Woe Unto the Shepherds That Feed Not the Sheep!
The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy
January 24, 2007
Rosemary LaVigne
I will, saith the Lord feed My flock by the “hand” of My body of which My Son Jesus Christ is the head. Is it not recorded in the Scriptures in the book of Job? “I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.” And I will cause My sheep to be fed in good pasture. Nourishing green and pure pastures of My choosing, saith the Lord. For in this final time, this cloudy and dark day that is rapidly beginning to engulf the known world. I the Lord am raising up shepherds after mine own heart. (Jeremiah 3:15) They will feed My people, knowledge, understanding and judgment.
I will recognize these shepherds of the past that have not fed My sheep nor have they healed that which was sick nor have they bound up that which was broken. Nor have these shepherds sought after My sheep that were driven away, discouraged and wounded. Even some of my sheep that have been wounded by the very hand of these shepherds shall be healed and restored to my fold.. My sheep were lost and scattered throughout the churches (The Mountains and the hills represent the churches) in the lands. Some cast aside and trampled with the feet of these shepherds. Some because of this mistreatment of my sheep have lost heart and walk away from Me, because they have been disillusioned with what they see and hear. Thinking, I have forsaken them. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am against the shepherds who feed My sheep. These have scattered My sheep and driven them away. But the day is coming and as MY judgment springs forth suddenly against these shepherds they will reap My righteous justice and judgment for their evil ways.
I have not forsaken My flock, for I love My sheep and continually go after that one that is lost, backslidden and burdened down with guilt and the condemning voice of the enemy. Seeking, searching for truth, but they have been fed the husks of the worthless grain instead of the meat, the “pure” corn of My word to grow them into full grown mature sons of mine. No longer children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine that profits little. These shepherds of the past years have fed themselves and taken from My sheep to their own advantage and gain and have not fed My flock, but have clothed themselves with selfishness. They have taken to themselves adulation of men and robbed me of My glory. These are I say, the “idol” shepherds (See Zechariah 11:17)... that I shall deal with very severely in the days shortly to come. Mine anger, saith the Lord is against these shepherds that have not fed My sheep, and I the Lord will visit and punish the goat leaders in the dark and cloudy day that is at hand. Swiftly and “suddenly”, I will arise to made amends. Watch for the idols of men to fall and be exposed unto the LIGHT!
Watch and stay alert and sleep not as do others who walk in the darkness. The wise of My flock will understand perfecting and none of them shall be missing.
I Will Require My Flock At The Hand Of These Shepherds
And Cause the Shepherds to Stop
Feeding My Sheep
Ezekiel 34:8-10 also See verses 16-31
I am against these shepherds; and will require My flock at their hand and will cause them not to feed My sheep any longer; neither will these shepherds feed themselves any more. For I the Lord will rescue My sheep from their mouths. These shepherds are lying shepherds; their motives are wrong and they have not sought for My counsel nor have they been able to impart the truth of My ways to the people. These are the blind leaders of the blind. Plants that shall be rooted up, because I, the Lord have not planted them. (See Matthew 15:13-15) For they themselves do not know My ways nor do they understand the knowledge of God or the ways of judgment. The truth of “righteousness” and “holiness” and seeking Me as their vital necessity has been trampled under foot. Their messages are but wind and the works of errors and the time of their visitation they shall perish with all who violate and prostitute my sayings for gain. The day when I bring forth the whirlwind and blow at them, it is that they shall fall like paper plants in the winds of My judgment.
I, the Lord shall send a plentiful “rain,” a rain in due season to water the dry and thirsty land. The winter has been long and dry, but know there is a season in My purposes for all things and I am never late, Never. The righteous will be watered while the wicked remain and dwell in a very “dry” land. They famish for thirst and whither at the times of famine which I have allowed for the hearing of my words. (Amos 9:11-13) I, the Lord send the former and latter rain to water the ground of the righteous.
You my people are once again are entering into the season of My latter rain. Lift up your mouths to receive this rain. Pure doctrine in wise instruction in righteousness, which is the teaching that will bring favor and refreshing to your “dry” ground. Zechariah 10:1-3; Jeremiah 14:22; 51:16; Psalm 29; Psalm 135:7.
Many of My people grope in darkness, and they are still clothed with the filthy garments of the flesh. And there is none that saith restore. My people are still locked tight in the bondage of their own flesh, still bound in their prison houses and their fear of Me is taught to them by the precepts of carnal men. Instead of seeking My face for the knowledge and understanding that makes the way to finding their God they have turned unto the "idols" and the standing images of man for their counsel and covering and woe iunto them! (Isiah 30:1) For I most be sought out for I dwell in the thick darkness.
Many of My people yield to the foolish traditions and doctrines of men that make the Word from My mouth void and of none effect. O' foolish virgins, when will you seek after wisdom as hid treasures? When will you seek My face and begin to lay up sound wisdom and the knowledge of your God? This hidden wisdom that comes from above that is reserved for the righteous and the pure in heart. I make plain My ways to the one that delights to know Me and seeks Me out of the thick darkness. These who keep My sayings that are hid from the wise and the prudent shall receive my favor and rejoice, because of the goodness of their king and receive my favor "as the cloud of the latter rain.."
Zechariah 10:2-3
“The idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went away as a flock, they were troubled because there was no shepherd. Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the he goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made him his goodly horse in the battle”
It is when the knowledge of thy God is pleasant unto thy soul. When your quest for Me is earnest and sincere, I will show you the way and make known to you what true righteousness is and My words will become plain to you. I will pour out My spirit unto you; I will make known My words unto you. Judgment and equity; and every good and clean path that leads to My glory.
Remember It Is The Fool That Hates Knowledge ---
The Knowledge of God
See 1 Corinthians 15:33-34; Romans 13:11; 2 Peter chapter One
“O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved, thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: (See Chastening - Proverbs 1:22-32; Hebrews 12:6-11) they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. They said, Surely these are poor: that are foolish; (Matthew 25:1-13) for they know not the way of the Lord. nor the judgment of their God.”
They Have No Delight In My Word
Let us apply these verses to the wayward Church today and their leaders. Think and ponder over these words and weep for tomorrow the Lord will reveal who are truly his and are the vessels of honour that were afore “prepared” unto glory through chastening of genuine seed and not bastards, the illegitimate sons who would not take correction. The pure seed will receive correction, and they will attain unto My glory. These who are the “foolish” virgins who will be left out and LEFT BEHIND when the door is shut in the Day of the Lord. Soon the midnight hour will be upon the world!
Remember fools hate knowledge and would have none of My correction in righteousness, that they might become partakers in My holiness. See Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:11; Hebrews 12:6-11; Revelation 3:19. Time and time again, I have stretched out My hand to the foolish and unwise, and they refused to receive My counsel and correction to bring them into the ways of their God. For these foolish ones despised all of My words of reproof and mocked at My messengers. See 2 Chronicle 36:15-16; Proverbs 1:29; Jeremiah 5:3-4; 12-14. How foolish to not see your own flesh and the undone condition that masny of My people have allowed themselves to dwell in. These foolish ones are they that hated the knowledge of “My ways,” and by their own stubborn rebellious and willful ways have not chosen to fear Me. To reverence Me, and to become pliable in My hand. Clean pure vessels set apart and are of perfect age, mature sons that shall carry the rod of My authority. These shall rule and reign in a place of honor and authority when the day comes for service in the King's army that shall not break ranks nor trust one another. See Psalm 2:8-9; Revelation 2:26-27. These who refuse my counsel and did not choose the fear of the Lord shall eat of their “own” ways and be filled with their “own” devices. For when I called they did not answer, when I showed them mercy they still did not hear. O' you foolish ones when will you mend your ways and hear! My hand is out stretched still. Soon the darkness shall roll over the land like a dark storm cloud and men will walk as blind men, because they have sinned against Me. See Zephaniah 1:16-18. For I, the Lord shall bring distress upon men and they shall walk like blind men.
There shall be a time of howling coming from the “idol” shepherds that have not obeyed My voice nor have received my counsel.. Their tables shall be over turned as was in the days of the ministry of the Son and their treasuries shall be robbed. Remember that I have told you ahead of time that you may see and understand the critical and awesome hour in which you now live.
I am against the shepherds, because they have not sought counsel from My mouth nor have they been willing to be taught the hidden things of My hear,t the ultimate divine purposes for My people. These who have charge over My house have not given the “meat” in due season. These shepherds will take their part and their portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. See all of Matthew 24:42-43-51; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6-1 and ponder these sayings. The sound words and pure doctrine that would grow up My flock and allow them to Seek the better part. That better part is sitting at My feet alone with Me, learning of My ways of truth and righteousness; the truth that has no “admixture.” The truth that is from My heart that sets men free. These who keep My words and do them are My disciples indeed. For they know my voice and a stranger and false teacher they will not follow. They will flee from them!
False teachers, Shepherds and False Prophets
Abound in the Land
You will know them by their fruit. (See Matthew 7) Even a man, a professing prophet, teacher and shepherd who is walking in falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto you of vain words, doctrines that do not line up with My Word. Even he, that prophet or teacher and the well-known professional seers of today, shall be the prophet of the people who have forsaken my laws whicrae my words of truth. Just as in the past with my people Israel; these today in this present end time time are a people who like to hear smooth things. Things that profit little. Isaiah 30:9-10; Ezekiel 3:1-11; 33:3. Jeremiah 51:17-19. Vain and empty words to flatter the ego of religious man and bring not forth fruit unto perfection. The perfect man that is in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 4:11-14).
I, the Lord am about to do a marvelous work, and my sheep will be sought out of the places where they have not been fed. For I will seek them out in that cloudy and dark day that is closing in on My Church and the world at large. (Ezekiel 30:2; 34:12; Amos 5:16-20) A day of great spiritual ignorance great drakeness that hovers over the shaded minds of men. A day of darkness, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, trouble, distress and anguish. See Ezekiel 34:11-16; 30:3; Joel 2:1-2; Isaiah 2:10-22; 13:3-10; Zephaniah 1:14-18.
The Days of Thick Darkness Are At Hand!
Awaken From Your Slumber; And Arise From the Dead
And Let Christ Give You Light!
Ephesians 5:14-17
The light which is God's Word that brings insight and understanding and perception of the Lord's clear truth---and to know your calling in the Lord's purposes for His set apart ones.
See Ephesians 1:17-18
Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark and no brightness in it? Amos 5:20. Be not deceived by the false shepherds and teachers that show you a false theory and escape from the world and the great tribulation and teach a false prosperity smooth and lying message of escapism.... This is the tool of the enemy to “neutralize” my people to believe that they are exempt from war! When My word tells you who hear and perceive truth-- that you shall remain and endure unto the “end.” That is if, you hearken to My words and see that they are line upon line and precept upon precept. The truth that is made plain to the diligent and “wise” seeker. My Word is consistent and it is life to all that find it.
Have I said, to fear not nor be dismayed at the signs in the heavens? There will come great distress of nations and much sorrow and devastation in the world of darkness and great calamities of casthosthophic proportions, but I Am the light of the world, and I will shine forth from the many that will have “insight” and understanding of My ways. These shall lead many to know Me, and be taught to follow every good path. These who I prepare to send are of no reputation. They shall shine brightly in this night season as stars forever and ever. Turning many to righteousness. Daniel 12:3
These that are wise among My people have diligently sought Me for insight and understanding of My ways and have the knowledge of their God worked into them. These set a part ones will arise from the darkness that shall be everywhere in the not too distant future. They will shine with My glory to dispel the thick cloud that hangs over the minds of many. My Spirit is moving to prepare hearts even now. Look around you and see. These who have not understood shall be turned to the way that is right and be healed by My hand and the clear river of My life, saith the Lord, as the many fishes of the sea of mankind. I am raising up “trees” of righteousness of My planting, saith the Lord. Trees whose leaf will not whither. “Trees” with leaves for the healing of the nations. Psalm 1:3: Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 47:12.
The crystal river that is in the life of Jesus Christ shall reach into the vast multitudes of mankind. Men and women of the nations, all colors and races. But this healing river will not reach into the miry and marshes places; these shall not be healed and they shall be given to salt. The miry places are the hearts of those who will not be changed. They are stuck in their own ways and have been filled with their own devices. They care not for Me nor did they choose the way that is right. The miry places are the hearts of people who are likened to a reservoir that carries stagnant water. Water that has been muddied over and stands still! ~ Not clear or pure. A heart that is bogged down and refuses to change and is stuck in the mud... A place that has no life from Me. See Ezekiel 47:11.
The time is coming when they that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn My pure doctrine. It is when My judgments are manifested fully in the earth, men will learn righteousness, But let My favor be shown to the wicked, yet the wicked will not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will the wicked deal unjustly, and will NOT behold My majesty. My majesty is My excellent things, which are reserved in store for the righteous and upright in heart. Hear and know that I am not as man that should lie. Fear thy God and make peace and amend your ways before the Day breaks upon you unawares, suddenly “as” a thief in the night. For it is in that day, which is the darkest part of the night when men sleep that I come. I tell you, in that night, which is the darkest part at the midnight hour, there shall be two men in one bed; the one taken and the other left. The one taken is the transgressor. The one who did not walk in My ways and refused to be corrected. And the ONE left is the righteous man that shall remain and endure.... until the end. Proverbs 2:21-22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Revelation 2:10-11. The one that is "Taken" is the transgressor of my ways. And this one that shall endure until the end shall inherit all things. If any man have “spiritual” ears to hear, let him hear and comprehend what I say. I say once again, take heed to what you hear. The measure and thought to study the truth that you hear, will be the measure and knowledge of My purposes that come back to you. And more shall be given you who hear. But to the servant that has nothing, even what he has will be taken from him. Why you might say is this? Because, he did not hearken when I called nor did he give the “meat” in due season. For I say, many will fall in THAT day. I will dry up their mingled people and will bring a sword upon their treasures; and they shall be robbed. Watch for a continued drying up of ministries that have not hearkened to My words. Religious Babylon shall fall and her fall shall come with the crashing down of many “trees” in the forests (churches). They shall be cut (hewn) down by My words as a sword (my words as a sword) in the mouths of My prophets. (Hosea 6:5) For I, saith the Lord, shall hew down trees with My words. The cedar trees first and then the poplars, oaks and the elms. The false prophets are as wind without rain, clouds without water - Jude 12. The word is not in them; thus shall it be done unto them. My words are in My servant's mouth “as” fire and “as” a hammer to break the rock in pieces. And this people shall be as wood with no breath of true life in them to feed and made strong the weak among My people. These are vanity and the works of errors and in the day of their visitation, they shall perish. See Jeremiah 51:16-19. These are the works of vanity, empty words with no breath and life from Me. The fire of My word shall devour them. Take heed that you hear. ~ Take heed that you turn and listen for the Day is fast approaching.
There is a day coming when I will NOT hear the prayers of these stubborn, foolish and rebellious ones. (Jeremiah 19:15; 51:18) Now is the accepted time, now and not tomorrow. Today is the acceptable time. Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 2:2-10; 33:1-19; Jeremiah 5:13; 25:13; Proverbs 1:24-29.
I, the Lord always confirm the counsel of My messengers. You will hear this message again and know that it I, the Lord that send it.
Calamities are at the DOOR!
The calamities, earthquakes, plagues and pestilence shall increase to fill the earth. There will continue to be scoffers and the unbelieving even among My own people. But I say, watch and stay sober to what is transpiring before your very eyes. The prophetic scriptures will be fulfilled in this that generation which is the last generation before My coming to be glorified in My set apart ones. Be mindful of My word and hide it away in your heart that you may not sin against me. I love you with a jealous love and desire that none perish nor are taken away in the storm sent by Me, saith the Lord.. As will be the fate of the transgressors of My law. I tell you there are wicked men among My people. Not all that say Lord, Lord in that day shall enter in. Those who hide themselves in Me will find refuge from the storm. This storm sent by My hand upon the heads of the wicked and disobedient among My people. I the Lord bring judgment upon Egypt to show that I am the Lord God. I allow the judgments to accelerating and sorrow is only beginning to manifest itself. But be of good cheer, My “little” flock, you shall be fed in times of famine. As it was in Egypt, My people were preserved when the plagues were poured out by My hand. I will get the attention of Egypt once again for she shall see the miraculous when I rise up to defend and vindicate My own from the ravishes of nature and the winds of destruction. Fear not, I am not lax in My gaze upon the righteous. They are written in My book of remembrance. I cherish them dearly and am jealous over them.
I pray not for the world, but for those the Father has given to me. I pray not that My Father take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil. Trust Me with a total abandonment to My will. I will never leave you nor forsake you, while you stand secure in the midst of MY STORM!
“His thunderings speak (awesomely) concerning Him; and His cattle are told of His coming storm.'
Job 36:32-33 Amp V.
“I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with the he goats.”
Jeremiah 51:40
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right side, but the goats on the left.”
Matthew 23:31-33
“The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour as dew upon the grass”
Proverbs 19:12;
See Deuteronomy 32:2; Hosea 14:5; Zechariah 1:1
“The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a
wise man will pacify it”
Proverbs 16:14
“Scornful men bring a city into a snare: But wise men turn away wrath”
Proverbs 29:8
“Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be fuel for the fire"
Isaiah 9:19
“And they shall look unto the earth: and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish: and they shall be driven to darkness.”
Isaiah 8:22
“O' generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.”
There shall be a time of howling coming from the “idol” shepherds that have not obeyed my voice. Their tables shall be over turned as was in the days of the ministry of the Son and their treasuries shall be robbed. Remember that I have told you ahead of time that you may see and understand the critical and awesome hour in which you now live.
I am against the shepherds, because they have not sought counsel from My mouth nor have they been willing to be taught the hidden things of My heart. My ultimate purposes for My people. These who have charge over My house have not given the “meat” in due season. These shepherds will take their part and their portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. See all of Matthew 24:42-43-51; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6-1 and ponder these sayings. The sound words and pure doctrine that would grow up My flock and allow them to Seek the better part. That better part is sitting at My feet alone with Me, learning My ways of truth and righteousness. The truth that has no “admixture,” the truth that is from My heart that sets men free. These who keep My words and do them are My disciples indeed. For they know my voice and a stranger and false teacher they will not follow. They will flee from them!
False teachers, Shepherds and False Prophets
Abound in the Land
You will know them by their fruit. (See Matthew 7) Even a man, a professing prophet, teacher and shepherd who is walking in falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto you of vain words, doctrines that do not line up with My Word. Even he, the prophet and the well-known professional seers of today, shall be the prophet of the people who have forsaken my law, the words of truth. Just as in the past with my people Israel, these today in this present time are a people who like to hear smooth things. Things, that profit little. (Isaiah 30:9-10; Ezekiel 3:1-11; 33:3. Jeremiah 51:17-19) Vain and empty words to flatter the ego and bring not forth fruit unto perfection, the perfect man that is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:11-14.
I, the Lord am about to do a marvelous work, and my sheep will be sought out of the places where they have not been fed. For I will seek them out in that cloudy and dark day that is closing in on My Church and the world at large. A day of great spiritual ignorance that hovers over the darkened minds of men. A day of darkness, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, trouble, distress and anguish. See Ezekiel 34:11-16; 30:3; Joel 2:1-2; Isaiah 2:10-22; 13:3-10; Amos 5:15-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18.
The Days of Thick Darkness Are At Hand!
Awaken From Your Slumber; And Arise From the Dead
And Let Christ Give You Light!
Ephesians 5:14-17
The light which is God's Word that brings insight and understanding to know your calling in the Lord's purposes for His set apart ones.
See Ephesians 1:17-18
Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark and no brightness in it? Amos 5:20. Be not deceived by the false shepherds and teachers that show you a false theory and escape from the world and the great tribulation. This is the tool of the enemy to “neutralize” my people to believe that they are exempt from war! When My word tells you, who hear and perceive truth, that you shall remain and endure unto the “end.” That is if, you hearken to My words and see that they are line upon line and precept upon precept. The truth that is made plain to the diligent and “wise” seeker. My Word is consistent and it is life to all that find it.
Have I said, to fear not nor be dismayed at the signs in the heavens? There will come great distress of nations and much sorrow and devastation in the world of darkness, but I Am the light of the world, and I will shine forth from the many that will have “insight” and understanding of My ways. These shall lead many to know Me, and be taught to follow every good path. These who I prepare to send are of no reputation. They shall shine brightly in this night season as stars forever and ever. Turning many to righteousness. Daniel 12:3
These that are wise among My people have diligently sought Me for insight and understanding of My ways and have the knowledge of their God worked into them. These set a part ones will arise from the darkness that shall be everywhere in the not too distant future. They will shine with My glory to dispel the thick cloud that hangs over the minds of many. My Spirit is moving to prepare hearts even now. Look around you and see. These who have not understood shall be turned to the way that is right and be healed by My hand and the clear river of My life, saith the Lord, as the many fishes of the sea of mankind. I am raising up “trees” of righteousness of My planting, saith the Lord. Trees whose leaf will not whither. “Trees” with leaves for the healing of the nations. Psalm 1:3: Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 47:12.
The crystal river that is in the life of Jesus Christ shall reach into the vast multitudes of mankind. Men and women of the nations, all colors and races. But this healing river will not reach into the miry and marshes places; these shall not be healed and they shall be given to salt. The miry places are the hearts of those who will not be changed. They are stuck in their own ways and have been filled with their own devices. They care not for Me nor did they choose the way that is right. The miry places are the hearts of people who are likened to a reservoir that carries stagnant water. Water that has been muddied over and stands still! ~ Not clear or pure. A heart that is bogged down and refuses to change and is stuck in the mud... A place that has no life from Me. See Ezekiel 47:11.
The time is coming when they that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn My pure doctrine. It is when My judgments are manifested fully in the earth, men will learn righteousness, But let My favor be shown to the wicked, yet the wicked will not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will the wicked deal unjustly, and will NOT behold My majesty. My majesty is My excellent things, which are reserved in store for the righteous and upright in heart. Hear and know that I am not as man that should lie. Fear thy God and make peace and amend your ways before the Day breaks upon you unawares, suddenly “as” a thief in the night. For in that day, the darkest part of the night when men sleep. I tell you, in that night, which is the darkest part at the midnight hour, there shall be two men in one bed; the one taken and the other left. The one taken is the transgressor. The one who did not walk in My ways and refused to be corrected. And the ONE left is the righteous man that shall remain and endure.... until the end. Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Revelation 2:10-11. The one that is "Taken" is the transgressor of my ways. See Proverbs 2:21-22. And this one that shall endure until the end shall inherit all things. If any man have “spiritual” ears to hear, let him hear and comprehend what I say. I say once again, take heed to what you hear. The measure and thought to study the truth that you hear, will be the measure and knowledge of My purposes that come back to you. And more shall be given you who hear. But to the servant that has nothing, even what he has will be taken from him. Why you might say is this? Because, he did not hearken when I called nor did he give the “meat” in due season. For I say, many will fall in THAT day. I will dry up their mingled people and will bring a sword upon their treasures; and they shall be robbed. Watch for a continued drying up of ministries that have not hearkened to My words. Religious Babylon shall fall and her fall shall come with the crashing down of many “trees” in the forests (churches). They shall be cut (hewn) down by My words as a sword (my words as a sword) in the mouths of My prophets. (Hosea 6:5) For I, saith the Lord, shall hew down trees with My words. The cedar trees first and then the poplars, oaks and the elms. The false prophets are as wind without rain, clouds without water - Jude 12. The word is not in them; thus shall it be done unto them. My words are in My servant's mouth “as” fire and “as” a hammer to break the rock in pieces. And this people shall be as wood with no breath of true life in them to feed and made strong the weak among My people. These are vanity and the works of errors and in the day of their visitation, they shall perish. See Jeremiah 51:16-19. These are the works of vanity, empty words with no breath and life from Me. The fire of My word shall devour them. Take heed that you hear. ~ Take heed that you turn and listen for the Day is fast approaching.
There is a day coming when I will NOT hear the prayers of these stubborn, foolish and rebellious ones. (Jeremiah 19:15; 51:18) Now is the accepted time, now and not tomorrow. Today is the acceptable time. Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 2:2-10; 33:1-19; Jeremiah 5:13; 25:13; Proverbs 1:24-29)
I, the Lord always confirm the counsel of My messengers. You will hear this message again and know that it I, the Lord that send it.
There Is Nothing New Under The Sun
I say what happened to natural Israel is only a blueprint of what I will do to the rebellious of My Church in the earth today, if they hearken not to My words. Be mindful and seek Me, and I will be found of you and will show you My countenance.
The calamities, earthquakes, plagues and pestilence shall increase to fill the earth. There will continue to be scoffers and the unbelieving even among My own people. But I say, watch and stay sober to what is transpiring before your very eyes. The prophetic scriptures will be fulfilled in this that generation which is the last generation before My coming to be glorified in My set apart ones. Be mindful of My word and hide it away in your heart that you may not sin against me. I love you with a jealous love and desire that none perish nor are taken away in the storm sent by Me saith the Lord.. As will be the fate of the transgressors of My law. I tell you there are wicked men among My people. Not all that say Lord, Lord in that day shall enter in. Those who hide themselves in Me will find refuge from the storm. This storm sent by My hand upon the heads of the wicked and disobedient among My people. I the Lord bring judgment upon Egypt to show that I am the Lord God. I allow the judgments to accelerating and sorrow is only beginning to manifest itself. But be of good cheer, My “little” flock, you shall be fed in times of famine. As it was in Egypt, My people were preserved when the plagues were poured out by My hand. I will get the attention of Egypt once again for she shall see the miraculous when I rise up to defend and vindicate My own from the ravishes of nature and the winds of destruction. Fear not, I am not lax in My gaze upon the righteous. They are written in My book of remembrance. I cherish them dearly and am jealous over them.
I pray not for the world, but for those the Father has given to me. I pray not that My Father take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil. Trust Me with a total abandonment to My will. I will never leave you nor forsake you, while you stand secure in the midst of MY STORM! <><
“His thunderings speak (awesomely) concerning Him; and His cattle are told of His coming storm.'
Job 36:32-33 Amp V.
“I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with the he goats.”
Jeremiah 51:40
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right side, but the goats on the left.”
Matthew 23:31-33
“The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour as dew upon the grass”
Proverbs 19:12;
See Deuteronomy 32:2; Hosea 14:5; Zechariah 1:1
“The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a
wise man will pacify it”
Proverbs 16:14
“Scornful men bring a city into a snare: But wise men turn away wrath”
Proverbs 29:8
“Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be fuel for the fire"
Isaiah 9:19
“And they shall look unto the earth: and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish: and they shall be driven to darkness.”
Isaiah 8:22
“O' generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.”
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This is one of the best writings about false teachers and the Apostasy that I ever read. SJ
Apostasy - The Great Falling Away (January 15, 1995)
By Jonathan Hansen
Jesus said that in the last days: “there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24) Today, throughout the world there are false Christs (people who preach in Jesus' name) and false prophets (people who are proclaiming Bible teachings, visions, and dreams they say are from God).
They preach throughout the world by television, satellite, or in person, boasting of being “anointed” of God with a new, enlightened word for the Church today. Many of these self-appointed “chosen” vessels with a “special ministry” appear to be blessed by God. Apparent signs and wonders accompany their ministries. But, the Bible warns us clearly that in the last days there will be a great “falling away,” a great “apostasy”. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
Webster's Dictionary defines the word apostasy as “an abandoning of what one has believed in.” The definition it gives for the word heresy is “the rejection of a belief that is part of church dogma; any opinion opposed to official or established views or doctrines.”
Now, let me state emphatically that I believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including healing, are for the Church today. I personally pray for the sick according to the teachings of the Scriptures and have seen genuine miracles accompany that prayer, but the Holy Spirit within me is repulsed at the sheer raping of the naïve Christian by supposed “Men of God.”
The Bible has always been the acid test of doctrine. Throughout Christianity, it has been the source “to try the spirits,”whether they be of God, man or devil. I John 4:1 reads: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Illumination, inspiration, vision, dreams, or prophecy must always be tested by the Word (the Bible). This is precisely where false representatives of Jesus Christ fail. These false teachers say the Holy Spirit has given them a special illumination of the Scriptures. This is where the abundance of their hearts is manifested in examining their teachings.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” He said, that “...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). These false apostles and prophets are preaching their fabricated doctrines out of their own polluted hearts.
Jeremiah 14:14 says, “Then the Lord said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing nought, and the deceit of their heart.”
Paul said in Galatians 1:6-10: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters, I warn both the people throughout the world who are not Christians and also those who are fellow believers. There are many false teachers in the world today who claim to be “anointed” servants of the Lord. They call themselves apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and televangelists. However, some of them are nothing more than as Jesus warned, “a wolf in sheep's clothing.” They do not preach or teach the Bible correctly or in context. Instead, they twist the Scriptures to conform to their own carnal desires, even though 1 John 2:15 warns Christians:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
These false teachers come to the Church and world as men of God, as “an angel of light,” an imitation of the genuine. They pretend to be something they are not: “a form of godliness.” Like actors and entertainers, they perform preaching and teaching another gospel which Paul, Jesus, and the entire Bible warns against. They deceive many with their words that “tickle the ears” and entice their base nature.
These “false prophets,” as Scripture describes them, who proclaim a message of peace and prosperity, turn the precious truths of the gospel into damnable lies and theatrics. They turn the power of God unto salvation into deceptive, eternal entrapment with their warped exposition of the Scriptures. It leaves people's souls either damned in a spirit of gluttonous, covetous living without being able to satisfy those lusts, or lost in a feeling of failure. Believing the twisted gospel to which they had been listening yet not becoming prosperous or healed, they accepted the lie of the enemy that they had no faith, or not enough, and now they reject the Bible completely as a pack of lies preached by charlatans.
The Bible warns us about these people. 2 Peter 2:1-3 states: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with the stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” (New International Version).
These Scriptures certainly describe the scenario of today's profit-oriented masquerader prancing around the pulpit in the church or on television, trying to sell his formula to prosperity or healing. These gimmick-oriented ministries continue to twist the authenticity and authority of the Holy Scriptures and God himself for personal gain.
2 Peter 2:10 continues to describe the character of the ministerial manipulator whose main reason for being and ministry is self-perpetuation: “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings.” (The New International Version)
I believe we are living in the worst and last generation before Jesus Christ returns to earth to rule and reign. It is a time when most of the so-called “Christians” do not believe or live for Jesus Christ. Instead, they follow the philosophies of their clergymen or fallacies of people-oriented churches. They accept a gospel that is twisted because it aligns with their own vanity and lust. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 13 describes pointedly, the types of godless people that are in the world, church, and position of ministry in the Church:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Today's church leaders attempt to baffle their congregations with their “ever learning” list of degrees. Any earned or honorary doctorate given in an introduction impresses the novice who does not realize that knowledge alone is just humanly-inspired and without the wisdom assimilated from the Lord is just vanity. These people are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Neither the ministers who expel their ideas nor the listeners who receive their concoctions can understand the truth any longer. They are blinded by a spirit of covetousness and greed brought on by the lust and deceit of their own hearts. Their warped messages appeal to the spirits within carnal listeners.
Both the speaker and the listener succumb to the gods of this world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Galatians 5:19-21 tells us: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in the past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Some examples of the lust of the eyes are lust for women (Matthew 5:28; Job 31:1), 'eyes full of adultery', homosexuality, and lesbianism, etc. (2Peter 2:14; Romans 1:18-28), covetousness (Psalms 10:8; Luke 12:15), every kind of evil (Matthew 6:23; 7:22). Some different forms of the pride of life are self-righteousness (Job 32:1), positions (Genesis 3:5; 1Timothy 3:6; 3 John 9; Ezekiel 38:11-17), riches (Psalms 39:6; Ezekiel 28:5; Luke 12:16-21), power (Leviticus 26:19), beauty (Ezekiel 28:11, 17) and the pride of pleasures (Isaiah 3:16).
In the ministry today, there are self-righteous, arrogant, entrepreneurs who proclaim the faith of men rather than the faith of the Scriptures.
Human faith is following one's own evil inclinations, desires and lusts; whereas, the faith of God is simply following, obeying, and trusting in the Bible, not in one's own will. Jesus said, “...not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
In this, what I believe is the final generation, the world and the Church have witnessed and become victim to a constant barrage of demonically-inspired false teachings, visions, and dreams. These are being broadcasted through the radio, television, and other forms of mass communication and have greatly assisted the “father of all lies” (as Jesus called Satan) in the chronic erosion of the Holy Scriptures. Some of these braggers appear as televangelists spouting off their bent theology. The following statements are a few examples of their DOCTRINAL LIES being spoken and taught:
“God told me that we as Christians are 'king's kids.' It is God's will for all of us to rule the world now and be rich. Just exercise your authority and 'name it and claim it.' God showed me in a dream that he cannot do anything without me. God is helpless without me. We are all little gods...Faith is a power force. It is a tangible force. It is a conductive force...As a believer; you have the right to make commands in the name of Jesus.'
“Never, ever, ever go to the Lord and say, 'if it be thy will...' Don't allow such faith-destroying words to be spoken from your mouth...He (the Holy Spirit) says, God's original plan was that the woman was to bring forth children out of her side...Adam gave birth to his wife out of his side. It was sin that turned the thing around. And it was sin that transformed her flesh and her body. When God took the woman out of man, He closed up his rib. But she was created identically as him. In other words, she was created with an opening in her side, and children were supposed to be born. And I get that from the very fact that you'll never see birth spiritually, except from the side... When you were born again the Word was made flesh in you. And you became flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. Don't tell me you have Jesus. You are everything He was and everything He is and ever shall be... It (the new man) says, 'I am as He is,' That's what it says. As He is, so are we in this world. Jesus said, 'Go in my name, go in my stead.' Don't say, 'I have.' Say, 'I am, I am, I am, I am.' That's why you never, ever, ever, ever ought to say, 'I'm sick if you're the new creation? Say, 'I'm healed!' Don't say, “I'm a sinner,' The new creation is no sinner. Say, “I'm the righteousness of God in Christ... When you say, 'I'm a Christian,' you are saying, I am 'mashiach' in the Hebrew. In other words, 'I am a little messiah walking on earth.' That is a shocking revelation... May I say it like this? You are a little god on earth running around.”
“God has to be given permission to work in this earth realm on behalf of man... Yes! You are in control! So, if man has control, who no longer has it? God...God can't do anything in the earth realm except what we, the body of Christ allow Him to do... The whole point is I'm trying to get you to see - to get you out of this malaise of thinking that Jesus and the disciples were poor and then relating that to you - thinking that you, as a child of God, have to follow Jesus. The Bible says that He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. That's the reason why I drive a Rolls Royce. I'm following Jesus' steps.”
“Jesus was handling big money because that treasurer He had was a thief. Now you can't tell me that a ministry with a treasurer that's a thief can operate on a few pennies. It took big money to operate that ministry because Judas was stealing out of that bag. You don't think these Apostles didn't walk around with money? I mean, they had money. I just thank God that I saw this and gave up the denominational line and got on God's line before I starved me and all my family to death. Go to Acts 24. I mean, you don't think there wasn't money in this Paul's life?... Paul had the kind of money that people, that government official, would block up justice to try to get a bribe out of old Paul.”
“Man was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God's presence without any consciousness of inferiority.”
The above false teachings you just read, originally propagated by a handful of people who consider themselves modern day apostles and prophets, have the ingredients of a great satire. The tragedy is that the stupidities they teach are accepted by countless people throughout the world who do not daily study the Word of God. Without a daily living relationship with the Lord through His Word, one is deceived. 2 Timothy 2:15 warns us “to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” A real apostle, Paul, warns us in Colossians 1:23, 28; and 2:8: “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached...whom we preached, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus...Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
We are supposed to “transform our mind with the word of God,” so we are not fooled by “every lying spirit.” There are scriptural, sound and motive pure ministries involved in exploiting people. This misappropriation of funds through unethical Scriptural misinterpretation so incensed Martin Luther that he attacked the lies of both the Catholic Church and the Pope. Luther wrote his famous Ninety-five Theses, attacking doctrinal heresies that were invented in schemes to make money! He said the Catholic Church was selling indulgences not because they were concerned over the souls of the deceased but to make the Pope rich.
Today's Prosperity shysters continue to think of endless strategies to con the ignorant and greedy out of their money. Some of the gimmicks they use are the “hundredfold” tactic, “seed faith,” and “point of contact, of course with some money, and when he touches the cloth, it is as if he was touching them. Although Acts 19:11, 12 notes that “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them,” never is there mentioned any money to be recovered by the apostles for God's gift. In fact, there is a strong warning to those who want to buy God's gift with money in Acts 8:20.
Today's agents of fear and greed, twist the biblical truths to formulate a “give to get rich scheme” that the true apostles would find appalling. (Read 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; 7:2.) If you will just read the Scriptures in context, the truth is obviously clear to show the lies of any of their teachings used to get one to send them money.
Another one of their promotional schemes to have you send them money as “seed faith” is their testimonials of rags to riches. Do not be deceived by this religious roulette. The Bible tells you that God in His sovereignty blesses the just and the unjust. It has nothing to do with sending in money. The law of averages takes its natural course when large numbers are involved. These devilish practices and teachings are infiltrating the Christian community as leaven which Jesus said should be removed to save the body. In Africa, a cultic church continues to use one trick after another to get people to give. One example is to give offering, and they will give a flower to present to an estranged spouse who now will magically come back to harmony with the other. The old “seed faith / point of contact” game is certainly flourishing in these countries which are already filled with witchcraft and the doctrine of demons. As Christians, we are to give out of loving obedience, not a “give to get” investment mentality. God always blesses the pure in heart (pure motive) but it is not always material blessings.
My article, “Cult Christianity,” describes the difference between understanding the knowledge of the Scriptures and a living relationship with God. People today not only fail to submit their lives to the known truths of God, they fabricate their own gospel embracing doctrines from metaphysical cults. They replace the Christ of the Bible with a religion or philosophy with whom they want to identify. They love the Master's table but not the Master.
Today, in these “last days,” there are showmen who seek to glorify themselves by fooling the “very elect.” Some of them use the mass media and try to advance their own fame (ego) by televising “supposed healings and miracles.” Some could be genuine because God will honor His Word even when He rejects the vessel. (Read Matthew 7:21-23.) In His Word, God has used an ass, a raven, Nebuchadnezzar, nations, and fallen prophets. He can certainly use this new breed of phonies who preach a gospel of greed to extend their personal profit through their business-oriented ministries of marketed healings.
Many people who have “fallen away” from the truth boast of their possessions, their cars, houses, etc. They say the apostles had money, lots of money. They use Paul himself to justify their extravagance, yet Paul says otherwise:
“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labour, working with out own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day.” (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).
This shows quite a contrast between the teachings of some televangelists who claim to be apostles and prophets, and the real ones. Some of today's fakes teach a man-centered theology instead of a God-centered one. They are boastful, haughty and proud of their ministry achievements, which are characteristics that should be absent from a true humble servant of the Lord. The following is a quote from a very famous televangelist when responding to people who were asking him to justify his interpretations of Scripture:
“To hell with you! Get out of my life! Get out of the way!.. I say get out of God's way! Quit blocking God's bridges, or God's going to shoot you if I don't... I don't even want to talk to you or hear you! I don't want to see your ugly face!” That is definitely not the attitude or spirit that real apostles would use.
False teachers today try to demand God to jump and obey their every wish as a puppet on strings or a witch doctor's formula. The Bible's teachings for a child of God are quite the opposite: “...if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).
The Bible tells us that God called Job “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” According to the Scriptures, Job had great faith, but heretics try to tear down Job's attitude and faith, so they can justify their depravity. The Holy Scriptures tell us the righteous suffer for different reasons: some for a “test of faith,” some for the “chastening of the Lord,” others for “the glory of God,” but all according to the sovereignty of the Lord to develop us into His likeness. Paul and many others throughout the Scriptures suffered both persecution and sickness. God neither delivered them from imprisonment of infirmity. Yet, they continued to give God all the glory, recognizing Jesus was Lord. They submitted themselves to the sovereignty and will of the Father as their example, Jesus Christ, did.
2 Peter 2:13-22 gives an exact picture of the “Cultic Faith Preacher.” This group of vogue participants led by rogue individuals and spirits has completely redefined essential precious Christian doctrine.
“They will be paid back with the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed - an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam, Son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrong-doing by a donkey - a beast without speech- who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity - for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worst off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to it vomit,' 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'
James Bakker, a famous ex-televangelist prosperity teacher was arrested in 1989 and convicted of 24 counts of fraud. Now, he confesses that the prosperity gospel is a lie:
“I spent months reading every word Jesus spoke. I wrote them out over and over, and I read them over and over again. There is no way, if you take the whole counsel of God's Word, that you can equate riches or material things as a sign of God's blessing...I have asked God to forgive me...for preaching earthly prosperity...It's time the call from the pulpit be changed from 'Who wants a life of pleasure and good things, new homes, cars, material possessions, etc.” to 'Who will come forward to accept Jesus Christ and the fellowship of his suffering?'...We love to read about God's honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11, the great faith chapter. But many stop reading at verse 35. Let me give you the last part of this great faith chapter from the Living Bible.
“But others trusted God and were beaten to death, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free-trusting that they would rise to a better life afterwards. Some were laughed at and their backs cut open with whips, and others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning and some by being sawed in two; others were promised freedom if they would renounce their faith, then were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in dens and caves; they were hungry and sick and ill-treated˜too good for this world. And these men of faith, though they trusted God and won His approval, none of them received all that God has promised them; for God wanted them to wait and share the even better rewards that were prepared for us”.
If, by some miracle, I was transported back seven years to P.T.L..., I would plead with people to get, and keep their eyes off the physical and onto Jesus Christ and things eternal. It is time for sackcloth and ashes - it is time to do what God says...Let me leave you with the words of Jesus found in Mark 8:36-27: “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Keep your eyes on the prize! on Heaven, on Christ, on things above. “For it has not entered the hearts of men, the things God has prepared for them that love Him.” We thank the Lord for James Bakker's confession and hope others will find the truth and repent.
We are all living in a world that reeks under the effects of the original fall and man's ever-increasing sins. It is not only preposterous but a total miscarriage of scriptural interpretation even to imply that the effects of Adam's rebellion were recovered when Christ atoned for our sins through His taking our judgment, as long as we now follow God through the Holy Scriptures. The truth is not only intuitively existent but also theologically and doctrinally explicit. The only way one can accept this utter disfiguration and castration of Scripture that “Faith Prosperity Preachers” merchandise and hawk, is to serve the same god of materialism as they do. Then a spirit of deception will blind commonsense, and one can believe their fallacious fables.
The Bible teaches in Romans 8:21-25 that all of the human race is subject to disease and decay as we (believers) wait for the redemption of our bodies. (Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 54, to expound on our finite bodies that are subject to illness and death.) Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the “devices” and “wiles” (2 Corinthians 2:11 and Ephesians 6:11) Satan. He responded by rebuking the “tempter” in Matthew 4:7: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
False teachers today are still trying the same “devices” and “wiles,” the same methods to dilute the meaning of Scripture so man can serve himself, thus being separated from God. The devil's ways of trickery have never changed: “And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die' “ (Genesis 3:4). The master of deceit is always trying to create within each one of us a spirit of unbelief so we believe a lie, rebelling against the truth and eternal life. The enemy of our souls follows up his insidious attack by challenging God's motives and sovereignty: “For God doth know that in the day ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Remember, hearing that line before: “We are all little gods”? Lucifer, always appearing angelic with a tongue of poison, continues to tempt one to become his own “little god” by twisting the Scriptures and appealing to one's vanity.
Yes, we still live in an imperfect world with all its causes and effects, until Jesus returns and makes a “new heaven and a new earth.” We still have to work, weed the garden, mown the lawn, buy food, and bandage our cuts. We still have pain in child delivery, accidents, disease, property, and death. Yet through it all, God has promised us, He will sustain us. The righteous still suffer from the effects of sin and persecution. There is the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead, glorified bodies, a new perfect world and eternal life. The promise of the Lord is that “He will never leave us nor forsake us,” and “if we ask never anything according to His will, it shall be done.” The Word of God strictly followed - not avoided - is the way to overcome the “roaring lion.” Jesus promised to meet our needs (not our greed). Therefore we need to submit and commit all of out petitions to the Father through Jesus according to His will and sovereignty.
Note: There are some genuine “men of God” who at times make, teach or preach a wrong view out of ignorance with a pure heart. This is totally different than the person preaching from a wrong heart, spirit and / or motive. But each type of person can lead one astray.
Saints be careful! False teachers abound with their erroneous doctrines, teaching people to follow the 'lusts of this world'. *All Scriptures are quoted from the King James Version, unless other wise noted.