Many don’t have the confidence to stand in Truth like the disciples did! Many walk out their faith on a perceived authority in Christ instead of the confidence in Christ. This has led to many wars, crusades and a world of Christian legalism and authoritarianism. There is a difference.
“The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization.”. Oswald Chambers
“A religion of mere emotion and sensationalism is the most terrible of all curses that can come upon any people. The absence of reality is sad enough, but the aggravation of pretense is a deadly sin.” —SAMUEL CHADWICK
As we cover the resurrection of the dead as a fundamental teaching of Christianity from Hebrews 6:1-2, we will refer to a book throughout by Leonard Ravenhill, “Why Revival Tarries”. As we uncover the difference between resuscitation and resurrection, remember a resurrected body has overcome death and a resuscitated body will die again.
Remember that song by Elvin Bishop, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” back in the seventies? I used to say that was my theme song, since I confused sex with love. Well one of my favorite bands, the “Apologetix” writes Christian parody songs. They bring a fantastic message to the secular music we all grew up with. They recently released a song named, “A Fool Can Sound Intelligent” to that melody.
A trusted friend knew about a million words
Another mental genius I’ve known
He didn’t care ’bout Jesus Christ, no sir
‘Cause he worshiped gold and the Stones
But then a fool can sound intelligent
A fool can sound intelligent
A fool can sound intell-igent
A fool can sound intelligent
It used to be when I’d seek a purpose in life
I read lots of books with bright-soundin’ names
But when they’d ask if I was gonna be there on the other side
I preferred outer space
My goal is that after today’s teaching, every time you hear someone teach and start bestowing you with new information about God, this song will resonate in your mind as a reminder that just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is good.
You have been warned and your eyes will be opened, your ears will hear and you will be stood on your head before we are through.
In the book “Living with Purpose”, page 83, Dr. Miles Munroe states that we should look at the inventor and not the invention.
“Never use creation to find out who you are, because the purpose of something is only in the mind of the One who made it. That is one of the reasons why God has a tremendous problem with idol worship. How can you identify your ability by worshiping a snake…. You will never know yourself by relating to the creation, only to the creator. The key to understanding life is in the source of life not in the life itself.”
He points out that the inventor of the refrigerator had never thought that his invention could be a death trap with the old door handles. Most of the time our intentions are sound but if you think things through you might find out that something is amiss. This is certainly the case with many of our modern day theologies, philosophies and movements. They start out with the right intentions, but, somewhere along the way, a little twist here and little twist there and before you know it, presto a new message that sounds intelligent catches on but no basis of Truth.
So, we are going to look at the creators and the inventors because looking at the “how good the message is” might miss the mark. The Shriners do “good work” with the children’s hospital but this organization is rooted at the highest levels of Freemasonry, which is a Luciferin society.
Oh, but how can you say that, they do such good work. You must be a wicked man. Yes in the eyes of man I am, but that is not who I obey.
Question: If we have nine parts orange juice and one part poison: Is it still drinkable even though it is 1/10 poison? Would you drink it to prove that it is harmless? (Remember your answer.)
As I think about the resurrection of the dead and what Jesus is preparing us for, I was reminded of the many awesome messages that speak of Hope in Heaven(s). A message which Jesus never taught, He did refer to it, but it was not to be our Hope.
We have this line of thought that has infiltrated the Christian message, “On Earth as it is in Heaven” or, as I heard someone say recently, that Jesus wanted Heaven on Earth, (which I always take a double take when I hear it perverted that way). While that might be true in a certain extent; it will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, not the old dead Earth resuscitated to resemble Heaven.
While it might sound intriguing what is behind all the cute words and sayings? We need to look at some of the inventors and see if the invention is Truth or Dare.
Now many of you might say these are fighting words. My response to you would be that God loves you so much He is willing to pull the scab and let you cry with pain so the infection some will drain. God loves you so much He will hurt your feelings. God loves you so much He will turn you on your head so you can see the Truth. God loves you so much He will tear down everything you have built, so he can resurrect you in His image.
God does not resuscitate the old.
You see my God is a God of broken things. In the book “Revival Tarries”, by Leonard Ravenhill
“a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise; in fact God only uses broken things. For example Jesus took the lad’s bread and brake it: then and only then, could it feed the crowd. The alabaster box was broken: only then could its fragrance escape and fill the house-and the world. Jesus said, “This is my Body which was broken for you.”
From those examples, the Word is spread, it captures the heart, like the fragrance of a Tea Olive, in the fall, that hangs in the air… you ask, “Where is that coming from, as you search for the blooms to capture the sweet aroma?” Knowing that God created the essence of Heaven we recognize it and we search for it.
But a very prominent leader in this “On Earth as it is in Heaven” movement says,
“I will not tolerate any theology that sabotages the clear command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations and the Lord’s Prayer that earth would be like heaven.”
That one statement, which was part of the Lord’s Prayer, was a petition to God from us to Him. A people calling on our Inventor to provide for us all that we need, with a “broken and a contrite heart.” But to change the wording to fit a cause “that Earth would be like Heaven” changes the essence of the meaning.
Our Father, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy Name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread…..
We ask, He provides. Get the picture.
Additionally, we need to understand exactly what the definition of a disciple is. Oswald Chambers tells us on July 2nd.
“If the closest relationships of a disciple’s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person— our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause.”
All nations can be a people. Jesus always spoke to the person. That is our charge. Jesus and His disciples operated under the governments that ruled over them. They never tried to change the governments, only the hearts of men. Jesus, even said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” (Mathew 22:21) but as we will learn that is not the goal of this movement. However, Jesus said, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Can you see the difference?
But what is the answer to, “I will not tolerate any theology?” How is this played out when confronted with an opposing view? Is, “I will not tolerate” words we would hear from our Master? Are the words, I will not tolerate, words which requires a response?
If one does not tolerate, how does one get us (the problem) back in line? The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland said it in the recent movie, “Off with their heads,” every time people did not get in line with her opinion.
Everyone says we should keep an open mind, when a new interesting way of looking at things in the spirit is revealed. The key to this is discernment. If it is new and compelling, we might have to compromise our beliefs to swallow it. I do not know about you but when the Truth is revealed, I am awed. I usually have to keep an open mind if I am wrong, but in this regard, keeping an open mind is always about rationalizing something through a compelling argument.
When our position is challenged, we are put “on-guard”; as soon as we put forth our defense, the opposition gleefully circles the wagons and prepares to repel the attack. Taking the absence of total acceptance of their Truth as an opportunity to mount their white charger in the name of Truth and the Great Christian Way. And by the way, shame on you, you Infidel.
But, what if this time, it is the warning God is using to have the veil removed from your eyes? God sent many prophets to tell the false prophets of their folly. Will you still war against God if the creation is not rooted in the Truth? Or is the creation too fantastic or big to fail?
(9 parts OJ, 1 part poison)
One leader who has been appointed (not anointed) an apostle in this movement said,
“Any thought that doesn’t inspire hope is influenced in a lie.” Now this sounds very mind opening. On face value it is based on a feel good message, but if you peel back the words, is calling out of deception, which is not hope but a warning influenced in a lie?
Are the woe’s (Matthew 11:20-24) from Christ to the church and to the cities, He performed miracles in, because they did not repent, influenced in a lie? You can’t have it both ways. Jesus did not say I will not tolerate you. He warned them that their choice had grave consequences, still leaving them room for repentance. This is one of his strongest rebukes and yet He did not say, “I will not tolerate.
Either Jesus is all Truth or no Truth. If Jesus and the Prophets can give a woe, why can’t we. Many think that if the message sounds good, it must be good. If it sounds good and there is just a minute amount of color outside the lines, we will just ignore that because the presentation is bigger than the tiny hiccup.
Everything is possible with God, but I dare ask is everything permissible?
The other day my wife and I went to Blue Ridge and I did not find one coin. (I find coins everywhere almost daily, not if but how much) Considering the past year and the amount of money I find, that is unheard of. The only thing that was different was, I was wearing sunglasses. I had a veil over my eyes and could not discern. The next day, no glasses and wahla, I found coins again. Hmmm, great spiritual insight.
The world that we live in, is at war with God. It dares us every day to fight the fight in the coliseum of their choosing. They say if you want to live here and prosper you need a more balanced approached to the changing times. They even tell us what type of message is acceptable and they define the terms. We see it on the news, from our President and all the way down the line. We shake our heads when someone we were counting on rolled over once again, giving ground to the enemy. Painting the Truth as a lie and the lie as the truth.
Is the narrative changing to paint a worldly Christian picture we can all get behind? As Leonard Ravenhill states,
“The fault in declining is not radio or television. The whole blame for the present international degeneration and corruption lies at the door of the church! It is no longer a thorn in the side of the world.”
You must agree that even church councils or boards (similar to a business) will direct pastors to curb the message if warnings and correction seem to scare the flock AND OUT FEAR OF BEING REPLACED, THEY COWER. (see above statement)
IT IS THE “BOARDS” THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE WORLD SAYS TO OPERATE AS A NON-PROFIT AND NOT BE TAXED YOU MUST….. SO TO KEEP OUR BIG BUILDING WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO OBEY THE WORLD OR ELSE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP THE BUILDING OPEN.
Was that Christ’s message surrounding the Temple?
If I recall around the time of Jesus, the Temple was the most important thing, not what it represented. The Shekinah glory had left a long time ago. I also remember that Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed and rise up again in three days. Why then are we so consumed with a building or ministry, when God breathes life into everything He wants according to His Will?
The book, “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola, illustrates where many of our traditions are rooted from.
Everyone is trying to capture the message which will bring everyone into alignment with the filtered Word and keep the doors open. Who you associate with is just as important as to what you are associated with. To be honest, the Truth is usually the last thing people will associate with. Many cannot hide under the simple covering of Truth. Complexity and emotion has a way of hiding things in plain sight. That is why I read very little extra biblical books in the religious arts anymore. I do not want to be corrupted by erred teachings which distort Christ’s message. I know my weaknesses and deep inside, if I do not stay vigilante I will succumb to promises poised by the apple.
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Here is a quote from one of the early adopters “On Earth as it is in Heaven” Movement or the “Seven Mountain Prophesy” where it all started.
“Christians are intimidated by the mountain of culture. They created a theology that eliminated the responsibility to take territory and rather focus on saving people so when Jesus comes back, He will have a bunch of little followers and He will take over and rule the world.” This was said mockingly.
The problem he said as he continued, “was that in Heaven, Jesus is to sit at the right hand of the Father where the earth is His footstool to the throne and UNTIL He has accomplished dominion over his enemies, Jesus is not coming back.”
That is not what I read; Jesus will reign on the NEW Earth. In Heaven, the Father reigns if you read all the verses 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
Look at the Inventor!!!! Open our ears to hear what is being said.
Adding the word “until” and “dominion” and saying “from Heaven”, is the lie. The rephrasing of this has its roots in partial preterism which believes that judgment has already transpired during the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. and the spiritual Jesus is ruling over His Kingdom from His throne in Heaven. Also that God replaced the Israelites as His chosen people with the new forerunners to ensure that all of Christ’s enemies are placed at His feet. Yes, this “new church”, by influencing the seven pillars of society can accomplish this daunting task. There are so many variations of this; it is just easier to state it. We could say 8 parts OJ and 2 parts poison.
According to the forerunner, we need to become Christian movers and shakers in the world where we live. But I dare ask, by who’s instruction and guidance? This scripture is about being subject to Jesus then to the Father. Where Jesus will rule from Zion, on this Earth during the Messianic Era which has not yet occurred. Don’t take my word for it.
“If we don’t change with the times we will become irrelevant. We must move with society, use spiritual means for earthly success…… We need to bring a tabernacle to the top of each of these pillars of society…… We need to live in this realm and use the power God has given us to co-create and bring the future into the present.”
This changes everything. You don’t want to be irrelevant do you? Sign me up!! Let’s bring the future to the present because what is in front of us is too difficult to overcome on our own.
As he went on to say,
“..that the purpose of the anointing is to solve problems with power to influence not to have more intimacy with Christ.”
Now we have come full circle. To be significant in the world we need to influence the influential on their playground to be of earthly success. Forget obeying God. It sounds like they are making sure their retirement is secure.
So earthy minded no heavenly use.
Another leader in this movement said,
“This is not a doctrine but a strategy for Christian living. A way to influence culture through family, government, education, arts, media, religion and the economy.”
The original promoter said we have a responsibility to take territory in Jesus name. This teaching challenged people to drum up the courage to stand and fight because once you commit to this strategy you should be prepared for the spiritual attack that will come upon that person.
Is this the same strategy another religion uses to push loyal followers in the line of fire to promote their cause?
F.B Meyer had this to say:
“If Christ waited to be anointed before he went to preach, no young man ought to preach until he, too has been anointed by the Holy Ghost.”
It brings to mind Acts 19
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!”
14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
I just want us to be clear here that we are still discussing Hebrews 6:1-2 and we are up the resurrection of the dead. The key to everything leads us to Christ, the resurrected one, WHO IS the only one that has overcome death and it is in that promise our Hope is in.
If your hope is to latch on to this movement while you are waiting for all the good work that comes out of it: What are you waiting for? Listen to those who espouse it, it is creating a Kingdom alright but is it the Kingdom Jesus spoke of or a Kingdom they dreamed of.
21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their peculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:21-22 NASB
In my last message, I spoke about “Holy Desperation”; in today’s discussion we are discussing “Holy Assertion” and how we may have unintentionally formed “Unholy Alliances”. I want everyone to be clear about one thing.
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. Luke 11:35 NLT
According the promoter of this strategy, “this teaching comes with a design, a practical plan of application and strategy of asserting itself.”
It espouses the use of spiritual gifts for worldly purpose, a natural wisdom over God’s wisdom while saying we are following the Holy Spirit.
I hear Obi-Wan in the background saying, “Use the force Luke. Use the force.”
He went on to say that, “Intimacy with God and Holy Spirit is a retreat from something more meaningful.”
Remember a fool can sound intelligent.
Where is the Glory of God in this? Where is the intimacy our Father wants so desperately from us so we can hear him? This man has been allowed to speak in many churches over the years, leaders have adopted his ideas because they sound good. This underlining doctrine of Holy Assertion has slithered its way into many bookstores under many different disguises. I question the judgment of those prominent leaders who endorsed this in their churches and welcome it in making it a part of their mission statement. This again is about partial-preterism and Replacement Theology in the end Believing they are God’s Chosen people who will lead us to the Promise Land since the Jews wouldn’t take the mantle God gave them.
The evangelists today are very often prepared to be anything to anybody as long as they can get somebody to the altar for something. They glibly call out: “who wants help? Who wants more Power? Who wants a closer walk with God?” Such a sinning, repenting, “easy believe-ism” dishonors the blood and prostitutes the altars. We must alter the altar, for the alter is a place to die on. Let those who will not pay this price leave it alone!” From “Revival Tarries” by Leonard Ravenhill.
But wait, there is more. There is another movement that is an off shoot of this, but has a more controlled approach. Yes a group of self-appointed leaders many of our local church leaders look to for insight above the Word and council of Holy Spirit, because they are the newly appointed apostles of our time. (Remember my last writing about being ordained by the Holy Spirit and not man.) Most of these leaders have been influenced by the Seven Mountain Prophecy founders. But now they use their powers of Holy Assertion, they have status. A group of leaders each having their own ministries but fall under another ministry where they converge together and discuss how they will lead the church with this strategy to influence the influential and influence the non-influential.
The New Apostolic Reformation, was a movement created in the mid-seventies that is the cornerstone of some of the most popular churches today and is influencing many of us. It is a way to lead the church to their promise of a new day; a movement which asserts that God is restoring the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of prophet and apostle. Leading figures in this movement claims that these prophets and apostles alone have the power and authority to execute God’s plans and purposes on earth.
What’s wrong with that, Mr. Roland, it sounds intelligent? My answer always let’s look at the creator not the creation.
As I have heard before, “I AM TIRED OF CLEVER MEN, A simple gospel believed, Works!!!”
But what about Jesus’ most notable teaching, Sermon on the Mount as Oswald Chambers sees it.
Beware of placing Our Lord as a Teacher first. If Jesus Christ is a Teacher only, then all He can do is to tantalise me by erecting a standard I cannot attain. What is the use of presenting me with an ideal I cannot possibly come near? I am happier without knowing it. What is the good of telling me to be what I never can be — to be pure in heart, to do more than my duty, to be perfectly devoted to God? I must know Jesus Christ as Saviour before His teaching has any meaning for me other than that of an ideal which leads to despair. But when I am born again of the Spirit of God, I know that Jesus Christ did not come to teach only: He came to make me what He teaches I should be. The Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into any man the disposition that ruled His own life, and all the standards God gives are based on that disposition.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount produces despair in the natural man — the very thing Jesus means it to do. As long as we have a self-righteous, conceited notion that we can carry out Our Lord’s teaching, God will allow us to go on until we break our ignorance over some obstacle, then we are willing to come to Him as paupers and receive from Him. “Blessed are the paupers in spirit,” that is the first principle in the Kingdom of God. The bedrock in Jesus Christ’s kingdom is poverty, not possession; not decisions for Jesus Christ, but a sense of absolute futility — “I cannot begin to do it.” Then Jesus says — “Blessed are you.” That is the entrance, and it does take us a long while to believe we are poor! The knowledge of our own poverty brings us to the moral frontier where Jesus Christ works.
If in fact the starting point of a Disciple is “I can’t but You can” any claim that starts with “I”, pushes aside anything Jesus has for you. How can we listen to the Holy Spirit if we are not Poor in Spirit??
One of these leaders has this to say,
“I am opposed to any doctrinal position that pushes the promises of God into a time zone that can’t be obtained in my generation and therefore takes away any responsibility I have to believe God for them in my lifetime.”
When I hear these words in this context, I hear a belief that we have the power to speed up God’s time table, so they will see it in their lifetime. See what? Jesus, they say, is waiting for the church to be without blemish or wrinkle before His return. That clearly puts the onus on us to get things right.
This seems to be a doctrinal position that pushes the promises of God into a time zone of their choosing or control. (What is different is that a Dominion mindset is starting to creep into the picture.)
o Matthew 24:36-40 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
Here are the promises of God, are there other promises he is referring to?
- God has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Philippians s 4:19.
- God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2.
- God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13.
- God has promised us victory over death. He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, ESV For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
- God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38).
- God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27,28).
Now our ministry is named Enlarging Territories, based on the prayer of Jabez, where we ask God to enlarge our territory and keep us free from pain. We don’t take, we ask for it and wait on His Providence. Our goal under the guidance of God is to enlarge His territory through the hearts of men.
Hey you can throw me out but, if spiritual gifts are inevitably used for gain, to move Christ’s church forward as a cultural cause similar to the crusades; that is not His call we are embarking on, it is sorcery.
The world wants us to move towards it. Never will they move to us. With this strategy we are pushed into the ring to dance with the devil. Never mind talking about Christ’s real message, we let the work of the church and influence the influential do the job. It feels as though the need here is to treat the symptom and hope through good works that the culture will change. It is the heart of the matter that counts.
Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world, then why are these guys so set on transforming the world first instead of transforming people. There is a distinction and we will move to a form of legalism. I will put on my bullet-proof vest now but the radical Muslim wants to change culture as well. Jesus sent his disciples out with nothing and said God would provide. Why then do these Ministries need so much capital to operate? If it is God’s will, he will pay for it; if it is our will, we will pay for it.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
I promise you we will affect more people if we talk to them instead of asking them to show up and hope they will be entertained or wowed enough to stay.
Legacy or destiny: that is the question we have to consider for God’s sake if nation building is the same as making disciples of all nations. To me a disciple is devoted to the one he follows.
Another Prophet stated, “I will not accept an eschatology that takes away my children’s future, and creates mindsets that undermine the mentality of leaving a legacy.”
This Prophet also had a teaching on Esther and the video teaser said, “We will learn how to walk as royalty so that we may influence the influential.
I am reminded of an Indiana Jones movie; near the end they were searching for the Holy Grail. The bad dude had to choose one of the many chalices on display. He picked the one that had jewels on it and said, “Yes this is a cup for a god,” drank from it and died. The correct one was just a plain clay cup.
These types of statements lean towards Dominionism and place the burden on us for Christ’s return, so the church can be built prior to Christ’s return through a legacy of works. Since when did God want us rubbing elbows and giving a wink and a nod, while preaching his Word?
Why does revival tarry? The answer is simple enough- because evangelism is so highly commercialized….. The tithes of widows and of the poor are spent in luxury-living by many evangelists……The poor dupes who give “think they do God service,” while all they are doing is keeping a big reputationed, small hearted preacher living in Hollywood style. Why Revival Tarries.
And when they are visiting another church a yes-man is posted outside his door at night to fetch an ice cream cone or latte if the need should arise at two in the morning. You may laugh but many know this is the truth of the matter when we elevate man above the podium.. But has this man or movement preached a Gospel rooted in Truth? Or have a they preached a Gospel that soothes the ears of many including the evil one.
Look no further that Ezekiel 37, but who can say today, “I prophesied as I was commanded, and they L-I-V-E-D”?
We boys can get crowds. Our slick advertising, artistry, and strutting-our radio, music, build up and what have you- see to that. Why brethren, we don’t even know whether or not He has commanded to enter the ministry. Have we a pain in our hearts for perishing men?” Why Revival Tarries
A fool can sound intelligent and my God broke bread to increase.
- 1 John 2:15-16 15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
- Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
- My Hope is in Jesus and what he wants for me to do on Earth. If I am working on a legacy my focus is misplaced.
- Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
- Jesus says our treasure is in Heaven. If you want to build a legacy on Earth, who are you trying to impress. The tower of Babel comes to mind.
- Gen 11:4-8. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.
- The only legacy that I should be worried about is the one that is written in the book of Life.
Do you believe that God the Father performs the orchestration through the obedience of his true disciples the Sons of God?
If you want the power of the Lord, I ask that you turn again to Ezekiel 37 and wait on the Lord. However, we are told by this movement, there is no time to waste, get to work.
“Not so Ezekiel. Listen to this; “I prophesied as I was commanded” (there is the crux of the matter-he was a fool for God); “O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” Madness? Yes, insanity-of virgin purity…… To save our faces, we of course modify God’s command, and so lose our faces. But Ezekiel obeyed; and God, as always, operated “there was a great noise. Well that should suit us. But Ezekiel did not mistake commotion for creation, nor action for unction, nor rattle for revival. Why Revival Tarries.
Then last but not least, if you think you have to bring the church to the point of glory before Christ will show up, what about Israel? Yes I hear them speak of Israel. Not as God’s chosen, but the lost sheep who need us to shepherd them, since they are no longer under God’s grace and we are the new Israel. Replacement Theology slithers its way through all of this as well a Partial Preterism, which states we are in the millennial reign of a spiritual Jesus who has already performed the first judgment against Israel in 70 A.D., which I already discussed. You have to listen closely and see who is brought in to speak at some of the churches but if you look and listen carefully you will see. Don’t look at the creation but at the Creator.
So while many of you are laughing at that statement; if you are not aware of it and you allow teachings that support it to infiltrate your mind, without a focus on Holy Spirit and understand what the Bible truly says, from a Hebrew perspective, you have been modernized, and not traditionalized. Why do you think there is such a push to understand the Torah as Jesus and the disciples walked it out?
These are big topics, but if you want to be true to God and face Him with a pure heart, put aside your bias and stop saying it can’t be; read, investigate and confer with the Holy Spirit. There is mixture in the books and the people we listen to are supposedly “highly regarded.”
Now if they are trying to influence the influential, in the seven pillars of society, it would only be a logical conclusion that books, media, music and teachings would promote this. I have noticed every time I bring this up and the leaders associated with the movement, this immediate response is, “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF THESE WONDERFUL MEN OF GOOOOOODDDDD!!!! How dare you criticize any other ministry. That is against the rules!!!
But remember the central theme is their message and those who are not connected will be downplayed as insignificant. Some teach subtle anti-Semitic theme since they believe God broke His covenant with the Jews. If we are truly focused on the seven pillars, we push the wrong agenda in government policy concerning Israel and curse Israel and not bless it, we know what God said about that!!
While some run from one teaching, to another one, waiting with Holy Anticipation for the next word from these men I say.
Don’t look at the creation but the Creator, see who or what is behind the curtain. Many of the religious cults, movements look great on the outside and many of the fringe ones are easily spotted like glaring forms of witchcraft and sorcery, but there is deception in the church and it is gaining ground with many of our closest friends.
When Jesus returns He will establish His Kingdom. We must prepare the way of the Lord. Yes, He is coming and we need to spread the Word not build the Word.
My Buddy Oswald struck again on July 2nd.
“The only One who truly loves the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who has “poured out in our hearts” the very “love of God” (Romans 5:5). Whenever the Holy Spirit sees an opportunity to glorify Jesus through you, He will take your entire being and set you ablaze with glowing devotion to Jesus Christ.”
The Christian life is a life characterized by true and spontaneous creativity. Consequently, a disciple is subject to the same charge that was leveled against Jesus Christ, namely, the charge of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent in His relationship to God, and a Christian must be consistent in his relationship to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to strict, unyielding doctrines. People pour themselves into their own doctrines, and God has to blast them out of their preconceived ideas before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ.”
If you believe what I just quoted, how can we partake in a strategy that seeks to conquer the seven pillars of society, using spiritual gifts. We end up working for God AND NOT LIVING for God. Remember, Pharaoh’s magicians had spiritual gifts bestowed upon them.
If I am to be part of the cup of iniquity and my part to establish God’s promise, so be it. If one day, as a member of the cloud of witnesses I am calling out to God asking, “is it time yet”, I will rest knowing that I stood firm for Christ and not for a man.
BUT if we listen to everything that these movements espouse, “living a life of significance is important before you go to Heaven”…. So, if you are not significant, these leading pastors can now equip you because Holy Spirit needs help making sure you get the message. It is worth noting in my opinion this feels like prostituting a gift from God in marketplace.
Who sets the definition of significant, man or God? I hear Bill Clinton stating, “Depends on what the meaning of the word “is” is.”
Even a fool can sound intelligent.
If you want a legacy, go forth and build it so they will come, play in the devil’s playground and waste your time playing King of the Mountain. But as I have learned over the past month, I have to be intentional to go up to strangers and tell them it is their lucky day because I am going to pray over them. Sowing a seed for Holy Spirit to germinate, is much different than paying for services at a popular church being lead around from one new line of thought to another.
Do not base your identity on the teaching of these men. They will give you a strategy for living a SUCCESSFUL Supernatural Christian life on Earth you can be proud of. Oh the good works you will do.
Peel back the layers and look behind the curtain and find out what is the motivation for good works. As I said in my last teaching.
The sorcerer Simon who was baptized in the Name of Jesus, HAD A LOVE FOR JESUS, once he saw the gifts after the impartation of Holy Spirit he wanted that too and wanted to pay for that power.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:18-24
But look to Holy Spirit to place us on the path Jesus gave us. Jesus said the Counselor would be greater than He and when Holy Spirit showed up, the Disciples were never the same. Why would you think an organization of self-appointed apostles would be a better alternative than the Trinity?
Remember the six essential principles of Christian maturity outlined in Hebrews.
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2. of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. Hebrews 6: 1-2 NASB
I cannot let go of the term influence the influential, the same principle the Masons use to get their way in society. Do you hear what I am saying? A Christian movement not based on these foundational principles will have Paul throwing a conniption fit in his heavenly roost.
Once Satan has us playing King of the Mountain some believe they are a few feet closer to God while others a few steps farther away. To Satan everyone is pole vaulting over mouse droppings and he is laughing because a lost soul remains lost, while they battle over the seven pillars of society that Jesus will ultimately destroy.
SO, I ask again “9 parts orange juice 1 part poison”. If we are talking about God and we hear 9 parts truth and 1 part heresy, are you able to hang around and keep it separated. Will you try and separate the poison out to drink the good part or throw it all away. In an effort to be inclusive, do you ignore that fallacy?
If you say you can separate this out, take what you like and leave the rest: Why won’t we attempt to separate the poison out from the orange juice but risk it with what is placed in our spirit. I say it is harder to separate the spirit than the juice. In Heaven everything is pure, this we all agree. We need to work to keep our altars pure for the sacrifice to count on Earth as it is Heaven.
Jesus is in the resurrection business, He does not have to build His Kingdom, He needs only to establish it. While these movements might be honorable in some sense they are certainly misguided in many others. I am thankful I never got on the bus for any of them. Yes, I put my toe in the water, but my relationship with the Father alerted me to the façade.
Faith rests in Jesus, the resurrected Christ. If you truly have an open mind and love the Father you will investigate to ensure, your love is pure.
God Loves you, I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.
Appendix
7M-The Satanic Strategy
Seven Mountain Strategy Laid Out by Founder
Dominion Theology-The beliefs held by these leaders think that it is the duty of Christians to create a worldwide kingdom patterned after the Mosaic Law. They further believe that Christ will not return to earth until such a kingdom has been established.
http://www.gotquestions.org/dominion-theology.html
Replacement Theology-Replacement theology teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. Proponents of replacement theology believe the Jewish people are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel.
http://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html
New Apostolic Reformation(NAR)– is a movement which asserts that God is restoring the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of prophet and apostle. Leading figures in this movement claim that these prophets and apostles alone have the power and authority to execute God’s plans and purposes on earth. They believe they are laying the foundation for a global church, governed by them. They place a greater emphasis on dreams, visions and extra-biblical revelation than they do on the Bible, claiming that their revealed teachings and reported experiences cannot be proven by the ‘old’ Scripture.
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/794-new-apostolic-reformation-2
http://standupforthetruth.com/2011/11/nar-is-another-name-for-dominionism/
New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) – Berean Research
Enlarging Territories Ministry 