s digesting contents. This is a repugnant visual picture of Christ’s rejection of believers who are not on fire for Him. He would rather they be cold and honest about it than lukewarm. Believers who walk in lukewarmness are completely distasteful to our LORD. They are abominable. Why? Because such Christians are not excited or cold to the Gospel in forthright honesty. They are those who blend in to please all; they hold no solid ground in their stances behind all the scenes.
When my husband, Alan, and I were in Aruba celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary we partook of lukewarm water, it was our tap water. It was originally ocean water that was filtered and purified in Aruba’s desalination plant—the second largest in the world. Alan and I made faces when we first tasted it, as it was all unpleasant. It had to have added ice or placed in the frig to make it palatable. See: http://here.alfalaval.com/zino.aspx?pageID=3&articleID=172
The Laodiceans received their water lukewarm as well because their water source was a nearby hot spring. The water cooled to lukewarm before arriving to homes. People who waver to please every palate are disgusting to our Savior like lukewarm arriving water.
It is God’s command for believers to be on fire for Him and His Word. Our lifestyle is to be that which reflects Christ at all times. We are never to be ashamed to uplift Him who was rejected and is still rejected today by the majority of inhabitants of the world. Christ never desired to be socially acceptable. He never chased after people saying, “I will act in a way that is pleasing to everyone. I will say whatever gets a laugh and I will make my presentations fun to keep the crowds adoring me.” Many pastors chase after crowds in such a way today, making themselves disgusting to the palate.
Christ exposed the fleshly inner man that is self-centered and self-seeking. Christ dismantles the “get all the gusto you can out of life” agendas of playful culture. His holiness has always shamed society; therefore, it has always hated Him.
Laodicea was a rich indulgent society as revealed in verse 17. They had little need and little time for Christ as culture fed their flesh to the fullest—with its entangling activities that held goodies for the wealthy.
I find this astute richness in Laodicea interesting, especially when viewing a Bible map. It can be plainly seen that all seven churches were close in proximately. You would think this Laodicean church was outside of Roman rule, where religious freedom might have reigned. It is a shock to know the Laodicean church lived next door to the persecuted church; approximately 40 miles southwest of the hurting believers in Philadelphia.
Smyrna was a Mediterranean port city so you can rightly assume wealth existed there. It is called Izmir today and it is still very wealthy as a large harbor city. However, the Smyrna church of Revelation represented the poorest of believers, being impoverished; 2:9.
The churches, no matter the local, that were unwavering held members who were poor, suffering and dying for the Gospel. The persecuted churches could never fit into rich, snobbish society. Thank goodness!
The Laodicean church was rich and influential. Obviously, because it was not a threat to the surrounding unsaved. They must have kept their mouths shut when it came to religion. They probably followed the popular motto of never bringing up touchy subjects.
Christ is blunt and forthright in verse 17 and lets this fellowship know they are totally depraved and deprived. Without Christ reigning in their lives, life is not worth living. They are thriving on that which is passing away and brings no glory to their Savior.
These believers may have possessed all the enviable products of the world, placed in fancy displayed homes on Main Street; but they were wretched, miserable, cold, blind and naked. By today’s standards, their assembly might resemble a fifth Avenue New York church of enviable prestige—being the place to be on Sunday in the world’s vain religious eyes of uppity society. But not in Christ’s! You can well bet this dignified Laodicean church rarely engaged in street preaching and door to door witnessing.
It is easy not be persecuted if you blend in. I was reading an insightful article today. It stated that the apostles did not seek permission to preach Christ everywhere. They had the ultimate permission from God Almighty. Christian evangelism is our right and mandate no matter the governing laws. Of course, wisdom in evangelism is essential; folly is unacceptable. Drawing a crowd to show off preaching skills is not what pleases Christ. The sincere heart of a man who preaches Christ simply to win souls is wise.
In verse 18, Christ teaches this off-the-track church that blending in with culture is vain and they need to buy from Him gold refined by fire so they can become spiritually rich. They need to submit to His discipline, thus becoming righteous, pure, and holy so they can walk in white (purified) garments with Him. Hebrews 12 teaches believers to submit to the discipline of God. When this passage speaks of God’s spanking discipline it means scourging. It is the same word that is used for when Christ was scourged with a whip before His crucifixion—PAIDEUO. God is our heavenly father and as such disciplines us perfectly. If we submit to His fatherly corrective discipline, it will result in spiritual growth and purified perfection. Purified perfection should be our desire no matter the pain that it may involve to arrive.
Continuing further in verse 18, we come to the subject of ophthalmology. The people in this church were experiencing flawed vision that no optometrist-prescribed corrective lenses could resolve. They required the spiritual prescription Christ was advising, that being the truths of His Word applied. This would permit them to achieve the perfect spiritual vision of discernment.
Verse 20 represents Christ outstretched hand reaching out to them so they can experience the best. He loved them and wanted them to receive His love. He was knocking on this church’s door so they would let Him in. He wanted to fellowship with every believer associated with the Laodicean church. He had been calling out to them, but they never listened because they were having so much fun in the Mediterranean sun. Now, He wants to be taken seriously so they dine or fellowship with Him personally. He wants them to own all the heavenly glories awaiting by casting aside society’s allurements.
The LORD calls out and reaches out to every believer for greater fellowship and commitment. Are you listening? Am I listening? He loves us and is beckoning to us. As our Father, He does not want to have to spank us.
Verse 21 is a promise of seated kingly glory next to Christ on His throne. However, there is an “if clause” attached to this whole letter. It can only occur if this church changes its ways and transforms itself into the church of the over-comers.
Verse 22 is what has been repeated by Christ throughout the section to the churches. Every church has now been warned, in their last notation, to take heed to all that has been revealed.
Every church in America needs to take heed to the warnings in the church section of Revelation. They apply to every Bible-believing assembly that is in existence today.
Most fellowships are missing the mark of the calling to total dedication. Christ is watching and waiting. He is longsuffering but only to a point. He foretold that the church would become completely apostate, as it is easier to be lukewarm and blend in with all. It is harder to be on fire for Him and His inerrant Word and stand mostly alone. The majority of churches today do not take His Word seriously, down to every jot and tittle and many false teachers are dismantling it so believers can justify doing their own thing. Many false teachers are proclaiming Christ will never discipline the believer so do not worry about your lifestyle.
Let us always hear what Christ says to the churches.
Chapter 4
Chapter 3, ended the church age—the church now goes off the air. We no longer read the word “church,” until the end of Revelation, when John is to report his vision to the churches. As in the Old Testament, the focus was on Israel, so it is throughout the rest of Revelation. We suffer with God’s chosen nation as we travel on in Revelation, in her persecution—anti-Semitism. And we rejoice when she is delivered, exalted and glorified.
Verse 1 opens this chapter with John having a heavenly experience. He looks upward in this vision and spies an open door to paradise and a voice, like the sound of a trumpet, heralding him, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”
John was in the Spirit, taking part in this setting, while imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his unrelenting faith and its proclamation. He experienced this vision through the power of the Holy Spirit, not in participation with his body—he never departed from his prison confinement to witness what is to come.
John entered that opened door to stand in heaven where God is enthroned in all glory and majesty. John is brought face to face with God upon His summoning. He sees his LORD in all glorious splendor, appearing as a jasper stone (opaque, crypto crystalline variety of quartz, usually red) and a sardius stone (ruby). God is all radiant in beauty and His breathtaking appearance is pronounced more with a “rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”
What an awe-inspiring happening that takes one’s breathe away. No presentation before a king for queen could ever match this! Nothing on this cursed earth could ever compete with the splendor of heaven untouched by cursed sin.
In verse 4, we are introduced to twenty-four elders, who are seated around our enthroned LORD. They are in white garments, representing holiness, and are capped with golden crowns to divulge their station of exaltation.
You may inquire who are these godly elders who have the privilege of being seated around God.
Well, I will tell you what I believe. If you turn to Matthew chapter 19, verse 27, you will read that Peter wanted to know what was being offered to him and the other Jewish disciples who had left everything to follow Christ. The LORD educates the disciples to their assigned roles in heaven as we read in the following verse. They will be provided with their own thrones on which they will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Because Judas was removed from his position as one of the twelve, the Apostle Paul resumed his post.
If you turn to Revelation 21:14, you will read of a another prestigious recognition of the Jewish apostles as their names will be on the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem that will descend from heaven in the brilliance of precious gems. Due to these verses, I believe twelve of the twenty-four elders will be the twelve apostles. The Jewish apostles are the only men who are exalted on the heavenly Jerusalem walls by name that we see in Scripture.
You may ask, “Did not John see himself seated with the twelve apostles?” I would have to say, “Yes.” Of course, he may not have recognized himself in his future condition, being in his incorruptible glorification. Because Christ told him he would be seated on his own throne in heaven, he may have thought about it or even knew which of the twelve seated was himself. I have to admit this part is a guessing game for us.
You might also raise the question, “Did he see me?” It is possible. This is after the church age, which opens the door to the tribulation period. Our God’s transit ways of traveling through all ages is mind-boggling. How can we even begin to comprehend?
I believe the other twelve will be representatives from Israel’s twelve tribes. If you look at Revelation 21:12, two verses previous, you will read that there will be twelve gates which have the names of the twelve tribes. Therefore, I believe twelve Old Testament saints represent each tribe of Israel as elders. I believe you can locate all these outstanding men in the Old Testament and a great deal of them will be the prophets—presumably, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc. I believe Abraham and Moses will be amongst them too. This is simply my opinion from studying scripture.
The Jews are God’s first chosen, so it should not surprise us that some of them will be the loftiest souls surrounding God’s throne in heaven. They are those who rule under Christ.
You may ask here, “Where does that leave us, Gentiles?” Gentiles will have a place of authority as well. I Corinthians 6:1-11 informs us, we will judge angels and the world and that is why our churches are to the courts of law for believers. I Corinthians, chapters 5-6, speak in regard to us judging believers and that we are to do so; but of course, never in an unbiblical physically-destructive manner. We learn here that we are to exercise our Biblical wisdom so we do not associate with so-called believers who are immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunkards or swindlers. We are not even to eat with these people who call themselves Christians and attempt to come into our churches. Romans 16:17-18, 2 Peter, Jude, etc; also command that we have nothing to do with so-called believers who do not hold to Biblical teaching and who teach contrary to Scripture. They persuade believers not to take the Word seriously through their flattering speech. Being on guard is part of the believers’ walk. This is why we must study the Bible to show ourselves approved unto God so we are never seduced into falsehood.
Reuniting with Revelation chapter 4, in verse 5, we see the omnipotence of God displayed in unchallengeable authority. No one rules over the Godhead or in place of. His will is revealed throughout the whole earth. The whole Word of God displays the fact that nothing can thwart His will and ways. Isaiah chapter 40 is one chapter that explains that no king or authority is placed in leadership on this earth outside of God’s orchestration and He dethrones any ruler by desire.
Around God’s throne are flashes of lightening, and pounding thunder! This reveals the fact that our holy, innocent, pure Savior is to be feared, praised, honored and obeyed. Job 38:25, teaches us that it is God who fashions lightening and determines where a thunderbolt lands. Reading the complete chapter of Job 38 as well as 39, provides great insight into God’s total global control over His creation. Job 40:9 inquires of us who can “thunder with a voice like His?” Psalm 29:3-9 teaches us that His voice is upon the waters; the “God of glory thunders.” His voice is “powerful” and “majestic” and His voice “breaks the cedars.” His voice “hews out flames of fire” and He “shakes the wilderness.” He makes the “deer to calve” and “strips the forests bare.”
In Daniel 7:9-10, we view Daniel coming face to face with the throne of God—His lofty seat “ablaze with flames.” Here thousands upon thousands constantly attend Him and are attending Him now in heights above, billions and billions of years away in distances, beyond all galaxies. His heaven is above all heavens and no man can comprehend or view all that exists beyond the broadest degree of countless years that stretch far beyond our minute earth. Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Paul also had encounters with heaven’s majesty.
We also cannot begin to activate our mind to imagine the royal power that emerges forth from God’s hand—His scepter. Touring London, facing the history of regality and the present presence of monarchial rule, gave me insights concerning the history of the kings of Israel and what respect and fear for enthroned authority entails.
This same fear of a regent is what we need to comprehend and grasp when it comes to our Sovereign King—though our subjection to God, is on a far greater and reaching scale—He is the Creator and sustainer of all.
What we witness here in Daniel, is the judgment throne period, which we will behold ourselves in the future. The unsaved will come face to face with the fact that they failed completely in honoring their enthroned God, who reveals His commands in His Word. He rules over the heavens and the earth and abhors every disobedient action. This is why we are commanded to fear and tremble before our LORD, working out our salvation; Philippians 2:12. Moreover, we must share the Gospel that the wayward might be rescued from the eternal wrath of fire to come; Jude 23. They relentlessly dig their own graves as they live day by day apart from the Savior. We dwell amidst a universal graveyard.
Verse 5 of Revelation chapter 4, is full of the truths that surround our enthroned God. He has seven lamps burning before Him, which are actually seven spirits or angels. We read of these angels in the previous chapters of Revelation as they were assigned to the seven churches; 1:20. They are represented as lamps as they are full of the brightness of God’s holiness that five of the seven churches fell short of and were to be judged accordingly if they did not repent.
Someday, us true believers will be like Christ in holy purity, as we will shed these bodies of sin; Romans 6:5-6. We will never be tempted to disobey our holy LORD again.
You may recall that we witnessed Christ exalted in all fearful glory in chapter 1, verses 12-16, whereby a sharp two-edged sword extended from His mouth and His voice was like the sound of many waters. John fell like a dead man before this awesome scene. God’s throne area is gorgeous and fearful beyond comprehension.
We view in verse 6, returning to chapter 4, something resembling a sea of glass in the center and surrounding the seat of all omnipotence. This adds to the luminosity of our King of majesty, reigning above every subjected and formed thing.
The book of Esther provides insight into the respected area of a king, though all minuscule in comparison to God’s hallowed dwelling. We read in Esther chapter 4 that she, even as queen, could lose her life by coming near the imperial area of the king without permission. We read in chapter 1 of Esther of the riches and brilliance of the king’s citadel—the gold, silver, mosaic pavement of precious stones, artistic hangings, etc. We see throughout Esther that the palace area was exquisite, reaching far beyond the normal splendor that represented wealth in that period. Who can even phantom the glorious splendor of holy heaven when we all have been subjected to a sin-filled cursed earth?
We see also in verses 6-7 of Revelation chapter 4, creatures full of eyes in front and behind. These eyes can certainly be representative of the fact that God sees and hears all, that nothing escapes His notice—Proverbs 15:3 and 2 Chronicles 16:9. He writes every action and thought of every person down in His book. That is why Christ stated, “that every careless word people speak, they will give an accounting of in the day of judgment.” Certainly, this statement should place obedient fear in my heart and yours so we strive to bring Him constant glory through our thoughts, words, and actions.
The first of these creatures is like a lion, the second a calf, and the third like a man, and the forth like a flying eagle—a flying eagle in Revelation 8:13, will verbally speak of the woes falling on dwellers of the earth that will arise by the hand of Christ as he soars through the atmosphere.
These creatures are all representative of the attributes of Christ, He being a devouring and fearless “lion” of judgment and condemnation. He too is like a “calf,” who moved meek and lowly upon the earth as a “man” to serve others. As an “eagle” Christ’s eyes of omniscience roam and monitor all. Moreover, He is tenacious in His dealings and strong and resourceful in fulfilling His will. All the attributes displayed in these creatures are disclosed throughout God’s Word concerning His multifaceted character.
These six-winged beings, full of eyes, never stop repeating this praise to God, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” Christ is coming again onto the earth just as He left—this time, to rule as King of all; Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 19:11-20:6, etc.
God lives forever and ever and these creatures never stop acknowledging His glory and honor in eternal thanksgiving.
These beings are also exposed in Ezekiel chapter 1, providing additional insight into their complexity and appearance. Ezekiel too had an encounter with Christ and His heavenly frightening presence. His penned account is very similar to John’s, and Ezekiel also fell on his face before the omnipotent appearance of God-man.
We have been peering through our imagination’s eye as we have traveled through this chapter trying to grasp the displayed, and we close it viewing the 24 elders falling down before our LORD. They too, add to the worship of the creatures by lauding the Godhead with glory, honor and power for the fact He created all things and by Him they existed. Colossians 1, verses 15-18, magnifies God the Son as the Creator of all. This reveals to us that there is no question concerning Christ being God, part of the Trinity Godhead. Revelation makes it totally apparent as well that Christ is magnified God.
Revelation Chapter 5
Photo clip by photo clip is how we continue to tread into Revelation. John is relaying his astonishing heavenly vision systematically, which commenced with the previous chapter. We enter this section, chapter 5, with John telling us he saw a book written inside and on the back—interesting, don’t you think? It was in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. I believe this to be God the Father. We know following Christ’s ascension that He sat to His Father’s right; Mark 16:19.
You may inquire, what is this book he wants me to know about? Well, I will tell you what I think. If you turn back in your Bible to Daniel 12:4, you will read Daniel was commanded by God to seal up the book that held the concluding prophesies that the LORD set before him in visions—visions similar to John’s. I believe this is that book. It was to be sealed and to be unsealed when the time of last day fulfillment was to arrive—the days previous to the unleashing of the tribulation period.
We also see in this verse in Daniel that one of the signs regarding the last days will be the abundance of travel. My…hasn’t that come to pass?
In verse 2, back in Revelation chapter 5, we observe a strong angel (we know from the Word that angles are all male, have differing appearances, assignments, and obviously strengths) seeking to locate, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” He is asking in a very loud, very intense voice, so all will hear. It is a very concerning thing that we are beholding here in this segment of this flight into the future.
As we attempt to grasp exactly all John is viewing in this heavenly scene, we notice no one is found worthy to open the book. Though the angel’s resounding voice penetrated throughout heaven, no one is stepping forward.
Now, we need turn and look toward John. To our dismay, we see this appointed apostle is weeping greatly. He obviously knows the importance of having the book unsealed. He may have known this to be Daniel’s writings (my assessment) that needed to come to pass. (Placing the prophesies of Daniel beside Revelation gives us a clearer photo of all that will unfold in the ghastly final days.)
Encouragement arrives on the scene for us in verse 5 as we witness John being told that he need no longer lament as Christ, the Lion of Judah, the root of David, is the One appointed to open the book of revealed prophesies.
The words here are entirely significant as this reveals that Jesus, born of the tribe of Judah, is the root of David. This fulfills all the prophecies concerning the line of David ruling on the throne in Jerusalem over the Jews. The Messiah is the ultimate King in this line. Matthew 1:1-17 displays Joseph’s genealogy, Christ’s adoptive ancestral right to the Davidic throne. Mary’s line is provided in Luke chapter 3, which traces her ancestry back to Nathan, David’s son. Nathan was not of the line of Solomon. Solomon’s line eventually begot King Jeconiah. God revealed in Jeremiah 22:30 and 36:30 that none of Jeconiah’s (AKA Coniah and Jehoiachin) descendants would successfully reign on the throne of David.
Zerubbabel was Jeconiah’s grandson (Mathew 1:12), but he never sat on the throne as king when the Jews returned to Israel from the chastening captivities placed on them by God when they desired to be styling with surrounding culture and society. Zerubbabel did rule as governor and oversaw the rebuilding of the temple as recorded in Ezra and Zechariah 4:6f. Nevertheless, God being gracious, did state of Zerubbabel in Haggai 2:21-23, that during the millennial period Zerubbabel would be like a signet ring, for God had chosen him. Kings wore signet rings for legalizing documents. The ring’s insignia was set in a small mound of soft wax or clay, which solidified. The document’s addressee could only break this royal embossment. This teaches us Zerubbabel will have exalted rexis power on the earth during the millennial reign of Christ.
Christ has right to Jerusalem’s throne through David, and of course, as God Almighty! He being of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, will rule as God over the world from His throne. Much of the nativity story deals with Christ’s legal prophetic right to the throne. When the angel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:30-33, the angel spoke in millennial terms, never referencing the church age. Of course, Mary was a Jew, therefore the angel Gabriel spoke of all the millennial promises that would be fulfilled by her Seed. In Luke 1:32, she was told God, who would be formed within, would someday reign as Messiah on His throne of David, as a Jew and as LORD. This pre-info, powerfully proclaimed, procured He will reign over her people, the Jews (Jacob’s line), forever and His kingdom will have no end. Every believing Jew awaited the Messiah’s reign—prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Mary anticipated as a Jewess, the promises of the reigning Messiah. She was told this would come to pass through her. She was God’s chosen, pure (but not sinless) instrument. God speaks in timeless ways as a thousand years are as one day to Him. None of the millennial prophesies set before Mary would come to pass till centuries following her entering into paradise. Christ’s perfection of supremacy rule on the earth is what believers still await.
A Few References:
(Revelation 2:26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27: And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.Israel) brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…
Revelation 12:5 And she (
Revelation 19:15 And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16: And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2: And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3: And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more…7: And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever..Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. 12: And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth…16: And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17: And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18: And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19: This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one…11: And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but
Psalms 47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth. 3: He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.)
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In Revelation 5:6, we see Christ the lamb standing as if slain. This sad truth, in heavenly vision form, is to remind us that Christ died for our sins as the only one worthy—as the sinless Lamb of God.
We are to take communion often in remembrance of this. 1 Corinthians 11:26 speaks of communion being consumed often (“As often as you eat”) and, of course, the apostles exampled this. We observe in Acts 2:46 that believers partook in the breaking of bread— doing so as they went from house to house.
1 Corinthians 11:20 speaks in regard to the church engaging in a pre-communion meal, addressed as the “Lord’s Supper.” It is also designated as a “love feast” in Jude 12.
In warning of communion, if we take it unworthily, our lives can be snuffed out as 1 Corinthians 11:28-31 renders. This is a form of church discipline performed by God Almighty. Whereby, He allows believers to become ill and eventually die if they do not repent of undisclosed, scripturally disobedient undertakings. The church too is to discipline Biblically, but leadership is not always aware of all the sin present in a congregation and this implements a safeguard. Our mighty God knows all the facts and can judge without any misguidance.
We read also in Revelation 5:6; of the seven spirits. Remember, they oversaw the churches and pronounced judgment upon those fellowships that allowed in its doors acts of Biblical disrespect. Christ was going to discipline those churches that fell short of submission in various areas of scriptural nonconformance. Here, we witness these angels being sent into all the earth.
In verses 7-8, one of the elders (I believe the 24 elders are the Jewish chosen ones of God. They are made up of twelve Old Testament saints secured from the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, including John, who are elevated in heaven; Revelation 21:12-14.) is taking the book out of the Father’s hand and is handing it to the Son of God.
Subsequently, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb…what a holy sight to behold. Each is holding a harp. This is the only played instrument implemented for singing that we witness in heaven—it being a medium that transmits pure and lovely tones. We are commanded to dwell an all that is lovely, pure, honorable…all that is above reproach—Philippians 4:8. This includes compositions listened to and sung.
These elders and angels are also holding bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. It is interesting that believers’ intercessions are represented by sweet smelling incense. Praying according to scriptural truths is entreating in the will of the Lord and we see these supplications are very precious and delightfully fragrant to God.
Next in presentation in this moving scene, are the elders singing praise to Christ the Lamb, the only One worthy to break the seals of the book. It was only He who shed His blood for the sins of mankind, so that mankind everywhere in the world might be saved who call upon Him.
The other Sunday we sung this hymn for communion which is so apropos for this time and for this lesson:
The tune can be heard here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/t/btcjesus.htm
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.
There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
We behold, as we glimpse more intently into this heavenly panorama, that every person from every tribe and tongue will be represented as benefactors of Christ’s shed blood. Therefore, He is worthy to bring judgment upon all who have rejected him. When the actual seals are broken in time future, His judgment will be cast and all evil will receive His avenging anger and wrath unleashed in incomprehensible omnipotence never eye has witnessed before on this sinful cursed earth.
Examining verse 10, we grasp hold of the fact that God’s promises are to us, true believers, who will be a kingdom of priests to God and we will reign on the earth with Christ during the blessed millennial period.
Verse 11 ensues us to casts our eyes upon countless angels before the throne of God who are giving praise to Christ with their voices. They sing that familiar hymn, Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain, with delightful, magnified voices untarnished by sin. (I hope your church sings this hymn of awarding praise for God’s sacrificial death.)
Every created thing in the heaven, earth, and under the earth, and on the sea and all things in them repeat the same; verse 13. Job 12:7-9 teaches us that animals do not question God and His mighty works. This creature-praise should not surprise us.
The total worship scene here is completely awesome—the glorification of Christ—our slain Lamb. This is one example set before us of bowing down before God in all reverential fear and adoration. We must understand our humbled state before Almighty God. There is no room for pride and self-elevation, only knees collapsing.
Revelation Chapter 6
In chapter 5, we witnessed a need arise. A sealed book had to be opened and no one seemed qualified for the task. This penned eschatological work, when opened, would unleash holocaustic terrors upon the whole earth, never witnessed before. We know at the end of the book of Daniel, that Daniel was commanded to seal up his recorded account of the last days, which I believe to be this sealed book.
We finally witnessed, the only qualified person coming forth—Christ, our slain Lamb. We concluded chapter 5 with the angels and elders awarding praise to Christ who died that men might be saved. What tremendous accolades to the One deserving!
In verse 1 of chapter 6, we witness our slain Lamb breaking one of the seals. At this juncture, the first of the angels (of four living creatures) says, “Come.” This thunderous angel is commanding a white horse (representing purity) with rider holding a bow, to come forward; verse 2. This angelic mount is presented with a crown, which proclaims exalted authority—his authority to conquer in Christ’s pure righteousness.
In verse 3, we observe our omnipotent Christ, the worthy One, breaking the second seal. Whereby, the second living angel commands “Come.” A red horse looms forward, representing avenging blood. One of the Biblical names for our God is terror and this name is apropos to Revelation. This riding angel will take peace from the earth with his great sword, the peace we presently experience. Our world still grasps some peace, even in its depraved state. We do not see masses of people killing one another. I do not look out my window and witness by neighbors shooting one another. My neighborhood is most always peaceful. We still have some law and order that prevents continuous mass murdering. Yes, we have murders and other crimes that plague our globe, but nothing at all similar to when all peace is completely abolished. We are grateful that we can now relish some peace on earth.
We do know in the last days evil will increase as satan’s power will increase and we do witness the criminal aspect unchecked as never before. Good is definitely called evil and visa versa, which was not the case in previous centuries. Murder ensued the death penalty without question in most cases. The majority of people were imprisoned for unlawfully transgressing others.
We witness in this apocalyptic setting, men slaying one another, as permitted by God. Without God’s constant intervening omnipotence, this globe would be a far cry from its current state of affairs. As we view this approaching horrific prophetic episode, we see how much we have to be appreciative for even amidst a very sinful generation. Christ addressed mankind, as being an adulterous and sinful generation; Mark 3:38. His judgment must finally fall on the earth as things have not changed; they are continually worsening. This world’s fallen state will result in a murderous sword encompassing it, held within the hand of Christ the Judge.
Yes, we still have more seals of judgment to witness— remember, there are seven seals. The third seal is broken my Christ in verse 5. Another angel commands another horse and rider to “Come.” This horse is black and its horseman is holding a pair of scales—scales to weigh. There will be little food to weigh during this time of famine when men experience the justice of God’s frightful hand—a frightful hand that does not encompass tolerance.
In verse 6, we see a denarius used as money accounting, which = a day’s wages. A denarius could buy a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley…not much to feed, house and clothe a family. The prices are outrageous, we would appallingly state. We see the angel, out of God’s grace, not being allowed to damage the oil or wine. These preserved supplies will be protected out of God’s kind love.
A fourth seal is unleashed in verse 7 as the command to “Come” arises once again. Here we have an ashen (pale) horse bearing a rider whose name is “Death and Hades.” This is the last of the four living creatures to cast woes upon the earth.
Hades is a holding tank for the condemned dead who will someday be placed in the Lake of Fire. Not until the white throne judgment, Revelation chapter 20, will anyone be cast to this fate. We do know Hades is a very hot place, as is hell, through the story of the rich man and Lazarus; Luke chapter 16. This “Death and Hades” rider will be provided with authority to kill a fourth of the earth with sword, famine, sickness and wild beasts in time advancing. When these wild beasts strike, they will extinguish all animal rights groups. Everyone will be walking in trepidation, watching for wild beasts out of the corner of their eye.
This will be a trying time for the human race when these four plaguing woes beset a fourth of our globe. It will be a sad time for the rebellious who have rejected Christ, when the death bell tolls these grievous judgments.
There will be little or no food to nourish, and sickness resulting in death will be present everywhere. The call of the wild will be knocking at the door—animals and those who want to mass murder. This section of Scripture reminds me of the dreadful perils that were present on the Oregon Trail. However, this arriving revelational period will surpass those road hazards in untold unimaginable levels.
We now arrive at the fifth seal which presents a different photo of what we have previously witnessed. We see no horse and rider beckoning. What we do witness in this portrayed footage is souls—the embodiment of the persecuted church. This is an interlude period that refrains from earthly woes; verse 10.
These believers who held the faith unto death, lie beneath the alter. They have been sacrificed for their faith in Christ. In the Old Testament, alters were erected for blood sacrifices for sin atonement. There is also an alter placed in heaven to remind us of Christ’s crucifixion.
We do not know how many sacrificed individuals are represented, but it would not surprise me if a million souls rest beneath the alter. These faithful believers desire revenge and are awaiting judgment on the unsaved. They want blood revenge as we see in verse 10. In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 we read of God’s promises of affliction—repayment placed upon those who persecute believers. This will be fulfilled in the last days as verse 7 states “when Christ is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,” he will deal out retribution on the unsaved. Of course, we know many persecutors have come to Christ and are still coming to Him, out of His charity. We must witness to those who hate us, remembering we are were simply saved by grace.
Verse 10 addresses Christ refraining from judgment even though the martyrs are begging for it. God is longsuffering that all might be saved. We see there is a certain number of destined martyrs, and that accounting must be fulfilled before judgment. In Romans 11:25-26, we read of the “fullness of the Gentiles.” Here also there is a number set before God, this dealing with Gentile salvation. During this church dispensation, God has predestined a number of Gentiles to be saved. Subsequently, when this number is completed, then the focus will return to the Jewish nation and their complete salvation.
Returning to Revelation, we see God loves these faithful tortured ones who never compromised to save their own hides. As a result, He presents each of them with a white robe for their faith of obedience that led to their frightful deaths.
It is now time for the sixth seal unveiling, which arrives in a quake, an earthquake; verse 12. No horse and rider arrive for this sealed judgment as there were only four assigned to the seven seal breakings. The earthquake is accompanied by darkness that covers the sun like a thick black feed sack—called sackcloth. Sackcloth was a rough material used in sacking goods. It was made from goat or camel hair. A burlap sack serves the same purpose today.
We also witness the moon becoming like blood and the stars falling from the sky to the earth. A rhythmic picture is presented, ending verse 13—“as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.” It is set before us to reveal that the whole earth will suffer shaking deadly turmoil at this time.
It is hard to imagine planets falling and landing on the earth and the bloodshed which will ensue from their crushing, burning destruction. In 8:10, we see a great star falling from heaven and it was burning like a torch. I assume these stars in 6:13 will begin to burn also when they enter earth’s upper atmosphere as do meteors.
Meteors become heated by friction and are set afire by the Earth’s oxygen mantel. There is such an onslaught to the earth’s atmosphere that the available oxygen in places is completely consumed. Heated gas in the comet’s tail form petrol chemicals, which when falling through the atmosphere burst into flame, a sheet of flame falling to Earth.
Christ quoted the same catastrophes that are listed here in Matthew 24:29 when he preached on the tribulation.
Picturing the heavens splitting “like a scroll, when it is rolled up,” seems to defy my intellect. It appears the clouds and blue sky will simply disappear before men’s eyes; verse 14.
Joel 2:31-32 also describes this and we know it is this period as it states “the great and awesome day of the LORD” which always refers to end time prophesies. Joel refers to the wonders of the sky and earth, blood, fire and columns of smoke; the sun turning to darkness, and the moon into blood. This text teaches us that there will be those who escape who live in Jerusalem, “the survivors whom the LORD calls.”
As we read further we see every mountain and island, not just some, will be moved out of their places. Wow, this far surpasses any earthquake or tsunami.
The result appears in verse 15, where kings, great men, commanders, rich and strong, slaves and freemen will hide themselves in caves and rocks. All of mankind will be living in terror of God! Yes, they all know this is the wrath of Christ as they command the mountain and rocks to fall on them so they can be hid from the presence of Christ the Lamb; verse 16. There will be no professing atheists during this time!!
Now, man makes a great statement, “the great day of their wrath has come, who is able to stand;” verse 17. When I read these words, I could not help but think of the lyrics to Handel’s Messiah, which covers a great deal of the apocalypse. This musical masterpiece comprises only Scripture. Alan and I enjoy listening to Messiah throughout the year as it encompasses Christ’s outlined life, including what is to come.
From Handel’s Messiah: “But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire. And He shall Purify;” Malachi 3:2.
What powerful words to end this chapter. Christ will purify the earth like a refiner’s fire. How we look forward to the time when all evil will cease—every unrighteous, unholy and unchaste way.
This chapter instructs us to be about the Gospel that men might be saved from the wrath to come!
Revelation Chapter 7
The power of angels is difficult to comprehend. Revelation and other Bible references make it clear that they are not sweet, little ladies with wings, appearing similar to fairies. As I have stated previously, there are no female angels listed in Scripture and they were created countless years before Eve, who was created by taking a rib from Adam—which I don’t believe he missed. I don’t know any man who misses this rib. ☺
Sinful humankind has always desired to worship women as history and present day religions example. Female angels appeal to depraved humanity.
We view in verse 1, four angels and they are standing at each corner of the earth, holding back the four winds of our globe as extremely powerful beings. Obviously, the four corners of the earth would be the rudimental points of the four winds, where their force looms forth. Our earth has four prevailing winds and these winds will be held back through God’s selected celestial beings:
4 Prevailing winds — the general circulation of the atmosphere
“Prevailing winds are winds which come about as a consequence of global circulation patterns. These include the Trade Winds, the Westerlies, the Polar Easterlies, and the jet streams.
The Trade Winds are the most familiar consistent and reliable winds on the planet, exceeded in constancy only by the katabatic winds of the major ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland. It was these winds that early mariners relied upon to propel their ships from Europe to North and South America. Their name derives from the Middle High German trade, akin to Old English trod meaning “path” or “track”, and thus the phrase “the wind blows trade”, that is to say, on track.
Along the east coast of North America, friction twists the flow of the Trades even further clockwise. The result is that the Trades feed into the Westerlies, and thus provide a continuous zone of wind for ships travelling between Europe and the Americas.
The Westerlies, which can be found at the mid-latitudes beneath the Ferrel circulation cell, likewise arise from the tendency of winds to move in a curved path on a rotating planet. Together with the airflow in the Ferrel cell, poleward at ground level and tending to equatorward aloft (though not clearly defined, particularly in the winter), this predisposes the formation of eddy currents which maintain a more-or-less continuous flow of westerly air. The upper-level polar jet stream assists by providing a path of least resistance under which low pressure areas may travel.
The Polar Easterlies result from the outflow of the Polar high, a permanent body of descending cold air which makes up the poleward end of the Polar circulation cell. These winds, though persistent, are not deep. However, they are cool and strong, and can combine with warm, moist Gulf Stream air transported northward by weather systems to produce violent thunderstorms and tornadoes as far as 60°N on the North American continent.
The jet streams are rapidly moving upper-level currents. Travelling generally eastward in the tropopause, the polar jets reside at the juncture of the Ferrel cell and the Polar cell and mark the location of the polar cold front. During winter, a second jet stream forms at about the 30th parallel, at the interface of the Hadley and Ferrel cells, as a result of the contrast in temperature between tropical air and continental polar air.
The jet streams are not continuous, and fade in and out along their paths as they speed up and slow down. Though they move generally eastward, they may range significantly north and south. The polar jet stream also marks the presence of Rossby waves, long-scale (4000 – 6000 km in wavelength) harmonic waves which perpetuate around the globe.”
Our Miraculous LORD is certainly past finding out!!
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These angels, under God’s direction, must see to it that no winds blow on the earth, on the sea and not on any tree. And we know these angels will not fail God, as God’s holy angels never question—only trust and obey. We too are simply to trust and obey. Now this does not mean we never ask questions, as we are very limited in our knowledge to comprehend all things. I, on occasion, ask the Father to assist me in understanding a passage of Scripture in the name of Christ. The Holy Spirit is always faithful to assist and inform as the One who grants enlightenment within.
Another angel appears in verse 2, ascending from the rising sun. It does not seem fire, ice or other elements effect angels. We could never ascend from the rising sun, not being able to soar in these bodies that are earthbound. These dusty shells also hate extremely hot temperatures, and would suffer destruction if exposed to the sun’s flames. Someday, the born again will have perfect bodies that will not be frail or subject to harm. We will no longer consist of dust. However, God is graciously mindful that we are simply made of dust; Psalm 103:13-14.
This sun-ascending angel holds the seal of the living God. It must be placed on the 144,000 male, virgin Jews by God’s decree. They are sealed as God’s chosen, righteous ones. Their numbers are 12,000 X 12,000—12,000 from every tribe of Israel which = 144,000. Even though the Jews have intermarried with other Jewish tribes (every tribe descended from one of Jacob’s twelve sons; Genesis chapter 49) and Gentile peoples throughout the centuries, God is making sure there will be those who can be distinguished by their tribe. Remember also, Revelation 21:12-14 teaches that the twelve gates of the new city of Jerusalem will display the names of all twelve Jewish tribes. The twelve foundation stones of this unsurpassed, magnificent, suspended city will have the names of the twelve Jewish apostles.
We see the names of the twelve tribes listed in verses 5-8; though, for some reason, Dan is not listed. Perhaps it is included with another tribe.
It is clear, by verse 4, that they will encompass all twelve tribes.
This special unit of God’s army of righteousness is also spoken of in Ezekiel chapter 9. Here, Ezekiel makes it clear that everyone in Jerusalem will be murdered except for the 144,000 male virgin Jews taken from each tribe. Everyone dies excluding those with the mark or seal—the 144,000. The 144,000 are secured because they “sigh and groan over all the abominations” which are in the city of Jerusalem. They will hate all the sin displayed in the holy city and will mourn over it, resulting in the protective sealing by God—which is the name of the Lamb and His Father; Revelation 14:1. They will not compromise in any way, shape or form. (I recently saw an ad for the Marines, which stated they do not compromise.) This is something the church should be able to proclaim also; but unfortunately, never can.
All those without “The Mark” die in Jerusalem in the tribulation. This includes men, women, children and the elderly. Though the Ezekiel text does not specifically state 144,000; we know it refers to them as no other Jewish male group in Scripture is so distinguished with this godly mark on their foreheads; Ezekiel 9:4 and Revelation 7:3.
These holy Jews are also spoken of in chapter 14 of Revelation, as these men will stand with Christ on Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem, AKA the temple area. This will be where the new temple will be built and where Solomon’s temple stood and Zerubbabel’s. King Herod’s temple, that we view in the New Testament, is Zerubbabel’s Temple holding all the glorification Herod erected in an attempt to bring Zerubbabel’s Temple to the standard of Solomon’s Temple. However, it never achieved Solomon’s total grandeur. Still, it was very impressive, as we note by the disciples acclaim in Luke 21:5-6. We note here that Christ was totally unimpressed. God is never impressed by the work of man’s hands, which will someday all be dismantled when this earth is destroyed.
Herod’s Temple:
“Solomon’s Temple was an artistic structure of the highest conception. In its commanding position on the mount, in the pleasing effect of its white stone ornamented with cedar-wood, and in its symmetrical proportions it surpassed Herod’s Temple, though the latter exceeded the former in mere magnificence. Herod’s Temple was the most beautiful building in the world designed by one of the most infamous men in the world.
It was constructed entirely of polished granite interspersed with dark-colored marble, with beveled edges, set in plaster. Herod even proposed to fill up the edges with gold; but the Rabbis advised him to abstain from doing so, as the white plaster combined with the granite and marble gave the Temple the appearance of waves of the sea” (Suk. 57b). Thus it is evident that Herod was somewhat gaudy in his taste and that his Temple was less artistic in design and coloring than that of Solomon.”
The Two Temples Compared.
The sacredness of Solomon’s Temple was greater than that of Herod’s, as the latter lacked five important accessories: (1) the Ark and the “kapporet” (mercy-seat, cherubim), (2) the divine fire, (3) the Shekinah, (4) the Holy Spirit, and (5) Urim and Thummim (Yoma 21b). It lacked also the pot of manna and Aaron’s staff alongside the Ark, the jar of holy oil, and the coffer with jewels of gold presented by the Philistines as a trespass-offering on returning the Ark (I Sam. vi. 8). King Josiah, anticipating the fall of the Temple, concealed these sacred objects (Yer. Sheḳ. vi. 1). Evidently they were hidden in the subterranean passage under the Temple, where, it is claimed, were buried also, as soon as the Temple was finished, all the parts of the Tabernacle (Soṭah 9a). In the Second Temple two curtains, instead of the cedar-wood partition of the First Temple, separated the Hekal from the Holy of Holies. The First Temple was destroyed on account of three sins, namely, bloodshed, immorality, and idolatry. Wicked Herod beautified Zerubbabel’s (the second temple) and it was destroyed. He attempted to kill the LORD , following his birth—Herod being defiled with all vileness.
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Christ preached in this Luke passage to warn the disciples that many will come in His name and deceive in the last days.
We certainly see this today in the church where the holy Christ of the Bible has been removed and replaced with a rock and rolling christ, who loves to rock out and relishes references to television and movies. The Biblical Christ, who hates this world and the things of this world, has mostly been abolished—not to be found in most Christian circles. The church apostasy is not being extinguished and will not until Christ rules on the earth with a rod of iron.
The very popular Message Bible has totally changed Christ’s identity to form a false christ who is trendy and culturally acceptable. It also removes the fact that Christ is the only begotten Son (only born) of the Father, as does the NIV version, which is heretical too. These Bibles and others delete much of the original texts to please all men. Publishers change the original penned texts in the current translations for sale purposes, not fearing God. They present a christ for Hollywood—one who doesn’t step on anyone’s toes too hard or harms anyone’s sensual agendas. You will not find the word “homosexual” in the Message translation. Only cheap sex, abusive sex and sex without love seem to be condemned. It is not surprising that homosexuals applaud this Message translation as being “nicely done.”
God states adulterers and those who engage in premarital sex will be judged. God only approves of virgins coming together in holy wedlock for a lifetime; Hebrews 13:4. Of course, we understand Christ’s gracious forgiveness and restoration (the woman at the well being a perfect example). But we cannot change God’s holy declarations that set forth His innocent heart desire that produces the greatest blessing. This is what must be taught—abstinence till marriage.
This Message christ is also environmentally concerned: Romans 15:13: “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”
The “green hope” Hindu mantra is a popular rallying cry in the new age Mother-Earth demonic environmental movement. In NAM (New Age Movement) “green” signifies Oneness with the Earth, hence the title of William Anderson’s book, Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth.
The Christ of the Bible speaks of this sinful earth passing away. He commands us to keep our mind on things above not on the things of this vile earth. The Bible makes it clear, satan is the god of this earth.
This false Message translation speaks in sterile, matter of fact tones. It is void of the Spirit. The author, Eugene Peterson, is of a liberal, sin-accepting, denomination. He takes abusive liberties with the Greek and Hebrew texts, manufacturing continuous false renderings. Changing the Scriptures, adding and subtracting, is forbidden by God; Matthew 5:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:19.
This blasphemous translation is now widely used in churches as it presents a non-threatening environment and a non-threatening christ. The church apostasy is not being extinguished, but is growing in unbelievable rates. We witness in our fellowships many church attendees who appear unwashed, not cleansed in the blood of Christ. They engulf themselves in filth during the week; walking in it as one. They walk down the road of eternal destruction, parading a religious facade.
Other Message examples:
| 1 Tim 1:9-10. “…realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching. | The Message: “It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever!” |
| John 3:5. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” | The Message: “Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.” |
| 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders [sodomites] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” | The Message: “Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start….” [Emphasis added] |
| Romans 8:35-37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” | The Message: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:” |
| Romans 9:27-28. And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay. | The Message: Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “Chosen of God,” they’de be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. |
You notice in the Romans 9 passage, God’s chosen nation Israel, is completely removed from the Message translation. Peterson lies and rewrites the Word of God according to his own theology passions.
The 144,000 Jews of Israel will not stand with the rewriting of God’s Word—changing the original language, which waters it down and erases its convicting power. These godly males will not compromise the truths of Christ in any manner! They will not follow a contemporary christ—who only exists in the mind of those who cannot accept the Biblical, separated, innocent, holy Christ.
Verse 9, of chapter 7, moves us to a hallowed scene, a remarkable scene, as it reveals the power of God to save to the uttermost. We observe here, the saved of the world, being of every nation, tribe, people and language. There are so many of these believers, no one can count them! My, what a mighty God we serve! Christ announced if He be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself; John 12:32.
These blessed redeemed ones, cry out with a loud voice, while holding palm branches in their hands, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb;” verse 10. On Palm Sunday, before Easter Sunday, we remember how Christ was uplifted and adored. The inhabitants of Jerusalem proclaimed, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel,” with palm branches; John 12:12-13.
What occurred on Palm Sunday, a week previous to the crucifixion, was the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 being partially fulfilled. Christ will again come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey when He is made King over the entire earth. It will be the entire globe that rejoices at this time. It will be completely fulfilled beyond our comprehension. Praise God!
Returning to Revelation, we see all the angles taking part in continued worship as they surround the twenty-four elders and four living creatures; verses 11-12. They reverently fall on their faces before God, seated on His throne, and worship, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
We can all fall on our knees right now and proclaim the same praise to our God and King—the only One deserving of praise and adoration. We can pray multitudes of verses as we read through His Word. Whenever we entreat with His Word, we pray His perfect will.
In verse 13, our attention turns to John as one of the elders approaches and speaks to him. Remember John, in this future time, will be one of these elders, as presented in a previous lesson. We locate this truth in Matthew 19:27-28. Due to this passage, I believe the apostles will represent twelve of the twenty-four elders. In light of Revelation 21:12, I believe the other twelve will be twelve godly Jews who lived in the Old Testament period—possibly Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Moses, etc. Yes, I know I have gone over all this; but repetition can help cement the Word in our minds.
We do not know the name of the godly elder who is conversing with John. (Though someday, all things will be disclosed to believers.) This elder is asking John, who are the ones who are clothed in white robes? John respectfully replies to this elevated one, “You know.”
This elder is answering John’s inquiring mind—they are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb—Jesus Christ. We know blood makes things red, but Christ’s cleansing blood makes believers whiter than snow; verse 14.
These future tribulation martyrs will never deny Christ and will never stop preaching Him (Acts 5:40-42, Acts 4:20, 1 Corinthians 9:16; etc), no matter the opposition and they will be slain. It will be contrary to the laws of men to be a Christian at this time, but these will sacrificially die for breaking the laws of men to spread the salvation message of Christ. Today, many believers are perishing because they refuse to obey the laws of silence.
Yes, we are to obey the laws of the land, but not when these laws forbid the spreading of the Gospel. We cannot place our stamp of approval on any person or government that forbids the spreading of the Gospel; Acts 5:28-31. We can never say it is fine for a government to enact anti-Christian laws. Satan is the author and legislator of all such laws.
These godly persecuted ones will be completely worthy to walk in white as those who would not compromise. They will serve Jesus Christ day and night in His temple and He will spread His tabernacle over them. His holiness will engulf them.
We see from Revelation that if we do not walk in compromise to God’s Word, we will be significantly blessed in heaven. Being willing to be persecuted, produces eternal blessings overflowing. Why walk in compromise on this earth to please sinful man and to feed your fleshly desires? This earth is passing away and also its lusts. Is it worth it? No person can love you like God. No person will be as faithful to you.
These uncompromising righteous ones who feared only God, will find total contentment and deliverance from their earthly persecuted trials that led to their termination. They will no longer suffer from hunger, thirst or having to work under the hot sun and its heat. Many of the persecuted today suffer as governments withhold from those who bear Christ’s name. Many suffer grave hardships, as they slave away as prisoners.
There is no better reward than being before the Lamb who sits in the center of the throne. He will be their Shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life. And God will wipe away their every tear.
What a spectacular vibrato note to end our study on. It will be a glory for us when we never have to shed another tear of sadness.
What a grand day when we can see our slain Lamb who suffered and died for every sin we ever committed…He is holy, pure, innocent and separated from the influence of sinners.
I have compiled a list of the seven seals with chapters and verses to assist you:
The Seven Seals, chapters 6 & 8:
First Seal: Conquering angel on white horse, 6:1-2.
Second Seal: War—men slaying one another, 6:3-4.
Third Seal: Inflation and famine; but oil and wine preserved, 6:5-6.
Fourth Seal: Death—famine, pestilence and wild beasts, 6:7-8.
Fifth Seal: Christ’s martyrs, 6:9-11.
Sixth Seal: Terror—unsaved call for the rocks to fall on them to protect them from the LAMB, 6:12-16.
Seventh Seal: Silence about ½ hour and 7 trumpets are given to 7 angels; 8:1-5.
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Revelation chapters 1-3 http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/49/
Revelation Chapter 8
The book of Revelation is our personal premier of ecological phenomenons.
We were provided with great optimism as we departed from chapter 7. We learned those faithful believers who had been persecuted unto death during the tribulation, would never again suffer harm. Christ the Lamb “will be their Shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life and God will wipe every tear from their eyes;” Revelation 7:17.
This is also the eternal hope of believers who have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. Heaven is our delivery destination—here we will find freedom from all earthly turmoil and testing.
In this new chapter, the seventh seal of the seven seals is now broken. This event leaves heaven silent for a space of a half hour. This reveals the solemness set toward the destructive dramatics that will now appear before our eyes in predicted display.
Seven trumpets given to
seven angels to sound—
chapters 8,9 and 11
First Trumpet: Hail, fire, blood and 1/3 of the earth is burned, 1/3 of trees and 1/3 of grass; 8:7.
Second Trumpet: Great mountain burning with fire and thrown into sea…results in 1/3 of it becoming blood. 1/3 of the sea creatures die and 1/3 of the ships are destroyed; 8:8-9.
Third Trumpet: Star falls on 1/3 of the rivers and on springs. The star is called wormwood and many men will die from the poisonous, bitter water; 8:10-11.
Fourth Trumpet: 1/3 of the sun, moon and stars are struck and the earth is completely darkened for 4 hours during the day and 4 hours during the night; 8:12-13.
Fifth Trumpet: The angel who is the “star” (1:20 informs us that stars represent angels) is given a key by Christ to open the bottomless pit; 9:1-12. (We know the key came from Christ as 1:18 tells us as He holds the keys of death and of Hades).
Sixth Trumpet: Four angels are unbound from Euphrates River and the army from the east arrives. This military force consists of 2 hundred million horses and riders. The horses’ heads resemble ferocious lions. Fire, smoke and brimstone proceed forth from their mouths. Their serpent-like tails also bring harm. 1/3 of mankind is killed by this out-breathed fire, smoke and brimstone; 9:13-19 and Joel 2:30-31.
Seventh Trumpet: Christ’s kingdom revealed, with His eternal judgment and heaven’s temple glory; 11:15-19.
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Following the quiet interlude, seven angels receive seven trumpets. Another angel appears and is given a golden censer as he stands at the altar.
Censer: “A small portable vessel of metal fitted to receive burning coals from the altar, and on which the incense for burning was sprinkled. (2 Chronicles 26:19; Luke 1:9) The only distinct precepts regarding the use of the censer are found in (Leviticus 16:12) and in (Numbers 4:14) Solomon prepared “censers of pure gold” as part of the temple furniture. (1 Kings 7:50; 2 Chronicles 4:22)
Much incense was provided so this angel could add it to the prayers of the saints on the altar which is before the throne of God.
We can truly recognize, as we peer into heaven, how significant the tabernacle and temple were as they represented heavenly activities of service.
A censer filled with live coals was used in temple worship. A beautiful picture is set before us in verse 4, back in Revelation, as we witness this incense—representing the prayers of saints flowing up to God, issuing from the angel’s hand. See also Exodus 30:7-9, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, Luke 1:9-10.
The altar is very symbolic in Scripture as well. We know the continuous blood from animals that flowed from the Jerusalem temple altar represented the blood the Messiah would shed for the whole world in prophesied future. All this was fulfilled two thousand years ago. From this time forward, the world has reaped the benefits of the Lamb’s chosen death. His sacrificed cleansing blood is offered today to all, that all might be saved (whosoever believes—John 3:16). However, the road is narrow that leads to heaven, as few choose to be washed clean from all filth and vileness.
In Revelation 6:9-11, the Christian martyrs were crying for revenge; wanting God’s punishment placed upon those who had slain them for their powerful, convicting testimony.
Returning to chapter 8, we survey more of the revenge of God spilling on the earth. Joel and other prophets spoke to this occasion. Joel 2:30-31 discloses tribulation facts by addressing the wonders that will come to pass—blood, fire and columns of smoke. Moreover, the sun being turned to darkness and the moon to blood. Joel and other prophets, through inspiration, rightly referred to the tribulation as “The great and awesome day of the LORD.” God’s promises of judgment will be fulfilled.
In verse 5, back in chapter 8 of Revelation, one of the angels takes the censer and fills it with the fire from the altar and throws it to the earth. Earth’s inhabitants continue to reject Christ and they are paying the consequences once again. We witness that our world will be filled with fire, thunder, and lightening.
When it appears things cannot worsen, an earthquake rattles the earth. In chapter 6, we had the unleashing of all the tribulation seals…all except the seventh. The six seal also held an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The sun was blackened and the moon became like blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth.
This planet will reap what it has sown throughout the multiplied centuries of its existence. God is very gracious and longsuffering, but only to a point. Today is the day of salvation—salvation from the wrath to come, which holds eternal fire.
These befalling episodes compare to nothing you and I have ever witnessed. Devastating consequences will be observed that we cannot even begin to fathom. This is the wrath of God unleashed—predicted throughout the Old and New Testament. We have not been shut out and left unawares.
We know earthly disasters will increase as we journey closer to closing times. We do seem to be witnessing catastrophes on a larger scale. They are all leading toward this epoch. We are commanded to warn the unsaved of what is to arrive. We do not want our unsaved friends and neighbors suffering the wrath of God. Knowing the fear of the LORD, we persuade men; 2 Corinthians 5:11.
We now move on, toward the time when the sounding of the seven trumpets is going to take place. We have thus ended the seven seal judgments and now the judgment of the seven trumpets arrives. In verse 7, the first angel trumpets the first war cry. This produces hail and fire mixed with blood. This explosive conglomerate is thrown on the earth. This will hit our planet, descending from above, and it will suffer this destruction for its Biblical disobedience.
The consequences of this highest court judicial verdict thrust upon evil mankind will affect a third of the earth—trees and green grass burned to oblivion.
The Bible says judgment arrives because man does not give thanks to God for His many blessings. Many unsaved people we personally know would not think of offering praise to the Creator for the green grass and the lush tress. They could not reflect on the importance of giving thanks for the sun-enhanced blue sky and fluffy passing clouds.
Verse 8 brings us to the sounding of the second trumpet by the second angel. John, our recorder, describes this by scribing “something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood.”
Overall, the world has rejected the shed blood of Christ. It will one day witness the apocalyptic judgments, which will unleash immeasurable avenging hemal.
We have noted that God’s punishment is being dished out in thirds. He is not destroying the whole earth, as He still desires that men repent. Even in all His revenge, God still desires salvation for all. The judgments keep falling, however, because man is very hardened and he would rather curse God than praise Him—the One from whom all blessings flow.
Along with the second trumpeting, we see a third of aquatic life brought to stinging death and a third of all ocean vessels destroyed—human carnage floating in the seas.
By this time, there will be few places to run. Who can escape the One who rules the heavens and the earth?
In verse 10, we are brought to the third sounding angel. Following his musical charge, a great star falls from heaven; possibly one of the known planets. It will be “burning like a torch” and of course, we know that when meteors enter our atmosphere, they burn like a torch.
There are 70,000 million million million stars—sextillion, in the God’s heaven!
That’s the total number of stars in the known universe, according to a study by Australian astronomers. There are about 10 times as many stars as grains of sand on all the world’s beaches and deserts.
The figure — 7 followed by 22 zeros or, more accurately, 70 sextillion — was calculated by a team of stargazers based at the Australian National University.
(A third more stars arrayed the heavens before Christ’s birth—this disclosed to us in Revelation 12:3-4. Satan wanted Christ eliminated the moment He departed the womb. Satan angrily threw the heavenly beams to the earth as he witnessed the fulfilled prophecy concerning the Messiah. He implemented King Herod to try to destroy the King of the Jews! God held a great hedge of protection around His Son. Today, satan works around the clock to get people to question God’s holy Word. He is angry with its total inerrant truth. He is irate with Revelation and he wants its truths discarded. Many so-called believers comply and say it is not relevant for today and its events have already unfolded. They believe satan was bound in 70 AD and no longer roams the earth.)
Meteors, ranging in size from that of a pinhead, to many tons, are visible to the naked eye at night, when the friction between the surfaces of the meteors and of the air, produces heat as the meteors enter the earth’s atmosphere. The intense heat incinerates the meteors, which leave a blazing trail of light in their wake.Most meteors do burn up when they enter the earth’s atmosphere, with the exception of the large meteors, which are dragged through the earth’s atmosphere by the earth’s gravitational pull. After successful landings upon the earth, these huge bodies are renamed meteorites. Some scientists theorize that thousands of meteors fall to the earth during the daytime and the nighttime, but this theory is impossible to prove or to disprove, as most would necessarily land in water, which covers most of the earth’s surface.Generally speaking, meteors and meteor particles travel together in swarms like bees, with the exception of the loners, and travel in any direction they choose. God’s spectacular fireworks will show a “meteor shower.” It comes into view when the swarms encounter the upper layer of the earth’s atmosphere during the earth’s perpetual revolution around the sun. The friction produced when the meteors and the meteor particles rub against the atmospheric air incinerates the swarms, and they fall towards the earth in a brilliant display of light.
We know this blazing planet will not burn to nothing before it reaches the earth; it will be massive when it hammers a third of our planet. It will induce momentous catastrophes. It will fall on a third of the rivers and springs of water.
God names this star wormwood:
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
The wormwood shrub grows wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It is now cultivated in North America as well. The leaves and flowers, and the oil obtained from them, are used as medicine.
Historical or traditional use: Wormwood is perhaps best known because of the use of its oil to prepare certain alcoholic beverages, most notably vermouth and absinthe. Absinthe, popular in the nineteenth century in Europe, caused several cases of brain damage and even death and was banned in most places in the early twentieth century.1Wormwood oil continues to be used as a flavoring agent for foods, although in much smaller amounts than were found in absinthe. As a medicine, wormwood was traditionally used as a bitter to improve digestion, to fight worm infestations, and to stimulate menstruation.2 It was regarded as a useful remedy for problems involving the liver and gallbladder.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Long-term intake of the thujone-containing oil or alcoholic beverages (absinthe) made with the oil is strictly contraindicated—it is addictive and causes brain damage, seizures, and even death. Short-term use of the wormwood tea or tincture has not resulted in any reports of significant side effects. Longer-term use can cause nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, tremors, and seizures.
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Wormwood is a deadly and bitter herb that cannot be consumed in significant quantities. This star is referred to as wormwood in verse 11, as it will be ghastly destructive and will leave countless people in bitter pain. Many men will die from the infested bitter waters that this star pollutes. People will not be able to locate fresh unpolluted water in this sphere.
In verse 12, a fourth angel blows his trumpet in perfect montage sequence. It is time now for a third of the sun, moon and stars to be “struck.” A third of the day and night will be total darkness—eight hours. This will be a very scary total blackout.
We conclude this chapter by being introduced to a remarkable eagle—a loud speaking eagle; verse 13. Now, we cannot be too surprised as God allowed Balaam’ s donkey to speak to him in reproof.
It is possible that animals could speak before the fall. Eve was not surprised by the speaking serpent or so it appears. Of course, Balaam wasn’t surprised by his verbal donkey who told him off. Stupid Balaam just argued back. Our omnipotent God can make anything speak. Christ revealed in Luke 19:37-40 that the stones would cry out if the God-praising crowd became silent.
This eagle is a prophesying bird of prey (very apropos). He soars the sky telling the earth’s inhabitants “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” Yes, four angels have now trumpeted the perils of God, but three are still left.
God throughout history has warned of His wrath to come. He desires repentance not judgment. Silly man just shakes his fist toward God.
Please remember there are no atheists at this time. We learned this from chapter 6 as the residents of the earth were crying for the rocks to fall on them so they would be hidden from the omnipotent, avenging catastrophes of the Lamb of God and the Father; 6:16-17.
If you want to read something similar to what we are reading in Revelation, you can study the nine plagues found in Exodus, chapters 7-10. Here you observe horrific plagues placed on Egyptians due to their hard hearts. Of course, these are very minute when scaled in comparison to the world calamities of revealed times.
This ends this lesson, but the trumpets will continue in chapter 9.
Revelation Chapter 9
In this chapter, we arrive at the fifth trumpet of tribulation judgment brought upon the entire earth by the sounding of the fifth angel. If you review my chapter 8 commentary, you will note I listed all the trumpets and consequences. God’s placement of plagues imposed on sinful unrepentant beings arrives in His perfect timing.
We can take note of some slight similarities regarding the plagues of Revelation and those found in the book of Exodus. The Exodus afflictions can be viewed as an extremely light pre-shadowing of apocalyptic tragedies. God is very longsuffering that men might repent, but there comes a day of accountable comeuppance. One of curses the LORD placed on the rebellious Egyptians was swarming locusts; this same type of scenario will someday afflict the entire globe. As the locust plague in Egypt involved darkness due to the locust numbers (Exodus 10:15) so will the arriving locust epidemic of Revelation. However, the locusts of the forecasted encounter will be immeasurably fiercer.
Viewing verse 1, we witness a star falling from heaven, which obviously is an angel. We get to glimpse the power of angels through the book of Revelation. We have noted that all elements, including fire and gravity, pose no harm or threat to them. We witnessed an angel that ascended from the sun in 7:2. They can soar at incompressible speed, rocketing through the galaxies that are trillions of years away, in the simplicity of a moment. Their abilities reach far beyond our comprehension. God’s holy angels are rightly to be respected as Scripture exhorts.
The key of the bottomless pit is handed to this star (angel) of verse 1. Remember, Revelation 1:20 holds a key for us when it comes to understanding the fact stars represent angels (though not in all cases). There were seven angels (stars) that were assigned to the seven churches that we read of in chapters 1-3.
The earth-landing angel of chapter 9 uses a key to open the demonized hot bottomless pit; whereby smoke arises like that of a great furnace; verse 2. On this future day, the sun and air will be darkened via the smoke of the dreadful pit. We know from 20:11-15 that anyone whose name is not penned in the book of life will be cast into this bottomless infernos crater one day. Hell is the destination for the unredeemed (those who have not been washed in the blood of the Savior, being made clean in God’s sight through rebirth) who have perished. Currently, Hades (a very hot temporary holding place) contains the unsaved who have expired. We know it is very hot from the story of the rich man and Lazarus; Luke chapter 16. “Hades” is the correct Greek word translation for this Lazarus account exposure.
In Revelation 9:3, we witness bizarre locusts arising out of the fiery pit. They are very fierce and remarkable in appearance. We do not know their size as this is not revealed. Movies and books like to portray them in giant structure, but we do not know if they will be larger than the common locust. We do they will plague men to a degree that we cannot fully process in our minds.
God created over 9,000 of these uniquely modeled species:
“Locusts are migratory members of the short-horned grasshopper family; the name applied to almost 9,000 different species of singing, jumping insects in two families of the order Orthoptera. Grasshoppers are long, slender, winged insects with powerful hind legs and strong mandibles, or mouthparts, adapted for chewing.”
The Old Testament prophetical book of Joel addresses a portion of what is described in this Revelation chapter. God directed Joel to write on the tribulation period in general. This exposing little book also divulges the sins that Israel partook of during his era, approximately 835-796 BC. We can relate to this disclosure as humanity’s sensual sinful nature does not transform except by rebirth.
Joel foretold of the locusts that will arrive upon the earth in the tribulation. One fearsome manifestation will be their mighty teeth—teeth of a lion; Joel 1:6. Revelation 9:8 also bears this fact. Chapter 2 of Joel deals with the great horrors that will arrive within the tribulation period, including these unfathomable locusts. We know Joel is addressing this period as he refers to it as the day of the LORD’s coming. He speaks of these locusts arriving in a day of darkness and gloom—so true to Revelation’s forecast. No one in ages past has experienced anything like what is to come! The appearance of these creatures will be that of horses; 2:4. This is also verified in Revelation 9:7. They will run like mighty men—climbing, marching, and coming into homes; 2:8-9. Revelation 9:9 further testified to these facts. Joel also addressed present time foreclosure of God’s judgment of locust that was soon arriving to plague Israel; this being somewhere in the 700 BC time period. God’s nation was going to experience common locusts, possibly the “Pink” species, which is known to that region. Israel was to experience grasshopper devastation due to sin.
In 2004 Israel’s crops were once again greatly plagued by these little critters: http://forumgarden.com/forums/current-events/1599-israel-hit-worst-locust-plague-since-1950s.html
Israel today is far from Christ and in rebellion and the terrain still suffers in multitudes of ways. One day, the whole land of Israel will serve Christ in total willingness. Then the soil will again be blessed with agricultural abundance and beauty.
These Revelation locusts will also own characteristics of the scorpion, being painfully powerful. Like the scorpion, they will sting; whereby men will suffer for five months as if they had been stung by a scorpion. Scorpions are potent in their harm to men, yet minute in mass. It is interesting to contemplate on the tiny creatures God has created and their unique abilities and appearances.
One distinctive of the Revelation locust is their lack of harm when it comes to crops and foliage; verse 4. They will not eat any green thing, acting oppositely of known locust. We also learn from this verse that the 144,000 male virgin Jews will not be touched by these dreadful creatures. They will not pose harm to those who own the seal on their foreheads. We learned from chapter 7 that the 144,000 will have a seal on their foreheads. Chapter 14 of Revelation teaches us that they will be completely pure and holy, not being defiled with women, as blameless male, virgin Jews.
These locusts will harm every person who does not have the mark of God on their foreheads. However, they will not kill any person with their sting. People will want to die because their inflicted, painful agony will be so gnawing. However, they will not be allowed to extinguish their own lives. They will not be permitted to commit hara-kiri.
We perceive from this portion of Scripture that these locusts are battle-like in appearance and action, as they will display breastplates, like shields of iron. They will have wings and their sound will be like that of chariots, of many horses running into battle.
They will be kings in that they will exhibit what appears to be crowns of gold on their heads. Their faces will be like the faces of men—how very odd indeed. They will be dreadful in every aspect of the word! They will also have hair, like the flowing hair of women. I Corinthians chapter 11 informs us that God made women’s hair beautiful and it is her glory. It is to be long. Women are to be feminine and distinct from men. God hates unisex and homosexuality. Women’s long hair provides a sexual differing as men are to wear their hair short. It is also a modest covering as we read in this Corinthian passage.
Even though these locusts are of Satan, they are governed by God. The locust invading army cannot harm the 144,000 or kill mankind as I stated previously. Satan would love to destroy all mankind as man is made in the image of God, whom Satan hates. He will take every opportunity God allows to thrust his sword at him. Job chapters 1 and 2 informs us that Satan cannot harm without God’s permission. He must appear before God on occasion and give an accounting of his activities Satan was allowed to harm Job in tremendous ways, but he could not snuff out Job’s life. All of Job’s trials, though completely destructive, worked together for good and God was glorified.
Someday Satan will have all his wicked power withdrawn and will be cast into the lake of fire. I look toward this marvelous day.
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Locusts were the main staple entree for John the baptizing prophet; Matthew 3:4. John lived a lowly life, minus all worldly hindrances, as he desired to be all about the Messiah. A simple locust and honey diet represented this simple-living godly man.
You can locate locust recipes. Some people find them to be quite pleasant to the taste as they taste like shrimp. I guess this is the way to go when they destroy everyone’s crops. “Locust swarms, which can range in size from one square kilometer to 100 square kilometers, are spread by the wind. With up to 3,000 locusts per cubic meter, swarms can comprise tens of millions of insects which consume vast amounts of food. Each locust can eat two grams of food per day, and experts reckon that every million locusts gobble as much food as 5,000 people in one day. They are known to eat their own weight each day, consuming just about anything that grows—anything green. They are known to strip every shred of vegetation from areas where they invade.”
You can obtain an itsybitsy amount of produce from their stomachs.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_desert_shrimps/html/1.stm
Barbecue (grilled): prepare the embers or charcoal. Place about one dozen locusts on a skewer, stabbing each through the centre of the abdomen. If you only want to eat the abdomen, then you may want to take off the legs or wings either before or after cooking. Several skewers of locusts may be required for each person. Place the skewers above the hot embers and grill while turning continuously to avoid burning the locusts until they are done.
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We learn in verse 11 one of the names of Lucifer and that is Apollyon, which is the same as Apollo. We know this verse refers to Satan as he is the angel of the abyss. Ancient civilizations worshipped Apollo as the Greek god of the sun who owned curly golden hair and was the son of Zeus. Satan arrives in many names in the realm of idolatry. He even appears as female goddesses. Mary of the Catholic Church is portrayed as a female goddess and countless idols have been imaged in wicked honor. Lucifer has held other goddess names such as Diana or Artemis of the Ephesians; her temple being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Many of her attributes were transferred to Mary and an idol of the multi-breasted Diana is stationed in the Vatican Museum. In Ayasalouk (formerly Ephesus) there are two main idol shrines that are visited; one to Mary and the other to Diana/Artemis. In the book of Jeremiah, the Jews were commanded not to worship the “queen of heaven” which was one of the titles of the female goddess, Ashtoreth. Mary holds this same “queen of heaven” title and so did Diana and Venus.
God declares image worshippers are kept out of heaven and we must be warned as idolatrous religions are viewed as a good ecumenical thing. Yoga, which is part of the idolatrous Hindu religion, and other New Age pursuits are on the rise in America. Satan is behind all idol worship. When people worship a graven image, they worship him and they are held accountable for worshipping Satan in his multitude of forms. Satan is the head of our present ecumenical movement and will be the head of the apocalypse ecumenical movement when countless idols will be worshipped to please all tastes. Idol worship will be all the rage in the tribulation. Multitudes of idols will be adored; verse 20 and 9:20. I would not be surprised if Apollo is once again upheld.
The antichrist will have his own speaking image that the world will worship; 13:15. If people refuse to partake in its worship, their lives will be extinguished. Perilless times await those who come to Christ during the great and horrific tribulation.
Bouncing back to chapter 9 verse 13, we observe a heavenly temple scene as the four horns of the golden alter are mentioned. It is very interesting that the temple in heaven resembles the tabernacle as well as the temple structure (built during the time of Solomon) that was designed by God for Jewish worship. There was a brazen alter with four horns created for sacrifice (Exodus 27:1-2). One will be formed again when the millennial temple (Ezekiel chapters 40-44) is build in Jerusalem on the original temple mount, where Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. It is from this heavenly temple that the sixth angel blows his trumpet, upon which four angels who have been bound in the great River Euphrates are released. The River Euphrates is in present day Iraq and seems to be the central local of Revelational happenings. Of course, Jerusalem is the foremost staging area. This should not surprise us as there will be a new Babylon and it will most likely be near ancient Babylon as it is called Babylon. Though, of course, we do not know what its actual name will be. God declared ancient Babylon would not be rebuilt, so it cannot be in the exact same local. Baghdad is not far from the remains of Babylon. New Babylon will acquire all the sinful attributes of ancient Babylon and it is natural to believe it will be near the same local. The River Euphrates is also referred to in 16:12, so we recognize what area of the world will be key in end times. Of course, all the world will be taking its cues from this region.
In verse 15, we see the four angels of God are assigned to kill a third of mankind. If you will recall, we observed God destroying by thirds in chapter 8, verses 9-12. I think it is safe to assume the 144,000 virgin men will not be harmed at this time as well. This holocaustic mass killing will be accomplished by armies of horsemen of two million. The apostle John is still present, observing and recording and he states “I heard the number of them.” He noted the riders had breastplates the color of fire and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions and “out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone.” These are not the kind of horses I would want to be around. They certainly will resemble the mythical dragon. A third of humanity will be executed “by the fire and the smoke and brimstone that proceeds out of their mouths;” verse 18. We also learn from verse 19 that their tails will be like serpents and they will have heads from which they do harm.
One would assume this punishment for sin would cause the living two thirds of the inhabitants of the world to repent. Unfortunately, they will not; verse 20. They will not turn away from a Harry Potter mentality of sorcery. They will not turn away from their murders, thievery, and sexual deviances (they will not hold to sex in marriage alone). These pagans will continual to worship false gods of idolatry in this future era. It is amazing that people will worship idols made by the hands of wicked man that cannot hear or talk. They can easily be hit right off a table in one swing. How absolutely ridiculous to adore things manufactured by the hands of sinful folk.
Yes, we end this chapter on a sad note as the world’s population in general is not repenting. They still are refusing to adhere to Jesus Christ, the only Savior. Their hearts are totally hardened, being in bondage to sin. We witness this same hardness of heart today, even in the church. Many do not take God seriously and His words of warning placed in Revelation. It is very foolish not to fear and tremble before God; Philippians 2:12 and 1 Peter 1:17.
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Revelation Chapter 10
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28689311#28689311
Plane crashes in Hudson River. People prayed, people were saved. No doubt, Christians were on the plane and prayed. Everyone refers to it as a miracle.
America, as a whole, is very thankful for everyone’s survival.
One day, men will not seek after God and He will no longer be gracious to mankind.
We ended chapter 9 on a sad note. It speaks to the time when God will bring painful and deadly nightmare horrors upon the earth during the tribulation. He will use locusts who have the faces of men and wear the hair of women to sting mankind. These locusts will plague earth’s inhabitants with torment for five months. People will want to die but God will not permit suicide. Civilization will suffer to the full extent He predetermined. In this same chapter, God reveals a third of rebellious mankind will perish. God will implement armies of two hundred million horsemen. There is no greater military strategist than God. These horses will pour forth fire, smoke and brimstone like dragons, whereby a third of mankind will perish. The chapter went on to explain to us that the horses’ tails will be like serpents, also creating harm as they will have heads. What a very frightful thing to contemplate on.
Chapter 10 opens with a strong angel arriving from heaven, clothed with a cloud and with a rainbow upon this head and his face is like the sun and his feet appear as pillars of fire. How poetically stated and what a powerful backdrop to introduce us to this chapter and future earth happenings. So much of Scripture comes to us in poetry. A great deal of the Old Testament was penned in Hebrew poetry. It is nice to own a translation of the Bible that does not remove God’s poetic and lofty nature.
This impressive angel who came from above has something in his hand. It is a little book which is open. I like little books and I have antique little books with which I decorate. They sit very nicely in the palm of one’s hand. These books are nice to pick up once in awhile as they are ancient and do not speak forth worldly degrading agendas. They are simplistic, expelling bright innocent writings that were a significant part of generations past…when modesty and decency had a large foothold, holding our society more firmly in place.
This angel, with the open book in hand, places his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. He is a expansive angel of magnitude impressiveness. Maintaining his stance, he cries out with a loud voice. We do not know what he cried out but it was like “when a lion roars.” This certainly must have placed great fear in John the Apostle. John is currently stationed on the earth in this future display. John was one who feared and trembled before God and who, no doubt, trembled before His frightful angelic creation as well.
When this angel cried, the seven peals (meaning a prolonged sound) of thunder also uttered their voices. We have eight loud angels at work in unison here. The Bible teaches us in Job that thunder is the voice of God; Job 37:2-5 and 40:9. God does thunder from heaven and His power over Creation should cause us to stand in awe.
The seven angels speak and we note John is about to write their words in obedience; verse 4. God had told him to communicate what would be set before him. He had to pen it for you and for me; 1:1-3.
John is suddenly stopped. A voice from paradise commands him “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoke and do not write them.” This is a secret and John is to seal his lips and never tell a soul. To this very day, we do not know what was spoken. Daniel too was told to seal up things in a book (Daniel 12:4) and I believe this to be the book we read of in Revelation 5:1-2. When it was unsealed, it detonated the devastating Tribulation plagues as prescribed by God.
In verse 5 we return to the gigantic angle that is standing on the sea and on land. This angel lifts his right hand to heaven. Remember, there are no female angels in Scripture. Angles were created countless years before Eve ever appeared on the earth. She was created to be a helpmeet for Adam. She was formed to be his loving assistant and wife.
This angel swears by Him who lives forever and ever, “WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer.” This verse reminds us that evolution is a lie that everything was uniquely and wonderful manufactured by God. Not even man who has a brain and mobility can recreate what has been made. He cannot reconstruct to perfection one single strand of hair. Unfortunately, many silly arrogant men and women believe everything came from absolutely nothing. Someday they will bow before Christ, the Creator of all (Colossians chapter 1, John chapter 1, etc.), and will suffer unfathomable incinerating eternal pain if they do not repent.
Verse 7 refers to the seventh angel and to the days of this angel who has no name. No angel in Revelation holds a stated name. This angel is the one assigned to blow the final trumpet. Six trumpets have sounded. (I did send an account of all trumpets and their woes earlier as well as the previous seven seals.) This verse addresses the time when he is about to sound. This will be the time when the mystery of God is finished. The seventh angel will sound at the appropriate time. This occurs in the next chapter subsequent to the powerful judgment revelation of the two witnesses and their death and resurrection. This all transpires in Zion—Jerusalem. It is at this time the seventh angel blasts the trumpet and proclaims Christ will reign over everything forever and ever; 11:15. Eternal life for the true believer is forever and ever. What a blessed thing to dwell upon in this evil age.
Returning to 10:7, God sets our sights on the prophets to whom He preached His truths. In 2 Peter 3:2 we are commanded to remember the words spoken by the holy prophets and the apostles. We are to be diligent studiers of the Word of God so we are never made ashamed of our lack of knowledge. We note here that the “mystery” is mentioned. We know the mystery surrounds Christ. Even though the prophets wrote of His first coming and the suffering surrounding it, the Jews never picked up on these truths. The Jews understood the Messiah would arrive and reign as king. They could not comprehend a humble, dying Messiah. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 are key locations that speak to a suffering Messiah. We do know there is no place in the Old Testament that directly addresses the church age. Ephesians 3:9-21 refers to the “mystery” of Christ, which was hidden from mankind for many generations. This consisting of Christ’s first appearance on the earth and the church age. Numerous truths have been unleashed through the church age Scripture writers and aren’t we glad?
When studying the Word, it is important to pray for understanding. The Holy Spirit does teach and enlighten. It is key for us to ask for guidance. We should pray continually to understand the Bible and the mind of God. Sometimes we lack because we do not ask.
In verse 8, John recognizes the voice from heaven speaking to him; this being the same voice as in verse 4. He is told to go and take the book that is held open in the angle’s hand—the divine messenger of verse 2 who stands on the land and sea. John approaches this angel and tells him to give him the book. Remember John is in the spirit (Revelation 4:2) and can travel in miraculous ways. He was able to travel to heaven and back to earth, where he is now. If we contemplate the heavenlies, and orbiting planets trillions of years beyond and farther, we can recognize this was a remarkable transitioning act of God. How brilliant the day when in heaven we land.
John removes the book from the angel’s hand and the angel commands him to eat it and relates the consequences of its consumption which will cause bitterness in his stomach, but will be sweet as honey in his mouth. You might ask what kind of book was it and what did John scribe these events on. Was it a scroll? I would say yes. The Greek word is “Biblos” which means book, and of course, “Bible” means book. Most books were constructed using papyrus. We get our word “paper” from papyrus. It came to denote paper made from the bark grown in Egypt; later it expanded into a common word used for any type of paper.
Video on papermaking: http://www.revver.com/video/154633/how-papyrus-is-made/
Ancient Egyptian Papyrus
Papyrus was very important to the ancient Egyptians. It helped transform Egyptian society in many ways. Once the technology of papyrus making was developed, its method of production was kept secret allowing the Egyptians to have a monopoly on it. The first use of papyrus paper is believed to have been 4000 BC.
The raw material of papyrus paper comes from the plant Cyperus papyrus. This plant grew along the banks of the Nile and provided the Egyptians with the necessary raw materials. This plant was quite versatile and was not only used in the production of paper but it was also used in the manufacture of boats, rope and baskets. However, the singularly most important and valuable product was the papyrus paper. Not only was this ancient Egypt’s greatest export but it revolutionized the way people kept valuable information. No substitution for papyrus paper could be found that was as durable and lightweight until the development of pulped paper by the Arabs. The way of making pulp paper was far easier to produce but not as durable. This not only led to a decline in papyrus paper making, but also to a decline in the papyrus plant cultivation. Eventually, the papyrus plant disappeared from the area of the Nile, where it was once the lifeblood for ancient Egypt.
Papyrus making was not revived until around 1969. An Egyptian scientist named Dr. Hassan Ragab reintroduced the papyrus plant to Egypt and started a papyrus plantation near Cairo. He also had to research the method of production. Because the exact methods for making papyrus paper was such a secret, the ancient Egyptians left no written records as to the manufacturing process. Dr. Ragab finally figured out how it was done, and now papyrus making is back in Egypt after a very long absence.
The Method of Papyrus Paper Production
- The stalks of the papyrus plant are harvested.
- Next the green skin of the stalk is removed and the inner pith is taken out and cut into long strips. The strips are then pounded and soaked in water for 3 days until pliable.
-The strips are cut to the length desired and laid horizontally on a cotton sheet overlapping about 1 millimeter. Other strips are laid vertically over the horizontal strips resulting in the criss-cross pattern in papyrus paper. Another cotton sheet is placed on top.
- The sheet is put in a press and squeezed together, with the cotton sheets being replaced until all the moisture is removed.
- Finally, all the strips are pressed together forming a single sheet of papyrus paper.
The earliest account of how to make the paper is given by Pliny the Elder, a Roman citizen from the first century B.C. Even though the Egyptians did not leave a record of how they made papyrus it is probably similar to the Roman method of the first century A.D., since the Romans learned how to make papyrus from the Egyptians.
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In verse 10, we see John obeys the heavenly voice and takes the book and eats it. It was sweet as honey in John’s mouth, just as explained. And it also left a bitter taste in his stomach as predicted. The forthcoming judgments on the earth will be a bitter pill to swallow as were the previous. John is told he must prophecy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings. God’s judgment will continue to encompass the entire earth as set before John’s eyes.
Ezekiel was an Old Testament prophet. He also had a vision, whereby he was told to eat a scroll; Ezekiel 2:8-3:3. It was sweet to his taste like honey though he was to deliver a bitter message. His vision involved the judgment of God on his disobedient children, the Jews, because they rebelled and not heeded the truths of Scripture even during their discipline of Babylonian captivity. They did what was right in their owns eyes and they were going to continue to pay for their disobedience as reveled to Ezekiel. They believed their captivity might be short lived, but God made sure what He spoke was fulfilled and they were going to suffer the complete 70 years as prophesied. See also Jeremiah chapter 29.
John’s scroll consumption concludes chapter 10 and chapter 11 will take us into more amazing acts of God. These acts will someday take place on the earth. It takes the faith of a true born again believer to accept these apocalyptic occurrences. It is the Holy Spirit within that confirms these happenings. Many today, even pastors in Bible churches, deny Revelation as actually coming to pass. Some pastors deny it behind closed doors. Catholics have always discounted Revelation, but its denunciation is becoming more and more prominent in so-called Bible churches. The apostasy is grave.
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Revelation chapters 11-14 http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/revelation-chapter-11-mouths-of-fire/
Toronto Blessing and Other Info
Church Good News:
It was thrilling to read of God’s miracle work in Kenya. Men were able to bring Bibles into schools and children received Christ as their Savior. Schoolchildren were animated to receive the Word of God—cheering, clapping and yelling with excitement. Kenya is in political unrest (see below info) as the article stated, yet God opened all the doors for Bible distribution. 226,575 Scriptures were placed in 526 schools and other locals.
There were some obstacles as one truck, loaded with Bibles, was hijacked. However, God moved in miracle force! The truck would not start for the hijackers who were quite upset to learn it was filled with Bibles. They finally left the truck unable to budge it. However, when the truck was placed in the hands of the rightful owner, it did start and the Bibles were all distributed. God is omnipotent and His ordained will cannot be thwarted by men.
(Kenya is political turmoil and pain because of Raila Odinga, President Obama’s cousin who received Obama’s full personal and financial support during Kenya’s presidential campaign. When Odinga lost Kenya’s presidential election, his tribe assisted him by incinerating church attendees, burning down churches and committing other atrocities. Odinga is a Marxist Muslim murderer who now holds the position of Prime Minister of Kenya by appointment. After Odinga lost the election, Obama continued working with him, telephoning him constantly from New Hampshire. Prime Minister Odinga recently spoke at the University of Buffalo in New York.)
Odinga info:
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/639430
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=103329
New York Times article: http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/Kenya-2Jan08MobBurnsChurchinKenya.pdf
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/12/obamas-kenya-ghosts/
Church Distressing News:
People speak of the “Toronto Blessing” and Christians receiving it at the Toronto Vineyard church. This all reveals the wickedness of our day—demonic activities in the name of Charismatic experience, but nothing done by Scriptural example.
The article below refers to TB leaders doing nothing about sexual wickedness, including wife swapping, being participants. With what pastors state and allow today, it would not surprise me if wife swapping is occurring in some fellowships. I knew a Mormon family that left their ward because they were asked to partake in the ward’s wife swapping. Their son became a believer in Christ.
Mormon wife swapping historical written records including the involvement of Brigham Young:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Iy-F3Dg3LccC&pg=PA295&lpg=PA295&dq=mormon+wife+swapping&source=bl&ots=yyIJtoVm5_&sig=9iSylM74aH0Yb-lJmmgAMwtPkwc&hl=en&ei=cOltSqn_A4O0sgPY87DKDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7
Wife swapping is even accepted on television as one show is called Wife Swap. And it appears every state has a wife-swapping club.
Because I have had to stand against pornography within Christendom, very little would surprise me. The other day, Alan and I ran into a Bible church attending-couple we knew a few years ago. The wife stated to me they were letting her daughter live with her boyfriend in their home and their daughter was pregnant. This is slapping our holy LORD in the face. Every time people engage in this sin, they slap Jesus Christ in the face. People who allow such activity are walking hand in hand with satan.
A very sad state exists in Christianity and in the charismatic movement in Canada. Unfortunately, many believe the demonic practices of the “Toronto Blessing” is of God.
http://www.christiandoctrine.net/doctrine/articles/article_00040_the_true_spirit_of_the_toronto_blessing_reveals_itself_web.htm
Excerpts from Toronto Blessing Article:
…In one “Toronto Blessing” church there is an ongoing wife-swapping ring. From what I gather (from members of the same church), it is well established. Some claim to have refused the ‘offers’ of gratuitous sex, but nevertheless they will not discuss the matter with leaders within their own church. They also claim that many in their church have taken up the offer…
In another (“Toronto Blessing”) church, a leader’s sexual activities were brought to our attention. It was reported that he used large quantities of ‘pornographic’ articles which he distributed in his church. Such accounts can be multiplied many times, my friends. These people belong to the ‘respectable’ churches. These are not men who fail, or who make mistakes. They are living sexually wanton lives – deliberately! There is no excuse. And it is these very men who accuse me of ‘bringing the cause of Jesus Christ into disrepute’ because I make their activities publicly known! What hypocrites! What liars! If you shout loudly about your ‘respectability’ you had better make sure it is true!
We can expect these things to occur, because charismaticism is heresy. The true nature of charismatic teaching is evil, and evil permeates its structures and life. Therefore, that evil must show itself sometime, somewhere! In past times Satanic activity was hidden. But today, with laxity amongst true Believers, Satan is free to be more bold in what he does. Hence the sex and violence, the intimidation and hatred. The open nature of what is happening leads us to think that the mass apostasy spoken of in scripture is now starting…
Another indication of what is truly behind the Toronto Blessing, is the emergence of sex aberrations during TB meetings. Perhaps the most obvious case was in recent meetings held by churches in Bournemouth. A main leader was a well-known local pastor. During one meeting, he moved behind a woman who was in a trance and he simulated sexual intercourse! I do not hesitate to say that this sounds to me like demonic activity – no man of his stature and status would dream of deliberately doing such things in public, if he was in his own mind. This, however, does not excuse him. There were five meetings in all, and at each of them there were open displays of sexuality – in particular, women were writhing on the floor in a very sensual manner, simulating masturbation, or moving in such a way as if they were performing intercourse with an unseen lover – all of them in public view! Charismatics have invented an excuse for the latter travesty – they say that such women are “rebirthing Christ” or “birthing Christ”!! They also say that these are signs given by God to show how much He loves us!
Christians attempted to complain about these incidents to the leaders, who did nothing about it. These sexual aberrations have appeared elsewhere also but, again, we ought not to be surprised, for when demons are allowed such easy access, they inevitably begin to show their presence in sexual and violent ways. This, my friends, is the true spirit of the Toronto Blessing. And if this is so for the Toronto Blessing, it is also true for charismaticism in general, from which it sprang. Leaders might deny this, but even in my hometown, I know of one major charismatic church, which has an ongoing wife-swapping ring. I doubt very much if the leader is aware of its existence but it does not matter, because the true spirit of charismaticism is demonic by nature and it must show itself somehow.
(Note: We have signed testimonies from people who attended the Bournemouth meetings. These have been compiled into a separate Article).
Another feature of the Bournemouth meetings was a despair and terror, as people were taken over by the ’spirit’. In one particular case one of the platform leaders ran about shouting “You are Satan” whilst pointing at the platform speakers, and pleading with Satan not to “make me do it”. Two of the witnesses spoke of a feeling arising within their bodies and the feeling of being choked. People who have been saved out of spiritualism said that they had left demon spirits behind and did not want anything to do with what was happening. One of the witnesses said that some years ago those who were exhibiting certain manifestations were said to be taken over by an evil spirit – but the very same manifestations today are being called ‘of God’!…
Toronto Blessing Death:
A young man was found dead, laying naked, face down in Poole Harbour. This was just about 2 -3 months after joining a Toronto Blessing church. Before joining the church (pastored by the very leader who simulated sex behind a woman), the man was normal. By the time he died, he was having visions of Satan and Jesus Christ, and was rambling about the end of the world. It is likely that he killed himself. He had never had any kind of religious background, so the only place he could have received false teaching was from the church he had joined. This was also the conclusion of the coroner. I personally knew of a spate of similar charismatic deaths in the 1970’s, when I was a psychiatric nurse, and have no doubt whatever that the young man in Poole was the victim of TB/charismatic error.
Important note: On the 29th June 1995, I received conclusive proof from an unexpected source that the TB caused the young man’s death. One of the young women who provided us with a signed testimony about the sexual scandals, happened to have been the girlfriend of the young man. She testifies that they both attended the meetings and that her boyfriend was ‘zapped’. His face contorted horribly. Immediately after that meeting, the boy experienced visions of Christ and Satan and had constant thoughts of killing himself. There is now no doubt that the TB led directly to the boy’s death. Derek Owers of Bournemouth has established what the boy was like before his death. Everyone has testified that he was normal and healthy, without a trace of any problems whatever.
God help those who administer this vile deception. We pray that the movement will meet a swift death of its own, before it ruins many more lives, not just spiritually, but also mentally and physically. Take note all TB adherents, for you are not immune! And God help leaders of the deception – how can they ever face the boy’s parents?
Note: At the time of writing we have also had unconfirmed reports of 20 similar deaths in Sweden.
Also see: http://www.w3church.org/ChristianMagic.html
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/r06a14.html
http://www.tzemach.org/articles/torbless.htm
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Tongue Truth
Language speaking must be performed completely in line with the inerrant Bible or not at all. Tongues must be spoken in known languages that can be interpreted, which is also in accordance with Acts chapter 2.
The gift of interpretation is far more important than speaking in foreign languages as Scripture states. This gift is evidenced through the power of the Holy Spirit whereby one knows every language of the world. All interpreters must be tested to affirm they do know every dialect on the globe by bringing before them people who know foreign languages—Greek, Hebrew, Chinese, French, Italian, Russian, German, etc.—they need to speak before the one claiming the gift of interpretation. I state this as believers have been in services and have witnessed people speaking in languages they know and have heard completely false interpretations or the blasphemy of God in that language. I heard of an instance where one came into a service and they knew the language spoken and Christ was being cursed and no one knew but the visiting believer who knew the language. If church services are not being performed completely Biblically, including women being silent in tongue speaking (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 2 Timothy 2:12), then they are being performed through Satan’s design and desire.
God is not a God of confusion; 1 Corinthians 14:33. Everything must fall into sound and true holy wisdom, within all governed orderliness in Christ’s discerning realm. Nothing can appear amiss or crazy. Nothing is to be performed by the desire or design of men and women. God commands that language services be performed completely in wise order so Christians never appear foolish, undone or insane; verse 23.
Also if sign gifts were truly present today, people would be healing others with simply the touch of the hand. An ill person would be healed by touching a healer’s garment. The dieing in hospitals would walk out completely cured by the touch of a true healer. We would be witnessing people being raised from the dead on a continual basis if these apostolic gifts were in existence today. It would be nothing short. None of the apostolic gifts would arrive short of Biblical examples.
I will also add that gifts are listed in various places in Scripture, but sign gifts are only listed in 1 Corinthians and Acts; they are not mentioned within the gifts of the Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4 or Romans 12:6f. If tongues are so important then why are they not listed as gifts of the Spirit in these passages?
Also Charismatic or Pentecostals will say you have to speak in tongues to receive the Holy Spirit. This is a lie from satan! The Bible declares not all speak in tongues and that it is the least of all the gifts as seen by the list in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 . Think about this. Why don’t Charismatics proclaim you have to know every language of the world so you can be an interpreter or that men have to teach or preach if Biblically qualified? Why don’t they say you must reveal the gift of helps to verify you have the Holy Spirit? These and others being the greater gifts of the Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Ephesians 4 and Romans 12:6f.
We have the entire Scripture today, whereby nothing is to be added to or subtracted from. If people do not stand on the Word of God without question, we must avoid them.
Val Lee (It is my heart to follow the apostles’ example. For many walk according to what they think or have experienced or what others think or have experienced. This hurts my heart and such actions made Paul and the other apostles weep. We are to walk according to their example and teachings without questioning; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Peter 3:2 and Jude 17. Those who do not are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is their destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earth things; Philippians 3:17-19)
Apostasy in the Church—The Complete Book
Apostasy in the Church
Collaborated by
A commentary on the Book of Jude
By
Val Lee
Also published by Amazon.com
All rights reserved
CONTENTS
Chapters and Headings
Part 1
Introductory Preface/You and the Apostasy
Page 5
The Briefcase
Page 9
Chapter 1/Exhibit 1
Pastors, Counselors and Others Holding to One Mind and Purpose
Page 10
Chapter 2/Exhibit 2
Divorce American Church Style
Page 18
Chapter 3/Exhibit 3
Discipline Eviction
Page 27
Chapter 4/Exhibit 4
Lost Biblical Discipleship
Page 32
Chapter 5/Exhibit 5
Despairing Believers
Page 40
Chapter 6/Exhibit 6
Liberals and their Babylonian-Like Churches
Page 42
Chapter 7/Exhibit 7
The Legalistic Church
Page 49
Chapter 8/Exhibit 8
Sin’s Presence/I Must Fight the Darkness
Page 52
A Point of Evaluation
Page 58
Part 2
The Book of Jude Commentary
Page 60
Chapter 1
God’s Beloved
Page 71
Chapter 2
Creeping In
Page 74
Chapter 3
Knowing All Things
Page 78
Chapter 4
Historical Accounts
Page 81
Chapter 5
Unreality—Changing of the Colors
Page 86
Chapter 6
Angels and Doctrinal Knowledge
Page 87
Chapter 7
Sinister Villains
Page 97
Chapter 8
The Fruitless and the Productive
Page 104
Chapter 9
Fire Protection with Cleaning Precautions
Page 119
In Closing
Page 123
Apostasy in the Church
Part 1
Introductory Preface
You and the Apostasy
I am not aware of what you, the reader, are expecting as you focus your eyes on this very page. I do not know what you already surmise concerning the apostasy. I do not know if you may be one who does not possess an inkling of what the word means or implies. For you who are entering a sphere you have never entered before, you need to first discover that the apostasy refers to the falling away of the church from its original foundation. It is the renunciation of Biblical teachings in various forms and deceivingly veiled ways. It tutors an agenda of defection.
You, no doubt recognize, we all live in strange, abnormal and questioning times. Evil is on an untamed rampage and the church is not escaping from its extended razor-slicing claws. Are the razor-sharp claws of liberalism tempting you to compromise through trendy church agendas? Think about it. Are there more liberal agendas floating through your fellowship than there were in previous years and have these altered any of your former Biblical stands?
You can drown yourself in ignorance if you are in a church that is turning to less and less scriptural inductive teaching. There are so-called Bible instructing churches out there that no longer allow comprehensive scripture teaching in Sunday school. They have curved away from the course, forsaking the learning of their first love. The Bible warns us of the apostasy as it signals the last days of the church age. There will no longer be a hunger and thirst for the Word of God as church attendees will not desire sound teaching. They will not seek after doctrinal accuracy. This will result in attendees locating many teachers who will tell them all they want to hear, feeding their thirst for liberal and sensual desires. They will find gratification through the teaching of license, which enables them to enjoy everything of an agenda following world.
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They will believe they are right in feeding the flesh as they are being obedient to church teachings and therefore obeying God. We read of these true arriving occurrences in 2 Timothy 4:2-3. However, today, they are not futuristic—they have arrived. Wake up…the apostasy is here!
I tell you, it is present! I sat in an adult Sunday school class where a teacher was teaching total heresies by using the scriptures unethically. Basically, he rewrote the Word to fit his lessons. To this day, I do not believe he was saved. He never mentioned Christ reverently as he was trying to disprove His teachings. It was totally amazing that this man, in this Baptist church, was allowed to teach anything. He held no godly qualifications, just the opposite. He had been arrested for drunk driving previously and the leadership knew it. He supported pornography, the occult, and most, if not all, liberal godless agendas. The whole thing was insane, but people held onto every word he spoke and they shared his teachings with others. A few of us let the situation be known to the head pastor but he obviously did not care that much as he continued to allow him to teach, just under the guidance of another pastor.
We need to make sure we are always alert to what is taking place in our fellowship from week to week to keep from being sucked into the apostasy. And it is easy to be sucked in unawares!
Awhile back, a woman was telling me she formerly did not approve of female pastors but now she does. This is a completely unbiblical stand but the claws of liberalism are beginning to imbed themselves in her through church teaching that is compromising. The books of Timothy and Titus as well as other texts make it clear the pastorate is exclusively for the godly male gender. She went on to say, however, that she did not approve of homosexuality. My husband, Alan, who I told later of the conversation, pondered upon her stance and insightfully reflected, “She formerly didn’t approve of female pastors but changed her mind. How long will it be before she says, well, I didn’t use to approve of homosexuality, but now I do?”
Many believers are accepting what has always been unacceptable in Christendom. Sensual agendas being everywhere present are slowly squeezing into conservative fellowships. These scheming agendas include homosexuality. Statistics were recently printed that state around 40% of evangelicals approve of homosexual marriages. I do trust this is not true as statistics can be tainted, but there are so-called believers who are
justifying homosexuality more and more as it has become acceptable in most every realm.
INTRODUCTORY PREFACE 7
To point this out more for your pondering, I read an article in a Christian magazine whereby a theologian stated the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. What a lie!! Has this man not read Romans 1:20f that traces the descent of a people who yield to it as well as other passages? Christ made it clear that a sexual relationship consists of a married couple, one man and one woman, a heterosexual monogamy life union.
We must remember that liberal believers do not know more than the God of yesteryears. The Bible clearly designates what is not of God and He is not diverting. Believers and churches cannot play games of worldly compliance. Satan is cunningly aware that if he can get Christians to compromise with one area in scripture, he can soon slacken their hold on many stances that are tolerated by a liberal world. When societal acceptability is the determining factor in right and wrong, the church is in deep turbulent seas and many churches have been set adrift in these engulfing waves of change.
I held a Bible study with a friend who was a member of a large Bible believing church that was becoming more and more society accepting for political expediency. I was very concerned about her being in this fellowship, but I did not want to disclose to her those things that were taking place that were contrary to the Word of God as I did not want to discourage her sprouting faith. I presented the situation before the Lord and asked Him to reveal to her the compromise in this assembly.
The Lord almost started answering my prayers immediately and it was if my friend got hit by a 2 X 4 when spiritual discernment arrived. The Lord continually opened her eyes to all the liberalism this church held to. She began to hear all the things that were contrary to scripture that she was deaf to previously. She then started praying for spiritual discernment herself. It was not long before she started seeking a Bible church that held to the Word without contemporary compromise.
Prayer is the key factor in obtaining and building discernment. Paul prayed for the Colossae church to obtain knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Those who do not seek the discernment of God and His Word can be slowly deceived leading further and further into the greater darkness of designed beguilement.
APOSTASY IN THE CHURCH 8
To get to the core of absent discernment and liberal happenings in relationship to you, you must ask yourself, is the Bible becoming less reliable according to your pastors and teachers? Are you viewing the possible rise of a liberal church community that has wavered away from wise discernment? Have you started to question certain passages through reasoning…well…this might not be applicable for today?
I do hope you are a steadfast believer who has not begun to waver in your views. If you are one who is not so sure of the accuracy of scripture due to the people around you not being sure, I would ask you to consider the case I present in this book and place before your eyes of what has come in slowly in the way of unnoticed deception. I believe as your eyes become unveiled by the facts, you will bind the Word of God to your heart as inerrant when facing this ruse.
THE BRIEFCASE
The Briefcase page 9
I will begin my case through the presentation of the reality of the apostasy being everywhere present today. I will open my briefcase and pull from it facts I have noted and believe should be presented for your verdict.
To weigh my opening argument, you must personally learn to be observant of your fellowship, churches you know of and hear of from others. When it comes to Christian publications and broadcasts, you need to take note of their entire content as false doctrines are slipped into true doctrines so they can rarely be detected. I request you always be attentive with open eyes and ears. If you recognize the spiritual battle for your mind and heart, you will desire the discernment that clearly divulges the infallibility of scripture. Consistently studying the Word equips you for the satanic battle as it is one of our main pieces of armor; it being the sword of the Spirit as disclosed in Ephesians 6:17.
Chapter 1
Exhibit 1:
Pastors, Counselors and Others Holding to
One Mind and Purpose
With all this exposed preceding presented forewarning, I will now remove and present exhibit one. This exhibit is a photo of average pastors. I raise this photo before your mind’s eye as I believe much of today’s apostasy lies on their shoulders. Pastors can easily manipulate congregations into liberal beliefs if people are scripture-ignorant. They can maneuver attendees to move to their tune through frequently replaying, “We have to make changes in order to become a contemporary excited growing church.” I have heard such words as “tolerance” and “diversity” creep into a congregation from a pastor that desired a more liberal world view.
A photo of Christian counselors can be placed right along side the one of pastors as they also move to the same tune. Most Christian counselors seem to be cast from the same mold as today’s pastor. Most clients become patrons of counselors through pastoral recommendation. This is dangerous, as people can believe the counselor is speaking Biblical truths since their pastor recommended them. They may not question anything the counselor advises. Unfortunately, I have come to perceive that most counselors do not care about the Bible’s conservative teachings. They abide in the liberal techniques taught in universities to psycho analyze. They hold little or no concern for scriptural application to resolve issues. I have had my socks shocked off when the women I counsel disclose Christian counselors’ recommendations.
Most Christian counselors do not address sin and do not demand repentance from their clients. They employ empty worldly philosophies,
terminologies and methodologies to sound intellectual so patients keep
feeding their pocketbook. Counselors do not want to step on toes too much as their patients may never come back. They choose to mainly listen, but when an occasion arises to justify sins, they are often jolly on the spot.
Psychoanalysis explanations easily push away the sins that so easily entangle us, driving us deeper into worldly philosophies of validation.
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Colossians 2:8 instructs us concerning those who will try to captivate us so we turn away from the solidarity of the Word through philosophies, the traditions of men, teachings of the world, etc; rather than according to Christ. We are commanded in this verse not to allow such activity. We are disobeying God when we fall into such traps that are fleshly elevating. Everyone wants to believe they are on the pentacle of every novel motivation. Christ knows our nature whereby He places warnings so we do not walk into such transient traps; so we stay stabilized in the faith and shun any desire that puffs up our ego through commanding intelligence.
I have heard believers come from counseling sessions spouting every new psycho phrase that gives no impression of them being believers who are standing on the Rock that never wavers. I sometimes wonder how much medication has been prescribed to prevent them from having to deal with the sinful heart issues.
I believe counselors and pastors walk hand in hand in their agendas. It is not unusual to see counselors aiding pastors when dealing with people in the congregation. At times, pastors seem to cling to a well-known counselor as opposed to God and His Word. I am dismayed often at what is taking place in respected churches because pastors are afraid to offend. Keeping a liberal counselor at hand can help appease and make everyone happy…supposedly.
Rarely, if never, do pastors and counselors label the sin that invades lives as vile, evil, detestable, depraved, corrupt, wicked, etc. They most never command total repentance nor explain the judgment or discipline of God. It breaks my heart to know how sin is swept under the carpet in the name of appeasement and tolerance. Drugs, lying, cheating, violence, promiscuous sex, etc seem to cause little or no disturbance in the church of today. Of course, pastors know if they addressed these things, as they should, they would end up with a very small congregation.
Due to this, it is easy for Christian leadership to accept the teaching that society must analyze all from “a new world view.” As a result, one no longer hears, “We must view all things from the ageless ways of immutable scripture.” Now everything has to be examined in relation to it being the hottest and most stimulating approach to living for styling believers as new world participants. If things cannot be viewed through this contemporary light, they are ignored.
Contemporary-ism is one of the most sought after stimulating approaches for churches that fits into the new world order of believe-ism. I was in a church where one of the pastors kept throwing the word “contemporary” in my face.
APOSTASY IN THE CHURCH 12
I think he viewed himself on a mission of contemporary conversion, but I never would bite his bate. I believe I just frustrated him. A friend of mine recently left a church because the power to change her and her husband into contemporary believers was just too much for them. They have now located a church that puts no silly demands on people; holding simply to Biblical truths.
One motivating hidden agenda behind all this hoopla is pastors desiring the unsaved to be totally comfortable in a non-threatening environment where they never feel convicted by strong Bible messages. A friend told me some time ago that she heard an ad for a church that stated something to this effect, come to our church and take part in a non-threatening environment. My friend desires to write a letter to the church asking how the Bible can be taught and no one feel threatened? These ads are placed before the public as pastors believe such motivation and compromise brings in big numbers resulting in noteworthiness and larger paychecks. Today’s church has been homogenized into a new faith, not the faith of holding to the Bible alone as churchianity (habits of popular, cultural church-life) has become so prosperous.
We see as we peer within the general body of believers, that fellowships no longer hold a reputation for discipline and integrity. Consequently, you have many people attending who are unsaved. It also opens the doors for the backslidden believers. You can come to obtain many in your congregation who hold few morals and who are not normally found in church, such as fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, pedophiles, etc. Not to mention those who have no problem with dishonesty, lies, and embezzling. Many implement these deceptive practices in business and personal dealings during the week without a thought. A Christian couple recently told my husband and I of a pastor they had several years ago, who had a homosexual practicing son and he was allowed to play the piano for the church and his personal vile actions were justified.
Everyone can feel religious in an all-acceptable, non-threatening environment where they believe their good work of attending church outweighs all the bad they live-out during the week. Often times, people refer to these churches as “seeker friendly.” They are dubbed this as pastors deliberately structure their churches so they are appealing to the world. These fellowships are a perfect fit for those who are seeking some religious experience but desire no internal change of pattern. There can be some good in this as a few accept salvation and I am grateful for this; but the tragic thing is there is a complete lack of godly close spiritual fellowship and strong Bible teaching. The church is to be going out into the world and saving, which subsequently results in the newly-saved being baptized, attending church and being discipled.
EXHIBIT 1 Page 13
This is the example presented in Acts. The church is to be made-up of God’s called out ones. There is no example presented in scripture where the unsaved become part of the church and then are redeemed. I am not saying a person who is truly seeking salvation cannot come to church, but the majority of attendees should be saved. I would say 99% of those who regularly church should be converted as the church is to be a place of worship and growth for the redeemed.
An unregenerate person cannot worship God, as they have not been cleansed by the Savior’s blood and therefore are spiritually dead. They have no true concept of what they are participating in. It does not bring joy to Christ’s ears to hear the children of satan praising His name. 1 John 1:7 speaks of believers walking in the Light, as Christ is the Light, and of them fellowshipping with one another, and Christ’s blood cleansing them from all sin. Here is one verse that represents what the church is to be. We can never have true fellowship with one who has not been cleansed by the blood of our Savior.
A true pastor who loves the unsaved and only wants to increase numbers for salvation sake will evangelize by going out into the community, preaching and teaching the Word. If he has a small congregation, it is no big deal as he is obeying the Word and has right motives. Such a godly man will be teaching others to evangelize as well in obedience to scripture. He also will faithfully teach the Bible in a humble manner and not try to entertain a fellowship.
Those pastors who have sold out for numbers will try everything under the sun to get people into the door and a reader board is a must. While driving one day, my eye caught a church’s reader board sign that advertised, “This Sunday is casual day.” What a silly thing! The church imitating businesses and schools just in hopes of attracting the worldly-minded through its doors. It is a Bible-teaching church, but it seems to be willing to compromise all common sense to be like the world, not a separated ambassador hated by this world as Christ was hated by it and still is.
“The arts” are also a significant trait of the apostate church and used in advertising to usher all through the open doors. Why? Because the advertised arts in every form including lewdness is everywhere emphasized in the world—A Hollywood commanding culture that demands everyone tag along.
APOSTASY IN THE CHURCH Page 14
I heard a music pastor of a Baptist church spending significant time expressing how the arts must now be part of the church to be in style with the world. Every artistic endeavor must be presented by the members of the church. He continued explaining how his wife was part of the secular worldly arts. He glorified her music talents and emphasized that believers must give to her financially as she and her group were destined for famous applauding magnification as top-billed performers.
This “we are one with the world” teaching marches onward in the church as satan’s scheming empty philosophies are enchanting most everyone. We are not to pursue every passing mode of vanity when we are to be walking in the eternal values of scripture that are of our holy Savior who hates every way that enters the church that is not exampled in His Word.
A true ambassador for Christ only represents God to the community. Ambassadors do not conform to the country they are in; they remain distinctly different as a total representative of their nation. The only way we can be a separated ambassador is not to partake in those things that do not take hold of Christ’s wise character. We cannot be making our churches silly by doing silly things.
Our friend, Dr. Richards, who is a world evangelist, an author and one who disciples pastors throughout the globe, penned:
“Most of us seek to fill the soul-hole with affordable goods, culturally viable alternatives or philosophically appealing ideas. Why do we keep repeating failed options? Does mere repetition fool us into erroneous feelings? Evaluate your repetitive life.”
Doing things according to the scriptures is of uppermost importance. Having great numbers in your congregation doesn’t always spell Biblical character and actions. We must be discerning, humble believers who live by the Book not judging a church’s nobility by a worldly successful mentality.
A successful mentality that governs a church, I believe, can induce Christ’s judgment. In the beginning of Revelation, Christ brings judgment upon compromising churches, as He does not justify any evil way. A worldly successful mentality always spells compromise to God’s decrees. Though Revelation and other books warn churches to fear God so successful mentalities do not enter, pastors have turned a deaf ear. We see in scripture that many false teachings were attempting to take over congregations to make them user-friendly for all.
EXHIBIT 1 Page 15
Though chastisement fell upon the churches by Christ in Revelation, churches today believe they are immune to it, being under grace, so there is little fear of God. They believe the fear of God is an old-fashioned thing anyway. They believe having a bit of respect for God is all that is required; however, 1 Peter 1:15-17 commands that we are to be holy as God is holy. We are to act holy in all our behavior; conducting ourselves in fear during our stay upon the earth. Philippians 2:12 instructs us to work out our “salvation with fear and trembling.” Churches should be recognized as places that comprise holy people who fear God, not success-seeking people.
Not fearing God has resulted in many pastors leading their congregations down the road marked “Worldly Contemporary-ism” as they deliberately passed the posted exit for “Inductive Truths.”
It seems most people today prefer to be merely led and analyzing leadership’s motives is out of the question when it comes to any church function. Yes, we are to respect and submit to leadership but only as pastors and teachers comply with the Word in all accuracy. If they are adopting methods and ideas that are extra-biblical, we have the right to question. Not gossip but go to our leaders with concerns. This is not sin!! Pastors may try to make you feel like you are in sin but you are not if you are exposing those things that are contrary to holy uprightness and the disclosing act is performed in love and courtesy.
What we behold today is satan’s plan to bring demise to the fundamental church. Men who desire to go into the ministry who hold liberal views often attend conservative seminaries. Upon graduation, they become respected pastors of orthodox churches by campaigning in sheep’s garb. They must disguise themselves as such as they are actually neoorthodox in thought and intention, not believing in the inerrancy of scripture. They believe the Bible holds no standard for truth and absolutes.
Neoorthodox ministers can speak using the terms of conservative fundamentalists but they mean the opposite in their presentations. This type of nonsense deceives many people.
Such shaded men will even quote noted theologians whereby the congregation easily places their trust in them. After a year or so, these expositors slowly begin to quote liberal theologians here and there. They inch in ecumenicalism and the people are slowly deceived like the frog that is gradually heated in a pan of water atop a burner; it never jumps out—not knowing death is descending upon it at a snail’s pace as the burner m who likes to move slowly to deceive. We must trust in the teachings of God’s holy, sacred, immutable and inerrant Word, solely.
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Some of you reading this will say yes, I have noted how some churches bring in false doctrines slowly. Some of you are fortunate to be in a solid inductive-teaching church and you are not even aware of what is taking place elsewhere. Nevertheless, it is good for all to be educated in what is happening about us in these days of wickedness. Ephesians 5:16 commands us to make the most of our time because the days are evil.
I was in a powerful inductive teaching church and thinking all was well, but out of the blue, I started hearing strange and contradicting doctrines. I just kept praying for understanding of what was taking place and I found the pastors were following new liberal theologians. Alan and I were broken and hurt, as were many others in the congregation who began to hear the strangeness of the new teaching. The pastors after confrontation never repented and lied to cover things, resulting in a festering wound. Many did leave like us but others chose to stay as their friends attended there. I personally do not believe Christians should ever stay in a false-teaching setting. All through scripture, we are warned never to place ourselves under the instruction of those who instruct deceptively.
A friend of ours who graduated from a conservative seminary recently went back to his alma mater to sit in on some of the classes. He was shocked to hear so much false doctrine coming from current professors. When he attended, all was Biblically solid. He went to the president of the college to kindly express his disgust. He told him of the false doctrine that he had heard in these classes; unfortunately, this president revealed little or no concern.
Knowing misleading doctrines are being taught in what were once reputable seminaries is heartbreaking. I have sat in churches hearing contrary teaching pour forth from pastors who attended conservative seminaries in disbelief.
The majority of people who sit under such instruction have no idea they are being deceived. Most do not care when concerned ones begin to expose. Most church attendees love and trust their overseers. People trust their preachers even when they begin to teach falsehoods. As long as teaching gradually and gracefully changes, believers are accepting. It pains my heart to witness this. Scripture takes a backseat with the approval of congregations because they were gradually deluded. They allowed their hearts and minds to be changed in order to please authoritative men. They feel if they hold to their previous fundamental ways, they are moving contrary to the authority of their church.
EXHIBIT 1 Page 17
In the Old Testament, the false teachers’ instruction had consumed Judah, southern Israel. God revealed how these false religious leaders ran to the occupation of ministry but He did not call them; please contemplate on Jeremiah 23:21.
You may ask, well, what do I do with all this information? I say, always seek after godly believers and leaders, but above all do not trust in man but only in God; Jeremiah 17:5. I repeat this often that it might be set in stone in your heart.
Chapter 2
Exhibit 2:
Divorce American Church Style:
For this exhibit, I will pull out two Kleenexes from my attaché case. The two tissues represent a husband and a wife. I will glue them together and let them dry. ..Now, after waiting, I will try to pull them apart without damaging them. You know, this is impossible and that is why God hates divorce.
Anyone divorcing for any reason causes great damage to many individuals. Any type of infidelity can significantly and brutally harm a marital relationship.
The religious leaders in Christ’s day enjoyed playing games with Him when it came to the subject of marriage, adultery and divorce (It is no wonder that Christ often eluded them). Christ declared to the liberal Pharisees that divorce could only take place when there was adultery in Matthew chapter 19. Some of Israel’s religious leaders thought they should be able to divorce with the drop of a cooking pan or whenever someone prettier than their wife walked by. Sinful mentalities from age to age just do not change.
The text of John chapter 8 discloses a scene where temple leaders bring an adulterous situation before Christ—a woman caught in the very act of adultery. In this affair situation, we see only the woman was brought before Christ by the saintly temple leaders when the law declared both the man and woman were to be stoned, Deuteronomy 22:22. The religious leaders never state a man and a woman were caught, just the woman; though obviously, they could have brought the man as well.
They declare to Christ that Moses said they were to stone such women, but they were to stone such men too! When our pastor was preaching in John, Alan pointed these truths out to him and me. I had never taken note before of their great protecting bias for the man and I do not think our pastor had either.
It is quite obvious that these religious rulers would have never thought of just bringing the man. They clearly felt he was to be protected and not even confronted. They never even made an excuse for his absence and they knew the Old Testament through study and memorization. They, no doubt, believed this was man’s natural sensual tendency as we recognize from their attitude on divorce and remarriage. Christ may have written down their present and past lovers in the dirt as he addressed their wicked setup.
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EXHIBIT 2 Page 19
Segments of this scenario do occur today with differing twists when Christian leaders desire to put it all on the woman when a Christian man is being disobedient to the Word in the area of sensuality or whatever else. Some might state this, “Well, if the woman held a quiet and gentle spirit, sexual sins and divorce would never enter into the marriage.” Or “If she was always quiet when he looked at others in a sexual way, he would stop.” This is a harmful thing to think or say in light of the fact that the Christian man is the head of the home. He is the one who is to inspire and teach all purity and steadfastness. The husband is responsible to present his wife pure, without any spot or wrinkle; Ephesians 5:27. He is to keep her from being stained by the world in any impure way. Alan says he has far more responsibilities before God than I when it comes to keeping a holy home.
God’s statements placed in Malachi 2:13-17, must also be kept in thought—He does not hear the prayers of the man who treacherously leaves his wife. The Lord clearly discloses that He deals with any sin that involves unfaithfulness and the dissolving of the marriage covenant.
A woman certainly can influence to save a marriage as she exhibits chaste behavior and a quiet and gentle spirit as 1 Peter chapter 3 admonishes. These attributers can transform a man eventually as a wife faithfully practices the teachings of this passage. This involves modest dress and behavior and never flirting with other men. She must also submit to her husband’s authority in all respect as we read elsewhere in scripture. Conversely though, never is she to the placed where she is asked to sin against God.
This passage may be addressing saved husbands who are in disobedience as well as unsaved men. However, it must be noted that 1 Peter chapter 3 doesn’t totally guarantee repentance but it certainly is all-feasible. 1 Corinthians 7:16 states “You do not know if you will save your husband.” Therefore, when it comes to the unsaved, we note there are no complete guarantees for the wife. However, a Christian wife must be a witness of holiness no matter the result as we see from the Word. I will also add for encouragement, that I knew a man who repented on his deathbed whereby he declared it was due to his wife’s witness. Of course, many women don’t have to wait to the last minute to see the results and I read recently from one of our church emails of a husband who came to Christ.
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You, who are reading this, may be a Christian woman and you are married to an unsaved man who needs to be led to the Lord. You need to stand by your chaste, godly silent behavior. When a woman is married to an unsaved man, she cannot go to the church and ask for church discipline. This is held for only believing husbands and those who claim to be—those attending a church fellowship. You must hold to prayer, faith and endurance. It is a difficult road to travel, but the Lord holds your hand and grants endurance. May His grace be upon you, dear one.
If you are a hurting abused wife, I will tell you if your husband has committed adultery, not to give up praying for his repentance until he remarries. God has brought men to repentance on countless occasions and many marriages have been restored to Christ’s glory! There are many dilemmas when remarriage enters the picture. Repentance is always best! I point to Hosea who had to deal with his prostitute-wife who followed satanism; yet, never did he give up petitioning for her contrition. She eventually returned to Hosea but it was probably following many years of falling on his knees. His faithful heart and prayers led to her repentance and return. The book, Love Life by Dr. Ed Wheat, uses Hosea as an example of steadfast commitment and provides ways to restore one’s love life. This book does not allow any room for divorce and upholds renewed marriages.
Marriage renewal does not just happen in books, as I was told of a woman who prayed 7 years for her whoremonger-husband who divorced her. After all her years of intercession, he truly repented. Remarriage to him took place as her reward of unceasing petition. Their marriage testimony restored another couple’s marriage and I knew them and appreciated their openness to share which provided hope for others. I also have heard such stories read on Thu the Bible radio programs.
Unfortunately, today, the majority of pastors don’t care to save marriages as they want their divorce care program enlarged. Divorce care or recovery groups basically become a dating service for those who were not happy in their marriage or were simply dumped. Pastors know this when they bring in a divorce program into the church but do not care because it is a number maker.
It seems most pastors, if not all, will put a person in divorce recovery and never question if they obeyed all the scriptures concerning their past marriage. They never inquire of the women if they submitted to their husbands in all things and respected them in all things.
EXHIBIT 2 Page 21
They never ask husbands if they loved their wives as themselves and only had eyes for their wives. They never investigate to determine if they were the spiritual leaders in the home as ordained in the Word. They just set them in a divorce recovery program and will have a new marriage performed when they meet another.
Any leader who studies the Bible knows the curriculum of these divorce programs is not Biblical, but secular, deceptive and wicked.
I have a friend who was told by a pastor to join a divorce care program when her husband, who attended the church, left her. He moved out of their home during a trip. Her husband had decided not to go with her when she went to visit family and friends. She had no idea that he had a plan in his decision, that of dealing with her treacherously. Before her return home, she received a phone call from him telling her he had left. I brought her home from the airport and we walked into her nearly empty home. She was in tremendous shock and pain as she witnessed visibly her husband’s cessation intentions.
Their large Baptist church refused to perform church discipline though it admitted he had no grounds for divorce. They loved on him, invited him to activities and people let him know they approved of his measures. One key woman from the church simply stated to my friend concerning his departure “I’m sure he had his reasons.”
The pastor and others were holding to, divorce is fine if you have any kind of reason. It is so similar to Christ’s time when people divorced for any sort of cause; yet, He correctively declared, only because of adultery could one divorce. He disclosed people dissolve their marriages because they harden their hearts. My friend knew her husband had hardened his heart against her so he could rob her of everything he could get his hands on through the divorce. He refused to pay half of the house payments though he was demanding half of the income received when it sold and received it. An assistant pastor told her, not long after her husband had departed, that he should not be required to make half the payments because he had his own place now.
When she wrote to the head pastor more than once of her heartache and her husband’s unjust ways, she never received an answer. I asked a key person I knew in that church why the pastor was not replying to her and she said he was too busy with this and that; however, several months went by and it became evident that he did not care and would never do so. The leadership turned to shunning her, which placed more infliction upon her. I believe this all occurred because she stood with marriage till death and church discipline.
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She departed from that church knowing she was not wanted being one who desired to hold to scripture. Her husband called her a “religious fanatic” which people in the church seemed to happily agree with.
My friend freely admitted that she was not perfect in the marriage and that God was changing her through conviction. Her husband viewed himself as totally faultless and deserving of all the gusto he could achieve. He would never admit to me or anyone that he could do wrong.
Eventually he started attending another large Baptist church. He and the head pastor shared a friendship so he decided to switch. She approached this pastor through letters requesting he perform church discipline, hoping he would want to heal the marriage through applying Biblical commands. She believed church discipline would produce repentance.
She got nowhere with her letters and requests asking to speak with this pastor. However, after a persisting period of time, he reluctantly consented. He and a counselor—who has a horrific dishonest reputation including prison time—met with her. They were very hateful and cruel to her. This pastor also refused to perform church discipline and informed her that her husband was completely welcome to attend his church. She asked if he would be welcome if he came with a girlfriend as she was told he had one. The pastor seemed to be little bothered if they attended services. At the conclusion of their time together, the pastor did apologize for his animosity.
Previous to her divorce hearings and trial, she sent out letters inviting pastors; including those who stood with her husband so they could witness his motive of greed for themselves. She stated the time and date, but received no response from the churches and no pastor ever attended.
By God’s grace and mercy, my friend made it through, though she still wrestles with the heartache and all the memories. The church and judicial system failed her by standing with divorce, but Christ has faithfully stood by her side.
I am currently counseling a precious beautiful lady who I will call Cindy. Her husband has left her. He has had problems with pornography since adolescence and constantly lusts after other women to her continual heartbreak. She was a worker in the home and one who had always loved her husband and children—whom she home-schooled.
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Even though Christian leaders knew that Cindy’s husband was lusting after other women, involved in self-fulfillment, and treated her scornfully, they stood with him and persecuted her.
Cindy’s husband and his churched friends skillfully planned his moves before he ever walked out on her. They made sure they did all possible in an attempt to make Cindy commit suicide through their endless scrutinized cruelty and lies. They wanted her out of the way to create an easy road whereby he acquired everything he desired. I have witnessed it myself and have been in tremendous hurtful shock. Yes, there are people in the church who have no problem with murder as long as their hands do not perform it. Such people want Cindy’s holy uncompromising voice silenced.
Yes, in many ways this is similar to the other woman I counseled and spoke of above. Cindy, however, attends a different church, lives in another area; yet, she too has been rejected as if she were the sinning party. She has been cast aside as an undesirable believer who is viewed as being too sound in the Bible.
Cindy has requested church discipline, but has been told by pastors that they cannot judge her husband. One believer took him into his home to live; an ordained pastor took him hunting and involved him in other activities. He was invited to Bible study after all his crimes were exposed to the pastor and leaders. He faithfully continues to attend church, being treated as a welcomed righteous believer.
Cindy feels as if she has been seated in the middle of a church and is being stoned for her Biblical stands. She does not believe in sexual sins and divorce. She has been told pornography and lusting are not a form of adultery even though Christ announced one who lusts has committed adultery in his heart.
During the time, I was exposing and dealing with Cindy’s situation, a wife of an ordained pastor told me pornography is not adultery. Amid this conversation, she pretended to open a porno magazine and run her hand gingerly across it. She sweetly looked me in the eye, and said “Valerie, this is not adultery.” I replied by stating Jesus said one has committed adultery in his heart who lusts after another woman. Then she retorted with “Don’t you know Valerie that pastors and congregations are into pornography.” I eventually got up and walked out the door as I was running on overload with disgust.
Scripture commands that men are to view other women as sisters in all purity; 1 Timothy 5:1-2. There is no excuse if men, who call themselves Christians, are not doing this. Of course, women too must also look at men as brothers in all purity. If we fall, we must admit it as sin and seek deliverance. Hating sin is of all importance when it comes to the Holy Spirit moving and transforming our mindset. We cannot accomplish this apart from Christ and forsaking the mentality of this world. Memorizing scripture and praying without ceasing can strengthen us so we remain faithful to one person. We may be tempted in one way or another, but through Christ’s power, we can overcome.
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Many sexual agendas are accepted in today’s church as it parades a facade of religiosity tolerance. You can hear them preached against from the pulpit but accepted by pastors when engaging in general conversations with united friends. It often seems the man in the pulpit and the man of actuality are two different people. Pastors preach the Bible but when they are requested to enact its precepts, they refuse. You can begin to believe you are dealing with a split personality. You may hear pastors spout that they hate all sexual agendas that are contrary to scripture. Contrary, however, those same pastors will treat the immoral members of their congregation in all kindness and acceptance, standing completely behind such people.
Today’s church is acting out in strange extremities in many areas including divorce-acceptance. In general, it sides with “no-fault divorce.” Society did not even begin to accept “no-fault divorce” until 1969 when Governor Ronald Reagan signed it into law in California. This law slowly ate the whole nation as state after state complied. Divorces in the church now outnumber those in unsaved society. The first divorce census occurred in 1887 when there were .05 divorces in every thousand. I have an encyclopedia (copyrighted 1965) that states that adultery is the only grounds for divorce in New York. Historical correctness puts the church to shame. The church has fallen and continues to fall with the world and its acceptance of this decree.
Some pastors may pretend to be shocked at a divorce situation at first, but then will quickly spout the divorce laws of the land as if they represent the Gospel truth. Such occurred with a lady who spoke to her pastor of her husband’s divorce actions. The pastor seemed shocked at the sin at first but then cited the secular court agenda on the matter like a divorce lawyer. What breaks my heart further when it comes to cessation crime is the 50/50 split. Even pastors believe everything should be divided 50/50, as if this is what God declared.
Alan and I were discussing this last night and he said, and I totally agree, that when a person departs from a marriage to do their own thing, they don’t disserve a penny!!!!! Christ would never divide money, property, etc, according to a 50/50 deal. He would command “turn from your wicked ways” to the person engaging in this transgression.
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Yes, secular courts demand a 50/50 split and we must submit to the law if the church refuses to take action or one party is an unbeliever; but submitting to the law does not mean we agree with unbiblical requirements!! What we see in scripture is, divorce is sin and there is no such thing as “no fault divorce.” We also know from the Word that Christ holds the church accountable for every action it takes and for everything it teaches and promotes.
When it comes to divorce contemplation, you must learn that the Bible teaches that all lawsuits between believers are to be carried out within the church, not in secular courts. 1 Corinthians 6:1-9 makes this clear! The church is the court of believers. Those above reproach and thoroughly knowledgeable of the Bible (wise men), are to be the judges in legal cases between believers. Wise men should be appointed who hate divorce as Christ does and would act accordingly.
When it comes to ladies departing from a bad marriage, I am not afraid to tell a woman if she leaves her husband she must remain single or else be reconciled to him as I Corinthians 7:10-11 exhorts. I always state this to women who desire to leave the marriage. However, it seems I am the only one teaching this. When I relay this to women, they inform me their pastors and counselors have never instructed them in this way. What happened to the inerrant Word that demands our obedience?
John the Baptizer went about letting people know of the divorce/adultery sin of Herod and Herodias. Herodias had divorced Herod’s brother to be his wife. You can well bet if John was a pastor today, he would not let anyone like Herod in his church. He would not use the trendy excuse “as long as he attends church that is all that matters.” He would perform church discipline, and if Herod didn’t repent of his wrongdoing, he would treat him as an outcast and he would never be allowed in church again.
I Corinthians chapter 7 never encourages the divorced to remarry or to seek a mate; only the young widows are encouraged to remarry so they are not temped. The only people who have a clear path set before them when it comes to remarriage are those whose spouses have breathed their last; verse 39. And these people can only marry believers…there is no dating whoever comes along.
Jesus stated that the one who marries a divorced woman commits adultery, Matthew 5:32; and He just leaves it at that. Now this verse can be a puzzler as Christ states in the first portion that a person commits adultery if they remarry, unless their spouse was sexually unfaithful.
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Now I cannot sit in judgment on those who have remarried following a divorce who were faithful to their spouses and obeyed all the commands for men and women in marriage; but personally, I honestly have never run into this situation. In every situation I have encountered, there has been disobedient sin on both sides. Perhaps that is why the scriptures do not set an open road before us.
As I end this segment, many may feel like they need to throw stones at church windows for all the crimes that occur within. However, we may have missed the boat in assisting church leaders to stay on queue. They need protection from the evil one as they stand on the front lines of the battle zone. Much of this protection must come from an interceding, praying congregation. You and I also need to encourage our pastors to stay in the Word and keep dressed in the armor of God. Walking away from the battle is not scriptural. But standing on the Word is, even if we have to stand alone.
Chapter 3
Exhibit 3:
Discipline Eviction
This is a gigantic problem in the church today as where there is no discipline, wildness reigns and consumes like fire. This is an area that significantly involves pastoral leadership and its ability or lack of to enforce sin-control management.
I will now pull out of my briefcase a photo of an untamed fire that is getting too close to a populated area. When sin is not eliminated, it engulfs a church like destructive flames of a wild fire. To preserve a healthy church, leadership and the congregation must be on guard concerning sin’s acceptance.
The text of Matthew chapter 18 deals with bringing sin before the church when one is unrepentant. Though this is rarely practiced today, it is still commanded. Fellowships that do not fear God and disobey this ordinance of defiance correction do reap the repercussions. One of the consequences of such disobedience is the elimination of spiritual discernment. At least this is the main area that I survey that is most affected. This always leads to chaos and silliness displayed throughout the church. Silly social activities seem to be the false anchor that holds this type of church body together.
There are a few churches that perform discipline, but it is often a sham. That is because pastors believe anyone should be allowed to attend services even if church discipline has been performed without resulting repentance. Pastors and congregations often treat unrepentant sinners like those that did nothing wrong. They just sweep it under the carpet and move on without another word. This would be comparable to the judicial system allowing sentenced criminals to return to society immediately following their trials and court convictions—never sending them to prison. Presently, because of lax laws, many people have to live in fear in certain areas of our nation because few criminal are incarcerated. My cousin, who lives in California, has bars on her windows as the innocent must now be kept behind roded windows and doors for their protection with lawless ones on the loose. Many lawless ones are loose in our churches as well.
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Pastors make excuses for not exercising church discipline as if they have changed the mind of God. There are pastors who make themselves a god by replacing the commands of God with their words of compromise; enabling them to become a god unto themselves.
Some discipline pretexts are born out of fear—fear of the press, fear of being sued, fear of people leaving the church, etc. Some pastors will say I cannot perform church discipline on people who attend my church who are not members. However, membership is not Biblical. It was ordained solely by men. Not performing church discipline on a person for this reason would be akin to our government refusing to arrest and try a murderer because he is not a citizen of our nation. Protection of the innocent should be the name of the game. Both in the church and in society, it is necessary to bring correction to make everyone fearful of sinning.
Some good advice was handed to a friend of mine who was told you should never join a church where church discipline is not exercised. I, however, know of an influential Baptist church that claims it performs Biblical church discipline when it actually never has. The pastor simply states everyone always repents so they never have to bring sin before the church. This is a lie as I knew people in this church who never repented.
You need to be assured that the church you attend has performed it. Over a half a century ago, you could possibly find churches where no discipline was needed, but not now. Sin is bursting out the seams in most churches especially in the area of lies.
People who lie should be held accountable as well in the area of discipline. It should not be taken lightly, though from all I have seen and observed in this last decade, most pastors now lie like it is second nature. Revelation 21:8 and 22:15 places to fear in their hearts.
Pastors and believers who speak lies should feel guilty, but such guilt is rarely observed in today’s church. God hates all lies; which is why He church disciplined Ananias and Sapphira through murder; Acts 5:1-11. They were deceptive concerning the sell of their property. God snuffed out their lives to make an immense point in the new church age. I believe He was saying I do not want sin in the doors of My church. Do you get My point?
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Since God personally dealt with Ananias and Sapphira, you might ask does this mean, we do not need to deal in repentance? We can just expect God to zap them in one way or another?
Well, the Bible teaches we are to assist in bringing fellow believers to repentance. God certainly does have His hand in it as He makes sure we all reap what we sow. In other words He makes sure we pay the consequences of our actions.
We are also to pray for wayward ones. We are to desire their repentance and James says it is a good thing to turn a brother from the error of his way. If they become teachable, we are to admonish repentance so they can be restored back into church fellowship.
Another passage on this subject can be found in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. This verse admonishes us to keep away from brothers who lead an unruly life, not according to the tradition or teaching of the apostles. Moving down to verse 14, we see this further emphasized as those who don’t respond to this letter to the Thessalonians are not to be associated with so they are “put to shame.” This reveals believers do not accept such behavior. It is analogous to a disobedient child who is sent to their room. This action of discipline exposes change must take place before fellowship is restored. Fellowship is the reward for repentance—fellowship with Christ and fellow believers.
Grace is revealed in verse 15 as we are not to regard the person who is not obeying the letter as an enemy, but he is to be admonished as a brother. One main aspect of disobedience addressed here in Thessalonians is a brother who is unwilling to work, as he is undisciplined.
You may ask how we are not to associate with him, yet we are to admonish him? I believe this teaches we keep requesting him to repent periodically so he can be restored to fellowship. He is not to be in the church engaging in fellowship; but believers can pray for him and request his repentance.
Having church discipline present in your church is like having insurance. If you are wronged, you know you have people who will deal with it. If you sin, you are held accountable.
Last week a friend came over for a time of fellowship and prayer. We discussed church discipline as one of her pastors was dismissed for scriptural disobedience. We also chatted concerning various portions of the Word. We conversed on how one should be treated who has not repented after their sin has been brought before the church. She told me this former pastor is still treated kindly and respectfully or so it seems. In Matthew 28:17 we are taught if a person declines to repent, they are to be treated like a “Gentile or tax collector.” These are two negative terms, not positive. Unfortunately, some will say Christ loved the Gentiles and tax collectors so this means we are to love them as usual and not shun them.
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Yes, Christ did love these two groups of people and associated with them to draw them to repentance, but this is not the implication here. We must also note that a tax collector was not one who was respected as he generally stole from the people. He was one who took advantage. He dishonestly pocketed some of the revenue. That is why when Zaccheus repented he promised to give back four times as much, if he defrauded anyone. Zaccheus made this statement because he knew his occupation was not reputable. This action spoke to the people of this man’s inward change through Christ’s altering power. This transformation had produced an honest heart which now held a personal relationship with a holy God.
“Gentile” and “tax collector” are set in inimical tense. It cannot be overlooked or taught falsely. If Christ meant we are to love them as if nothing happened or all was well, then He would have commanded that we love the unrepentant sinner as He loved the disciples. In the New Testament, the word “Gentile” refers to those who are unsaved. The unrepentant sinner is not to be treated like a fellow believer who is walking in fellowship with Christ. Christian leaders are to humbly ask for the repentance of the disobedient one on an occasional basis. A wayward believer needs to turn from their wicked ways so they can once again glorify Christ.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 speaks of proper church discipline from the proper pastorate heart with proper results. Pastors confronting sinful believers, must seek a true repentance; not a false sorrowful regret as seen in the world of fame and fortune. This is usually a temporary outward show of remorse; revealed when one is caught in the act. What God desires is a “godly sorrow” as verse 11 states “For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you; what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”
A true repentant person will be greatly sorrowful for their sin and a lasting change will result. A church congregation will witness the change from a hardness of heart…to humility and lowliness of heart. The person will be broken just like a properly disciplined child that weeps before their parents following correction.
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The people addressed in these verses had upheld sin and rejoiced in it, but now had become sorrowful for their pride, arrogance and lack of hatred for sin.
The way to avenge sin, as we read in these verses, is for pastors to remove it from the church. It is to be hated and despised to the point of extraction. Pastors and congregational members are to hate the vileness of all defiance.
Pastors need to understand the brevity of the scriptures when it comes to not tolerating evil in the church. This is the main theme of this book if you have not recognized this already.
I received a threatening email from a man who recently started his own church fellowship. One of the first items on his agenda is to end my conservative voice. This directly involves my stands opposed to sexual impurity and divorce. What is uncanny is his church is supposedly conservative and Bible-believing.
Because I will not turn and accept what is immoral, he plans to perform church discipline on me even though I have not attended his church and will never attend. It is so strange in this day and age that the evil are uplifted in churches and if anyone exposes them, they are to be church disciplined.
Most anything can go on in our fellowships without questioning or so it seems. Believers feel their pastors are always right on. Therefore insanity grows like mold because of our next exhibit:
Chapter 4
Exhibit 4:
Lost Biblical Discipleship
This is an important aspect of apostasy for if people are not taught the ways of God, the church falters. Withheld knowledge = uneducated believers.
Discipleship has basically been thrown out of church doors so activities can be welcomed in. Evening church, midweek Bible studies, small group Bible studies have virtually ceased in many churches for fun time recreation. Even exercise classes have replaced discipleship implanting.
Yes, I know, you are waiting for me to hold up something to represent absent discipleship. But…I just can’t find anything in my briefcase for application. Now wait…let me see…think fast! Ok, I believe I’ve got it. I will empty out my briefcase and show you emptiness. This is the essence of lost discipleship. Believers feel empty and hopeless in their faith as they are not taught the value of knowing the Word of God that brings all the answers to life’s woes.
Every age group in a church should have godly examples set before them. The believers who disciple others, whether old or young, need to own a reputation of godliness. Unfortunately, most people think anyone should be able to teach. Leaders assume believers get to know their Bible through teaching, but it is to be the other way around. You know your Bible then you disciple. If people are not Bible-knowledgeable, they can teach just about any heresy and I have witnessed it to my heartbreak. That is why pastors need to ground saints strongly in scripture before ever allowing them to instruct. Teachers have a sticker judgment; therefore they need to thoroughly have a grasp on God’s Word; James 3:1.
First Aspect
Of Lost Biblical Discipleship—
The Children:
To converse with you concerning teaching children, which greatly touches my heart, Christ left the perfect example of the importance of loving and caring for children. However, most pastors do not take His example seriously as adults and teens are always on their front burner of concern. Usually those who teach children are never even questioned concerning their knowledge of the Word.
The complaints I hear concerning children and the lack of them being taught scripture continuously increases. I was in a church several years ago and a woman in my husband’s Sunday school class was speaking of leaving the church as her daughter was not being taught the Word which left her with grievous concerns. I told her to speak to the Sunday school administration as I didn’t desire she leave without first voicing her concerns to leadership. Unfortunately, she got nowhere and did leave for greener productive pastures where the yearning heart in children to learn God’s Word was seriously upheld.
What is further saddening and hard to comprehend is children’s Sunday school seems to cater toward the curriculum methods of the public school system with much play time. Churches believe the newest is the best and if the schools are implementing great new teaching methods then the church needs to pick up on it. These methods will use silly looking cartoon characters that mock the seriousness of Christianity; but leaders think it gains the children’s attention. It makes Christianity a joke, but since everyone loves Spiderman, Superman, and Looney Tunes, similar characters must be drawn and implemented into churches.
I have noticed that what accompanies silly caricature teaching is the turning away from solid Bible teaching. Presenting just one verse in a short airy lesson is most common in curriculum; whereby, play time consumes 80% of the class period.
I have found myself shocked when I teach churched children and find they don’t even possess the slightest knowledge of Bible stories including Daniel in the lions den, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the miracles of Christ, etc. I am just blown away!! When I was a churched child, eons ago, children knew the basic powerful stories of scripture. Learning the Bible was what Sunday school was all about…discipleing children was taken seriously.
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Many years ago, when my two sons were young children, they enjoyed inductive Old Testament teaching. They would spout scripture facts like a Bible college student. I am thankful their teacher did not use any wishy-washy children’s curriculum in Sunday school. Every child deserves such gifted teaching of the Word.
I have a friend who relishes teaching children and she was appalled when she was asked to partake in new curriculum that made sure the children did not learn the Bible but just conservative ideas. She was mostly to supervise their playing which children participate in all week long. She changed the curriculum so the children learned the Bible, giving them very little play time.
Some years ago, an irate woman complained about a children’s Sunday school teacher at a Baptist church. She was very disgruntled as this teacher did not support Harry Potter. This teacher had advised the children to stay away from it as it was satanic, even though it allowed them to obtain many extra points in their public schools. The Sunday school superintendent stood 100% with Harry Potter and therefore stood with the yammer. Not long following, this teacher was dismissed.
In the Harry Potter book series, Harry and others are attending a school of witchcraft and sorcery. Satanic sorcery is found throughout the books. The Bible condemns demonism but few Christians care today. In Acts 19:19 new converts burnt their satanic magic books to reveal their conversion to Christianity. When was the last time you heard of believers getting together to burn their Harry Potter books or any publication related to occultist teachings? Today many believers would like to burn any Christian who would think such a thought.
Parents should be cautious and alert to their children’s teachers and what they believe and adhere to. Harry Potter is shocking and what also is appalling is there are teachers who proclaim evolution and lead children’s Sunday school classes. I was in a Baptist church where a SS overseer was greatly disturbed with the fact that people could teach who did not hold to the creation story. Of course, what should we expect when many denominations celebrate Darwin’s birthday…What is going on here?
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I am grateful there are churches that are concerned for children and desire the best for them when it comes to discipleship.
I would suggest for those fellowships that may be small or lack true godly teachers, to have one class for all. Children can learn well under a gifted instructor who is teaching adults. I have witnessed it. Children grow miraculously in this setting. There are men who can inductively teach adults, and in synchronization, teach children. They know how to perk up children’s ears while teaching great truths to adults.
Children are our most precious asset; let us care enough to get them discipled in a most equipping way. It needs to be every churches goal to obtain teachers who are solid in the faith and in the Word. Children are the future church leaders—they must not to be overlooked and their intelligence belittled!
Second Aspect of Lost
Biblical Discipleship—
The Teens
Much of the children’s scenario can be associated with the teen and adult groups. If the mindset of the church is to entertain children, it generally runs throughout the whole assembly.
Activities occur with teens as with children, but instead of playing energetic bouncy games, they will attend the latest movies, visit coffee shops; have sleepovers, swim-overs, and scavenger hunts…just simply engaging in fun activities in the name of community association. A couple weeks ago I saw a church marquee directed to teens and it was all about fun.
The other night Alan noticed a Bible-teaching fellowship’s reader board that announced cheerleading competition; Bible learning was not mentioned or anything related to Christianity for that matter.
A Christian lady told me her daughter was part of a youth group that rarely taught scripture, but movies were big—real big. She was aghast to the hilt. The world was the name of the game, not separation and discipleship.
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This is such a common complaint with parents as you may know; but most youth pastors go with the flow for numbers sake—what else is new.
Serious Bible studies decrease numbers in youth departments—fun and rock music increases them significantly.
Therefore, we must inquire as to what kind of future church leaders are being brought up in such an environment? I think I know and I will tell you, those who accept everything as cool and trendy. These future church leaders will never scrutinize anything that comes into the church as their movie idols and rock idols would never judge.
Indulging in sin to the fullest is where the action is and it is fine in the church. Why? Hollywood is the standard. Tolerance and whatever else is promoted by the entertaining world is the mindset that is slowly eating away at our churched youth. And few youth pastors care to halt its fleshly driven influences as one mind with one world is the youthism encompassed by teens.
I do hope somewhere there are people who are inductively discipleing teens in the Word and turning them away from the world. I trust somewhere there are godly, separated, holy teens who cling to scripture and are strong in the battle against sin. May they rise up in the future to be transformers and rescue our churches.
Third Aspect of Lost
Biblical Discipleship—
The Adults
I once made a suggestion to name a new church—Equipping the Saints Bible Church, but it did not go over too well and seemed to leave the pastors a bit bewildered. Unfortunately, most churches are not equipping believers. Ephesians 4:11-32 deals with equipping saints for a holy life and witness, which should be applied in all seriousness. Mature believers are to implement their spiritual gifts to teach others to exercise theirs so the body functions powerfully through true Biblical discipleship.
Another aspect of adult discipleship should involve the equipping of believers to stand strong in the spiritual battle. We are in a war against satan and the armor stated in Ephesians chapter 6 is to be put on for our protection and for the furtherment of God’s kingdom. Discipleship into holy living and Christian service is a great defense against our enemy that is why the whole Word of God must be taught seriously (I can’t stress this enough!) not in a halfhearted manner which is the prevalent way.
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Discipleship education should be carried out by godly, knowledgeable men who do not have to reply on curriculum; just their own personal data of the Bible. The precept of a living example of Biblical knowledge to induce application is powerfully needed in our churches for acquired godliness and outreach. Elders are to possess a comprehensive understanding of the Word so they can teach and equip without having to be ashamed. They are to be the thriving examples of application.
A woman told me last week of a pastor she sat under in an evening class and he was unable to answer the simplest Bible questions. He just had to keep saying, “I don’t know.” Apparently, the seminary he attended did not stress knowing the Word thoroughly. I am a bit familiar with this Baptist movement where scripture learning is belittled. This pastor’s lack of knowledge, however, represents many pastors who just don’t care to learn their Bibles, but every pastor is to know the Word as it is a main Biblical requirement for preachers set by God; 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:15 and Titus 1:9.
As I move you to the heartfelt area of lost Biblical adult discipleship, you must be aware that there are many cold and callous teachers in Christendom just as there were in Judaism. We see in the Gospels that sincere believers wanted to be discipled; that is why they flocked to John and then to Christ. It is no different today; but many teachers are unwilling to act out of love and patience within the discipleship realm. Many want to teach their doctrines, infiltrating them into the church through cloning disciples into falseness. These apostate teachers take advantage and distort the scriptures so they have people following them not the true Biblical Christ.
I will tell you of an incident that involved a pastor’s wife who wanted to disciple a young believer into her own likeness not that of Christ. Her ill motives were often revealed through her actions as her plot did not unfold as she desired. Her disciple, who was a round peg, was unable to fit into her hole as a square peg. Her temper would flare as her anger escalated into a great tempest because her acquired disciple was not developing into her modeled example. The anger of this pastor’s wife caused her malfunctioning facsimile to become very distressed, confused and feeling totally unworthy though she was trying very hard to clone herself. But the pastor’s wife always sent confusing and contradictory messages.
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What hit a strange note was the departing act, when the pastor’s wife would give her disciple a hug and say “I love you” at the end of each session. It was as if she felt by tagging on this unmeant verbiage, it removed all the unbiblical disdain she had just drowned her confused follower in. It eventually became clear that she never held any love or compassion for her pupil at all. She just wanted someone to adore her and hang onto her every word of bewildering rhetoric.
It must also come to be of no surprise, that she was found to be one who held many beliefs contrary to the Bible that came to revelation as lives were destroyed and torn apart as a result of her attempts at dictatorship. Hateful manipulation can cause despair to arise in hearts as there are those in churches who lead falsely. Everyone does need to be cautious concerning whom they allow to disciple them individually or in a group setting.
Christ at various times instructed us to recognize apostate believers. He taught and warned of bogus believers who would come into the church through the agency of satan to disciple people away from the Savior.
These bogus apostates will befriend true believers to disciple them. They pretend to be true followers of Christ just as Judas portrayed himself, leaving the disciples completely unawares as he ministered beside them. I believe one of the reasons Judas was allowed to be a disciple was to teach us to be very aware of whom we place ourselves under when it comes to being led.
False disciplers should be approached, if at all possible. This includes Sunday school class teachers and small group leaders. If you Biblically confront them and they refuse to repent, you need to request that the pastor perform church discipline. If he refuses, you must turn them over to Christ who judges in righteousness and disciplines. You should warn others as well in order to keep God’s teaching in the hands of those who are faithful to the Word. In addition, you must be careful not to cross over the line to gossip when exposing falseness in the church. Christ never spread slander, He just revealed what was scriptural and what was unscriptural. Christ exposed the religious leaders who appeared to be impressive so people would see the inner motor, driving them to lead the people. He did not do it in secret or in whispering tones or to just certain ones to cause an underground uprising. He did reveal His heart to His disciples, things He did not express to others, but out of genuine concern and as a warning. He did not desire to make-fun of, nor reveal vindictive hatred toward the false religious disciplers; but He did strongly correct error so truth would be obeyed. He did use forceful words such as white washed sepultures or tombs to get His point across concerning false disciplers motives and actions. At times, we must wisely choose strong words to get our point across concerning false teachers who are leading people away into heresy. However, we must make sure there is no vengeful hatred in our hearts just that which hates sin and seeks its extermination. Vengeance is reserved for the Lord alone to perform.
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You must always be awake and alert so you look beyond the externals to the heart and motive of pastors, teachers, and anyone who disciples. You must be discerning and questioning. Do they truly aspire to build you and others in the Word and in the faith? Is it all about Christ and not about them? Do they desire to decrease so Christ increases as the uppermost discipler.
You must remember when you place yourself under others that God is never a God of confusion; 1 Corinthians 14:33. If you are forever confused by a person’s teaching, you had better be praying and conferring with the Word.
Adult discipleship can be very comprehensive. The main thing is it must be done right—Biblically. Those who sit under disciplers must be learning the Word and growing in Christ. An educated Bible church is a light to the world. A church that is not engaged in discipleship, just barely pumps a pulse as it is not nourished properly. Believers need the true milk and food of the Word to be vibrant discerning lights for Christ.
Chapter 5
Exhibit 5
Despairing Believers
Now we will move to our fifth exhibit for argument. I will pull out of my briefcase a picture of concerned believers looking very distressed. Again, you will just have to imagine this through your mind’s eye. This photo represents believers who are alarmed and who question the methods that compose contemporary churches and contemporary pastors—not the majority of Christians but a small minority.
If you look at the background area of my photo, it appears that some of the believers are running away. These are those who are leaving trendy churches but are having a difficult time finding the Biblically-traditional. Often times when they do locate such a fellowship, the leaders decide a change toward contemporary-ism believing they are out of step with everyone else. The pastors who desire to stay conservative are conveniently removed or kindly asked to step aside. This leaves many congregational members in deep despair who do not want the new fashionable ways.
These people can hold a pain in their hearts just as many faithful believers of old as we see in scripture. They can sometimes feel they are alone except for a few others who care about the apostate societal conforming church.
The Apostle Paul’s heart was often hurting due to the fact that the churches were compromising. He spoke of his concern for all the churches in 2 Corinthians 11:28-29. In Philippians 3:20-21, he speaks his heart’s distress about everyone being simply concerned for their own
interests. His desire was for all to be holding the interests of Jesus Christ, which would produce a kindred spirit for the true cause. At this time, he was in prison. During his incarceration he felt totally alone at times as he mentions how all had abandoned him in 2 Timothy 4:10-18. This did not stop him from wanting to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Despite total abandonment, his heart throb was to see people redeemed.
David felt very alone as we read in the Psalms and 1 Samuel. There seemed to be few outside of himself who truly loved the LORD alone. He was a man running for his life, as he would not turn from the vocation God had called him. He was not afraid to stand alone for the LORD though he certainly had to bear his heart to Him and rely on Him to remain steadfast.
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Elijah in 1 Kings felt he was fighting alone for the LORD and was all discouraged; but the LORD informed him that He had 7,000 left in Israel that had not gone the way of contemporary religious society—they had not bowed the knee to the false god Baal who everyone was following as to be styling; 1 Kings 19:18.
If you are a despairing believer like me, do not turn aside and join the gang. If you believe you are alone in your stances, keep on keeping on…Stay steadfast in the hope of our eternal reward. It will be worth all the pain and sadness of feeling alone in the battle for the inerrant Word of God.
Chapter 6
Exhibit 6:
Liberals and their Babylonian-Like Churches
We leave the “Despairing Believers” to explore another view…that of “Liberals and their Babylonian-Like Churches.” You will find far more material in this category as opposed to the despairing believers who simply want a Bible following church.
Are you now ready for the unveiling of this sixth exhibit? Well, here it goes. Here stands a photo of liberal church participants. Yes…once again you just have to guess their appearance. Please keep in mind as you view this exhibit that sin is rampant in most fellowships and conservatism is a joke to many so you may not see much Spirit-filled joy on their faces. Such joy only arises from living in the Spirit.
Now, I must inject here, that churched liberals can reveal significant joy, but it is a societal happiness that is embodied from loving the world that entertains the flesh that ignites a great high.
If you could research their hearts, you would recognize they have little desire to conform to scripture, as that is not what feeds their hungry flesh. The hottest movies or concerts are their cup of tea of discussion in their adult Sunday school class. You may often hear it asked, did you see this or that movie? Many people today seem to come to Sunday school to discuss entertainment not what God is doing and what His Word is proclaiming, at least from what I have personally witnessed. It is also a continuing complaint I hear from those who desire to be fed Scripture.
Today many church attendees expect to be entertained because the key words to describe the average church is fun pastimes. Their desired entrée on the plate of church agendas is fun-fun-fun. If a pastor simply desires inductive teaching, prayer meetings, evangelism, and discipleship classes, he is considered passé. The desired forte is planned pleasure. A “Video Night” brings in far more people than prayer meetings. Moreover, the videos are rarely required to be chaste and edifying. Numbers is the name of the game and the more—the better. The more compromise—the better. Have you noticed that? It was a sad day when vile videos such as The Titanic entered church activities. This flick from ’97 is totally depraved. It contains words that curse our loving Lord. And it is only natural that the swearing is accompanied by fornication and nudity. This movie was not filmed by God-fearing saints; it was produced by the vile of the vilest. Hollywood is not known to promote and uplift Christ and His accompanying holy and chaste attributes.
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I am even shocked by some videos produced by Christians in this day and age. I know these releases make our holy Lord weep when not every woman is covered in modesty and when they do not hold to pure, separated, edifying chaste language.
Many movies since Titanic, also holding fornication agendas, even far worse…are being accepted by believers as being good entertainment. Christians even justify actors who are homosexual; they only notice their Oscar winning merits and charismatic appeal.
The Hollywood-loving media of the jet-set tells believers what they want to hear and the Bible does not. Chastity is a foreign word to most Christians. Virginity till marriage and being faithful to one till death is like an outer space exploration of impossibility. The media’s influence has resulted in many believers having no problem being a bit promiscuous as long they know the person well and have marriage in mind somewhere in the future. A churched lady recently stated something to the effect that she won’t have sex with her boyfriend till his divorce is final as she has Christian morals.
Revelation speaks of the new coming unsurpassable, nonpareil Babylon that is full of immorality (not innocent modest purity and chaste behavior and dress). This culture will be styling like America in that it will be the thriving industrial and commercial port of the world. Anything of men’s desire will be purchased here—all state-of-the-art commercial delights such as fun recreational sporting toys, designer sexy clothing, décor items, food, ticketed entertainment, etc. It will proffer every delight in prosperity materialism and it will be the religious ecumenical center of the world. It will be a society that glorifies itself as queen of the world; Revelation 18:7.
America is envied as the queen of the world today. Its Hollywood/rock culture and accompanying styles are worshipped and imitated throughout the globe.
All the nations will drink of the passion of the renovated Babylon of old, resurrected and arrayed in 7th Avenue make-up of en route society. Nations drink today of the wine of styling, sensual and alluring America.
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Like America, New Babylon will sit as the prominent cutting-edge civilization as unveiled in Revelation chapters 13, 14, 17-18.
However, it will be completely beyond the imagination and sweeping far beyond America’s proficiencies and refinement. In the book of Daniel, Babylon was described as the head of gold—unsurpassed by former kingdoms and coming kingdoms. God dubs this new and upcoming civilization Babylon as it will be a contemporary clone of old Babylon in religion and in culture. New Babylon will even have a man-sculptured statue that will be worshipped by the whole world. Sound familiar to King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian monstrous idol which is described in Daniel? This new idol will surpass King Nebuchadnezzar’s as it will eventually miraculously speak. This will lead the world into further adoration of this man-like idol; Revelation chapter 13.
New Babylon will hold to a fun in the sun type mentality so much like the fun in the sun jesus mentality of believers today—the jesus of America—the Babylon of today’s world.
This new jesus that complies with the New Babylonian styling outlook we see arriving in eschatological times, is not just a god of fun but is also a Hollywood rock and rolling jesus. The false cross of rock fun is being propagated in most Churches. The changeless Rock of Ages, who had to suffer and die for a rock and rolling mentality, has been remodeled to be in vogue with New Babylon.
However, it is the holy removed Savior that enables us to die to the flesh that is only fun-seeking. It is He who empowers us to resist satan who adds glitter to all evil; never unveiling the complete ugly consequences of self- indulgence of a self-fulfilling society.
There are many false christs who are followed in this rock and rolling age of fun-seekers. Multitudes in evangelical circles are being brought to a Hollywood jesus not the separated, sacrificial, and humble Jesus Christ of the whole Bible.
The Babylonian contemporary church is the church of satan and believers should be doing all to transform it back into its original Biblical mandate of historically correct callings and away from a rock and rolling mentality. We don’t need to be Babylonians to reach Babylonians for Christ. It is a lie straight from hell that teaches we must be like the world to reach the world. It is an antichrist lie that will continue to be present in the time of New Babylon and that is why God calls His children to come out from amongst the Babylonian mind maneuvers; Revelation 18:4.
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James 4:8-9 tells us to turn from worldliness, which presents entertaining joy and laughter. We, of the true church, are to repent of our entanglement with society so our joy turns to mourning and gloom.
Turning from worldly joy draws us to the true separated Jesus who warned that we will be persecuted as He was persecuted. Standing on Him and His holy righteous ways of godly living is our injunction even though this true Christ is not in vogue and His demands are scary.
God revealed the coming activates of Revelation 18:4-5 to warn us of Babylonian perceptions that can capture us today. It is a command to us not to partake of any styling, rock and rolling entertaining society and their ecumenical religious views of tolerance. God commands separation from society throughout His holy Word. Light has nothing to do with darkness and the love of the Father cannot be in those who love culture and society; James 4:4. We are to be strangers and aliens on this earth. Our eyes are to be on Christ our Savior alone who bore our sins in His body; lest we forget and are blinded to the alluring captivating ways that entangle us and separate us from His holy ways of living. We have nothing in common with this world that is passing away.
Knowing our Bibles as we should is a discerning shield, preventing mind penetrating cultural allurements…we recognize right away all their neon signs of deception. Unfortunately, Believers want to imitate culture so they appear to be in fashion using the latest styling vocabulary and knowing all the entertainers and their latest releases. This mentality is present in most every assembly, which has everyone pre-tuned to the new coming Babylonian precedence. Christ said the apostasy must come prior to end time happenings; 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
Satan desires to be exalted above God and all mankind. He places his Hollywood rock mentality into man so man too wants to be on center stage of adoration and envy.
Christ was meek and lowly of heart and teaches us to follow the opposite of satan’s role model. We are never to desire self-adoration, praise, or stage worship; but to present every humble aim at Christ’s feet.
God will eventually destroy the new Babylon—the self-feeding state-of-the-art lustful community that rules the world. Her unsurpassed fortunes and productions will cause kings, merchants and everyone to lament over her death when God brings her destruction as He did the first Babylon; Revelation 18:9-19.
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The Babylonian agendas are still alive and well today, however, as sensuality is not even considered shock-able material in the church any longer. I find this truth hitting home more and more as apostasy happenings grow stronger and stronger in the church.
Not long ago, a discerning, godly lady, who doesn’t enjoy today’s shocking church agendas, told me in great disgust of a couple who are living together and it is fully accepted by a pastor she knows. They were introduced to her by him with great enthusiasm. Their fornicating, live-in situation was spoken of as being the best way to go by the pastor as a signed piece of paper means nothing. All three, the pastor and the couple, were not ashamed in any way. My friend spoke out in complete shock of it being an act of sin. The pastor responded in an abusive tone, asking for chapter and verse. She just could not believe her ears as this pastor knew full well the chapters and verses!
I knew a man who was very faithful to his Baptist church, but confided on the side that he had no problem engaging in sexual play as a divorced man. He received cancer not long after making this shocking statement and death overtook him quickly.
No one would ever dare to imply that he received God’s judgment as that is not in modish in today’s Babylonian churches. No one thinks about the instruction of Christ stated to the lame man in John 5:14 whom He healed—“Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Pastors also do not homilize on 1 Corinthians 11:28-32 which warns believers of the suffering and death that will ensue if they take communion unworthily. They would never tell a congregation that this may be the case with some of them who are in pain. Too many tithing members would walk out the door. Of course, not all who suffer are in sin, as Paul was not, but held a medical complication to keep him meek.
This leads us to what has become popular in church and it is not stepping on people’s toes. What is popular is taught and all pastors and leaders seem to be well versed in the no-noes. Pastors and teachers will use illustrations from the latest sport releases and Hollywood flicks to engage their audience. A few jokes are always a must during sermon messages in this day and age so laughter fills the place. Everyone must know the church is engaging in fun! No preacher wants to be viewed as drab or humdrum and they were hired to make liberal attendees feel right at home. One world renowned pastor plays movie clips to keep his audience alert and pacified. Few Bibles are seen in his church.
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Today it is worldly referrals that revive congregations to life not the convicting powerful moving of the Holy Spirit as in days gone by. Providing a “save environment” for all who enter a church door is now number one on the hit parade of church attendee goals. Who wants to feel convicted?!!
This all seems grim and it is. It is heartbreaking to see how the church has fallen in recent decades to Babylonian degrees. What is further saddening is liberal thinking believers can be placed in respected positions within the church community. And I know this all too well…When I was attending a Bible college in Portland Oregon, I met a man and fell in love. We eventually became engaged and began to plan the wedding. I set up an appointment for a premarital exam with a respected physician who occasionally spoke at our Bible College, believing him to be godly. He was the most respected Christian doctor in the Portland area and viewed as a prominent Christian leader. Upon being seated in an examining room, he probed me with questions. He inquired about my virginity, which caused his demeanor to abruptly change. He was shocked and angered to discover I was a virgin. He inquired, “Haven’t you even tried sex” and I said “No.” This made him even madder and very appalled with my purity. I left his office in complete shock and bewilderment as he acted as if he had never seen a legitimate virgin before even though he dealt mainly with believers and many Bible college students.
I thought, if this man is a believer, why is he not thankful for my Biblical behavior? Why would my virginity incite him to be so angry and hostile? Previously, I had a secular doctor become strangely angry due to my virginity, but never a Christian. I never expected it.
I still lack the answers over all these years but it is obvious that the liberal world fed his true forte of hidden thoughts. I never viewed this doctor in the same respectful light again. How could a physician who is uplifted as a Christian leader hate virgins?
Everyone must beware, as there are many like this physician who had something malfunctioning within his heart. You can find similar reckless mindsets throughout the Christian community and holding leadership roles.
Oh…by the way…the man I met at Bible college and married is my precious Alan—just for those who want to know. We have been married for over 27 years and boy am I glad I went to this college. Ladies, you can find the godliest men at a Bible school; but you also can find the most depraved—so be careful.
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The apostasy is grave and not absent from any arena in Christianity or so it seems. Just read about the personal lives of many on-stage entertaining believers in Christian publications. You can be made sick in a very short amount of time. Nevertheless, don’t throw in the towel. Pray for the Lord to bring uncompromising people into your life who will continually excite your vigor for Christ. If you are in a lukewarm church, intercede for the Lord to lead you to a fellowship that is faithful to the Word in all ways and has no aspirations to man-please.
Remember in humility that all of us can be to blame in one way or another in not always speaking out against sin as we should. All of us are capable of taking part in this apostasy of liberalness. Doing what is right in our own eyes seems wise according to society, but it always leads to the destruction of the soul. We must keep warnings before our eyes as we are called to continually examine ourselves. May you and I do this in all seriousness and bathe daily in prayer to maintain alert steadfastness.
Chapter 7
Exhibit 7:
The Legalistic Church
The unveiling of exhibit 7 encompasses a scenario of the legalistic church. How should I place a memory in your mind of such a church? Well, let me see. Now what do you know…I just happen to have a small replica of a church in my briefcase and a little chain. I will place the church on the desk and wrap the chain about it.
There are chained churches in the sense that people are held within by a jail-like bondage. In these churches, pastors teach the Bible according to their mindset just to promote their agendas to establish their church. They can turn, twist and remold the Word to bring members into their control and bondage. Brainwashing so legalism is imbedded into believers’ brains enables pastors to maintain their doctrinal control. It keeps believers on bended knees before them not Christ. Attendees live in fear as they might unknowingly offend one in authority someday as they have witnessed such occurrences. Such an offence could place them in the doghouse where they are distrusted and hated to eternity.
To maintain harsh doctrinal controls, legalistic pastors will say people who study and are educated in the Word are trouble makers and gossips. Pastors will even incite their loyal followers to look down on those who intensely study, as they are a threat and may stimulate an attitude of grace.
Such preachers do not teach comprehensively. They simply mold sermons by placing scriptures here and there to establish their own principles which are never to be questioned. Because they leave congregations ignorant of most scripture, these congregational members believe all that descends from the pulpit; even though they are being placed under laws that are not scriptural by any means.
Preachers do not want their false legalistic instruction exposed through personal scrutiny by members of the congregation. They will state it is not good for people to deeply study the Bible. I have heard a legalist pastor state “We can’t be turning over every stone in the Bible!”
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If one does engage in personal comprehensive Bible learning and a pastor catches on, they can be in troubled waters whereby they might become too fearful to study beyond church dictates. A pastor can catch on to such a one as they usually start proclaiming the Word in its purity and they are excited about it. I know…I have been there. When the Word comes to life in you, it flows from your innermost being.
Alan and I were members of a legalistic church, but one day the light switched on. Suddenly, I began to be excited about the Word. I brought scriptures to women in enthusiasm as I knew it was all true and alive.
Being so entrenched in this church, it took the Spirit’s enlightening power to open our eyes so Alan and I could see beyond leadership’s strangling hold. I am so thankful we serve a gracious God who can remove our blindness when we don’t even know we are blind. Needless to say, things did not set well with the overseers who belittled the Bible. Alan and I left the church after realizing that we could not depart from the truths of scripture to follow men’s words.
There are many overseers today who are involved in rewriting and remolding the Word. They make their churches similar to jails; telling the people their church is the only true church in the city or possibly in the state. Most every Sunday they will remind the people that their denomination is the best and the only true one. They will name other churches in the area and state something to this effect about them—you should never go there or you will be in sin because they do not stand with what our church teaches or our scriptural interpretation.
The Sadducees and Pharisees added to scripture, which put many burdens on the people, which they could not bear. They were unbiblical demands that were not of the law but solely of man. You will notice in the Gospels how Christ attacks the religious leaders for making people hold to their traditions, the traditions of men. Just because a pastor states something does not mean people have to adhere to it; only if it is verified in scripture. There are people who believe they must jump if their pastors say jump or they are in sin. They believe if they expose any false doctrine, they will be headed for hell’s damnation. However, the Bible makes it clear throughout that it is our duty to test everything taught. We are to resemble the Bereans who diligently searched the scriptures for verification of all that Paul and Silas presented concerning the Christ; Acts 17:10-11.
There was a lack of scriptural humble teachers in Christ’s day. He revealed that the scribes and Pharisees had seated themselves in the “chair of Moses” or taken authority they should have never assumed. They taught the Old Testament but did not live by it nor did they desire to. They told others to, but they did not. When it came to obeying the religious leaders, Christ commanded the people to do and observe as they teach Moses, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger; Matthew 23:2-4.
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Though the Jewish religious teachers lacked every bit of compassion, Christ did not let the Jews off the hook completely in the area of obedience. They were still responsible to obey the Word even though they had proud, pompous, sinful religious leaders. Even though Christ knew these pious persuaders would eventually murder Him as they were murderers from the beginning; He still desired the people submit to them as they taught the Law of Moses and the rest of OT scripture. The Bible untainted is the authority no matter who teaches it.
In conclusion to this legalistic presentation, you truly need to be on guard for those who preach and teach for self-elevation and manipulative control as the religious teachers did in Christ’s day. Being in the Word and learning it thoroughly is the protective vanguard that can prevent you from moving to a fellowship filled with spiteful dogmatism, where no loving grace dwells.
Chapter 8
Exhibit 8:
Sin’s Presence/ I Must Fight the Darkness
Yes, you are right; it is hard to show an illustration that covers the whole aspect of sin so you will just have to imagine that I am holding before you a painted representation of a black heart. That is the color of our lives when we allow sin in. Christ is the one who washes our hearts clean through His blood; resulting in a clean white metamorphosis.
I want you to open your Bible so you can examine a couple passages of scripture, 2 Peter chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 5 concerning warnings to the church so your heart is kept white and never blackens.
In 2 Peter chapter 2, we are warned that people will try to bring sensuality into the church, but these people are not to be part of the church. They must be excluded from the body. They are ones who have eyes full of adultery as they follow sensuality as we read in verses 2-14. These people come into the church spouting false words, not true Biblical doctrine, because they indulge the flesh, holding to corrupt desires. They hold no fear of God and His judgment. They are like animals that need to be captured and killed because they glory in deception and have a goal to deceive the church into accepting liberal sensual agendas. The warning here is emphasized throughout scripture so we stay close to those who are faithful to the Word alone. Now tell me, when was the last time you heard a sermon on this topic so you could be advised?
1 Corinthians chapter 5 makes it clear that sin should break our hearts and the accepted sensual agendas that allow it into the church. When we hear of immoral activities such as fornication, indecency, immodesty, adultery, lewdness, etc, we should mourn over the horror of it all and not say well times change and we need to change too. It should break our hearts as it breaks God’s heart. Paul commanded congregations to mourn over sin and remove it from their midst, not turn their heads as we read in verses 1-3. A key truth is located in verse 6 that should rest on the forefront of our minds so we are constantly aware that overlooked sin in the church grows like leavened bread. This revealing exhortation of solid truths does not stop as verse 9 instructs us not to associate with believers who are immoral, covetous, swindlers, drunkards, etc. This is an impacting warning passage full of good advice for keeping the darkness at bay. From all I have stated, you should be able to see how 2 Peter chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 5 tie together in their exhortations.
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In today’s church these passages are not taught as needing to be applied to church life. Pastors and teachers don’t instruct us to hold all evil at bay as “tolerance” is in and it is even in within the church. We cannot bypass the fact that tolerance is being welcomed into Christianity with a hardy handshake. There are few who take a Biblical intolerance attitude.
Though we see tolerance holds an elevated place in many churches, we cannot join in and attach ourselves to this “in” terminology and become those who view sin in passiveness as the Corinthian church did for a season.
An incident was relayed to me of an occurrence in our area of a man who was faithful to Christ and His Word. Some people in the church did not like this man who was so strong when it came to teaching the Word and who refused to adhere to a tolerance mentality. He was booted out of his church underhandedly. Some people were in shock in their leadership’s performance of being intolerant of a man who wanted the Word proclaimed. However, they possessed no power to override the decision.
I love my church and my pastors, but as I pen this book, at this very minute, I am hurting as I am in a state of church correction. I am very conservative but I never thought it would lead to discipline.
Our church has beautiful orchestra music. It also teaches the Bible solidly and I love Sunday school and church. I was told when we first came to the church that it held to conservative stands when it came to music. I mistakenly felt this would be the type of music I would always hear.
However, this Sunday following church, I received a rude awakening. I was to be a teacher for Vacation Bible School and was going through this week’s agenda with the staff. I was very surprised to find there was an electric guitarist leading the music as we rehearsed the vocal program. Not only was I surprised by the electric guitarist, but the music was blasphemous as we sang to Christ as if He were a mere detective who wanted us locating clues. I could not sing the words to the music as it so belittled Christ—our holy righteous omnipotent LORD. I was very hurt with much of what I witnessed when the whole program came to life.
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Because I cannot worship God to the world’s rock beat and silly words, I phoned the VBS leader explaining I would attend the beginning exercises after the music portion ended. She seemed to understand a bit, but later on, one of the pastors phoned and let me know he did not want me teaching and being a part of VBS if I could not stand behind the electric guitar. I had to stand with everything completely.
Later the VBS leader, to my surprise, also let me know in a rude way that she too was opposed to my conservative voice.
Everything today is so odd to me because fifty years ago most pastors would not have even thought of bringing a guitar into the church let alone an electric one. Church music consisted of choirs accompanied by piano and organ. The congregations basically sang hymns. I am old and I remember!
When I was speaking to our beloved pastor, I mentioned how I would sit in the car at a former church and sing hymns and come in during the preaching time as I just cannot sing to the Lord with a rock band. It breaks my heart. He informed me I was wrong and stated if I can’t completely go along with all that is part of a church, then I cannot attend. Everyone has to agree on everything that takes place in a church according to him. This is something that deeply saddened me and I have cried, but at the same time, I am grateful that my Lord holds all my tears in His bottle, Psalm 56:8.
It is hard to bear these words of reproach by my pastor as most churches today do not have choirs and organs but rock drums, electric guitars, etc. This leaves me without a church. I also can never go along with the contemporary mindset of the majority of churches. This also would leave me without a fellowship because I follow the Bible and its teachings on coming out and being separate from culture. I cannot stand with the contemporary methodologies, terminologies, psychology, liberal curriculum, etc that has now overtaken fellowships. I cannot stand with the liberal theologians that many pastors adore now. I cannot be part of anything that takes away from the fullness of the measure of Christ; anything that belittles or humanizes Him. I can’t be part of that which in any way does not attend to scripture 100%.
I wrote a letter to our pastors yesterday and here is a portion. In it I informed them where I stood so they know whether to have me participate in anything or not in the future.
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“… I will also never applaud anything of any worldly mindset that is not 100% Biblical and separated from this world and its methods and activities.
I am so thankful that God brought The Life and Dairy of David Brainerd into my life who, as a missionary to Indians, hated this world and all that was of it and only desired to walk in meekness and humility. It is absolutely the best book I believe available on the example of what the Christian walk should resemble on this vile earth. He was one who sincerely hated his life and was willing to die for His Savior in an instant. I quote page 85 from this book ‘…God was so precious to my soul that the world with all its enjoyments was infinitely vile. I had no more value for the favor of men than for pebbles.’ Page 91 …’my desires seem especially to be carried out after the weanedness from the world, perfect deadness to it, and to be even crucified to all its allurements. My soul longs to feel itself more of a pilgrim and stranger here below; that nothing may divert me from pressing through the lonely desert, till I arrive at my Father’s house.’ Page 120…’was again distressed as soon as I walked hearing much talk about the world and the things of it…Oh, I thought what hell it would be to live with such men to eternity.’ ”
I know many pastors would stand with my pastor in his litigation as they would think I deserve it because I stand on the Word and not what is trendy and lax—that which overlooks the sinful ways of the world. Pastors and others have informed me they do not desire I stand opposed to those things that are present in churches that are unbiblical. They do not desire I stand in opposition to those things that slap Christ in the face and all He died for. He died for all sins and when we stand for anything of a secular nature, we slap Him in the face as He commands us to come out from amongst them and be separate. The love of the Father is not in those who love society’s culture and its productions; cultural friendliness is banned in the scriptures. Those who stand with it are enemies of God; James 4:4.
What do I do now in light of this discipline for refusing to conform to the world’s outlook? I just keep writing and trusting God, praying this book will be published in His timing. I know Christ will heal me from this pain as He has consistently mended my soul. He has a reason for everything and we know from James chapter 1, that we learn endurance from all our hardships.
This has not been the first time I have been stifled by a pastor. I would like to state some of the silly things pastors have told me to keep me under their thumb of obedience to prevent me from exposing false doctrines and evil desires.
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“You will cause a church split if you let anyone know you believe in predestination.” Yes, it is silly, but it was an attempt to keep me from revealing those precious scriptures in the Bible that teach predestination. This occurred many years ago in a legalistic Baptist church when I was part of a ladies Bible study group. Of course, I believe all who call upon the Lord can be saved, but predestination is also taught throughout the New Testament. This is one of those mysteries no man can entirely explain. This church taught their doctrines were superior to scripture. I was also told I could not teach scriptures that did not comply with the church’s creeds.
I was commanded not to send emails exposing the false teaching of The New Perspective on Paul by a pastor of a Bible church. This false doctrine humanizes Christ and belittles the authority of the New Testament. It teaches Jesus and Paul sought their own egocentric agendas. These New Perspective concepts take no strong stands against homosexuality, promiscuous sex, etc. The doctrines please anyone who just desires a taste of religion as it is referred as the theology “for everyone.” It encompasses doctrines that please every palate. The pastors of this church wanted to control me so I wouldn’t disclose the lies of these teachings. I, of course, am to be in subjection to my husband and leaders of my church; however, when men who call themselves pastors become heretics, it is not inappropriate to expose their doctrines through Biblical precision. These pastors were consistently requested to repent by men in the church who interceded in the distressing situation of lies and deception. Alan also did what he could in relationship to this plight that suddenly took our church by storm.
I was told by a pastor that a teenage girl would be destroyed if she was informed she was dressing very immodestly. I have, no doubts whatsoever that she has made many men stumble. This gal wore very revealing attire and looked like a hooker and others were not afraid to say so behind her back. She spoke before a missionary banquet in the shortest of skirts and in a tight knit top. She also had not problem dressing in very low tops, revealing pants, etc. How can a Christian lady not know when she is dressing differently from modest society especially if she has been raised in a conservative Christian missionary home?
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My husband and I were told by a Baptist pastor that we could never tell what was accruing in a sister church where my husband had been a youth/assistant pastor (In this fellowship everyone was departing due to the head pastor’s very known dishonesty). This Baptist pastor stated it was a sin to tell the truth about a wayward pastor. Basically he stated it was impossible for a pastor to do wrong within this Baptist denomination.
All these reproaches have brought great pain, but Christ always brings His steadfast love, which renews by the grace of His Holy Spirit. What further blesses my heart in all this is Christ’s words where He stated all things hidden will be made known; Matthew 10:26.
In today’s apostate church, I just have to expect to be hated by many for standing on God’s Word alone…for if I call any disobedience to God and his Word a vile wicked sin, believers look at me like I came from Mars. This is because no one wants to label sin as God does. Making light of it makes it easier to swallow and accept.
I must admit here that I am not perfect and Alan and I would be swift to tell you we have done things that appall us today as they went along with the flow of church leadership and bad example not checking every way with scripture. There have been times when we should have listened better to the aged who warned of the influence of changing Christianity. This is what I must remember so I walk in grace with fellow believers and pray continually for discernment for the church, which is composed of redeemed fallen men who are simply made of dust. Moreover, God is mindful of this; Psalm 103:14.
In Acts 13:10 Paul addressed a magician as one full of deceit, a fraud, a son of the devil and the enemy of all righteousness. These are perfect terminologies for the unsaved and those in chosen sin. Paul was not afraid to lay it on the line with the unsaved or those in desired disobedience.
The text of 2 Corinthians chapter 6 speaks to us in admonishment so we do not engage in the deeds that represent the ways of darkness. It speaks of us being separated from evil as we are to shun all lawlessness. We are only to surround ourselves with that which is righteous. This is because we have nothing in common with unbelievers as is stated in this ever-neglected passage. There is no calling for us to be imitators of darkness so we can win the lost. Sin is black darkness and we must set no room for tolerance. As believers, we must make sure the white light of Christ is ever visible even in these days of hovering sinister clouds that anchor themselves over churches.
A Point of Evaluation:
You may be forming opinions in your mind at this point after analyzing, pondering and wondering if your church or others are apostate from my preface arguments. You may be thinking that I just contributed more to the confusion and you are not willing to make a firm verdict.
As I present my closing argument, the Jude commentary, may you accumulate solid answers. May its scriptural truths evoke revival transformation in the heart of every person that reads and studies it. The church in general needs revival to bring it back to the place of respecting God’s decrees. The agenda of getting it to fit into today’s society so it sits unnoticed must be eliminated.
All we observe today was predicted by Christ in the Gospels and enhanced upon by the other New Testament books, including Jude, to convey to you discernment and warning.
If many questions marks still loom in your mind after reading through the entire book, I would advise you to keep delving into the scriptures and praying for God’s discernment and enlightenment. He is the one who holds all the answers to every troubling way and day.
Before you actually probe Jude, I would like to write a bit about salvation—being saved unto Christ and delivered from the lake of fire. John 3:16 is a promise of salvation to those who ask Christ to be their Savior. He came and died for lost sinners like you and like I on a cross of suffering and shame. You can ask the Savior to save you and give you a new life so you are no longer under the bondage of sin.
You can be saved today if you have not already made the decision to follow Christ. You can simply say, Heavenly Father I thank you for sending your son Christ Jesus to die for me and I now ask that He cleanse me of my sin by His precious shed blood. Please take control of all my life. Thank you that Jesus died for me out of His great love for me. In Jesus’ name; amen.
If you pray this sincerely, you can know you are going to heaven when you die. You do not have to pray this exact prayer as you can pray from your heart in your own words by acknowledging who Christ is and what He did for you. 1 John 5:11-13 assures us that we have eternal life if we have the Son. The person who does not have Christ controlling their lives owns no assurance that they are going to heaven when they die. Those who do not have Christ will be thrown into the lake of fire as their names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life; Revelation 20:10-15.
Part 2
The Book of Jude Commentary
Historical Prelude
Jude, who penned this book for our Lord, was the half-brother of Christ. James, who authored the book of James, held eldership over the large church at Jerusalem and was a brother to Jude. These siblings were the sons of Mary and Joseph. Remember Joseph kept Mary a virgin until the supernatural birth of Christ. God blessed Mary and Joseph with other children following Christ’s birth. If you turn to Matthew 13:55-56, you will note that Christ’s half-siblings are mentioned. Christ lived with four half-brothers and an unknown amount of half-sisters.
Though God performed many miracles in the nativity account that surrounded Jesus’ earthly family, we also recognize that Christ loves all and He stated those who do His will are the true members of His family; Matthew 12:49-50. Due to this truth, I believe neither James nor Jude identified themselves as being brothers to Christ. I also perceive it is owned to the fact that Christ now reigns in all glory, majesty and splendor apart from His earthly inherited tent; 2 Corinthians 5:16.
Growing up with the perfect Christ was a noble privilege though James, Jude and the rest of Christ’s family did not fully recognize this till they obtained saving faith. Christ spent the majority of His life with his family, thirty years; while approximately three years were dedicated to His ministry. Christ, out of His own grace and love, was placed with within this God-fearing family via His faultless timing.
Mary, His mother, was all-exceptional; one with a pure and obedient heart.
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She illuminated humility and grace. She was feminine, holding a quiet and gentle spirit which is precious in the sight of God. She was no women’s libber!! No doubt, her desires encompassed soon being married, being a homemaker, loving her husband and children, if God so blessed her; Titus 2:4-5.
If you turn to Luke 1:30, you will read how Mary “found favor with God.” This exclusive message was delivered by God through the angel Gabriel.
She, no doubt, knew of Gabriel through scripture, being one who comprehended the Old Testament and its teachings of the predicted Messiah. It was the angel Gabriel who revealed the promised Messiah in Daniel 9:21f.
Mary was told of something miraculous that had never occurred and will never occur again. She, a pure virgin, who walked in chaste behavior was going to bear a Son by the power of the Most High. He would be a “holy Child” and “called the Son of God;” Luke 1:35. What an astonishing thing to contemplate on!
God knew this was a hard pill to swallow for this unmarried woman; therefore, He lovingly brought comfort through Gabriel by informing Mary of her relative, Elizabeth; verse 36. She knew her relative was old and past childbearing age; yet, she too was to miraculously give birth. Mary was not alone in this time of miraculous works. Gabriel reminds Mary that “nothing is impossible with God,” verse 37, concerning Elizabeth’s astonishing conception. Mary is totally assured of God’s power to perform mighty works of allowing a woman to bear past her time. She recognizes that such a tremendous miracle did not cease with Sarah, Abraham’s wife, as disclosed in the book of Genesis. A similar statement of assurance was presented to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18:14, where God asked, “Is anything two difficult for the LORD?” The God of yesteryears is the God of today. We must not walk in smallness of faith. This is the message presented to Mary, the mother of God and the mother of Jude. Faith is the glorious victory in overcoming all doubt.
God ministered to Mary with just the right prescription. He knows how to heal any scriptural doubting we may hold. He can move beyond what we ask or think.
God opened the way of comfort for Mary through Elizabeth so she would not feel alone in this unusual situation that could prove to be most embarrassing. God is all-able to bring people into our lives that can assist us through the deep roaring seas of tribulation where we need faith and endurance to face today and tomorrow. But we also know as believers that no person can minister to us like the Lord as 1 Peter 5:7 discloses. He oversees every one of His children as a guiding Father who is omnipotently superior to any earthly father…that is why we cast all our cares upon Him.
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There may be times when God will separate us from others so we can learn total dependence upon Him. I have been here and I know how important this lonely painful lesson is. No matter what our circumstances, we can always personally feel His presence as we seek Him through prayer and the scriptures that hold all the answers.
Verse 38 is most remarkable, as it reveals Mary’s total heart of submission…so unlike Elizabeth’s husband. Though Zacharias was godly, he lacked the submission and faith that were found in Mary. Mary says “May it be done according to your word.” This is what we all should say when it comes to applying God’s Word! We are to be those who love all the inerrant scripture—longing to apply it without question. What lessons can be learned from this one statement made by Mary.
Mary most likely held great excitement in her heart knowing she was the fulfillment of prophecy. She was the virgin spoken of in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Mary was the woman who every young maiden desired to be, the one to bring God in man form into the world. This is incomprehensibly miraculous for us to totally grasp.
Mary’s quick response in faith to Gabriel’s words concerning Elizabeth displayed she held no doubts concerning what God could do. She arose to travel to Judah, in a hurry, verse 39.
The details involving Gabriel’s next task is found in Matthew 1:16-25. This involves Joseph’s part in the holy advent of Christ’s birth. In Matthew 1:16 Joseph is called Mary’s husband. This is before Gabriel came to Joseph with the miraculous news. This is because they were married in decision, but had not joined together in being united under one roof through consummation. The engagement period in Israel represented a marital vow that was not to be broken unless adultery occurred. We see from John chapter 2 that the Jews engaged in wedding celebrations which Mary and Joseph had not partaken.
(Many will say Jesus was mocked for being illegitimate by the religious leaders as seen in John 8:41. I don’t believe this; I believe the Pharisees were just trying to justify themselves before Christ by saying they did not come from an act of fornication. They did not live where Jesus lived nor desired to go to this mocked land of Nazareth. They seemed to assume he was born in Nazareth as they called him a Nazarene.
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The religious leaders did not appear to know of His birth which occurred around 30 years previous in Bethlehem or of the miracles that surrounded it which proved Him to be God-man. Never do we see this discussed among them.
If Jesus was known as being of fornication, why was the family completely welcomed into the Jerusalem temple after Jesus’ birth? Why weren’t Mary and Joseph ridiculed and put out?
Jesus, as an infant was transported to Egypt by his parents as Herod wanted Jesus dead; and, of course, so did satan. God’s directives came by way of two dreams to direct the paths of this young family. Both dreams were angelic warnings. The first warned them of Herod’s murderous plan to eliminate Jesus; whereby, they were instructed to flee to Egypt and stay until the Lord told them to return. The second angelic warning proceeded Herod’s death, when Joseph was directed to return to Israel but not the Judea area as Herod’s vile son reigned in his stead. The religious leaders never kept tabs on this unknown baby though phenomenal happenings surrounded His life.
When the people from Christ’s hometown speak of Him, they say is not this “the Carpenter’s son” and “his mother called Mary;” Matthew 13:55-56. They do not say this is Jesus, the son of Mary, and we do not know who his father is.)
Only God knows the timetable on all the nativity events perfectly. No time, in hours, is actually provided, concerning Mary leaving for Judah and the time needed in preparation. It is possible that she married Joseph before her departure. The Holy Spirit was to overshadow her and it seems she would not depart until she knew for sure that she was pregnant through this miraculous way. God wanted Mary to enter into the marriage covenant so she would not suffer disgrace as an unmarried pregnant woman. The LORD graciously sent Gabriel to Joseph as He totally cared for the ordained plight of this godly daughter of Israel. Joseph, somewhere in this story, obeyed God and took Mary for his wife.
Mary left her home to go and be with one of kindred spirit as Elizabeth was family, united with God and phenomenally pregnant. Mary knew Elizabeth had an open heart and home and she could go there any time and be received in love.
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God spoke the way through Gabriel or she would not have known of God’s other little baby miracle in fetal development. Isn’t it interesting that God chose to have John born of a woman that Mary loved and respected…an actual relative.
I sincerely believe that Mary’s family stayed with Elizabeth when they came to Jerusalem for the various feasts of holy days. They probably thought it an honor to stay with a priest who served in the temple. Mary seemed to know Elizabeth well as there seemed to be no question concerning her going to her home unannounced.
Elizabeth was six months with child at this time. John was six months older than his cousin Christ Jesus. Why did it happen like this? Perhaps so Elizabeth could encourage and minister to Mary. At least, this is what I believe. She was a godly older woman who could comfort this young pregnant gal, she being pregnant too through an act of God.
Mary is reassured she is loved when she is welcomed by Elizabeth and John. This is wondrous fulfilled prophecy we see in verse 41. Remember, Gabriel informed Zacharias that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit while in Elizabeth’s womb. John leaped in the womb when Mary arrived. What a small bundle of large comfort for Mary. This certainly reveals the ways of God that are beyond full comprehension.
I wonder if Mary and Elizabeth studied the Old Testament passages together concerning the Messiah since they were both aware what Mary was caring the fulfilled prophecy—the Messiah. Elizabeth was impregnated with the Messiah’s forerunner.
Mary knew the scriptures well and she may have already held all the passages in her heart concerning the Christmas promise. She was a knowledgeable woman who rested in God’s Holy Scriptures. In Hebrew Messiah means “anointed one.” Christ translated means “anointed one.” Jesus means “savior.” Christ Jesus equates “Anointed Savior.” God, is the only holy anointed one, never being subject to sin. Many have been anointed to perform God’s will in scripture such as prophets, priests and kings, but they were not holy anointed God. Our “Anointed Savior” is the only one who can cleanse us from our sin by His precious blood.
Obviously, God has revealed much to Elizabeth, as she knows Mary is carrying her Lord God, verse 43. She also knows Mary responded with belief when the angel came to her, verse 45, as she says blessed is she who believes what was spoken to her by the Lord. What is humorous about all this is her godly priestly husband did not and she knows it! She is excited to have one in her midst who did not question the messenger from God Almighty. Now…do not get me wrong as I have no doubt that Elizabeth was a godly submissive wife who did fully respect and love the man God gave her. Their marital relationship certainly was preordained of God just as Sarah and Abraham’s.
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Verse 46 begins the “Magnificat,” Mary’s exaltation of God in canticle form. She rejoices in the Lord, her Savior, as His humble bond slave. We learn from this verse that Mary walked in the absence of pride and arrogance. She was filled with godly humble attributes. I am sure she instilled such elements in Jude, James and her other children; though such attributes cannot be fully apprehended until salvation which came later to these men.
Mary also was given insight to know that every generation will count her blessed and is not that what Christmas is much about. The knowledge of her privilege of birthing God Himself is going forth into every new generation, being highlighted every nativity season.
She continues in offering her praise for the attributes of God—His omnipotence (being all powerful), His omniscience (being all knowing) and His omnipresence (being everywhere present). This involves Him performing great and mighty acts as overseer of all. She mentions His holiness and mercy that stretch from generation to generation. She includes His ability to scatter the proud and to bring rulers down. She stresses His ways of exalting the humble ones and bringing food to the hungry, while sending the rich away empty handed. She concludes with the fact He is well able to assist Israel and stay faithful to her descendants.
What does this tell us of Mary? Well…that she was an intelligent educated young lady. She knew the Word of God. She sought to memorize it as she quotes Old Testament passages, many from the Psalms. People say women from this era were untaught and stupid. Mary reveals just the opposite. She obviously grew up in a home where God was revered by her mother and father. She was instructed in the Word of God thoroughly. This should not surprise us as we witness the wisdom of Elizabeth who was her relative. Elizabeth was clearly intelligent and educated too. This type of fervent caliber was probably evidenced throughout Mary’s family. Mary was reared to be a godly wise woman. Many women in the Old and New Testament were wise and intelligent; some held mighty power.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth three months. This means she probably stayed for the birth of John as Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary traveled to see her. She had to come a distance, approximately 100 miles. There were no cars and paved thoroughfares then, so more time must be added to John’s womb incubation. Elizabeth may have been close to 6 ½ months pregnant when Mary arrived.
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It would make sense that Mary stayed a short time following the birth to assist. Since Elizabeth’s relatives rejoiced with her at the birth of John, verse 58, it is possible that Mary’s mom traveled down to celebrate too and then took her daughter back to Nazareth. However, it must be noted, nothing is stated concerning Mary’s mother and father being participants during this maternal time. Only God knows if they were still alive. We do know Mary had one or more siblings as her sister Mary (holding the same name) was at the cross when Christ was crucified; John 19:25. She was the wife of Clopas or Cleopas and Jesus appeared to his uncle, Cleopas and possibly his aunt, Mary, too following the resurrection as disclosed in Luke 24:13f. I personally believe He appeared to both his aunt and uncle as they beckoned Him to come into their home.
The wonders of this entire setting of miracles are completely beyond what we can grasp in our finite minds. There is so much going on behind the scenes of this remarkable true tale.
We note at the beginning of chapter two of Luke that a census was to be made “of all the inhabited earth.” What a span to cover!! Of course, this was orchestrated by Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. Rome was the ruling empire at this time and it oppressed Israel who looked toward a Messiah that would deliver her. God had another plan, however. Messiah would not rule Israel or the world until much later, when He would return a second time.
We read in verse 3, that everyone had to register in their own city—the city within the tribe of their heritage. If you turn in your Bible to the back, in the map area, you should locate a map of the divided land of Israel. It will show you the divisions according to the 12 tribes of Jacob, minus Joseph and Levi, but including Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim…much too much to go into now. There was a designated city for each tribe to register.
Joseph and Mary were of the tribe of Judah, so Mary had to return to this southern area of Israel once again. Remember this is the general location where Elizabeth and Zacharias lived. Mary traveled from Nazareth with Joseph to a different city this time—Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem. Elizabeth obviously didn’t reside in Bethlehem as they had to locate a place to stay.
We do not know for sure, but Elizabeth and Zacharias may have visited Mary and Joseph after Christ’s birth, since Jerusalem and Bethlehem were so close in proximity.
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Remember the Temple was in Jerusalem where Zacharias served as a priest though they resided somewhere outside of this area as he obviously had to travel home when not officially ministering in the temple; Luke 1:23.
In verse 6, we observe that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a lowly manger area or in a type of primitive barn where the animals were lodged as there was no room in the inn for this unique couple. Jesus lived a life of a humble servant for mankind and there was no better way to represent this but through this lowly birth.
His growing up years with Jude, James and his other half brothers and sisters are silent; they are not revealed to us as God saw no significance in us knowing of these.
Christ putting Himself in this family is fulfilled prophecy as Joseph would have been on the throne reigning as king and not holding a simple carpenter position if the kingly line of David had not been made void at the time of the Babylonian captivity. When Babylon invaded Judah, this ended the Davidic line of the reigning kings. According to the Davidic lineage, Christ had the right to the throne of David through Joseph, being his first born son—adoptively speaking that is. Joseph’s family ancestry traced back to David is disclosed in Matthew chapter 1 and Mary’s bloodline to David in Luke 3. As Joseph’s first born, Christ would have reigned as king succeeding Joseph. See Luke 1:32, Revelation 5:5 & 22:16 and Isaiah 9:7 concerning the prophecies of the Davidic Messiah.
As God, the creator of all—Colossians 1:13-19, Christ held the right to the throne in all aspects.
Viewing Elizabeth’s age, she could have been Mary’s blood aunt. Both Elizabeth and Zacharias were of the line of Aaron, the priestly line; Luke 1:5. Zacharias was “of the division of Abijah.” The Abijah line was of Aaron which we confirm from reading 1 Chronicles 24:1-10. In Ezekiel 44:22, it states a priest can only marry a virgin or a widow of a priest. It was very important that a priest and his wife be above reproach as they represented the righteousness and holiness of God.
God recognized this exceptional couple with obedient hearts for Him alone. They walked blamelessly, not allowing the world to influence them in any evil manner; Luke 1:6.
Christ would have received priestly blood from this family line of Mary’s. Remember Christ was king, priest and prophet on earth. God appointed prophets; therefore, it was not an inherited calling.
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Of course, Christ is God and therefore our priest by all authority, which is the only true and eternal power. Christ is Priest according to the order of Melchizedek because He has no beginning or end; Hebrews 7:9f. He is our only priest because He is omnipotent God; therefore, there is no need for a blood-inherited vocation.
We see God the Father’s great love in putting Christ in a family that was probably the most devoted to Him in all the Holy Land. God the Father made sure His Son was loved protected and heard His truths. This would, of course, have been Christ’s truths as well. Christ moved in the Old Testament as part of the Godhead, teaching His Word which godly men recorded.
Both Jude and James became members of this inimitable family. They came by way of natural birth. God had a plan for them too.
These sons found wonderful role models in their parents not to mention God…Him being a born member of their family. Elizabeth and Zacharias certainly must have held some influence in their lives as well.
No doubt, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zacharias, and others told these children of the miraculous miracles surrounding their cousin John; his birth and his dedication to God. They most likely witnessed this dedication themselves when visiting John and his family in Jerusalem.
What is bizarre, is Jude and James saw it as no special privilege to grow-up with Christ. In John chapter 7, Christ’s brothers ridiculed Him and wanted him to attend the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem so he could be arrested and persecuted. They knew it meant certain death as it was not a secret that the religious leaders wanted to do away with Him. They wanted Him appearing in public so he would be an easy target. This is all hard to comprehend, but satan was at work to deceive all, including Christ’s family.
Christ’s half brothers certainly recognized His complete righteousness, but their hard hearts and pride kept them from acknowledging that He was indeed the Messiah. They obviously held hate for their half-brother; perhaps they were jealous of His present notoriety. I believe it is possible that Joseph’s brothers hated Him for the special insightful gifts God had bestowed upon Him and not them.
Jude and James undoubtedly heard of their mother’s appointed time with God who revealed the forthcoming birth of Christ by the Holy Spirit’s intervention. They also must have heard of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit when their mother went to visit Elizabeth as these women both prophesized the omnipotent ways of God.
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Jude, James and the other two brothers and sisters only knew second hand of the miracles of Christ’s birth. There may have held inadequate feelings; never being able to live up to Christ’s sinless life.
Christ was preaching at age twelve as we see in Luke 2:41f. (After this chapter, we never see Joseph mentioned so I believe somewhere between the temple teaching and Christ’s ministry, Joseph died.) Christ while living in the home, I believe, was always speaking of the ways of God. Therefore, He was preparing and teaching His siblings and mother for their future faith in Him, which He knew, would come about…He knowing all things. When Jesus’ parents found Him in the temple, He said “Don’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?” Obviously, He felt they should know. They couldn’t have forgotten the momentous events of the nativity that arrived by the Father, though it was almost 13 years ago that the heavenly disclosures occurred that foretold of His ministry—Luke 1:35 “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
Jude, James, and the other two brothers, sisters and mother did not receive Christ as their Messiah immediately. It appears Mary did not believe till sometime before the crucifixion, though she did refer to God being her Savior in the “Magnificat;” Luke 1:47.
At the time of the cross, Jesus tells Mary she will be placed in the care of John, His disciple. Since Mary became a believer, Jesus desired she be in a believing home—it will be exciting to hear her salvation story when we arrive in heaven since it is not disclosed in scripture.
John, being such a compassionate man, seems to be the obvious choice to us as well. Jesus certainly revealed a special concern for His mother at this time. Remember, Mary was told that a sword would even pierce her own soul, Luke 2:35. She suffered monumental pain seeing her son on the cross though God graciously warned her of what was to come. It is also interesting to note that this last statement to John concerning Christ’s mother’s care, John 19:26-27, was His last act of love prior to death.
We observe in Acts 1:12 that Jesus’ brothers were with Mary in the upper room praying, so it is obvious that God opened their eyes to believe too. I would guess the sisters believed as well since God brought His grace to the rest of the family. Christ spent thirty years with His earthly family and we know He is spending eternity with them as well. Not that Christ’s earthly family is more important than any of us; yet, it is remarkable to think about this astonishing grace that brought James and Jude to be so exceedingly used of Christ.
Verse Exposé
Chapter 1
God’s Beloved
Jude presents himself in a humble light as Christ’s bondservant; in no way elevated above any other believer by position as Christ’s half-brother or author of this letter. He does identify himself as the “brother of James.” People knew James as the overseer of the famed Jerusalem church, as I stated previously, which encompassed thousands.
The book of James is the earliest known New Testament manuscript.
Jude is only known to us today by this book and his relationship to Christ as seen in the Gospels. This note of him being the “brother of James” obviously added to the book’s authenticity.
This letter is written to the “beloved.” This is an endearing term used for believers who are simply redeemed by grace; no believer has been found holding qualities that merit God’s love and compassion. It is a privilege and a delight to be called, “beloved.” It is akin to being born into an extremely affluent family where one never deserved or achieved the wealth.
“Beloved” is not used for distant relations but those close to the One who loves. No one is closer to the heart of God than His own children. This love is intimate; revealing an unparalleled human relationship. Though humans may use this term, though not frequently in this day and age, there is no way human love can ever match God’s love. We can never even begin to comprehend it. We can never grasp the love God has for the unsaved. There is no greater preserving love than the love Christ has for us on an intimate personal level.
Jude informs us further that this book is written to believers in Christ and who are “kept by Christ” (NASB). The KJV Bible renders “kept” as “preserved.”
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Preserved is also true to the Greek word TEREO which signifies the preservation of the believer in Christ. It is assuring to recognize this encompassing security. This security is a gracious promise to us, a gift from God. We also find this truism in Romans 8:38-39 where our Lord informs us that nothing can separate us from His love. Words are used in this passage whereby we can picture those things that may try to separate but always fail. Life and death can set immediate images in our mind, good and bad, but we get the picture. Even in death believers cannot be separated from God; we are kept for eternity. In life, with its hardships, we are preserved and held by loving hands; Psalm 37:24. Those things listed that are created as well as height and depth can be easily captured in thought so we keep these things in mind when going through our trials; when we might lack the faith.
Verse two of Jude states some of the attributes we receive in Christ: His mercy, peace and love. This verse is a prayer that Jude prayed for these believers, for them to be increasing in these gifts of grace. We too can pray for the increase of these gifts for fellow believers and ourselves.
Of course, we need the mercy of God in the confessing of our sins as we fall so short in these fleshly bodies. We also know we have His forgiveness through the price paid on the cross. Peace is what unbelievers can see in our lives and thus covet for themselves, which provides witnessing opportunities. The Holy Spirit is in us so we do not walk in hopeless fear and distress, come what may. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding; Philippians 4:7. Therefore, we should walk in thanksgiving for this blessed gift of the Spirit.
Love in this verse is AGAPE. Charity may fit better than the word love in this society of sensuality and self-seeking allurements. This is more than a feeling; James chapter 2 makes this clear, as our faith is to reveal love in action. We are to care and minister to our fellow believers in Christ. We are also to reach out to the lost that they may be saved. Another way we reveal our love for God is obeying His inerrant Word as Christ told his disciples, love is keeping His commandments. Much more can be stated as true charitable love is intensely expounded upon in the scriptures and worth our study.
In verse 3 we witness again the word beloved. Jude wants us to be reassured that we are God’s beloved. All others may forsake us, but God’s love is always there for us. There are believers who are in prison for their faith in many overseas countries, thus they feel alone. However, they can feel God’s gracious personal love filling their hearts daily as they rest in the fact that they are His beloved.
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This term of love can be rendered as endearment and is used only for us who are in Christ. This follows through with the fact that we also have a common salvation reserved for us in Christ. Jude is expressing his heart of love for these believers so they stay steadfast in Christ through the truths revealed in this book.
Chapter 2
Creeping In
Jude was written in 65 AD and though the church was young, false teachers were already sneaking into assemblies. Therefore this book was penned to forecast what can take place once false teachers are allowed to run amuck in the church. Christ warned about all that we see today in fellowships in Matthew 13:31-33 where He predicted the church apostasy. I truly believe when Christ spoke of the growth of the Gospel by using a mustard tree seed that grew into a large tree, that He is speaking of the fate of the church becoming successful, prosperous, and accepted. Revelation chapter 3 reproves the Laodicea church as it became lukewarm due to the fact that it had become wealthy. It was mostly apostate for this reason.
The church today is a huge organization, known for being the wealthiest conglomerate in the world. It certainly did not start out this way! Many have chosen to be apart of it just for appearance and prestige sake. Matthew 13:32-33 speaks of the birds of the air coming to rest in its branches. Since birds are fowl and added to the tree, I believe they represent the false teachers and unsaved who come and feel right at home in its branches, or I would say pews. I also adhere to this as birds represent satan in verses 1-9 who comes and takes away the seed of the Word of God.
I surmise that the leaven in verse 33 represents the false teachers as well since leaven is always viewed in the negative in the Bible; it represents that which pollutes and ruins. Matthew 13:25 speaks of the tares that invade the kingdom of heaven or the church which seems to tie this whole following section theme together.
I have to ask myself why the church is so huge when the road to heaven is narrow and few follow it; Matthew 7:13-14. These two verses are stated just a few pages before the Matthew chapter 13 passage which reveals the church being encompassing. It certainly seems that something is amiss.
Due to these warnings and others stated by Christ, Jude did not want these believers led away from the true Biblical faith. He did not desire they become compliant to teachings not of God that would slither in through false teachers. That is why Jude states through God that they need to live by the faith of the saints, which is represented by steadfastness.
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Faith in God was seen throughout the Old Testament but faith’s greatest level has come to New Testament believers through the fulfilled knowledge of Christ and bestowing of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is a great thing to have faith passed down to us. That is what discipleship is all about. People who are mature in the Lord teach those who are newly born into the faith. In 2 Timothy 1:5 we read how Timothy was taught the ways of God by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Paul completed the discipleship but obviously appreciated the grounding that was embedded earlier by these godly women.
In verse 4, we arrive at the reason for this God-written letter, transcribed for us by Jude. People, not obedient believers, had “crept in unnoticed.” They are the condemned and the ungodly . . . not living by the moral upright ways of Christ. They teach license or that one’s behavior need not be above reproach.
I was recently reading an article in a newspaper that justified little lies. The article represented many in the church who see lying as no big deal as God does not care that much. They had a picture of a man standing before a stained glass window in a church to spread the propaganda that God shows little or no care concerning such behavior.
I am very hurt by how many times I have been lied to by church leadership and I hurt when I hear of my friends being lied to by pastors and those in authority. Those who hold to the teaching that lying-compromise is no big deal are false teachers. False teachers treat grace as license. In Jude the word “licentiousness” is used, the adjective form. These who refuse moral Biblical guidance might state that under grace, you do what you want as you are already forgiven. They would never provide forewarning to the fact that believers should stay as far away from sin as possible to prevent them from reaping what they sow. They would be the ones to proclaim, no one can live up to Biblical standards so why even try that hard.
These believers belittle Christ through disrespecting Him and by not teaching others to hate sin. When they engage in this, they deny our only Master and Lord, Christ Jesus. This is done by presenting a slight semblance rather than His true identity.
It is interesting how false teachers love to have an appearance of religion which is how they creep into congregations unnoticed. Though today most church doors are held wide open for them in the name of love. However, such an agenda pours hatred upon believers as leadership does love them enough to protect them from satan’s agents who want to distort the scriptures.
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This is just one aspect of license as it seems to be unending today in our church society that is lax in every evil way to believers’ destruction.
How disturbing it is for me to attend a church and hear the best preaching from a pastor, but later come face to face with the fact that he is preaching simply because it is his paid job and he doesn’t ever expect anyone in the congregation to live up to any of the holy scriptural truths he presents.
Many people who represent religion can spout the Bible and deceive the multitudes and drag them into every sinful action imaginable and all in the name of religion.
Jezebel was not a pastor but Israel’s queen in the Old Testament. She was King Ahab’s wife and she led the people of God into all wickedness. She is considered the most ruthless of all Bible women. She led Israel into Baal worship, the false god of rain and harvest. This woman may have been totally pagan, but she knew her scriptures! For her husband’s personal gain, she used them diabolically.
In 1 Kings chapter 21 she implements God’s Word to plan and justify a murder. She even proclaimed a fast for all the people. By this, she appeared to be trying to accomplish God Almighty’s will. She knew in order to put one to death; a law violating accusation had to be by the witness of two. She produced two false witnesses to lie and state righteous Naboth had cursed God and the king—who was her husband, Ahab. Exodus 22:28 forbids cursing God or the king. Leviticus chapter 24 commands that one is to be put to death if they blaspheme or curse God.
This whole scenario arose as King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard so he could plant a garden, as his property was adjacent. Does that sound like a sweet endeavor for a king? Ahab offered him money or a better field, but Naboth desired it be left in the family. Ahab went into depression as a result; whereby, Jezebel determined to please him by inventing a murderous path to take possession. This greed-filled act of execution was accomplished through her implementing a righteous appearance, cunningness and resourcefulness.
Through her trickery and the rehearsed lies from false witnesses, Naboth was stoned. As soon as Jezebel lived out her plan, she told Ahab to quit soaking and take the land.
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Many false teachers can quote scriptures and hold an appearance of righteousness to lead the people astray as they put their trust in those who seem so holy. These false teachers know where to purchase the highest quality wool on the market to appear as the most innocent of Christ’s sheep. But Christ refers to them as being ravenous wolves; Matthew 7:15. Paul warned the Ephesians, Acts 20:29, that savage wolves would come in not sparing the flock when he departed. No one today would dare to label false teachers as Christ or Paul did which has brought the church to the mess it is in.
The Apostle John was concerned about false believers coming into one of his churches. In 2 John, he acted cautiously by telling this home church not to even allow anyone in the door who did not abide in the teaching of Christ, verses 9-10.
Chapter 3
Knowing All Things
Focusing back on Jude 5, we see a reference to the addressed believers as knowing all things. They certainly held insights granted to them by the Holy Spirit concerning the Old Testament. It is nice to know we have access to knowing all things through owning the Scriptures. However, we can be blinded in knowing all things when we are in bondage to the things society struts. I know as I have been bondage to the things of this world that clouded my discerning outlook. Because I desired a cloudless view of my life in Christ, I had to shed some activities of conviction. Three main hindrances from my past come to mind. These gripped me when I was in my twenties and single. One was the television, which I viewed just about every night. I knew every show on every channel…I was known as a walking and talking TV Guide. I cried out to God amidst conviction and the fact that a brainless machine produced in me a state of unreality. I looked at this world through rose-colored glasses and never truly witnessed a society dieing in its sin and headed to hell. Evening shows always made people appear nice and even bad guys were not that bad, just in need of a little social reform.
If my memory serves me correctly, I prostrated myself in grief and asked Christ to take away my desires for this idol-machine. He quickly answered my sincere groaning and I never felt like this was something I had to engage in again to bring some temporary entertaining satisfaction. He taught me to use my time far more wisely and away from that which does not generally teach modesty, holiness, innocence, undefilement and a love for Christ.
Another area in which He convicted me concerned my love for rock music; I was totally in bondage to this rebellious sensual beat. I cried out to Him once again in great anguish for deliverance. By His omnipotent transforming power, I was able to enjoy lovely and pure music with a rhythm of peace and tranquility. I encountered a closer relationship to Christ when I forsook this beat of the world.
Sensuality was the third thing whereby I had to prostrate myself before the Lord. I was dating a man who was attending seminary to be a pastor, but he did not incite me to a holy relationship with him. We did not go all the way nor did we ever come close to removing our clothing; however, we were in bondage physically through holding, kissing, etc. I knew sensuality was not to have a part in my being. All these feelings were to be held for marriage. I was simply being used and that became very apparent.
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At first, I thought our dating was an answer to prayer, as the Lord knew I wanted to take part in ministry and this man was headed for the pastorate. However, he felt no conviction nor did he see our relationship as one that needed to be transformed to purity. He did not desire complete innocence.
Later, when I met Alan, he let me know he did not want to kiss a woman until he was engaged to her and then only briefly to prevent temptation. I never felt I was in sensual bondage while dating him and we did not kiss until our betrothal.
Before meeting Alan, my pastor had encouraged me to break up with the man I was in bondage to. At this time, the Lord granted me the discernment to recognize the relationship was not of Him. My pastor was also the one who counseled Alan and me and performed our marriage ceremony. We are still very grateful for his holy discipleship and his continuing godly friendship. He lives in southern Washington today.
I do not say these things to imply I am no longer tempted and never need to cry out to God, but these were my largest sinful hurdles that clouded my eyes from having a full vision of truth and wisdom. The more we remove sin the more we gain insights and truths from the Word. There are always rewarded blessings when we do things God’s way not ours.
Returning to Jude, I believe these believers did not have a halfhearted love for the Word as Jude is able to go immediately into Old Testament historical facts. God employs Old Testament truths here to clarify His points. It seems obvious that these believers held copies of the Old Testament since these references are set before them as known facts. Many of the illustrations in Jude are Pentateuch accounts. The Pentateuch is also referred to as the Torah or first five books of the Old Testament. Moses wrote the first five books, which teach the early history of the Jews and the law. Penta means five in the Greek. Decalogue is a word used for the Ten Commandants meaning “the ten words” which are held in the Pentateuch.
I believe these Christians obviously spent countless hours learning the scriptures, as Jude does not speak to them as if they are ignorant of the Old Testament. I am sure they would put us to shame by their knowledge—by the fact they knew all things.
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In centuries past, even the unsaved knew the Bible in America. Economic affluence and access to broad literature was not a common thing and only the few scholarly wealthy owned many books. In this era of impoverishment by today’s standards, if a book could be had, it was the Bible that was purchased. It was read and spoken of everyday by most every person.
It was the main textbook used in education. In the 19th and early 20th century, many schools also possessed the Blue Back Speller authored by Noah Webster which was taught along with the Bible. This book implemented the scriptures in teaching grammar. It presented the Word in such a way to make scripture applicable for students. This speller is still marketed.
Chapter 4
Historical Accounts
As we continue in the text of Jude 5, we see Jude referring to the time of Israel’s departure from Egypt as is disclosed in the book of Exodus—the second book in the Old Testament. Jude states, “the Lord after saving a people out of Egypt subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.”
Moreover, history records it took mighty feats to deliver a people out of Egypt. Even though miracle after miracle was displayed before the Egyptians to put to shame their animal and insect gods, they refused to obey the LORD and allow the Jews to depart from their enslavement. The consequence was the death of every firstborn Egyptian.
This was the way God chose to remove His people from this pagan land where they were dreadfully abused. All other warnings went unheeded. God brought many plagues on the land but not until the death of Pharaoh’s firstborn son, did he allow them to leave. He had been his heir to the throne, no doubt. You can imagine Pharaoh’s grief, which I’m sure was there even though he was totally hard hearted. Even the hardhearted can feel some affection for close family members.
His grief must have immediately turned to anger. The desire to continue to manipulate manifested itself swiftly as Pharaoh sent his army in pursuit of Israel. He did not know that he was sending his soldiers to their death doom as in his mind; he was always the conquering victor. His entire regiment was drown in the Red Sea after God forged two miracle walls of water, which allowed His chosen to walk through the sea on dry ground. These walls of mounted Red Sea water fell on Pharaoh’s forces that raced behind, rushing to overtake. God graciously and miraculously delivered the Hebrews from this land of enslaving bondages.
One reason God had to remove these Jews from Egypt was to get the world out of them. However, they moaned and groaned shortly after being divided from this land where they had no employment opportunities. God wanted them completely dependant upon Him but they cried for their independence. He desired they not be lured again to Egypt’s pleasantries.
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However, their new home of desert wasteland décor caused them to look backward to city life.
Egypt’s thriving kingdom was the envy of most. It had the uppermost educational opportunities, technology, massive architectural feats, unsurpassed medical treatments and discoveries, gourmet food galore, elite social parties, religion…you just name it…even Jewish slavery.
Because the Hebrews never desired to be completely separated from this country club state of luxurious affairs, God had to continuously discipline them through infliction—sometimes deadly chastisements.
Today God wants to get the world out of all believers, but they, like the Jews of old, refuse to come out and be separate from sin’s bondage. Therefore, He has to discipline the children of the true church. The same sin nature these Jews held onto is being held onto by Christians. They want to be indulging, taking in all the delights of secular civilization. Satan knows what he is doing when he makes all things pleasing to the eye gate and palate.
Unfortunately, the Gospel of today does not teach cultural abandonment because that is not pleasing to the mentality of sensual man who wants it all and now.
Because of the Hebrews incessant and unrelenting unbelief, God destroyed the first generation that departed from Egypt. All due to the fact, it would not let go of its apron strings. They were denied entry into the Promised Land because they could never receive their passports due to Egyptian technicalities. It seems a waste that they were delivered from Egypt and died en route. Yet, God was ever gracious and longsuffering. He provided chance after chance so they would respond to His heeded warnings.
Even Moses could not enter this land because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as commanded; Numbers chapter 20. He was, however, able to view the Promised Land before his death on Mt. Nebo; Deuteronomy chapter 34. It is impressive to note in Deuteronomy 32:4, that Moses referred to God as “The Rock” which may be symbolic of this incident and its consequence.
Moving to verse nine in Jude prematurely, we read more of Moses in relationship to Deuteronomy chapter 34; as Jude 9 reveals God buried Moses. This was obviously following the angel Michael’s encounter with the devil. We will study this verse further when we travel down to this section.
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The point of Jude 5 is God brought death upon the Jews after leaving the Promised Land. Nobody gets away with not reverencing God and His commands. Our God is a consuming fire as Hebrew 12:29 reveals and we are not to take that fact for granted. Just choosing to obey God on our terms is never without consequence; nor ignoring and not applying certain portions of His written Word.
Jude 6 reminds us of the fall of satan and his fellow angels who joined in conspiracy when they strove to function apart from God’s supremacy and righteousness. The fallen angels or demons mentioned here are not the ones who plague the world as these are under bonds in darkness for eternity. It appears from this verse that our kind God did not unleash all these vile and unclean creatures on the world that fell with satan. By God’s grace, He obviously only allowed a certain number to dwell on the earth. In this verse God reminds us that there is eternal judgment for our waywardness and fallen angels will be judged as well for their deeds.
Isaiah 14:12-19 speaks of satan or lucifer when he was cast from heaven due to his pride and his desire to ascend above God. He at one time was a stunning angel who held much power but it all went to his head. God referred to him as the “star of the morning, son of the dawn.” Lucifer may have been the highest in authority and the loveliest of all the angels. He, in time past, shone when he chose to walk in righteousness and holiness.
This passage reveals this evil creature’s motivation that drives him to constant jealous mischievousness. He is jealous because God rules the world not him. His desire is to destroy all mankind as everyone is made in the image of God, whom he hates, despises and envies.
I believe he still holds hopes to dethrone and take God’s place which is impossible as he is the defeated foe. He possibly thinks by derailing believers, he can gain great power by defaming God’s name.
Believers today, like lucifer, lose their holy shine when they bend to his ways, perceiving they can gain everything, but actually lose all.
It is no wonder that people today want to walk in the pride and arrogance that motivated satan so others will look up to them instead of to God. It is a sad thing when pastors desire God’s glory for themselves, revealing they are walking hand in hand with satan’s desires.
This comes about through adultery committed in the spiritual realm where one does not desire to conform to the admonishments of scripture including those stated in Jude. James 4:4 exposes this when declaring, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
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There are multitudes of applications for this verse. One application can be to desire the praise and admiration of men whereby we make ourselves enemies of God. Through desiring the admiration and praise of others that arises from the agendas of the world, we uplift and exalt ourselves in undermined ways.
Putting others down is one way man can selfishly exalt himself. Desiring to be number one is seen commonly in society. A minister can appear on television just for the sake of gaining popularity and notoriety.
We must always be watchful of our pride as it is part of our flesh that wants to take over and quench the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Believe me, I know!
Jude 7 moves us further into the take note warnings of our Lord. He places before us Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of these cities represented a society that held no moral bounds. You can read of this gross immoral situation in Genesis chapter 19.
We know homosexuality owned this society. They were in bondage to sexual promiscuity, which grew and grew to unbelievable lengths just as we see occurring in our own nation. No one, including our politicians and religious leaders, has been able to put any kind of lid on it. We have to live with this increasing grotesqueness everyday. There is no place we can run to…there is no withdrawing from it. I was talking to a woman the other day and she was saying remember when no one even knew what homosexuality was all about? We discussed the sadness of the situation, as this activity was virtually unviewed forty years ago. Most people never saw it nor did they want to.
The consequence to not holding to chaste moral codes is eternal fire, as we read here in Jude. God plainly states in Hebrews 13:4, “Adulterers and fornicators God will judge, but the marriage bed is undefiled.” God does bring judgment on those who break His moral codes of decency, purity and modesty. 1 Corinthians 6:9 warns us that no unrighteous person will inherit the kingdom of God, including fornicators, adulterers, effeminates, homosexuals, etc.
We witness in God’s love for us that He is very concerned that we reap the profit of keeping ourselves pure and unstained by the world. If God did not cherish us, He would not have given us this love letter full of warnings for our personal benefit. Jude is a book of warnings so we are on the lookout for those who would image us into general society.
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We are called to be a peculiar separated people. We should never be ashamed of being different. The Jews too were called to be a peculiar people but they desired to be styling, conforming themselves to culture. Consequently, they paid the penalty in powerful ways. If they would have obeyed Leviticus 20:23, which commanded them not to follow “the customs of nations,” they would have spared themselves unbelievable heartache.
Chapter 5
Unreality—Changing of the Colors
Dreaming seems to be the main subject of verse 8. The false teachers dream and this dreaming is a kind of dreaming that defiles the flesh. Obviously immoral thoughts and dreams consume their lives; they involve themselves in everything sleazy and vulgar awake or asleep. These people do not live in reality just everything that represents lust!
Jude is a portrayed reality of God’s truth. Certainly rejecting the truth and reality of Jude is a mark of false teachers today. I find many believers today, if not most, live in a dream world not wanting to take seriously one word of warning found in this revealing book of veracity.
“Defile” has a weighty word emphasis. We as believers never want to defile ourselves with the things of society that removes our purity. The Greek word used here is “MIAINO” and it means to stain as one changes the color of an object. It would imply a change in a person—a negative change, that which turns one away from innocence to evil. I know respected people in the church who are bent on turning innocence to evil. Two of them are leaders in churches and they incite pornography and lusting. They have no problem in removing natural innocence from children as well. They are respected in Bible-believing churches and though other leadership knows of their agendas, they care little since deceivers know how to appear like saintly chameleons. I have been hated for saying their agenda is sinful. Alan and I have known them for years and had thought them to be godly until all was exposed.
When sin takes hold of our life, we do change our image like a lizard its color, we shed the righteousness of the Holy Spirit. His holy attraction is quenched; deemed no longer useful to us, so His inner beauty is not visible
in our being. When He is disregarded, people only view a fleshly depraved shell of a person.
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Chapter 6
Angels and Doctrinal Knowledge
The authority brought forth in this verse seems to point heavenward as the sin of the flesh stands in opposition to God and His holy kingdom of angelic majesties. If you turn to 2 Peter 2:10-12, you see angels and their authority spoken of and the evil ones who despise them. This refers to self-serving evil men who gratify their own desires, holding no respect for God or His angels. We are never to worship or adore angels, yet we are called to respect their God-given authority. I personally refer to 2 Peter as Jude’s sister book, as the teachings of Jude are repeated throughout.
God commands in 1 Corinthians 11:10 that a woman should have something on her head during worship, for the sake of the angels. Obviously angels look in on the church service and in the Greek it means God’s angels not evil beings as I have heard implied. A division of respecting angelic authority is women wearing the head covering. Verses 8-10 and 12-13 state a woman is made in the image of man therefore she needs a symbol of authority on her head. This speaks to when she is praying or prophesying (telling forth God’s divine counsel) in church. Some fellowships believe a woman should always have something on her head; yet, I do not deem this to be true from this passage. This section is referring to the assembly of the church since we move into the Lord’s Supper in the proceeding verses and this remembrance is done as a corporate church body.
I personally find it interesting that men have no difficulty obeying verses 4 & 7 in this 1 Corinthian passage, as I never see men wearing hats during a Sunday sermon and even young boys are taught by their dads to remove them when entering a church building.
Part of this Corinthian passage also involves obedience in the aspect of women having long hair, verses 14-15. Both the Old and New Testament teach the differential aspect of male and female. Most men and boys do have short hair in obedience to God’s Word, verse 14, which is also interesting to note.
A woman’s hair is her glory, verse 15; it is not like men’s hair that is usually plain and thin and looks bad when it is left to grow long. In general, men have not been provided with the luxurious hair that compliments women that provides a crowning glory and an additional modest covering.
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Today some women in society worship masculinity in that they covet to obtain the same professional positions as men. They will even resemble them in appearance and dress in hopes of gaining masculine respect. This greatly bothers me as God willed that men and women not wear the same type of clothing; this was specified in the Pentateuch; Deuteronomy 22:5. God stated that such a thing was an abomination to Him.
Competing with men in sports assists women to hit the goal of total gender oneness or so they think. God makes it clear, however, that He does not believe in unisex!
The competitive sex aspect seemed to be part of homosexual societies which is why I believe God commanded the distinctions. Femininity was part of His design that was never to be marred. Women throw away a precious part of themselves when they move to worship masculinity. A one-sex society is very boring and entirely destructive.
We have witnessed in America the differences between males and females diminished with homosexuality making a bold appearance in society. A hundred years ago women wore long hair, modest feminine long attire and hats to church. Men were expressively masculine. If women of a century ago were to rise up and judge our obedience today to the Lord in these aspects, I wonder how we would fare. I have to admit to you that I wear pants most often but I am definitely feminine. When attending Sunday morning worship, I wear a dress. I do don a hat for church and have long hair. Feeling feminine is a joy and I see it as Biblical. Alan enjoys my femininity too…imagine that.
As I have read books from the 19th century, I have found most Christian women desired to obey all of scripture. They recognized pagan culture and society should never affect Biblical truth and our adherence to it. Therefore, they kept America’s culture conservative by not swaying off the Biblical path as being salt of the earth that persuaded most others to act in a Biblical manner not pagan.
Jesus and His followers were persecuted for not submitting to sensual culture and society. In Leviticus 20:23 Christ revealed that His children were not to conform to culture or customs of secular society. Jesus and his disciples would not have been constantly confronted if they would have blended in as believers do today.
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If Christ and the disciples would have accepted the pious religious leaders’ societal ways and uplifted them as fellow believers in God, Christ would not have had to die on the cross. These religious ones, who led the people in worship and discipleship, had no problem committing murder when their popularity was diminished when Christ arrived on the scene. They walked in holiness before their fellow Jews; but behind closed doors, they displayed hateful, vengeful ruthlessness and partook in the sinful delights of the flesh—all the satanic designing of pagan cultures. However, Christ never chose to associate with these false teachers and prophets—the scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees. These religious ones made Jewish society according to their design, not in adherence to scripture; but in tune with man’s pious, religiously external cultural ways. Christ acting ecumenical would have forfeited the way to our eternal redemption.
I want to fully emphasize that Christ and the disciples never fellowshipped with the religious popular leaders outside of Nicodemus and possibly a few other Pharisees who were sincerely seeking souls.
Unfortunately, most Christian leaders today have no problem fellowshipping with the religious influential who adhere to beliefs opposing scripture. They are those who add or subtract from scripture just as the religious leaders in Jesus’ day whom Christ would not bend to. A half century ago, most conservative Christian leaders never thought of fellowshipping with those who didn’t hold strictly to all of the Bible, but the apostasy has removed that standard.
Billy Graham changed the climate by fellowshipping with those who did not adhere completely to the Bible. However, many did not even recognize this was taking place and still do not. He was the only significant spokesman who uplifted ecumenicalism in the rooting of its movement. He was a key component in bringing forth the apostasy and ushering in the beginnings of the one-world religion which resembles the apostate church revealed in Revelation, Matthew and 2 Thessalonians that will be ecumenically encompassing.
Franklin Graham said: “In the early years, up in Boston, the Catholic church got behind my father’s crusade. That was a first. It took back many Protestants. They didn’t know how to handle it. But it set the example. ‘If Billy Graham is willing to work with everybody, then maybe we should too’” (The Indianapolis Star, June 3, 1999).
Bill Graham spouts much false doctrine to lead true believers into following satan’s religious lies. He has walked the liberal inclusive road for years.
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In Newsweek, August 14, 2006, Billy Graham stated: “I would not say Islam is wicked and evil…I have a lot of friends who are Islamic. There are many wonderful people among them. I have a great love for them. I have spoken at Islamic meetings in Nigeria and in different parts of the world.” When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people. Graham said, “Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won’t…I don’t want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have.”
These are heretical statements! They are contrary to the Word of God in every way. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ and His shed blood for mankind’s redemption. False prophets will not place anyone in heaven no matter their sincerity. Those who worship the false idol gods of the Buddhists and Hindus will never locate a place in paradise. Revelation 22:13-16 informs us that idolaters are not allowed into heaven along with sorcerers, immoral persons, murderers and those who practice lying.
Now don’t get me wrong…I am very thankful for those who have come to Christ through the Graham ministries. We all have to be grateful for the multitudes of conversions.
However, elevating people such as Billy Graham leads people down an all-deceptive road of false-doctrine-confusion. No matter the fame or popular of any believer, we still have to be cautious of all they teach and do; we must compare all their words and actions to the Word. We do not accept all that a person does and says even if they appear to be mightily used of God. God and His Word have to be our only and final authority in all things.
I am informing you of this for your own personal good as we can never follow man or woman only the inerrant, holy, undefiled Word of God. We must remember that no amount of Christian good works can override sound doctrine.
In Christ’s day, there were those who were false disciples and were doing good works in Christ’s name, but He made it clear they were out for their own agendas.
To stay on the right path, one that does not follow men, we need to sustain vigilance. This vigilance must be constantly aimed at the Bible. It must hold first priority in our hearts whereby we give it our best time. It is this book that allows us to gain the discernment that everything in it is for a reason…to produce spiritual maturity within and to vanquish all that is false.
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We must remember though, being just hearers of the Word, which would include just being readers as well, withholds obedience production. Obedience sprouts great discernment and internal uplifting blessings. Questioning God’s Word always births confusion and consequence.
We must exercise the faith that everything in God’s Word is true and for our benevolence. The Word assures us of itself. 1 Timothy 2:16 states that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproving and correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Peter 1:21 states that no prophecy of scripture was ever made by human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Having this faith in the Word is the key to rising above any appealing false teacher and their deceptive presentations.
When the Jews in the Old Testament turned from the written Word to do their own thing and followed false religious teachers, they were severally spanked by God. Many received a premature death sentence. This occurred as a result of them not respecting the angels who gave the Word. Hebrews 2:2 and Galatians 3:19 teaches the Word is unalterable that the angels delivered. Anyone who defied it paid the consequences.
What God is getting at in Jude and the other applicable passages on this subject, is every believer must stay on task and not let any person turn another away from all that has been passed down to us by God through the agency of angels. Even if much of this seems incomprehensible, we do not turn our backs on all the facts that are presented. We walk by faith not by sight. Exercising faith can enable the Spirit to bring us to a loftier place of comprehension.
We see ultimately in Jude that when we observe the Old Testament Jews and their lack of obedience to the law found in the Pentateuch, that they were walking in disrespect for angles as the law was given to Moses by angels, sent from God. They were and are to be valued as the messengers who delivered it.
Many of Christ’s earthly quotes were from the book of Deuteronomy, the final book in the Pentateuch. He didn’t throw the Old Testament away nor should we. He said Moses wrote of Him—John 5:45-47 and one major prophecy of Him is located in Deuteronomy 18:15.
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Verse 9 of Jude further instructs us concerning angels as Michael the archangel is mentioned. Michael means “like God.” He disputed with the body of Moses . . . now, why would he do this? Well, if we turn to Daniel 12:1, we see Michael has the position of overseeing God’s people, the Jews, and Moses was a Jew. Daniel is referring to Michael’s protection of God’s people in the tribulation period. Being the archangel, it is believed that Michael is actually over all angels as the chief of angels. He is also referred to as the “great prince” in Daniel 10:13. Christ is going to come again bearing a voice like the archangel; 1 Thessalonians 4:16. We know from this verse that Michael has a most prevailing voice to match his exclusive role over God’s people. Someday we will be able to personally experience all of heaven’s glories including Michael and the other angel beings.
Daniel 10:21 speaks of Michael’s fortified protection over Israel when Persia and Greece would be at war with each other. To refresh your historical memory, Daniel was taken captive during the time of Babylonian rule, eventually the Media-Persian World Empire arose. Ultimately, the Greeks gained power over the Medes and the Persians. Rome later came to supremacy and that takes us to the time of Christ as Rome reigned over Israel at that time.
I will take you back to the beginning for a more composite history lesson. Egypt commenced world kingdom history, as she was the first ruling empire who reigned for thousands of years. The Assyrians then raised their hands to gain world power and arrested northern Israel, making her a captive slave. As time pressed on, the Babylonians defeated the Assyrians and gripped the world as no other empire in history as the kingdom of gold, unfolded in Daniel 2:32 & 38.
The Jews of Israel worshipped, paid tithes, learned scripture, etc; but held many sins they chose to ignore which provoked God’s holocaustic judgment. This judgment was death and captivity. God marched in with sword, pestilence and famine and those who were not killed were taken into captivity. Two main captivities took place in the Old Testament—first, the northern portion of Israel, which consisted of ten tribes and their designated lands. They were exiled to Assyria. One hundred and thirty-six years later, the southern portion of Israel, Judah—consisting of two remaining tribes—was removed by King Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.
To understand the land division you need to note that Jacob, also called Israel, had 12 sons whom the nation of Israel descended from. The land was divided amongst those who ascended from these sons. However, Manasseh, and Ephraim, Joseph’s sons, replaced Joseph’s tribal portion of land as Levi, the priestly tribe, had no designated section of property as they served in the temple. This change allowed Israel to still be divided 12 ways.
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A Bible atlas is a must if you do not have adequate maps at the back of your Bible or within your notes in a study Bible. Maps can also be located by doing an Internet search by typing in the area of location with the words, historical maps. If you have adequate maps, you can see how the land of Israel was divided amongst the 12 tribes. You should also have a map that portions the northern and southern kingdoms after Israel was split. A New Testament map will reveal Israel’s division into districts during the time of Christ, which included Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Decapolis, and Perea.
God sent out a warning of the arriving captivities through many true prophets over the years who forecasted doom and gloom to both the northern and southern kingdoms for their rebellious actions. However, the Jews did not repent.
After the northern kingdom was removed by Assyria, the southern kingdom of Judah sought the advisement of false prophets. They wrongfully reasoned that nothing could befall them because they worshipped at Solomon’s sacred temple. They believed God would never destroy their place of worship established by Him so they were secure. The false prophets basically told the people they were righteous and God would not judge. They made the Jews feel holy, religious and safe. They basically preached “your ok and I’m ok.”
God had allowed the southern kingdom of Israel, Judah, to remain as they still had some redeeming qualities. However, these soon dissipated which prompted God to enlist the great Babylonian military force to bring judgment on Judah and many pagan nations. There were three main Semitic captivities under Babylon, the first involved Daniel and noble youths, the second occurred during King Jehoiachin’s reign, and the last seizure took place under King Zedekiah. It was during the third invasion that Solomon’s temple was destroyed as well as all of Jerusalem. This all arose under the hand of Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who was appointed by God to judge Judah, the southern kingdom. Their sin had superseded that of the northern kingdom. This judging event was orchestrated under the authority of Archangel Michael, who as I stated, is the guardian of the Jews as the book of Daniel reveals. Of course, God dictates Michael.
You should note that every angel mentioned in the Bible is of male gender as they never possess feminine names. There is no mention of any angelic female. Why?
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It is due to the fact that angels were created countless eons before Eve ever stepped on the earth. Eve was made in the image of man. Man was made in the image of God as we read in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Angels are most always depicted as female by society, but this is not according to scripture and fact.
Michael the archangel was assigned to intervene concerning the body of Moses as we read in Jude 9. God did not want Moses’ remains worshipped, at least this is what I believe, so God buried him personally in the place known only by God; Deuteronomy 34:6. God was protecting the body of Moses from satan’s evil cunning devices. Satan desires to turn people from a righteous, true and living God to worship men (dead or alive) or the things made by men; Isaiah 2:8, Acts 7:41 and 17:29.
Sinful men will worship just about anything as we even observe today in America. The New Age movement worships spirits in crystals, nature and various other things. Roman Catholicism has many idols—imaged saints that are prayed to. Satan would have loved to have obtained Moses’ body to place on display for public worship. Satan wants men’s attention drawn from God in any possible way. If he could have obtained the cadaver, he could have positioned men’s attention on Moses who has always been acclaimed for his outstanding walk with God that equipped him to lead 5,000,000 or so people around a desert wilderness for 40 years with few mishaps.
Some people will worship that which they felt was once close to God. That was why the Shroud of Turin, which was supposedly the burial cloth of Christ, received such publicity. It was proven “a fake” fabricated by men. It also did not comply with the scriptures concerning the linen wrappings (plural).
It is also important to note that Michael, though the most powerful and authoritative of the holy angels, does not rebuke satan as we see in conclusion to Jude 9. We are in the wrong when we think we can rebuke him; we are never given a command to do so. No where, that I can find, did the apostles rebuke him. They did rebuke his followers. Jude 8 taught us that we cannot rebuke angelic majesties and satan is the highest ranking evil angel.
Now you may view many charismatic people on television theatrically rebuking satan, but only the Godhead has the authority to do this and Jesus did rebuke him when on the earth. We can ask God to rebuke him for us, I believe, but this is all. We have to maintain caution in Christianity so as to never exert our liberties beyond Biblical bounds to boost the power of our ego and the power we feel we hold within. The Holy Spirit is to be controlling not the other way around.
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Verse 10 of Jude, speaks more of the tares that try to infiltrate the faith. They revile God and the ways of God; the things they cannot grasp in their sinful flesh which eventually leads to their eternal demise.
We are to study God’s Word so we are never ashamed of our lack of knowledge and taken in by these tares. Lack of scriptural knowledge can also limit our conception of a Holy God whereby we can teach false doctrine concerning deity, whereby we lead others astray by our deceived selves.
A great way to research doctrine is to implement study aids. It is important to own a detailed Bible Dictionary such as Ungers; two concordances, one compact for quick reference, such as Cruden’s and an exhaustive Concordance to research Hebrew and Greek root word meanings, such as Strong’s. The Old Testament was recorded in Hebrew and the New Testament was mostly documented in Greek.
All believers must be researchers of the Word in order to be cautious of all doctrines. I have seen falseness encompass many a believer in Bible-believing churches…it’s amazing how many Christians will believe falsehood simply because it was taught to them in church. It can result in a whole congregation spreading false teaching as people believe it must be true as it came from their teacher or preacher. Believers rarely go to the Bible to prove scripture verification.
Alan was once leading a church service and he said something out of jest, but the pastor believed him because he respected him as a teacher and did not think he would kid around. Alan humbly apologized and was cautious henceforth. We never thought anyone would take what he said seriously.
Everything I write or teach needs to be scripturally scrutinized. You and I should never believe another until our own Biblical investigation confirms it. The enabling power of the Holy Spirit grants us insight to understand the Word.
Always remember obedience to scripture is a must! That is why it must be taught accurately and should obtain your personal conformation. Some think they do not have to observe scripture unless it convicts them. This is false doctrine that prevails everywhere. Nowhere in the Word does it teach we are allowed to overlook exhortations until we receive conviction. This is simply an excuse to apply license.
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The tares, we read of in Jude, are not those who care about the exhortations of scripture and therefore they will suffer destruction, “By the very things they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, they will be destroyed by.” Why? Because there is a coming judgment by the hand of Christ, the One they did not take seriously.
Most everyone knows God created mankind with instinct as Romans 1:18f declares. God has penned His truths of creation on all men’s hearts of instinct through His seen evidence. Men who deny there is a God are actually without excuse as He has exposed His omnipotence through creation and man instinctively accepts it or rejects it. When man rejects the creator, He opens himself up to many sins and desires of the flesh, including sensuality. Men easily can act out like animals and we see this increasing consistently in our society in many forms; many unmentionable forms.
Chapter 7
Sinister Villains
In verse 11, Old Testament wicked sinister characters are laid before us to teach us to reject their behavior for godly living. You have seen thus far the importance of learning the Old Testament, which provides greater insight into the New Testament. Once we grasp the truths of the New Testament, we must take the time to learn the Old Testament. A great deal of it is quoted in the New, and examples in the Old emphasize the truths in the New. When you see portions of scripture laid out in the New in all capitals, this tells you that these verses first appeared in the Old. Most Bibles will have references to the right of these verses where you can turn to read the original declared scriptures.
These evil villains cited from the Old Testament with depraved hearts easily represent people we see in today’s general society as men’s base fascinations never abandon him.
The first person God presents to us through Jude is Cain. He takes us back to the beginning of mankind as he was a son of Adam and Eve and we find him cited in Genesis 4:1-17.
Cain is the first bad guy presented in scripture, where Abel, his brother, was the good guy who loved and followed God. Cain committed the first murder in history because God accepted his brother’s spiritual sacrifice not his. Cain would most likely be in a church today if his birth had been delayed, as he viewed himself as a tithing believer. Also, remember murderers do not usually spend life in prison these days and some get off through technicalities. I knew a man who attended a Bible believing church and most likely still does, who killed a man and got off and holds no remorse for taking a life. I know because his words and attitude disclosed this. Cain seemed to hold little or no remorse for taking Abel’s life. The church most likely would let him in the doors without question as believers state no one is to judge.
I heard a pastor on the news declare that he could not judge a mass murderer who attended his church and was a deacon till his arrest. The pastor revealed no sympathy for the victims and their families; only acceptance and forgiving love for his deacon. It is a very grievous thing when Christians do not weep and get angry over sin, especially the expelling of innocent lives. It is a sad thing when believers do not think it is for them to judge what God has already judged as evil and deserving of death.
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Cain jealously hated his brother Abel because he was viewed as righteous in God’s eyes. Psalm 37:32 aptly declares, “The wicked spies upon the righteous and seeks to kill him.” There are those in the church who wish to destroy and corrupt the righteous; they may not murder them, but they are hostile to them. They can be very cruel and will make fun of the righteous separated ones. If the separated ones do not obtain to their thoughtless mindset and critical spirit, then the malevolence increases…sometimes, driving solid loving believers out of the church, which is usually the intent of those who are convicted by their righteous lives.
This is not limited to just the congregational members; often pastors will take the leading role of hating the righteous and spying on them. They will try to locate an area in which to perform church discipline by keeping a close eye on them and asking others in their inner circle to do the same, in an all-friendly manner. They usually cannot find any misdoing so they make an accusation surrounding the fact they are standing up for holy living. They will actually discipline them for standing on scriptural mandates. They angrily state that they as pastors cannot fully obey the Word because they would lose most of their compromising congregation; whereby, they don’t want any goody goodies convicting people so they walk out the door. This causes unbelievable pain for the ones who simply love Christ and want to walk righteously and submissively, but cannot compromise to please mere misled men.
The subsequent verse introduces us to Balaam. He was a seer for hire in the Old Testament. He being a false prophet was willing to curse the people of God for money. Balaam represents people who come to Christianity for pious gain whether materially or socially. Many agendas can be hidden in desperately wicked hearts. Some people attend church simply to increase their marketing through making new friends. They will invite people over to their home to present their latest vocation venture and what it can mean for prospects.
Frequently, this mindset involves the secular business workplace. A respected lady in our Christian community mentioned to me how her son, a doctor, needed to be attending a large church so he could increase his patient clientele.
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When I attended a business college, church attendance was encouraged for fleshly fulfilling purposes. Of course, everyone has to earn a living, but using the church for material and personal gain in very evil. We need to choose a church that holds the highest Biblical standards, not based according to its size and leave secular enterprising agendas outside its walls.
God stopped selfish enterprising Balaam in his tracts by having Balaam’s ride pronounce a reproach against him. This was on the road that Balaam thought would lead to devilish accumulation. What a sight this would have been; beholding an animal that holds a cursed name telling off a man!! Balaam was on his way to plan mischief with Balak, king of Moab. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the children of God, the Jews, offering great fiscal rewards for this satanic task.
What is most ironic is Balaam thinks nothing of his burro frankly speaking to him and in angry agitation tells him off. Fortunately, the donkey lets him know just who he is dealing with, listing his faithful hoofing credentials.
Numbers chapters 22-25 expose us to Balaam. Verse 11 of Jude informs us that Balaam committed error. Balaam is also condemned in Revelation 2:14-16 as he led the children of Israel into many sins. He held the scent of greed wherever he trod. He can represent many today who use gimmickry so people will give to their cause in the name of false Christianity. Balaams are everywhere present in Christianity and they seem to be significantly increasing in number.
Balaams are people who serve God expecting substantial monetary rewards. Pastors who are Balaams love large collection plates filled to the brim and thousands in their congregation to adore them because they have put their church on the map of success. There are pastors who will refuse to oversee a fellowship unless the price is right and the price has to be significantly right. Balaams are in Christianity for what they can get not what they can give. Many televangelists are Balaams and you can tell by the shinning rings on their fingers and their silk tailor-made wear.
Balaam and Balak were both immoral in intent. They desired to own the Jews so they would follow after false religious teachings and engage in sexual promiscuity of pagan kind. Balak was not being successful in getting the Hebrews, God’s children, to stumble. He determined if they could not beat them, then they should get them to join them. Balaam and Balak instigated a plan whereby they would introduce the men of God to the lovely enticing Moabite women. Resultantly, they would intermarry without a thought, not seeing what lay beyond the sensual delights of these godless babes of moral destruction.
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Balaam and Balak succeeded to a degree because many desired to follow their immoral religion of fleshly delights. In Numbers chapter 25, the bodily alluring daughters of Moab became triumphant in their persuasions of idol worship and sex whereby the Jews followed and God’s judgment hatchet fell.
Balaam sounded very godly and even prophesied in the name of the LORD and in truth. He was a powerful preacher who knew about God and His Word. He held all the acquired godly-appearing ingredients to deceive God’s children.
The scriptures also reprove Balaam in 2 Peter 2:12f. This passage reveals the agendas of false teachers who entice others by fleshly desires and consistently pay the consequences as Balaam did “as black darkness has been reserved for them.”
Korah, follows Balaam on Jude 11’s villain list; he also is corrupt and self-centered and his ways are set before us in Numbers chapter 16. He opposed the authority of Moses whereby the earth “opened its mouth and swallowed” him “up,” like a whale swallowing a fly. He was rebellious to God’s righteous ways of living. He did not hold an obedient heart to God’s truths and commands. He wanted to be number one…not last. He had no desire to be the little unnoticed toe in God’s working body, but had to be the commanding head and nothing less. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 teaches us that no part of the body of Christ is better than another. The heads that conduct the church body, the elders and teachers, are not better than those who silently perform unnoticed ministries, who represent a little part of the functioning—the toes. However, of course, we must submit to and respect church elders as they present God’s Word accurately for us to obey.
In the New Testament, Christ proclaimed the last shall be first and the first last, as humility is the core of faith. Christ was meek and humble of heart—Matthew 11:29. He is our example of not holding any kind of elevated mindset. Neither the uplifting of men nor the fame of men is of God.
Verse 12 of Jude reveals that people like Cain, Balaam and Korah are in our churches as they eat with us. The “love feasts” mentioned here occurred prior to communion in early church times. The Corinthian church educates us concerning the love feasts, which have been discontinued because believers abused this time. The Corinthians ate, drank and ignored the poor believers in attendance, not allowing them to have any food during this remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection.
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1 Corinthians chapter 11 speaks of the church being despised due to its cliquish partiality and drunkenness. We see here God is very concerned about what takes place in every church and it should never act according to a haughty, self-indulging mindset.
God did not command the love feast dismissal; believers just chose to end them. It certainly would not be wrong to have love feasts today if performed out of love of Christ and the uplifting of Him alone. We see from the text of 1 Corinthians chapter 11 that the communion service followed this time of people fellowshipping around a dinner.
We read in Jude 12 that the beguilers were partaking of this pre-communion meal and most likely the bread and the cup as well. Today, everyone is invited to take communion in contemporary congregations with no questions asked. One does not need to have a testimony to take the cup and bread. This allows false teachers to even appear more spiritual for acceptance sake. They do not fear taking the cup unworthily as they have a satanic agenda to fill that does not encompass fearing God. They have no true dread of God and His punishment, just a desire to deceive and recruit. I am amazed at how many believers today have absolutely no fear of God and very few Christians will acknowledge that it is to be present.
While contemplating these various aspects that surround communion and who is to partake, I thought of George Muller (1805-1898) who had a far-reaching evangelistic ministry in England. In regard to his church services, I was struck by the fact that one had to prove their salvation through godly faithfulness, humility and not being entangled with materialism before they could break bread. 1 Corinthians 5:11 exhorts us not to associate with covetous believers and a great deal of scripture deals with walking humbly before our God and others. George Muller was very cautious and what he required was not contrary to the Word. We would have far superior fellowships today if this was applied as we wouldn’t have many sitting in the pews taking communion unworthily.
We read these false believers in Jude were hidden, even during the pre-communion meal. They blended in and knew how to play the Christian act or part. Such ones are those who seem godly yet will try to introduce doctrines that are worldly and unscriptural. It reports that they are “hidden reefs.” These reefs are as hidden sandbars in the ocean. Ships run into these undetected destroyers to their ruin. These reefs or false teachers can destroy a congregation as they lead others by example, by insisting whatever feels good is good. They bear no good fruit as they don’t love Christ and His Word with all their hearts, but love the worldly ways of self-centered pleasure.
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They only care for themselves and their own agendas. They are not on fire for the Word of God. They do not constantly speak of God’s truths and how Christ is working in their lives.
Human reefs can ruin us if we do not live solely by scripture—walking in all godliness, holiness, and truth. Galatians 1:10 states, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” This is a profitable verse to memorize in that it can assist us in never following deceived influences who teach contrary to scripture. Galatians deals with church attendees who influence by presenting a tainted Gospel. It addresses people-pleasing believers who wanted to be part of a tolerance-centered congregation and therefore they wouldn’t eradicate the false teachers. Jeremiah 17:5 is also a great verse to commit to memory in this area as it says cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes man his strength.
On-fire Christians who apply God’s Word will detect reefs, those who are not spirit-filled believers. Perhaps not right away. But through observation and paying heed to what they say, they detect something is amiss. They take note of their actions that reveal something is not right here, which sounds an alarm of warning in their spirit.
Many Christians want to think the best of others and will actually hope that what they perceive cannot be true when it is in a negative scope. True love wants to believe the best. However, in many cases in today’s church, disappointment can be a norm when wanting to locate a true dedicated obedient believer who will not eventually slap them in the face in one way or another with some false teaching.
All through the centuries, believers have had to walk in caution in the Christian sphere. Paul stated that he had to be constantly on guard due to the false brethren; 1 Corinthians 11:26.
Bible translator, William Tyndale, died by the hands of a false believer. A worthless man by the name of Henry Philips brought William Tyndale’s (1494-1536) ministry of Bible translating, printing and distribution to an abrupt end through his acting achievements.
Tyndale knew if he was caught for this illegal activity that it could mean death; he being the most wanted man by Romish religious clergy. This ruling religious sect did all they could to stop his small as a hand New Testaments from landing in the palms of commoners which he smuggled into England through ingenious schemes.
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Philips successfully pretensed himself as a friend by establishing a close relationship of trust. He gained Tyndale’s certitude by posing as a dedicated fellow believer in Christ and His Word. You can imagine Tyndale’s shock and pain when this faithful friend implemented espionage to trap him with evidence of his underground work. It was like the kiss of Judas upon his face. Tyndale was arrested, strangled and his body burned at the stake near Brussels, Belgium all because of a “hidden reef” he befriended who had hateful murder hidden in his spying heart.
In Revelation chapter 2, Christ exalts the Ephesus church for not tolerating evil men and putting to test those who called themselves apostles, and found them to be liars. Philips was found to be lair and a deceiver but not until a powerful dedicated life became a burnt sacrifice.
In the Ephesus church, the evil destructive ones were removed before they could bring harm upon believers through the Ephesians discerning scrutiny.
Chapter 8
The Fruitless and the Productive
As we continue to observe verse 12 of Jude, we note these false hidden teachers are autumn trees without fruit. I believe the “no fruit” and “bad fruit” found in scripture are mostly synonymous.
We can test church attendees by observing their fruit production—Matthew 7:15-20. We can sight both good and bad fruit through the wisdom of Christ’s words found in this Matthew passage. The good fruit would be detected in a person through a holy heart of loving obedience to the Word. Not that a true believer never has a sinful thought or action, but the overall person walks in general uprightness. The good fruit also produces more of the same godly crop.
Christ’s given insight on the bad fruit reveals it is not an inner godly long lasting harvest. If you look beneath the beautiful skin, you detect all the destructive blemishes.
When it comes to personally observing bad fruit, I have come across much through inspection. And I must admit, it sometimes takes years before the blemishes appear outright. False teachers and false believers can fool Christians for years as they can act so good on Sunday. They can be grand theatrical performers but eventually the make-up wears away.
Some teaching tares will pace themselves to perfect synchronization knowing just when to start bringing in false doctrines—after they have believers eating out of their hand. These doctrines begin to appear when they feel assured they have won everyone over to their trust. Therefore, you and I must never be passive, but on the alert and on guard so we do not follow and become rotten fruit as well which is their goal in leading others down their harvest path. Their false doctrines are placed upon others so the domino effect of never ending evil falls on everyone and everyone falls down like Humpty Dumpty. Everyone self-destructs and no true witness is left. This is what the consuming apostasy is all about and it is consuming most everyone slowly today in a tolerant teaching environment.
When I have been under teachers who introduce false teaching, I think I cannot be hearing this. In the past, I have prayed for the Lord to correct me if I am wrong in how I am interpreting something.
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However, I would find upon study that what I believe is the truth. About this time, I would usually bounce things off of Alan wanting to be cautious and not too judgmental. He, being discerning, would share his thoughts and concerns. We would usually stick it out until we could not bear hearing doctrines that were out of sync any longer. This type of thing has hurt Alan and I deeply. God has led us together in cautioning discernment, which is important to a marriage.
I have a friend who has been a math teacher in the public school system for years. She has taught with various ones in her career who she never would have guessed were believers by their words and actions. Once she was shocked to learn that a couple fellow teachers were pastors’ wives and one of these ladies was formerly on staff with “Campus Crusade for Christ.”
She learned these so-called Christian women of position could put on a great show at church, but act totally carnal when in the secular school system to blend in just right. One teacher holds a position in a Baptist church but she owns the foulest of mouths; swearing unceasingly.
We can see the essential importance of learning how leaders act outside the walls of the church before we place ourselves under their teaching and authority. Before a man can be placed in a pastoral role, the church must learn what kind of reputation he holds in the community as is taught in Timothy and Titus. He must be one who is above reproach in every way as one who brings pure honor to the Savior.
We also see a phrase in Jude 12 that points to self-centeredness as these people only cared for themselves. Such people believe they are number one when it comes to importance as we view often today. They watch out for number one and what number one believes. It is always “ME time” for them. They believe everyone is to tune themselves to the words of number one; not the holy One. These types of people are empty in all ways and have no fear of God…being described here through a visual aid—“clouds without water, carried along by winds.” This aptly describes anyone who is caught up in man-made thinking and activities. They think they are on center stage when it comes to accomplishments, but in reality they are empty like waterless clouds that bear no good productive thing.
Jude 13 continues this exposure of the disgusting attributes of these tares through more visual aids—they are wild waves of the sea who cast up their own abominable foam. They are wondering stars for which black darkness is reserved for them forever.
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This verse just doesn’t fit into contemporary Christianity does it? Today’s easy believism and positive believism would hurl out anyone through any church door for thinking negative of any godless person who comes to take part. Everyone is beautiful who comes to church no matter their wicked lifestyles. How God must weep over the apostate church!
Joel Osteen, the pastor of America’s largest church, over 30,000 members, states his church “is open for everybody.” He refuses to condemn homosexuality, abortion and anything that would cause the world to hate him.
“Friday Church News Notes, September 29, 2006, – At a recent book signing in Boston, Joel Osteen, pastor of Americas largest church, said he doesn’t believe it is his calling to condemn homosexuality and homosexual marriage. When Osteen, the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, was asked his opinion about gay marriage, he gave the following vapid reply: I never feel like homosexuality is God’s best. I don’t feel like that’s my thrust … You know, some of the issues that divide us, and I’m here to let people know that God is for them and He’s on their side.”
Paul was hated by those who were made to feel guilty by his writings on holy living. Pastors today do not want to be hated; they want to be loved by everyone for fame sake.
Joel Osteen was selected by Barbara Walters as one of the 10 Most Fascinating People in 2006. This is the first time a pastor has appeared on the annual television special. Osteen focuses on a positive message and refuses to preach on negative issues such as repentance and judgment. You will not hear a sermon on hell at his prestigious Lakewood Church. Walters said it was Osteen’s positive message and huge congregation that led her to pick him.
If any of the prophets and apostles were preaching in today’s world, they would never be selected in a positive way to represent the American way of adoring fascinating people. Christ was martyred for not submitting to culture and so were many of the apostles. They would not consider it a privilege to be seen as famous and desirable from the world view. They would be mocked today for their prudish unwavering ways.
Christ said “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way;” Luke 6:26. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
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Remember the word that I said to you, the slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My saying, they will keep yours also;” John 15:19-20.
Enoch was not a man-pleaser but spoke the truths of God devoid of likeable compromise. I believe he had his times of persecution and rejection as he preached the judgment of God.
Verse 14 of Jude sheds new revelation upon us concerning Enoch who we read of in Genesis chapter 5. In Genesis, we are not made aware of the fact that Enoch was a prophet, but here in Jude it is disclosed. Enoch lived before the flood, so I would guess he prophesied of the world water rushing inundation and the great oncoming judgment that we read of here where Christ comes with “many thousands of His holy ones.”
Enoch was an exceptionally righteous man as God did not desire that he suffer death so He raptured him to heaven, therefore “he was not.” The Hebrews 11:5 KJV text states, he was “translated;” this equates with he disappeared or was raptured.
Enoch was Noah’s righteous grandfather. He was of the godly line of Seth; Genesis 5:3. Seth looked just like his father, Adam, as we are told from this verse. Mormons believe in the “mark of Cain” being present today. They teach the black race descended from Cain’s evil genealogy. However, the godless line of Cain was completely annihilated at the time of the flood. Only Seth’s genealogical tree continued; his brother’s did not.
We find Enoch’s faith spoken of in Hebrews 11:5 (the faith chapter) which teaches us God removed Enoch from the earth because “he was pleasing to God.”
Enoch is our example of being pleasing to God by fully recognizing God does not lie and therefore warned of God’s coming judgment. From Genesis to Revelation the Bible has warnings of the “wrath to come” or the “day of the Lord.” Christ, the prophets, apostles, etc pronounced words of doom due to the fact that nothing like it has appeared in the way of judgment in the past; including the world wide flood of Genesis.
If you read Revelation and related Bible scriptures, you see it needs to be preached as Enoch did and as Jude does here. It is all neglected in this day of worldly apostasy where humanism reigns even in Christendom.
You can recognize by verses 14 and 15 of Jude why Enoch’s warnings are needed, as these verses state “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
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These verses in Jude are magnified in an envisaged presentation in Revelation. The Apostle John witnessed it through a staged reality performance from God and wrote it all down as it occurred to inform you and me. Revelation mainly deals with the tribulation. Revelation pronouncements should cause believers to sit up and take notice. It ought to incite fear of what is to fall upon all unbelievers whom Enoch referred to way back at the beginning of time. These are all inerrant disclosures.
In chapter 6 of Revelation, we read of the opening of 7 seals of a book. These seals unlock the wrath of God upon the earth when broken. Here Christ removes peace from the earth. Peace is one of His gifts bestowed upon mankind so most live in some type of ordained respectful order. The majority of society does not engage in murderous rampages. However, when the Lord God eradicates peace from the earth, men will slay one another commonly. We also note from this chapter that God will bring famine and pestilence upon mankind in a way never witnessed before as it will affect the whole earth. Man will also be mauled and devoured by wild beasts. Animal rights activists will be silenced during this time when God allows these creatures to torment men as never before.
An earthquake will devastate beyond Richter scale registering revealing incomprehensible magnitude. And the sun will become black as sackcloth; the moon will turn to a bloody state and stars will be allowed to enter earth’s atmosphere falling upon mankind. Every mountain and island will be moved out of their places.
If you read towards the end of chapter 6, you will see that mankind will hide himself in caves and will call for the mountains and rocks to fall on him as he will not want to face the Lamb of God—Christ who is all holy and hates all sin. This verse reveals there will be no atheists—everyone will know Christ is avenging the sin of the world.
And no that is not all as God will destroy a third of mankind by fire, smoke, and brimstone through a mounted army of two hundred million. He will destroy a third of the earth, a third of the trees, grass, creatures of the sea and ships a sail. He will strike a third of the sun, moon, and stars.
Furthermore, the waters of this earth will turn to blood and man will be smitten with every possible plague. Hell stones, a hundred pounds each, will fall from heaven upon men.
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This is just a taste of Revelation’s avenging pain orchestrated by Christ arriving upon mankind in this great day of tribulation that will descend from a pure and righteous God.
I believe, I have provided you with a little mirror to reveal a few of the upcoming events that explain why Enoch took the occasion to warn mankind of the great tribulation from the beginning of time. We are ever so much closer to end time catastrophes…we all need to take heed and take the delivery of the salvation message more contemplatively. When Paul witnessed to Felix in Acts 24:23, he discussed with him “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.” Felix was a Roman administrator who lived a loose pleasure-filled life and needed to fear the judgment to come upon all that he might embrace Christianity and repent.
Today there is a movement that removes the arriving tribulation judgment that is preached in Revelation, Acts, Jude, and in numerous Biblical books. This captivating deceived movement places us in the kingdom age today if we just grab hold.
There are people in churches who are rewriting Revelation to their own condemnation. Revelation 22:18-19 dooms those who add to this book…they will receive the plagues contained within and those who subtract will be banned from heaven.
Many pastors and teachers are proclaiming false precepts, adding and subtracting from Revelation without any fear. They eradicate the coming judgment and most everything else avowed.
This teaching can be referred to as Christian dominion though those who present it do not refer to it as any doctrinal stance; they simply proclaim it. The Bible teaches that Christ will rule in the Kingdom age from Jerusalem and He will bring death upon all who oppose him before He takes His earthly throne. Revelation chapter 19:11-21 announces:
Christ is coming on a white horse. He is going to judge and wage war. His eyes are a flame of fire and He wears many crowns. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God. Christ is coming on a white horse. He is going to judge and wage war. His eyes are a flame of fire and He wears many crowns. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God. From His mouth comes a sharp sword and with it He will strike down the nations and He will rule over them with a rod of iron. He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty!! An angel came and said to the birds “Come and assemble for the great supper of God so you may eat the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of kings, and the flesh of the commanders and the flesh of men, both free and slaves, and small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Christ who sat on the horse and against His army.
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But they were thrown into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with a sword which came from Christ’s mouth and all the birds of the air were filled with their flesh. And Christ will come and rule for a thousand years in Israel; Revelation chapter 20, Ezekiel chapter 34 and 39:1-12, Zechariah 2:10-12, 8:3-8, etc.
Despite these unmistakable teachings, many Christian songs are being composed and sung in churches that imply we are dwelling in the kingdom age though nothing has been fulfilled as of yet. Some of this composition is arriving from the Vineyard movement. It implies that we should be reigning with Christ right now on the earth—believers must bring it on. It instructs the changing of the world socially, economically, educationally and spiritually in order to usher in the kingdom. This is totally divergent to scripture, it being man’s desired belief system. It is brainwashing and it is working because so few believers know their Bibles today including the book of Revelation. They will read ridiculous novels about Revelation, but not Revelation itself.
This dominion doctrine teaches that any god-acknowledging people, through their own instrumentation, must commit to bring peace upon the earth through humanitarian endeavors. All humanistic religious-minded people are intricate in this effort. Ecumenicalism is the glue of this movement.
Dominion apostate doctrine maintains one basic belief: Christ will not return until the ecumenical church maintains global control—it is within reach and it is being done; so it is kind of like, we have arrived.
This doctrine falsely and deceptively teaches that the church has replaced Israel and so the church is our hope of kingdom come. Yes, it is wishy-washy and full of entangling confusion. God is not a God of confusion; which must always be retained in mind. Every believer must be on guard so they aren’t sucked into any bogus new agenda thinking.
The book of Jude dismantles apocalypse false doctrines plus other misleading dogmas of today.
Looking at Enoch’s quotation further, please notice he used the word “ungodly” four times in Jude 15. This world is going to suffer from a coming judgment that will be rained upon “all” of the earths ungodly. Therefore, we must bring Christ’s message to as many as possible.
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It is not about ushering in a humanitarian habitation; it is about the saving Gospel message that must include warnings of the judgment to arrive. It must be preached with Enoch’s warning passion.
This verse should also stir believers hearts to obedient fear as every Christian must strive to live by God’s standards as we will all stand before His judgment seat and be tried by fire in regards to our works; 1 Corinthians chapter 3. We must be wise enough to realize we will not be judged in light of American cultural standards but by God’s holy perfect standards and this judgment will not arrive till Christ comes in avenging judgment upon the earth in destructive power.
This coming judgment is to set fear in all believers so we walk in a godly manner while upon the earth. 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 warns us not to walk in a fleshly manner or like mere men. We are to walk in godliness so people recognize we are not of this world or of American culture, but simply ambassadors for Christ. Enoch lived this way, being not of this world, living and speaking of those things that are eternal and possess everlasting value. He chose not to identify himself as part of the local community. His identity card revealed he was united with God alone. He was one with God in preaching the coming judgment.
Verse 16 of Jude brings all this into context as those who are false teachers don’t possess the heart, mind and soul of Enoch. They are earthly-minded, reeking of arrogance, craving earthly gain and they implement flattery to grab hold. They speak of themselves and their accomplishments, not warning of the coming judgment of God. They own no true concept of living holy separated lives through regeneration.
Malachi chapter 4 warns of God’s judgment on the arrogant or proud person. It states, “For behold a day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze.”
Jude and Malachi are warnings to me so I desire to put on humility. It is wrong for me to build myself up or give myself praise. This truth in Jude speaks to my heart in a great way as my flesh always wants to exalt itself. Praying for humility and being delivered from pride is a continual prayer of mine when my flesh raises its ugly, hideous, deceived head.
I also recognize from these warnings that I am never to make fun of another as this proclaims a proud statement of “I am better than you.” I will Someday give an account of every word I uttered and I know I will be made ashamed as I fall very short. May Christ continue to mold and change me into His image before my time arrives when I come before my Lord for analysis of reward.
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The scriptural warnings of Malachi and Jude are for my benefit and yours. What may assist us with these verses is to shine a brighter light of reflection upon them by picturing the proud self-seeking typical salesperson. Such a one loves to flatter for business success and will pretend they are one in thought with whomever they approach. I think all of us have been flattered by a salesperson for their personal proud financial gain and our personal loss.
We must always make sure we never buy into such gimmickry and never implement it ourselves for our own personal financial success. The Lord blesses honesty, humility and forthrightness. Arrogance and flattery are not to be part of the believer’s heart in the church or outside. They are the implementations of the world for carnal personal achievement.
Verses 17 and 18 embrace another warning concerning end times and those who mock the scriptures—the recorded words of Christ, the apostles and prophets. Remember 2 Peter 3:2 commands us to abide in the teachings of the holy prophets and the apostles as they wrote the words of Christ. Mocking scriptural truths occurs because there are those who want to pursue “their own ungodly lusts.” Of course, this has been the prevailing theme in this little letter of Jude. It is repeated as a warning for us to be careful of those who feed the flesh…not to get close to them so they influence us. This would include those who are flirtatious toward you. These people are very dangerous holding evil motives in their heart. They are in the church as you probably well know if you are allowing your eyes to be discerningly open.
This verse in Jude is reaffirmed in 2 Peter 3:3-4. Peter deals with people mocking because Christ still has not returned as scripture predicted. They view the Word of God as false and therefore lethal license can be implemented. They may arrogantly state nothing has changed in the world, so the Bible must not be true. These people are excuse-makers. They use this excuse to live according to what is right in their own eyes, following after their own lusts. They have no fear of God seeing so many getting away with wickedness or so it appears. Those who truly believe scripture recognize no one gets away with any unrepentant way and all stated consequences in Revelation and elsewhere will arrive.
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It is sad when someone points out a wayward believer to me who seems to be getting away with murder. I always assure them a day of reckoning will come as God says He is the God of vengeance and we can leave this in His hands. Psalm 94 is the vengeance song, which we can pray for those who despitefully use us and others for personal gain. This Psalm reveals the pain one goes through when they are being persecuted for righteousness sake. Not long ago I encouraged a hurting woman who was in persecuted pain to pray this psalm. I also pointed out the uplifting truths of 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 for her encouragement. This passage deals with Christ bringing judgment upon those who persecute the righteous.
We are also to pray for the repentance of anyone who is in sin so they once again bring glory to the Savior. We cannot walk in bitterness or hatred toward another. When Stephen was being stoned for proclaiming convicting truths to the Jews, Acts chapter 7, he begged God not to hold the sin against them in modeling the example of His Savior when crucified.
As the apostasy grows ever stronger, I am witnessing believers becoming very bold in engaging in every evil way as everything is being sanctioned by leadership. I am seeing more pastors justifying sin in the church and those who engage in it. We have come to the place where leadership persecutes those who stand opposed to every vile way as pastors are made to feel guilty as partakers too.
In 2 Peter 3:14-17, Peter is addressing those untaught and unstable ones who mock Paul by stating his statements are hard to understand and therefore they distort them. These were people who misrepresented Paul’s writings as well as the rest of scripture as we read here. These people will always be hanging around so we must be aware. I know a man who attends church yet he enjoys spitefully making fun of Paul. I often pray for him to feel conviction so his heart changes. Leadership does need to confront such people as no one is to despise the apostles’ teachings; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 4:17-21.
We see throughout the book of Jude, people in the church desiring to walk according to the flesh. Therefore we know they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, they are devoid of the Spirit, as we see if we drop down to verse 19. As I stated before, those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are recognizable as they speak about all of God’s Word with enthusiasm and on a continual basis. These Spirit-filled ones do not care if they are considered socially unacceptable because this criterion of society approval is no where found in scripture. Of course, I do not mean we walk in a silly manner by displaying silly behavior. Christ, our example, always portrayed a wise and discerning manner. If we feel we lack in wise dignified behavior and speech, we can ask God to change us. Proverbs is a powerful book for instilling wise conduct and I have needed to seek its wisdom often.
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In Jude 19, we read more of the warnings about these people who come in the door of churches. They are “worldly minded.” The worldly minded, through all I observe, often lend to worldly chatter which marks their hearts out. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 lets us know that we are to avoid “worldly and empty chatter.” And such activity can lead us astray from the faith. We are to guard our words so they are always pleasing to Christ and comply with the Holy Scriptures. In Matthew 12:36, Christ informs us “every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for in the day of judgment.” In the day of accounting, Christ is not going to ask how well we did in implementing every new catchphrase so we appeared all so trendy.
In today’s church it seems most believers feel they must take hold of every new engaging slogan so they appear intelligent—being united with styling, progressive society. Everyone is grasping for a new catch-phrase these days where so much wisdom is lacking to take in the lost slack. Now there is nothing wrong with appearing intelligent but not to the place were our conversation is not set apart from the world. We are not to partake in the empty meaningless chatter that everyone engages in. In my eyes, it doesn’t make one look intelligent, just the opposite as slogans are always subject to change. God’s words never need to change to conform to any period in time, as He never needs to feel accepted in and He doesn’t run his course according to any clock winding. We, as the King’s children, never need to feel accepted in as our heavenly Father rules above all this silliness. We are children of royalty and we need to act it. Not prideful, but wisely knowing the truth of our unsurpassed inheritance. If we could grasp this, it could change our lives from worldly spoken folly to royal oratorical wisdom.
Another thing that greatly saddens my heart in the way of being worldly minded and worldly worded is what I see rampant in various Christian missionary literatures. Many pamphlets I receive have an in-vogue appearance. I hate to pick them up as they make me sick to my stomach as they imitate every new craze to make every believer feel like they are on the pinnacle of showy astuteness. Those who publish these periodicals do not offer an appearance of people who are of the Holy Spirit and hold the hearts of the apostles; just the opposite. They portray those who are of the cutting edge of humanitarianism, which is viewed as very posh in today’s secular society. They implement most every new released phrase of explanation so you will want to give to such an in-grove organization. They rarely speak of persecution…more likely how the world loves them for their bountiful compassionate efforts that do not threaten like the Gospel message of repentance and reformation.
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As we delve more into Jude, we see these false teachers as those who produce divisions as well as everything else we have noted. I know of a pastor who has caused three or more church splits in the area of Boise, Idaho. It was not that long ago that he had left a bunch of dismayed people. However, he has moved on to start another church, which has already acquired a large building as he is eloquently impressive.
Elders, who solidly hold to the Word, will not be producing church divisions. It is most always those people who bring in their own personal interpretations who cause splits. I have noticed how easy it can be for a man with leadership qualities to deliberately start attending a troubled church simply for the purpose of causing a split so he can have a ready-made church. Self-motivating people can simply start a separation by stating negative things about leadership that are unfounded just to stir up anger and a following.
If we disagree with leadership on a totally scripturally basis and there is no sign of them changing, we need to locate a new fellowship. Bringing together a group of vigilantes who stir up strife and move in rage accomplishes nothing but evil. In the book of 3 John, we read of a situation concerning an arrogant man who took over the leadership of a fellowship. This pastor did not like scripturally obedient believers and tossed them out of the church. The Apostle John arises to penetrate the disturbing situation with exposure and purpose to end this atrocity. Unfortunately, there are no apostles around today to take control of wayward churches. But there are leaders who still move in fellowships who confront sin in the pastorate realm; unfortunately some pastors choose to depart rather than repent.
Jude is completely applicable for us today including in the area of being watchful of those who want to divide churches simply so they can hold a position of arrogant authority in order to do their own thing according to their own way.
As we move into verse 20, we turn to those who represent true and sincere believers and the exhortation for them to build themselves up in the “most holy faith.” I love this phrase which calls for holiness conformity as it is absolutely opposite of anything that is of this sinful world. It can never offer the “holy faith” we have in our Savior. God’s Holy Word is matchless and through it He fashions us to be His conformed. Of course, this conformation can never reach sinless perfection. However, it does take hold of continuing maturity whereby we never become complacent in the faith.
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“Praying in the Holy Spirit” is the next phrase of this verse. It is interceding according to the scriptures. The verses are endless that we can pray to the Father in the name of Christ as we search throughout the Holy Word. Sunday, our pastor was teaching on prayer and one illustration he gave was to pray for husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. This is directly from the Holy Word and we know it is according to the Holy Spirit’s perfect will holding the power thereof.
I enjoy interceding with Colossians 1:9-13 for fellow saints to grow in their faith. These verses cover everything a person needs for godly maturity. It encompasses believers advancing in perception, power, steadfastness and so forth. I plead verse 13 for the unsaved, interceding for so and so to be delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son. I also enjoy praying many other scriptures, for I know if I entreat in this way, I am supplicating according to God’s perfect will in His Holy Spirit.
We are next commanded to keep ourselves in the love of God, verse 21. We can turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and get a greater grasp of this love that is not self-centered and never demands its own way. It is a love of charity, a sacrificial love not a sensual love. We can also see it demonstrated at the conclusion of the book of John in chapter 21, where Christ inquires of Peter of his love for Him. Christ tells Peter if he loves Him, he will feed the sheep, meaning fellow believers. What it stresses completely is discipleship and it must not be done in a sheepish manner but with all Christ’s authority and power. If we truly love fellow believers, we will desire their discipleship unto spiritual maturity. A man teaching another man or other men is best (men should not place themselves in tempting situations). A woman teaching another woman or other women is also best. Women are not to exercise authority over men by teaching them; 1 Timothy 2:12-14.
Now God did use Priscilla to teach Apollos, Acts 18:24-26, but she did it in conjunction with her husband as head. She would have never taught men in the church, though she was gifted and intelligent, as she walked in obedience to the apostles teaching in conjunction with scripture.
Acts 21:8-9 addresses Philip the evangelist who was a deacon in the Jerusalem church. He was the one who introduced the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ as witnessed in Acts chapter 8. Philip had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. His prophesying daughters spoke the Word of Christ, but were not preachers or teachers over men.
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God can bless women significantly through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they must be implemented in conjunction with their calling of being of a quiet and gentle spirit that doesn’t want to usurp authority over men.
Accordingly, strong believers through gracious love are to encourage men and women to be studying the Word so they can grow in their faith and obedience. This is implementing one of the great aspects of the love of God.
We know “keeping ourselves in the love of God” can also entail personal sacrifice for our Savior’s testimony. Christ states in John 21:18-19 to “Follow Me” and these verses boldly signify unto a martyr’s death which was specified for Peter as a warning of his pending martyrdom which would arrive when he became elderly. Peter followed unto death as did some of the other apostles because he loved the Savior unto death. We know following Christ has meant unto death for countless believers since Peter. Even today believers in various foreign lands follow unto a martyr’s death to display their undying love for the Savior.
Jude points us to the most marvelous truth of all at the end of verse 21 and that is our eternal hope of being with Christ forever and ever!! We are commanded to wait anxiously for this time of eternal life. It is not a sin to yearn for heaven and the sinless embodiment we will receive. Being disappointed that Christ did not receive us today into His heavenly home is a good thing. We get tired of battling sin and having this hope set before us allows us to continue on despite the heaviness of the fight at times. A happy ending is awaiting.
We are to have mercy and walk in mercy according to Jude 22. Some believers may be struggling in their faith and we need to encourage them to keep on keeping on. Barnabas was an encourager in the early church and we all need to be encouragers as this world is very wicked, yet alluring. The battle can be fierce at times and simply phoning someone who we know is in a spiritual battle can lift them up and assist them to stand firm. Frequent calls to them and asking if they want to cover a few verses in a particular book in the Bible during every conversation can cause the troubled one standing on troubled waters to be benefited.
Taking the time to disciple a weak and hurting believer has numerous rewards. This is certainly exercising mercy on those who may be doubting.
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New believers are weak and suffer with many doubts and we need to be sensitive to this and make sure someone is aiding them in discipleship. Going verse by verse through the book of John is a good place to begin as new believers need to learn about their loving Savior. They usually have many questions and mature believers in the church need to be always available for their inquisitive minds.
Chapter 9
Fire Protection with Cleaning Precautions
We now move onto our responsibility of reaching the lost. We do not desire that anyone burn forever in the “Lake of Fire” as revealed in Revelation 20:20 which is a forthright teaching on the final fiery judgment of the unsaved. “Snatching them out of the fire,” as we read in Jude 23, is a requirement bestowed on us. This example was left to us by the Lord as He sent the apostles out into the streets to reach the lost no matter the personal price which included the disdain of convicted hearers.
They did not keep to themselves to obtain an arrogant religious look so their feathers would not be ruffled as many do today. They appeared socially unacceptable in every way which produced man’s scorn and persecution.
Sitting around and just enjoying life with no thought of others is not of the Lord. We are to sacrifice in order to snatch people “out of the fire.”
When it comes to wives and mothers, we must recognize our first call is to be workers in the home. I personally love this call. However, desiring to do the work of the service is also a call, but never to the neglect of my home.
If outreach ministry to women and children does this, then I must discontinue. If my home is not filled with constant love and devotion, I must back off. If my home is not clean and managed, then I must back off. My children are now grown, but when they were in the home, I made them a priority; but not in neglect of my husband. I often tell ladies who are not feeling they are doing enough that they must remember their first call is to be a worker in the home, loving their husband and children; Titus 2:4-5.
We cannot have our husbands and children feeling neglected as we follow our own agendas of service. We were called in Genesis to be our husband’s helpmate not an uppity women’s libber, having no respect for natural domestic attributes. The home front must always be protected and guarded. We have many disturbed homes because they are not protected by a stay-at-home attentive sentry.
Time for outside ministry can come when the children leave the home if a woman’s husband allows. God wants Christian homes to be a major witness in obedience to His Word.
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A woman may not think she is accomplishing much for the kingdom when she is actually shinning forth brilliantly as an obedient hardworking submissive wife and loving mother. She retains more impact on the watching world than she ever can imagine. This planet is filled with unfaithfulness and she can be a light amongst an adulterous and sinful generation; Mark 8:38.
One thing that has assisted me in desired outreach and still does is sending out salvation letters—mailings I send randomly to people listed in the phonebook. They state the Gospel message and include a challenge to receive Christ. I have a letter saved on the computer and I print copies off. Another thing I engage in is giving tracts to ladies and I leave them in restrooms. These activities do not cause me to neglect my husband and home.
There is a bit more to Jude 23 as we must keep ourselves pure when we go into this vile world to reach those lost in wickedness. Secular influences and ways are never to pollute. Our garments must always be pure and unstained as we walk in sin-avoidance.
Awhile back I bought a white leather jacket from a lady at a yard sale. She was definitely of this world and her jacket reeked of it. I took it home and cleaned it up…all in an effort to remove its smelly sinful past. However, after all my attempt of purifying it, it still festered of the world’s involvements. I ended up placing it in a closet with a vanilla air freshener. It eventually removed the scents I abhorred. Then I fastened a metal tea set broach to distinguish my feminine personality. Now it has been transformed—looks and smells nice, and people like it; but I still think of where it came from on occasion. Yucky!
I know if I had bought it off a rack all spankin’ new, without a past, I never would have had to deal with it. However, I also never would have thought so thoroughly through this verse’s meaning.
We are to “hate” the sinful “garment polluted by the flesh.” Hate paints an accurate portrait of how we are to view all of society’s ways that are divergent to the Word of God. It is a strong word but God placed it in Jude to get our attention. Sin and disobedience are not to be looked at in a flippant manner. The things the world seeks after are not to be the things we seek after. To even hate the garment means we hate the sin so much that we can’t even stand the garments that took part in it. If we don’t hate the sin, we can be tempted to take part as Galatians 6:1 gives warning of.
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Every sin is to be abhorred by us without compromise or agreeing. We do not state, oh yes, I understand why you fell into that sin so it’s not that bad. It can be easy to hold this type of attitude because our flesh desires to please for acceptance sake. We must always be alert and on guard so we do not forsake our holy Lord’s teachings.
To illustrate this more clearly, let us examine Jacob when he held a desire for revival. In Genesis 35:1-4 God told Jacob to worship at Bethel in the Holy Land. With heart-filled obedience, Jacob instructed his people to remove everything that smelled of godlessness, including their garments. This was part of their cleansing from pagan defilement. They were to put on garments that represented righteous and pure living. They were called to be a peculiar people as aliens on this earth just as we are today. Our dress should mirror holy and modest living not entanglement with a sinful society. We should hate garments that mirror an indecent and amoral culture.
Clothing formerly was referred to as a “habit” meaning what represented a person’s habitual activity. We still witness this in the labor world as various garments tell us how a person makes a living. It is easy to recognize a construction worker, cook, farmer, maid, mechanic, and on and on. A habit symbolizes a calling, rank or function. Jacob wanted cleansing from habits of the world in dress and action. He wanted a new calling placed upon God’s people that revealed new habits of life that came from new habits of dress.
Believers today are to discern that the garments worn by sinners = the representation of humankind’s polluted ways. It is what makes a garment or the skin dirty or polluted. We want to be worthy to walk in perfectly laundered white garments with Christ when we arrive at our heavenly home; Revelation 3:5.
The theme of purity is carried on in Jude 24, where we are encouraged to be faultless or unblemished before our Savior. “Blameless” is set before our eyes in this verse that takes the theme of being unpolluted further. Christ is able to keep us from stumbling so we can come to him blameless without any pollution that soils. He is able to make us stand “in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.”
Isn’t it nice to know He can keep us from falling or stumbling? He is completely omnipotent and therefore very able to keep us close to Him so we never stumble. We need not fear ever moving away from Him. This can only happen if we sincerely choose to do so. He knows our hearts and He is totally able to strengthen us to keep us from turning away. We have this duplicated in scripture through the promise found in 2 Peter 1:10.
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If we practice God’s righteousness and are growing in the faith, we will never stumble. 2 Peter 1:4-8 lists the qualities we need to be increasing for faithful enabling. Of course, this doesn’t mean we will never displease our Lord by thought or action, but by holding tightly to Him we will never forsake Him for a sinful life.
Jude 24 and the verses in 2 Peter can be memorized for consistent encouragement and growth. If we keep building ourselves up in this most glorious and holy faith, we are never “useless or unfruitful.”
Wow, I have actually reached the concluding verse of Jude, verse 25. This is further praise to our Great God and Savior, who is “the only God and Savior.” Notice “the only.” We must be aware of the fact that there have been many false-christs and there are many today in our religion-filled world. We are warned of these antichrists in 1 John 2:18. Antichrists are most always presented possessing a few attributes of the true Christ for deception purposes. Only the Biblical Christ complies with all of scripture with no additions or subtractions. It must also be noted in this day and age that there is no contemporary Christ, only the true One who never changes to adapt to culture, desires or traditions.
This is the God we worship who is the true immutable Christ. Let us praise our great God and Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord through awarding Him “glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen!”
Jesus Christ of scripture is the true majestic victor therefore we never want to award these attributes to men or hold men up as ultimate authorities. Only God has the true dominion and authority! I’m not saying we disrespect others, but there is only One who possess all truth which is completely outside of what sinful man can conspire and assemble.
Our eternal home is forever just as God has always been and ever will be. Christ’s children need never fear their future destiny. They are promised eternal life not temporary or just for a thousand years…but everlasting.
IN CLOSING
I now close and snap my briefcase. It is time for you to personally decide if the apostasy is here as you have now weighed all my arguments with Biblical presentations. I trust these have provided insight for you, the reader, and they provoke you to be a more diligent studier of the Word; recognizing its total application for today’s world.
I request once again, if you are one who has never sincerely given their life to Christ, please do so now. Romans 6:23 teaches us that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The End
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Revelation Chapter 15 Explained
My Revelation commentaries for chapters 1-10: http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/revelation-chapters-1-10-explained/
My Revelation commentaries for chapters 11-14: http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/revelation-chapter-11-mouths-of-fire/
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them in His pinions.”
Revelation Chapter 15
We concluded chapter 14 with the sickle of Christ, which will gather His opposers and will throw them “into the great wine-press of the wrath of God.”
Entering chapter 15, we see verse 1 deals with the completion of the wrath of God, this being a great and marvelous sign—the seven plagues or bowls filled with the fury of God. The initiation of these bowl judgments are unveiled in chapter 16. When these bowls are unleashed by seven designated angels, it will mark the end of God’s wrath and the destruction of Mystery Babylon. This sensual-driven culture will meet its end and our Holy, innocent, undefiled high priest—Jesus Christ, who is separated from sinners (Hebrews 7:26), will sit on His world-dominating throne from Jerusalem. As world regent, He will reign with a righteous rod of iron as an uncompromising undefiled, truthful dictator (Revelation 2:27). He will be feared and we are called to fear and tremble (Philippians 2:12).
At this time, Christians will be completely elated! All sin will be made absent from the world and God’s people will live lives completely pleasing to Christ.
We are again reminded in verse 1 and following that the apostle John is observing and recording all that is disclosed in the book of Revelation. He is explaining to you and me what is set before him in this heavenly setting of chapter 15. In verse 2, He tells us he sees something resembling a sea of glass mixed with fire and standing on the glass are those who have been victorious over the beast and his image. These overcomers stand with harps in hand. (Remember, harps are the only musical instruments we observe in heaven implemented for worship. Harps present a lovely and pure sound and we are to dwell on those things that are lovely and completely innocent—absent from cultural tainting.) These believers will be the uncompromisers who will not yield to cultural methodologies, terminologies and activities. They will be all about their Savior alone.
They will refuse to do what everyone else will do—take the mark of the beast so they can buy and sell, by which they can achieve prosperous lives. They will not buy into the prosperity false gospel that promises you can have all if you simply do this or that in the name of religion; so taught by false teachers (1 Timothy 6:8-11).
These children of God will hold no desire to be grooving and moving with the world. They will have no longing to sound culturally cool and appear styling. Every unclean and perverted way will be detestable to them. They will be those who are willing to die for Christ and the truths found in His holy and inerrant Word. They will be pronounced the victorious ones—holding victory over the flamboyant and charismatic antichrist who will lead the multitudes to eternal damnation. The Judge of judges will charge antichrist’s followers with sinful lawlessness. Their crimes will include not believing in the Biblical God and His Word, which leads to practicing abominations.
They will be murderers and those who practice witchcraft (including sorcery, contemplative mystic spirituality, spiritism—all part of the emergent church movement that promotes every belief move as one—no one is wrong including the mystic-filled Catholic Church: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart
Yes, “emergent or emerging” is simply a new packaged name for ecumenicalism and contemporarism. It is a new title to enable silly religious ones to sound grooving so they are no longer just tied to the dub—ecumenicalism. No, this new package does not hide the forever-false satanic design of accumulating and consolidating beliefs, which will be totally lived out in the time of the tribulation; 9:20-21. There is nothing new under the sun in religious deception. It is simply to sound stupid-post-modern). They will commit idolatry (worshipping things made by man’s hands such as idols and whatever or whomever they fancy, which walks hand in hand with witchcraft). They will be liars (today many pastors lie without a second thought; I have heard them far too often) and adulterers (few will preach against divorce and remarriage today and many so-called Christians approve and justify). They will not maintain themselves in shamefacedness (dressing and acting in bashful purity) in the realm of sexuality. The destination for these visually unredeemed ones will be the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8 and 22:15).
In that Day of Judgment, many will plead with Christ, saying, did we not perform the miraculous using your name—Jesus Christ. Such words of works will not deceive the LORD who will respond, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). Many will think they are going to heaven because they have named the name of Christ. However, in reality, they have never been washed clean in His sacrificed blood—never actually born again through the Holy Spirit of Scripture. They will be exposed as the pretenders who love sinful activities and covet the things of lusting society. God will expose their inward deceptions that hide their contempt for the righteous commandments and truths of the Bible.
Our LORD also condemned people who seek for signs. The antichrist will entertain those who seek for them and will provide them (16:13-14). Christ declared and exposed, those who seek for signs are evil and adulterous (Matthew 12:39).
In contrast, the true dedicated believers in the days of the tribulation will guard themselves from the strange and supernatural alluring signs of the demonic mystical world. They will walk by faith not by sight. They will not be afraid to be different and will move in Christ’s righteous light of separation, holy living, and bashful purity. Naming the name of their slain Lamb will not be for personal gain or recognition, but truly selfless and sacrificial.
Moses is mentioned in verse 3, as his song will be sung. Moses was God’s true “bond-servant” and his hymn of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will be uplifted in this day and time. Moses will not be hated in heaven as one who stifled women’s rights in his day and age. Many restrictions were allotted to women in Moses’ day; far more than today, but all by the design of God. This day, some women in the church cast hate toward Paul, but will rarely or never mention Moses. Yes, funny-strange. Of course, Moses and Paul wrote the Words of God in vivid reality. Women’s libber hate is in fact directed at God who wrote His inerrant Word—the Bible in its true accurately translated text.
The complete songs of Moses can be located in Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 90. Moses may have written more Psalms as some of the Psalms have no listed author. In the Deuteronomy 32 song, verse 11 speaks powerfully of the love of God for the Hebrews as it proclaims, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them in His pinions.” Verses 41-43 appear to be directed at the time of tribulation and God’s final judgment of the earth: “If I sharpen My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword will devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.’ Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people.”
These songs of Moses address God’s equitability in fulfilling His Word. Moses sung of the securing omnipotence of God who is forever faithful to His people. Verse 10 of Psalm 90 is faith-precious—stating, “we fly away,” referring to the finale of believers. We ourselves can pray and sing the words of Moses as well as countless verses in Scripture. We can worship in past tense as well regarding God fulfilling His stated words to us in the past. We can give thanks for the various times God delivered the Jews and fulfilled His Word to them in the past. When we repeat Scripture to God, we know we are always praying or praising in the will of God. Paul left us examples of intercessions such as Colossians 1:9-14—that includes imploring God for spiritual discernment and for the power to walk in the way that pleases Him in every manner.
Here is one of Moses’ most powerful songs “The Song of the Lamb,” which uplifts Christ as King of the nations—all kingdoms will come and worship before Him and fear Him.
This will be strum on lovely harps held by those who will not yield to the antichrist or any false way.
The Song of the Lamb
Great and marvelous are thy works,
Lord God Almighty;
Just and true are thy ways,
Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee,
O Lord, and glorify thy name?
For thou only art holy:
For all nations shall come and worship before thee;
For Thy judgments are made manifest.
This extolling segment is reminiscent of chapter 5, verses 11-14.
Following this interlude of rightful praise, John tells us the temple of the tabernacle will open in heaven; verse 5. It is unveiled to present before us seven angels clothed in clean and bright linen, with their chests girded with sashes of gold (these are the same angels stated in verse 1). Unquestionably, the bright linen represents the righteousness of God and the gold—His despot royalty. Heaven is a sinless realm where there is no spot or wrinkle and all continually glorify God Almighty. These angels walk out of the temple to perform all God’s commands in the way of bringing in His final judgment plagues.
We next observe through John’s unerring eyes, one of the four living creatures providing the seven angels with the seven bowls of the wrath of God; verse 7.
To conclude this ceremony, the temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God, revealing His supreme dynamism. From this moment, no one will be able to enter the temple until these closing plagues conclude.
Remember God’s judgment began with the seven seals that were to be poured on the earth beginning in chapter 6. Following the six seals, we were presented with the trumpets of judgment, which were introduced by the seventh seal.
Love in our Savior who never lies or changes His holy Bible,
Val Lee
(1 John 5:10-13—the Bible) http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/
Photo by Val Lee
November 10, 2009 Posted by Val Lee | Bible, Bible Commentary, Christian, Christianity, Church, Heresy, New Babylon, Religion, Revelation, Salvation, Theology, Uncategorized | Revelation Chapter 15 | No Comments Yet