Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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Byron Searle 03/17/2019 ABSOLUTE BLACK Amos 5:20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? My son, DARKNESS is soon coming upon this nation and THICK DARKNESS upon the hearts of those who reject Me! This DARKNESS is not only spiritual, but also physical as it will envelop the entire nation and world! Men's eyes will strain to find light - even a match will seem like a spotlight! ABSOLUTE BLACK is what is said when you enter a cave and turn off all the lights. Your eyes strain to see even the smallest amount of light. (At this point, the Lord brought back to my memory, a scene from 1976 when my wife and I were stationed at Rickenbacher AFB in Columbus, Ohio. We went on tour of the Olentangy Indian Caverns. They are underground caverns, passages, and rooms on 3 levels that go from a depth of 55 to 105 feet down. During the tour when everyone was pretty far down inside, they announced that the lights would be going out. When the lights went out, it was complete and total darkness, pitch black. You could not see anything at all! This was what the Lord showed me it would be like during this time.) This is the way the DARKNESS will be upon the Earth, because this is the way of man's heart! This was the way it was during Noah's time - men's hearts had evil in them all the time!! My son, I say this DARKNESS will last three days. Any longer, and men's minds would snap, and all would go insane. This will be as it is in hell, in the OUTER DARKNESS where men will gnash their teeth!! This DARKNESS will also be the time when a bottomless pit will open, and hordes of demons will flood the Earth! GROSS THICK DARKNESS - ABSOLUTE BLACK!!! My son, for My Remnant and Bride - I will illuminate you during this time, so after the DAYS OF DARKNESS pass, you will shine as beacons, reflecting My Glory and Light!! I AM the Light of the World, and ALL men will be drawn to Me! Many will turn away when My light exposes their sin, but some will allow My light to erase the DARKNESS OF SIN!! My son, I AM coming soon to gather My Remnant, and it will be during the TOTAL BLACKOUT - ABSOLUTE BLACK, NO LIGHT!! That is when I will come and transform My Remnant! This DARKNESS is very near! My Word says, I inhabit the DARKNESS, THE THICK DARKNESS (I Kings 8:12), and I will very soon claim My own! I love you, My Children, My Remnant, and My Bride! I AM coming very soon! Keep your eyes on Israel - that is the clue!! Netanyahu will be re-elected, for I have chosen him to lead Israel in the final days, just as I have chosen Trump to bring judgment on America! ALL IS AS IT IS TO BE, ACCORDING TO MY WORD!! NOTHING CAN CHANGE WHAT IS ABOUT TO COME!! BE READY AT ALL TIMES!!! Amen. Messiah Jesus
Matthew 5:1-20 -- Ten verses that will shine in the darkest night
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2 and he began to teach them.
I have been teaching high school science for a number of years and I have learned to teach the most important and most critical things first. These are the things that if we run out of time will not get cut from the curriculum. So when things get serious and you feel the pressure instead of going to the last book of the Bible, it's a good idea to go back to the beginning. Not only are these critical lessons but they are also presented without any presumption that you have a solid foundation. When you read chapter 1 of Revelation it is as though every single verse is referencing some portion of the Bible.
He said:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What a great word. Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to have the kingdom of the heavens? Do you want a kingdom of righteousness, do you want to see God, do you want to be called the children of God? How should you respond if people slander and insult you?
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
How does salt lose its saltiness? Why would someone put a light under a bowl? This is not the right way to respond to persecution. If people falsely say all kinds of evil against you is your response to hide your light? Do you wash away the salt from your speech? Do you stop showing mercy? Do you stop making peace?
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The apostasy refers to the people of God falling away from the word of God and from His commands. It refers to a time when people will set aside the commands of the Lord and teach others accordingly. The rapture cannot come until there is a falling away first, this is so that there is a clear distinction between the faithful servants and the unfaithful ones. Thyatira is where Satan has set his throne, it is a big temple that claims to speak for God. They tolerate the woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess and teaches the Lord’s servants to worship idols and commit fornication. The Lord calls it the “synagogue of Satan”. When you set aside the commands of God and teach others also you are one with God’s enemy. However, when the rapture comes and the Lord takes the church in Philadelphia those who are in the synagogue of Satan will come and worship at their feet confessing that God was truly in their midst. There is a contrast between Philadelphia, the meek ones and Thyatira the overbearing ones. A contrast between those who are poor in Spirit, knowing only what the Lord tells them and those who know better than God and know which laws to keep and which they can set aside. There is a contrast between those who are mourning, having suffered in this lifetime, and those who lived in luxury during this age. How can your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees? You need to show mercy. As you have done it will be done to you. You judged others with mercy, you also will receive mercy at the judgement. How can we see God? Your heart must be single, no worshipping of idols, no mixture with the world. Then when they insult you and say every evil thing about you falsely you can give thanks and praise to the Lord that you have been found worthy to suffer for His name in this age. You know that your reward will be great in that day when the Lord comes.
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2 and he began to teach them.
I have been teaching high school science for a number of years and I have learned to teach the most important and most critical things first. These are the things that if we run out of time will not get cut from the curriculum. So when things get serious and you feel the pressure instead of going to the last book of the Bible, it's a good idea to go back to the beginning. Not only are these critical lessons but they are also presented without any presumption that you have a solid foundation. When you read chapter 1 of Revelation it is as though every single verse is referencing some portion of the Bible.
He said:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What a great word. Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to have the kingdom of the heavens? Do you want a kingdom of righteousness, do you want to see God, do you want to be called the children of God? How should you respond if people slander and insult you?
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
How does salt lose its saltiness? Why would someone put a light under a bowl? This is not the right way to respond to persecution. If people falsely say all kinds of evil against you is your response to hide your light? Do you wash away the salt from your speech? Do you stop showing mercy? Do you stop making peace?
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The apostasy refers to the people of God falling away from the word of God and from His commands. It refers to a time when people will set aside the commands of the Lord and teach others accordingly. The rapture cannot come until there is a falling away first, this is so that there is a clear distinction between the faithful servants and the unfaithful ones. Thyatira is where Satan has set his throne, it is a big temple that claims to speak for God. They tolerate the woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess and teaches the Lord’s servants to worship idols and commit fornication. The Lord calls it the “synagogue of Satan”. When you set aside the commands of God and teach others also you are one with God’s enemy. However, when the rapture comes and the Lord takes the church in Philadelphia those who are in the synagogue of Satan will come and worship at their feet confessing that God was truly in their midst. There is a contrast between Philadelphia, the meek ones and Thyatira the overbearing ones. A contrast between those who are poor in Spirit, knowing only what the Lord tells them and those who know better than God and know which laws to keep and which they can set aside. There is a contrast between those who are mourning, having suffered in this lifetime, and those who lived in luxury during this age. How can your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees? You need to show mercy. As you have done it will be done to you. You judged others with mercy, you also will receive mercy at the judgement. How can we see God? Your heart must be single, no worshipping of idols, no mixture with the world. Then when they insult you and say every evil thing about you falsely you can give thanks and praise to the Lord that you have been found worthy to suffer for His name in this age. You know that your reward will be great in that day when the Lord comes.
Now compare Matthew 5:1-20 with Luke 6:21-23 and Mark.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
There is a progression here. You hunger for righteousness, you weep for what you see, ultimately they hate you. This is like rooting for the guy who campaigned on the promise to drain the swamp, weeping when you see the election fraud by going to the Stop the Steal rallies, and then seeing their hate focused on the January 6th protestors. Now we see them separating from us, imposing a covid mandate with the requirement of a vaccine passport and then accusing you of being a racist, mysogynist, nazi. They do this for the Son of Man's sake. A pastor was arrested for speaking the word of God saying that he "aided mischief."
Meanwhile there is nothing in Mark. I don't think the saints in the Tribulation will even get the chance at these protests. We'll see revival, people saved by the boatload, but no political protests.
While in Matthew it starts with being poor in spirit. In order for the Jews to look on Him whom they have pierced they will have to empty themselves of everything they know and think they know. They need to mourn, they crucified the Lord two thousand years ago and as a result have gone through all this heartache. Then they need to be meek, those are the only ones who would survive through the pogroms and holocaust. Only then can they hunger and thirst for righteousness. They cannot even weep for what they see unless they are first pure in heart. And if they want to laugh and have joy again they will need to become peacemakers.
This is like a woodworkers shop. Some items that you make do not require much in the way of finish, others need to be sanded down with some tung oil, and still others require many layers of lacquer for the most precious pieces.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
There is a progression here. You hunger for righteousness, you weep for what you see, ultimately they hate you. This is like rooting for the guy who campaigned on the promise to drain the swamp, weeping when you see the election fraud by going to the Stop the Steal rallies, and then seeing their hate focused on the January 6th protestors. Now we see them separating from us, imposing a covid mandate with the requirement of a vaccine passport and then accusing you of being a racist, mysogynist, nazi. They do this for the Son of Man's sake. A pastor was arrested for speaking the word of God saying that he "aided mischief."
Meanwhile there is nothing in Mark. I don't think the saints in the Tribulation will even get the chance at these protests. We'll see revival, people saved by the boatload, but no political protests.
While in Matthew it starts with being poor in spirit. In order for the Jews to look on Him whom they have pierced they will have to empty themselves of everything they know and think they know. They need to mourn, they crucified the Lord two thousand years ago and as a result have gone through all this heartache. Then they need to be meek, those are the only ones who would survive through the pogroms and holocaust. Only then can they hunger and thirst for righteousness. They cannot even weep for what they see unless they are first pure in heart. And if they want to laugh and have joy again they will need to become peacemakers.
This is like a woodworkers shop. Some items that you make do not require much in the way of finish, others need to be sanded down with some tung oil, and still others require many layers of lacquer for the most precious pieces.
Behind the Scenes in Ukraine 02/22/2023
https://rumble.com/v2agc7i-behind-the-scenes-in-ukraine-02222023.html
https://rumble.com/v2agc7i-behind-the-scenes-in-ukraine-02222023.html
Protection
Dear Heavenly Father:We ask you to forgive our sins and the sins of our family.
We put on our full armor of God, the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, loins of the truth and the feet of the gospel. We pick up the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.
We ask you to place your ministering, protecting, and guardian angels all around us, our family, our finances, our possessions so that no harm or evil would befall us.
We plead the blood of Jesus over our body, soul, spirit, mind, subconscious, subliminal areas and all communications coming to, from, around and concerning us.
We ask you to lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil and doing evil, keep your hand upon us, enlarge our coasts and ministries and bless us indeed.
Help us to walk in your agape love, joy and peace; long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
Let us hear your VOICE, be clothed in your humility. Give us wisdom and help us make 100% correct decisions today.
We cast off all attacks spiritual and non-spiritual, legal and non-legal.
We cast off spirits of scorpion, Jezebel, infirmity, strife, anger, bad reputation/credit for us.
In the Name of Jesus, I cast off all attacks from all evil, including all authorities. I ask that you place your ministering, protecting and guardian angels around the watchmen and all those standing for you in truth and grace in this evil age.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Scriptural Declarations!
We plead together: and declare that we are justified by Your Word and Blood. (Isaiah 43:26)No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against us in judgment we condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
We “shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” (Psalms 118:17)
Daily Prayer For Pres. Trump:
Lord,Put your ministering, protecting and guardian angels around President Trump and protect him his family, staff, presidency and kingship from all harm and evil.
Give him 4 more years.
Help him kick out the serpents and scorpions!
Expose all tricks, traps, traitors, impeachment, and assassination attempts and stop them.
HELP PRES. TRUMP BRING JUSTICE AND CLEAN OUR LAND!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen
MOLOCH AND BAAL WORSHIPPERS.
Lord,
I send out the ministering, protecting, guardian angels to destroy evil in principalities, powers and rulers of darkness and evil in high places!
I specifically send out the angel/s of Revelation 9:1 and 20:1 who have the key of the bottomless pit to the [DUMBS] deep underground military bases the Moloch and Baal worshippers who torture, kill, eat and drink the blood of humans in sacrifice to their god! I pray you destroy their hiding places even those deep in the earth especially their high technology used for evil purposes. Cause their empire of murder, evil sex, molesting children, sex trafficking of humans, distributing drugs and stealing money around the world to be found, arrested, indicted and swift hard justice to be served this year!
I pray you help righteousness to find and serve justice beginning in your house and extending to the top of the pyramid of evil. Help America to “turn from our wicked ways” so you can heal our land.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Dear Heavenly Father,
We ask you to expose and stop the blackmail, threats and bribery used around the world but specifically in the United States government. You promised that the hidden and secret things would be revealed and made public, we pray that all these things of blackmail would be made public, pulling the rug out from under those who are blackmailing the world rulers into a nuclear war of destruction.
I ask you to stop the use of evil technology against your Church and good people trying to remove the evil.
Stop the works of Lucifer's seven demonic “generals” whose names are Moloch, Ba’al, Ashtoreth, Samael, Abbadon, Azazael and Thoth.
Stop the giants, Nephillim and the mutants.
Concerning those arrested over the January 6 Capital building. Free those in YOUR eyes who are innocent. Bring justice and no more to those arrested. Cause their captors to treat them as they would want to be treated.
Remove Moloch/Baal from our White House, Supreme Court and Congress.
STOP THE MASS SHOOTINGS!
STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES!
STOP CERN! Do not let it open any portals allowing evil on our planet.
Help Christians get prepared for the hard times coming!
We ask you:
- Clean and purify our nation!
- Heal our nation, hear from heaven and forgive America's sins!
- DON'T LET AMERICA HARM OR SPLIT ISRAEL!!!
- Clean our land free of Baal and Moloch worshipers abusing children
- Don't allow the suitcase nukes be detonated in America. Cause them to be found dismantled and justice brought to those behind them.
- Don't let the second snake bite come.
- Kill the corona virus known as COVID-19 and bring justice to those who created and released it.
- Don't let another another virus mutate or be released.
- Don't let America fall anytime soon!
- Stop the mass shootings across America.
- Stop Iran and other countries from selling oil in another currency crashing the dollar.
- Stop the headline this year reading, “Omer Ushers in Palestinian State”
- Give President Trump 4 more years and America 40 more years!
- Stop the Meteor from causing an American Tsunami
- Delay America's Internal Revolution
We ask you:
Do NOT allow Biden to split Israel giving the Palestinians a State
Do NOT allow America to be split from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico
Do NOT allow the Russian Bear to continue to rampage getting three ribs in the mouth of it
Do NOT allow the internet to become totally controlled by evil
Thank you for helping reduce the illegal traffic at our southern border
Put Donald Trump and the good people back in charge of our nation
…send your angels to battle evil in high financial places and finally force them to release the soul-winning funds to your Kingdom
Don’t allow:
…deliberate food, water and other shortages
…America’s waters to be poisoned
…America or our allies to be hit by N. Korea or Iran.
…your Church to be deceived by a great revealing of demons portraying themselves as “Aliens from another planet here to help mankind” lying to bring in the Antichrist and False Prophet.
Please:
…CONTINUE to delay the Season of Sorrow on America
…Bring in the great revival with miracles and millions of souls won to Jesus.
…Show us who the Antichrist and False Prophet are as early as you will.
…Tell us when the internal revolution spoke to Dumitru Duduman will start
…Tell those in danger areas like suitcase nukes, tsunamis or earthquakes when and where to move to safety
CAUSE A SOFTENING OR DELAY OF:
...Russia defeating America
...Meteor causing an American Tsunami, splitting America and parts falling into the ocean
...Protesters Burning Cities
...America being disarmed
...Dumitru’s Internal Revolution Starting
…cause America to bless Israel at every opportunity
In Jesus’ Name. Amen
However, there is one constant in all three gospels:
34 Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
It doesn't matter if you are before the tribulation, during the tribulation or even in the great tribulation, you better not lose the salt in your speech.
34 Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
It doesn't matter if you are before the tribulation, during the tribulation or even in the great tribulation, you better not lose the salt in your speech.
Words of Salt
Discerning wolves (part 1)
Isaiah 13:22 And wolves shall cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
Wolves live in castles. A castle is a fortified mansion. It is extremely rare to find a person working as a maid or custodian that is a wolf or jackal. Often it is the person handling the money like Judas, it is the pastor with the gold chain, luxury car and living in a million dollar house. One brother shared that the Lord gives us a raise, not to raise our standard of living but rather our standard of giving. I would avoid all pastors who are ostentatious with a show of wealth.
Ezekiel 22:23 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.
Note this word "conspiracy". They will tell you that this is a tin foil hat conspiracy theory, but the Bible is the truth. We have seen the number of single parent mothers increase in the US, that was the plan. All these people in jail for drugs or gang violence, that was the plan. They devour souls and they make her widows many. This may seem confusing, how does this help them take treasure and precious things. The result of many single mothers and many people in prison is to raise taxes. The rich and elites can avoid paying any of these taxes. Meanwhile the poor and poorly educated work at minimum wage rather than competing with these companies to run their own businesses. "Her prophets" refer to all the talking heads on TV that keep the Americans mesmerized and asleep.
26 Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
This is the nature of the apostasy. If all are holy then there is no distinction between holy and common. If all are clean then there is no distinction between clean and unclean. These church services are set up to not interfere with people watching football, or basketball or baseball games. This is to hide your eyes from the Lord's sabbaths. The sabbath is a day where all the believers can gather together as a family, where the fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers can spend time each week with younger ones.
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
In this environment you will get "princes" who are like wolves. These young 20 or 30 year olds, energetic, vibrant, seem to bring a whole new generation to the Lord. However, if you pay attention they are dishonest. That should set off alarm bells. You will also discover that those under their ministry get destroyed. Generally you will see young women getting destroyed, but don't assume they are always heterosexual. They prey on those who have no credibility, so if they try to say anything they will be the ones vilified, not the wolf. They also shed blood. Anyone threatening to expose them or bring them down will be attacked viciously the same way a pack of wolves will attack a prey animal.
28 And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.
These are the false prophets. This is what all these ones accusing people of being a false prophet don't understand. These false prophets are working for the wolves. If you think someone is a false prophet they will always have an angle where they are trying to make merchandise of you and build up some ministry. Maybe they are selling books, maybe they are trying to pump up someone's ministry, maybe they are trying to create a viral youtube station.
29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought upon their heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Discerning wolves (part 1)
Isaiah 13:22 And wolves shall cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
Wolves live in castles. A castle is a fortified mansion. It is extremely rare to find a person working as a maid or custodian that is a wolf or jackal. Often it is the person handling the money like Judas, it is the pastor with the gold chain, luxury car and living in a million dollar house. One brother shared that the Lord gives us a raise, not to raise our standard of living but rather our standard of giving. I would avoid all pastors who are ostentatious with a show of wealth.
Ezekiel 22:23 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.
Note this word "conspiracy". They will tell you that this is a tin foil hat conspiracy theory, but the Bible is the truth. We have seen the number of single parent mothers increase in the US, that was the plan. All these people in jail for drugs or gang violence, that was the plan. They devour souls and they make her widows many. This may seem confusing, how does this help them take treasure and precious things. The result of many single mothers and many people in prison is to raise taxes. The rich and elites can avoid paying any of these taxes. Meanwhile the poor and poorly educated work at minimum wage rather than competing with these companies to run their own businesses. "Her prophets" refer to all the talking heads on TV that keep the Americans mesmerized and asleep.
26 Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
This is the nature of the apostasy. If all are holy then there is no distinction between holy and common. If all are clean then there is no distinction between clean and unclean. These church services are set up to not interfere with people watching football, or basketball or baseball games. This is to hide your eyes from the Lord's sabbaths. The sabbath is a day where all the believers can gather together as a family, where the fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers can spend time each week with younger ones.
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
In this environment you will get "princes" who are like wolves. These young 20 or 30 year olds, energetic, vibrant, seem to bring a whole new generation to the Lord. However, if you pay attention they are dishonest. That should set off alarm bells. You will also discover that those under their ministry get destroyed. Generally you will see young women getting destroyed, but don't assume they are always heterosexual. They prey on those who have no credibility, so if they try to say anything they will be the ones vilified, not the wolf. They also shed blood. Anyone threatening to expose them or bring them down will be attacked viciously the same way a pack of wolves will attack a prey animal.
28 And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.
These are the false prophets. This is what all these ones accusing people of being a false prophet don't understand. These false prophets are working for the wolves. If you think someone is a false prophet they will always have an angle where they are trying to make merchandise of you and build up some ministry. Maybe they are selling books, maybe they are trying to pump up someone's ministry, maybe they are trying to create a viral youtube station.
29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought upon their heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Words of Salt
Discerning wolves (part 2)
Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city!
Babylon is the oppressing city. It is a city filled with idolatry, polluted like Sodom and Gomorrah, and a city that epitomizes rebellion against God.
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God.
Babylon is likened to a prostitute, a harlot. She was warned and she rejected that warning. This is the case in the US, this is the case in the apostate church, this is the case with the Vatican.
3 Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.
What happened to Afghanistan? Nothing was left till the morrow. How did we sent over $100 billion to Ukraine while we couldn't afford to help East Palestine, Ohio with so much as giving them bottled water? This is because nothing was left till the morrow. This is actually a strategy of our political parties. If they anticipate losing control of the government in the next election they try to spend all the money now so that nothing will be left for the new administration, making them look incompetent.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons;
Look at these people who have lost their jobs at CNN, people like Don Lemon. They are lightweights, quite foolish actually, but they are also very treacherous. Willing to say or do anything.
her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
When you look at the US government people like Fauci would be considered the "high priest". The CDC, the EPA, these are your levitical priesthood. The teachers union would be viewed as priests.
5 Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Every morning you can see justice being brought to light on Bannon's war room pandemic, but people like Biden knows no shame. He stood in front of the entire country during the debate telling us that Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian disinformation when he knew it was a total lie. Swalwell slept with a Chinese spy and yet Pelosi left him on the intelligence committee. Schiff is having a fit now that the 40,000 hours of video from January 6th has been made available to Tucker Carlson to review. We can see many, many examples of them knowing no shame. They nominated and approved a woman to the Supreme court of the US who was unable to define what a woman is because she is not a biologist and yet she identified herself as a woman and said she would be an asset to the Supreme court when ruling on issues affecting women.
Discerning wolves (part 2)
Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city!
Babylon is the oppressing city. It is a city filled with idolatry, polluted like Sodom and Gomorrah, and a city that epitomizes rebellion against God.
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God.
Babylon is likened to a prostitute, a harlot. She was warned and she rejected that warning. This is the case in the US, this is the case in the apostate church, this is the case with the Vatican.
3 Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.
What happened to Afghanistan? Nothing was left till the morrow. How did we sent over $100 billion to Ukraine while we couldn't afford to help East Palestine, Ohio with so much as giving them bottled water? This is because nothing was left till the morrow. This is actually a strategy of our political parties. If they anticipate losing control of the government in the next election they try to spend all the money now so that nothing will be left for the new administration, making them look incompetent.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons;
Look at these people who have lost their jobs at CNN, people like Don Lemon. They are lightweights, quite foolish actually, but they are also very treacherous. Willing to say or do anything.
her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
When you look at the US government people like Fauci would be considered the "high priest". The CDC, the EPA, these are your levitical priesthood. The teachers union would be viewed as priests.
5 Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Every morning you can see justice being brought to light on Bannon's war room pandemic, but people like Biden knows no shame. He stood in front of the entire country during the debate telling us that Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian disinformation when he knew it was a total lie. Swalwell slept with a Chinese spy and yet Pelosi left him on the intelligence committee. Schiff is having a fit now that the 40,000 hours of video from January 6th has been made available to Tucker Carlson to review. We can see many, many examples of them knowing no shame. They nominated and approved a woman to the Supreme court of the US who was unable to define what a woman is because she is not a biologist and yet she identified herself as a woman and said she would be an asset to the Supreme court when ruling on issues affecting women.
Words of Salt
Discerning wolves (part 3)
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
This is the context of the warning to beware of false prophets who come to you.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
These are like scammers, they come to you. One of the key ways to avoid being scammed is when they say they are from Amazon, or some other company you call the company yourself. Don't use their phone number. The same is true with a Youtube video, they will come to you. They will pay to have their video positioned. They may seek out people who are looking for Christian sites. Consider this, I put the title of this blog into google and there were 40 sites that popped up first because they were related to this topic. Some of them were dead websites that hadn't been updated for months or even years. Then I put the title into a DuckDuckGo search and it popped up first. Avoid the sites that pay to get in front of you. If I do a google search I will typically skip the first four pages. Do not be fooled by the "sheep's clothing". The name may be very good sounding, the music and everything about it may have all the right appearance, but at the very heart of it they want your money. The site may be a tease to buy a book. I don't mind people writing and selling books, Paul said you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, but if they use click bait or if their video is a tease to pay them money I put them on ignore. Any genuine ministry will not have any requirement to donate money. Donating may be optional for those who wish to support the ministry, but at the heart of the ministry they want to share the word with all who are open.
16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
It is a lot better to identify these ministries early and cut them off immediately. However, if you are involved in a ministry you should be able to see the fruit. If they are wolves you will discover that they are a corrupt tree and they bring forth evil fruit. There will be adultery, fornication, and fraud. If you see this know, this is not a good tree. Regardless of how wonderful they claim their ministry is they cannot hide the fact that the fruit is evil.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
You can identify a tree from its bark or from its leaves. But when we first get saved we are not that savvy and so the simplest way to identify a tree is from its fruit. If you get hoodwinked, scammed, then at that time you may be interested in really studying how to identify a phony ministry from a good one.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Lazy Christians want someone to vouch for a ministry. What seminary did they graduate from, let's see the references. What is far more important is having your own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. If you spend time with the Lord every day He will let you know when you are dealing with a corrupt tree or wolves in sheep's clothing. Think about the church in Ephesus, they were excellent at discerning who was and who wasn't speaking from God, but they left their first love. I used to go hiking in the woods a lot. You might see a "corrupt tree" with "poisonous fruit". Big deal, I just keep on walking. These trees are here. There are FreeMasons and Jesuits and Mormons and pagans and idol worshippers and evil people everywhere. Big deal, if you are a child of the king and spending time with him everyday you don't need to worry about all that.
Discerning wolves (part 3)
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
This is the context of the warning to beware of false prophets who come to you.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
These are like scammers, they come to you. One of the key ways to avoid being scammed is when they say they are from Amazon, or some other company you call the company yourself. Don't use their phone number. The same is true with a Youtube video, they will come to you. They will pay to have their video positioned. They may seek out people who are looking for Christian sites. Consider this, I put the title of this blog into google and there were 40 sites that popped up first because they were related to this topic. Some of them were dead websites that hadn't been updated for months or even years. Then I put the title into a DuckDuckGo search and it popped up first. Avoid the sites that pay to get in front of you. If I do a google search I will typically skip the first four pages. Do not be fooled by the "sheep's clothing". The name may be very good sounding, the music and everything about it may have all the right appearance, but at the very heart of it they want your money. The site may be a tease to buy a book. I don't mind people writing and selling books, Paul said you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, but if they use click bait or if their video is a tease to pay them money I put them on ignore. Any genuine ministry will not have any requirement to donate money. Donating may be optional for those who wish to support the ministry, but at the heart of the ministry they want to share the word with all who are open.
16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
It is a lot better to identify these ministries early and cut them off immediately. However, if you are involved in a ministry you should be able to see the fruit. If they are wolves you will discover that they are a corrupt tree and they bring forth evil fruit. There will be adultery, fornication, and fraud. If you see this know, this is not a good tree. Regardless of how wonderful they claim their ministry is they cannot hide the fact that the fruit is evil.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
You can identify a tree from its bark or from its leaves. But when we first get saved we are not that savvy and so the simplest way to identify a tree is from its fruit. If you get hoodwinked, scammed, then at that time you may be interested in really studying how to identify a phony ministry from a good one.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Lazy Christians want someone to vouch for a ministry. What seminary did they graduate from, let's see the references. What is far more important is having your own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. If you spend time with the Lord every day He will let you know when you are dealing with a corrupt tree or wolves in sheep's clothing. Think about the church in Ephesus, they were excellent at discerning who was and who wasn't speaking from God, but they left their first love. I used to go hiking in the woods a lot. You might see a "corrupt tree" with "poisonous fruit". Big deal, I just keep on walking. These trees are here. There are FreeMasons and Jesuits and Mormons and pagans and idol worshippers and evil people everywhere. Big deal, if you are a child of the king and spending time with him everyday you don't need to worry about all that.
Why does God rapture the church?
Why would you pull off the raptured saints from Earth right before the tribulation, and the Antichrist, and the mark of the beast and all of this? For the last 18 months I have been asking myself this, it is like pulling the first string off the field before the big game.
Then it hit me listening to Dr. Barnett. God pulls off the raptured saints to allow the Antichrist to rule. Paul said that the restrainer steps aside. As long as you have the church filled with watchmen, they spend time with the Lord everyday in the word, their lamps are full of oil, their words are words of salt and they are faithful servants speaking the Lords word and turning 5 talents into ten, as long as that is going on Satan and the Antichrist have no opportunity to bring in their reign.
So then by rapturing these saints God allows Satan to establish Antichrist's kingdom.
Why would God do that? It is the same reason we let felons talk to kids who are at risk of becoming felons. We want them to have a very clear picture of where they are going. Doubting Thomas needed to see the nail prints in the hands, these ones need to see what life under AntiChrist will be like to fully appreciate that they need the Lord Jesus.
Why would you pull off the raptured saints from Earth right before the tribulation, and the Antichrist, and the mark of the beast and all of this? For the last 18 months I have been asking myself this, it is like pulling the first string off the field before the big game.
Then it hit me listening to Dr. Barnett. God pulls off the raptured saints to allow the Antichrist to rule. Paul said that the restrainer steps aside. As long as you have the church filled with watchmen, they spend time with the Lord everyday in the word, their lamps are full of oil, their words are words of salt and they are faithful servants speaking the Lords word and turning 5 talents into ten, as long as that is going on Satan and the Antichrist have no opportunity to bring in their reign.
So then by rapturing these saints God allows Satan to establish Antichrist's kingdom.
Why would God do that? It is the same reason we let felons talk to kids who are at risk of becoming felons. We want them to have a very clear picture of where they are going. Doubting Thomas needed to see the nail prints in the hands, these ones need to see what life under AntiChrist will be like to fully appreciate that they need the Lord Jesus.
There was given unto him a crown
6 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come. 2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
It is Jesus who opens this seal, not Satan or the Antichrist. He is "given the crown", it isn't a prize he won or earned. If you win a gold medal at the Olympics it indicates that you competed and excelled beyond everyone else in the games. But there are others who get honorary titles. They are awarded "honorary degrees". The best example I can think of here is the Nobel Peace prize given to Barack Obama. He was elected president as though he were the rider on a white horse, coming in with a rainbow coalition and they just gave him that prize for basically nothing.
This same word is first mentioned in the gospels. Jesus is given a crown of thorns. Compare Jesus to Obama. Jesus ministry led to the cross, He had to pour out everything He had, even His life blood. This allowed Him to enter the ring with death and Jesus came forth conquering death and conquering the whole world with the gospel. Jesus conquering death and conquering sin and the world and the flesh, these things resulted in our being saved and transformed.
In contrast the Antichrist will conquer to be the first man in human history to finally get to the tippy top of the heap of collapse and rule the entire world with an iron fist. And he will conquer by forcing people to take the mark of the beast or else be beheaded.
When Paul faced death he said that there was a crown of righteousness laid up for him. How amazing is that! This guy started out as the one who was arresting saints and even was there when Stephen was stoned to death and yet he is able to finish the race with the crown of righteousness? That is an amazing come from behind win. He said he was less than the least of all saints, so he came from dead last to win that crown! If you endure temptation you receive a crown of life according to James. Pastors receive a crown of glory when the chief Shepherd appears according to Peter.
In the New Testament we see a lot of different ones run the race and win crowns. But only this one is simply given the crown.
6 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come. 2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
It is Jesus who opens this seal, not Satan or the Antichrist. He is "given the crown", it isn't a prize he won or earned. If you win a gold medal at the Olympics it indicates that you competed and excelled beyond everyone else in the games. But there are others who get honorary titles. They are awarded "honorary degrees". The best example I can think of here is the Nobel Peace prize given to Barack Obama. He was elected president as though he were the rider on a white horse, coming in with a rainbow coalition and they just gave him that prize for basically nothing.
This same word is first mentioned in the gospels. Jesus is given a crown of thorns. Compare Jesus to Obama. Jesus ministry led to the cross, He had to pour out everything He had, even His life blood. This allowed Him to enter the ring with death and Jesus came forth conquering death and conquering the whole world with the gospel. Jesus conquering death and conquering sin and the world and the flesh, these things resulted in our being saved and transformed.
In contrast the Antichrist will conquer to be the first man in human history to finally get to the tippy top of the heap of collapse and rule the entire world with an iron fist. And he will conquer by forcing people to take the mark of the beast or else be beheaded.
When Paul faced death he said that there was a crown of righteousness laid up for him. How amazing is that! This guy started out as the one who was arresting saints and even was there when Stephen was stoned to death and yet he is able to finish the race with the crown of righteousness? That is an amazing come from behind win. He said he was less than the least of all saints, so he came from dead last to win that crown! If you endure temptation you receive a crown of life according to James. Pastors receive a crown of glory when the chief Shepherd appears according to Peter.
In the New Testament we see a lot of different ones run the race and win crowns. But only this one is simply given the crown.
The AntiChrist (part 1)
There are 27 chapters of the Bible that are devoted to talking about this guy.
He is called the man of sin.
The son of perdition.
The little horn
The worthless shepherd
The AntiChrist
The man of lawlessness
The Son of destruction
The Beast
The Father of lies
Types of the AntiChrist (https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/antichrist/antichrist.chap13.html)
Cain -- Jesus is the Last Adam, Antichrist is the last Cain. He is of that wicked one, just as AntiChrist will be. He is a religious hypocrite, he has a pretense of worship but quickly exchanges that for murder. Cain took the position as ruler over Abel (Gen. 4:7). He was a liar and like the AntiChrist he assumed he could do things with impunity without any judgment from God. Cain claimed his "judgment was greater than he could bear" which is the same with the Antichrist who will go into the lake of fire.
Lamech (Powerful) -- Antichrist will be powerful, he will come from an evil line, lamech is descended from Cain. Lamech is also the seventh from the fall, indicating a completion in the cycle of depravity. Antichrist will be the climax of human depravity. Also he took two wives which was lawless, God had decreed that we are composed of man and woman becoming one flesh just like our DNA is made of two strands, but Lamech took two wives, so it was like a strange DNA composed of three strands. He was a murderer and he was arrogant thinking he was seven times more important than Cain.
Nimrod -- His exploits are recorded immediately before the call of Abraham to enter into the good land just as AntiChrist will precede us entering the millenial kingdom. Nimrod signifies the rebel, the AntiChrist is the leader of all those rebelling against God and His son Jesus Christ. Nimrod descended from the cursed line of Ham. He is said to be mighty (a word that can also be translated as chief) and he is called a mighty hunter before the Lord. Compare this with God's design revealed with Abel being a shepherd of sheep. He is a rebel going after his own design. This is what Daniel says when he says the king will do according to his own will. There is a suggestion that he hunted men, and so like Psalms says, was a violent man. He was the king of Babylon and had an ambition to build a world empire. Initially Babylon meant the gate of God, but after the curse it meant confusion. This term "gate of God" indicates an imperial government like the "forbidden city" in China. They claim "the divine right to the throne". He also had a desire to be famous saying "let us make a name".
Chedorlaomer -- We see him appear in a time of trouble followed by blessing, just like the tribulation. The name means a handful of Sheaves, he appears to be Persian and when we study their history he is called "ravager of the West". Think of the Antichrist wading through a sea of blood to become ruler of the world. He is depicted as the head of kings with his vassals being Babylon, Persia and Greece, just like the Antichrist. He was a warrior of renown destroying Sodom and Gomorrah signifying the Gentiles. He takes Lot which depicts the persecuted saints during the tribulation and Abraham pursues and defeats him signifying the Lord's victory over the AntiChrist.
We have more: Pharaoh, Abimelech, Saul, Goliath, Absalom and Herod.
There are 27 chapters of the Bible that are devoted to talking about this guy.
He is called the man of sin.
The son of perdition.
The little horn
The worthless shepherd
The AntiChrist
The man of lawlessness
The Son of destruction
The Beast
The Father of lies
Types of the AntiChrist (https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/antichrist/antichrist.chap13.html)
Cain -- Jesus is the Last Adam, Antichrist is the last Cain. He is of that wicked one, just as AntiChrist will be. He is a religious hypocrite, he has a pretense of worship but quickly exchanges that for murder. Cain took the position as ruler over Abel (Gen. 4:7). He was a liar and like the AntiChrist he assumed he could do things with impunity without any judgment from God. Cain claimed his "judgment was greater than he could bear" which is the same with the Antichrist who will go into the lake of fire.
Lamech (Powerful) -- Antichrist will be powerful, he will come from an evil line, lamech is descended from Cain. Lamech is also the seventh from the fall, indicating a completion in the cycle of depravity. Antichrist will be the climax of human depravity. Also he took two wives which was lawless, God had decreed that we are composed of man and woman becoming one flesh just like our DNA is made of two strands, but Lamech took two wives, so it was like a strange DNA composed of three strands. He was a murderer and he was arrogant thinking he was seven times more important than Cain.
Nimrod -- His exploits are recorded immediately before the call of Abraham to enter into the good land just as AntiChrist will precede us entering the millenial kingdom. Nimrod signifies the rebel, the AntiChrist is the leader of all those rebelling against God and His son Jesus Christ. Nimrod descended from the cursed line of Ham. He is said to be mighty (a word that can also be translated as chief) and he is called a mighty hunter before the Lord. Compare this with God's design revealed with Abel being a shepherd of sheep. He is a rebel going after his own design. This is what Daniel says when he says the king will do according to his own will. There is a suggestion that he hunted men, and so like Psalms says, was a violent man. He was the king of Babylon and had an ambition to build a world empire. Initially Babylon meant the gate of God, but after the curse it meant confusion. This term "gate of God" indicates an imperial government like the "forbidden city" in China. They claim "the divine right to the throne". He also had a desire to be famous saying "let us make a name".
Chedorlaomer -- We see him appear in a time of trouble followed by blessing, just like the tribulation. The name means a handful of Sheaves, he appears to be Persian and when we study their history he is called "ravager of the West". Think of the Antichrist wading through a sea of blood to become ruler of the world. He is depicted as the head of kings with his vassals being Babylon, Persia and Greece, just like the Antichrist. He was a warrior of renown destroying Sodom and Gomorrah signifying the Gentiles. He takes Lot which depicts the persecuted saints during the tribulation and Abraham pursues and defeats him signifying the Lord's victory over the AntiChrist.
We have more: Pharaoh, Abimelech, Saul, Goliath, Absalom and Herod.
Book of James and False prophets
The context of James is the early church. James emphasizes this context in his book when he says that we should not “have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. The record in Acts and Galatians reveals a key human failing, we are prone to have the faith of Jesus “with respect of persons”. Imagine you are a new one, you are not sure what to believe. But, you know you can trust James, after all, he is the brother of Jesus and the son of the virgin Mary. In Acts and Galatians James had a big influence on the early church and what was recorded was not a positive one. James’ experience is as much a part of the context as Paul’s experience of persecuting Christians or Peter’s experience of denying the Lord. James experience of the early church respecting him according to who he was in the flesh is relevant for him to expose false prophets, to shut their mouths, and to help those who have wandered from the truth return to the normal church life. We might think that showing partiality is extremely rare. What is the teaching of slavery if not “having the faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons”? When John Adams was working on the declaration of Independence his wife mentioned the fact that women were not treated as equals. The Civil Rights movement and Women’s suffrage are both based on “having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. Some justified slavery saying the slaves were descendants of Ham, the son of Noah that was cursed. That is, by definition, to be a “respecter of persons”. Arguments against women’s suffrage were that women were weaker, that they were too occupied with domestic duties, and that they were too stupid to bear the responsibilities of voting. Once again, this by definition, is to “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. What about Nazi Germany where Jews were required to wear the star of David, were housed in Ghettos and then exterminated in camps. This is the logical extreme of what it is to be a “respecter of persons” and what it is to show partiality.
Paul told us that “their mouths must be stopped” regarding the false prophets. How do you accomplish that? James tells us that no man can “tame the tongue”. “Taming the tongue” or “shutting the mouths” is a work of faith. It is the book of James, as much as any other New Testament book that will equip you to stand against a false prophet by “taming their tongue”.
Why are Christians deceived by false prophets? Like any disease you need to know what the risk factors are, what steps do you need to take to protect yourself and what are the symptoms of those who are being led astray. How do you diagnose if you have been deceived? What is the number one safeguard against false prophets? How do you speak to someone who is deceived, how do you reach them? These are some of the issues addressed in the book of James. Many temptations can be examined: investment schemes (Bernie Madoff), national security (Benedict Arnold), elections (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) using the book of James. And the book is balanced, not only does it focus on false prophets but also on genuine faith. Orville and Wilbur Wright, Douglas MacArthur and Harry S. Truman are examples of people who were vilified as being false during their lifetime. These men reveal how difficult discerning the truth can be. James gives us a promise that if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will give us this wisdom without upbraiding us. The book of James is the “perfect gift of God”. The New Covenant is about giving us a new heart, a heart of flesh. The book of James is about this new heart given to the genuine believers of Christ.
False prophets are “bullies”. Cults are characterized by bullying. How do you respond in a way that triumphs over bullies? This is an issue in schools and in the world, not just in the church. FDR and Marshall exemplified the way mentioned by James in their dealing with MacArthur, likewise Gandhi in his dealing with the British, and Mandela in his actions as President. Christians are destined to rule and reign with Jesus Christ and the book of James equips us to triumph over bullies.
What are the indicators that a man is genuine or false? James gives us a seven point checklist to discern. He also reveals the actions that should set off an alarm. How can a man who knows Jesus and ministers the word of God be a false prophet? James explains this and makes clear the matter of grace with three simple words. James also gives us the one thing, above all, that a believer should not do. Again, this can apply to a church, it can also apply to Germans living under Adolf Hitler, or investors considering an investment scheme from Bernie Madoff.
Finally, James explains how to return when you have wandered from the truth. The book is written to “the twelve tribes in the dispersion”. He identifies what led them astray, why they followed this false leader, and what is the path that leads back to a normal church life. It applies to traitors and scam artists of all kinds. James focus is on judging why you were deceived. This is not for us to judge others, but rather that we can remove the beam from our own eye.
The context of James is the early church. James emphasizes this context in his book when he says that we should not “have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. The record in Acts and Galatians reveals a key human failing, we are prone to have the faith of Jesus “with respect of persons”. Imagine you are a new one, you are not sure what to believe. But, you know you can trust James, after all, he is the brother of Jesus and the son of the virgin Mary. In Acts and Galatians James had a big influence on the early church and what was recorded was not a positive one. James’ experience is as much a part of the context as Paul’s experience of persecuting Christians or Peter’s experience of denying the Lord. James experience of the early church respecting him according to who he was in the flesh is relevant for him to expose false prophets, to shut their mouths, and to help those who have wandered from the truth return to the normal church life. We might think that showing partiality is extremely rare. What is the teaching of slavery if not “having the faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons”? When John Adams was working on the declaration of Independence his wife mentioned the fact that women were not treated as equals. The Civil Rights movement and Women’s suffrage are both based on “having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. Some justified slavery saying the slaves were descendants of Ham, the son of Noah that was cursed. That is, by definition, to be a “respecter of persons”. Arguments against women’s suffrage were that women were weaker, that they were too occupied with domestic duties, and that they were too stupid to bear the responsibilities of voting. Once again, this by definition, is to “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. What about Nazi Germany where Jews were required to wear the star of David, were housed in Ghettos and then exterminated in camps. This is the logical extreme of what it is to be a “respecter of persons” and what it is to show partiality.
Paul told us that “their mouths must be stopped” regarding the false prophets. How do you accomplish that? James tells us that no man can “tame the tongue”. “Taming the tongue” or “shutting the mouths” is a work of faith. It is the book of James, as much as any other New Testament book that will equip you to stand against a false prophet by “taming their tongue”.
Why are Christians deceived by false prophets? Like any disease you need to know what the risk factors are, what steps do you need to take to protect yourself and what are the symptoms of those who are being led astray. How do you diagnose if you have been deceived? What is the number one safeguard against false prophets? How do you speak to someone who is deceived, how do you reach them? These are some of the issues addressed in the book of James. Many temptations can be examined: investment schemes (Bernie Madoff), national security (Benedict Arnold), elections (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) using the book of James. And the book is balanced, not only does it focus on false prophets but also on genuine faith. Orville and Wilbur Wright, Douglas MacArthur and Harry S. Truman are examples of people who were vilified as being false during their lifetime. These men reveal how difficult discerning the truth can be. James gives us a promise that if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will give us this wisdom without upbraiding us. The book of James is the “perfect gift of God”. The New Covenant is about giving us a new heart, a heart of flesh. The book of James is about this new heart given to the genuine believers of Christ.
False prophets are “bullies”. Cults are characterized by bullying. How do you respond in a way that triumphs over bullies? This is an issue in schools and in the world, not just in the church. FDR and Marshall exemplified the way mentioned by James in their dealing with MacArthur, likewise Gandhi in his dealing with the British, and Mandela in his actions as President. Christians are destined to rule and reign with Jesus Christ and the book of James equips us to triumph over bullies.
What are the indicators that a man is genuine or false? James gives us a seven point checklist to discern. He also reveals the actions that should set off an alarm. How can a man who knows Jesus and ministers the word of God be a false prophet? James explains this and makes clear the matter of grace with three simple words. James also gives us the one thing, above all, that a believer should not do. Again, this can apply to a church, it can also apply to Germans living under Adolf Hitler, or investors considering an investment scheme from Bernie Madoff.
Finally, James explains how to return when you have wandered from the truth. The book is written to “the twelve tribes in the dispersion”. He identifies what led them astray, why they followed this false leader, and what is the path that leads back to a normal church life. It applies to traitors and scam artists of all kinds. James focus is on judging why you were deceived. This is not for us to judge others, but rather that we can remove the beam from our own eye.