As with any posting from anyone I do my best to try to communicate what is on my heart the best that I can. Please take all matters to the Lord in prayer. It is NOT my will that anyone be deceived. The enemy is after all of us, including me! I pray the Holy Spirit bears witness to all of you. If not then it could be for a different time in your walk with the Lord. DO NOT ACCEPT WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT REVEAL BUT PRAY INTO IT. God bless the saints of the Lord and may the fullness of His love and spirit dwell and manifest richly within you.

I am writing this post as I recall many incidents of pastors preaching this from the pulpits as well as preaching Matthew 7 being taken out of context about “judging”. That is another twisted preaching that has condemned many souls just as “only the Lord knows the heart”.

It is about time this gets rebuked and people become aware that the reason that is a lie is because it is a PARTIAL truth and that makes it a lie.

I remember when I was traveling in Missouri ministering and the Lord spoke to me about settling in Missouri for one year. So the Lord sent me to a company that was not advertising for help to apply for a job. I went in and said I was looking for work and immediately received an interview and offered a job. The Lord gave me a job of little status but wonderful opportunity to minister. I was hired as a tri-state truck driver as I had a commercial drivers license.

This job allowed me to minister on the road while working. I would share the gospel, prophecy and give words of knowledge to the customers. My boss came to me about 3 months later and said my route had doubled in purchase volume and I said yes. I pray and prophesy for the customers.

I was trying to assist a church with ministry but it was not of the Lord and a spiritual battle. Never the less the battle was intense and I ended up hospitalized from demonic attack. The Lord allowed this to happen to witness to others who refused to see it for what it was just as in the book of Job.

My boss was a Christian and I also attended his church but was not involved directly in that ministry. One day the pastor spoke from the pulpit ONLY God knows the heart of the people and I cringed, gave a loud sigh and slouched in my seat. My boss who I sat next to became aware of my gestures. After service my boss asked me why I reacted the way I did. I said what the pastor spoke was a partial truth making it a lie! Jesus will reveal the hearts of people to his TRUE, WILLING AND OBEDIENT servants to minister to the heart needs of the recipient. The pastor said this for one of two reasons or perhaps both reasons combined. First he is not seeking the Lord or the Lord’s desires for HIS people and second the pastor may not receive revelation because he will not act upon it! There is no need to give revelation where it is not fulfilled in obedience.

1 Samuel 23:10–12 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Then David said, “O Lord God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. ¹¹ Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will come down.”

¹² Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will deliver you.”

1 Samuel 16:1–7 (NKJV)

David Anointed King

16 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

² And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”

⁴ So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”

⁵ And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

⁶ So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Acts 5:3–5 (NKJV)

³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

One of the very first things Jesus did while in His ministry on earth was to reveal and expose the hearts of people! If your heart is not right you will not receive Spirit and Truth even unto salvation! That is why the Holy Spirit convicts the heart/conscience of the person and they either adhere and submit or refused and walked away! This is also represented in Romans 1 with a reprobate mind. I pray I never have to deliver that word to anyone again. The Lord had me assisting a man who claimed he wanted deliverance but he kept dying the power of God unto deliverance. Meanwhile he claimed to be a Christian and went to church. The problem was he loved his sin more than the Lord and kept making excuses about not getting free. The Lord had me to tell him straight up and very blunt. I said the Lord has given me a Word for you that if you keep denying the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus to deliver you the Lord said He is about to turn you over to a reprobate mind to the point of NO RETURN OR SALVATION! I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO SPEAK THOSE WORDS AGAIN TO ANYONE BUT I DID AS THE LORD SPOKE. The Lord revealed this mans heart not only to me but also to the man!

Here is the overall point I want to make. Do we minister to intellect or to the heart? How would Saul from Tarsus have gotten saved if Jesus had tried to speak to Saul’s intellect. Saul was a Pharisee’s Pharisee a scholar among scholars with very high intellect. Jesus exposed Saul’s heart!

Acts 9:3–5 (NKJV)

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

The preaching today is totally void of speaking about matters of the heart! Which includes sin! Instead scripture is twisted, manipulated and taken totally out of context from Matthew 7 and people respond who are you to judge.

When I have confronted false prophets they use this scripture out of context against me.

Matthew 7:2 (NKJV)

² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

The Holy Spirit had me rebuke him again.

1 Corinthians 2:15–16 (NKJV)

¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Now this point is critical so please pay attention to what I am saying here. I don’t proclaim to be righteous at all in fact I HAVE NO RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN. THE ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS I HAVE IS IN CHRIST JESUS. SO WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS TO YOU A MATTER OR CONCERN IT IS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. This is vital to equip you to stand just as Jesus did in the wilderness with Satan as IT IS WRITTEN. Because it was the Lord by revelation of the Holy Spirit that was speaking NOT me or me making judgment. Also judgment is rendering a decision similar to a verdict in court as Jesus is the righteous one who will pass “penalty” of the judgment. Vengeance is the Lord’s we are merely vessels the Lord works through.

I ended up getting kicked out of that seminary by exposing false prophets, false doctrines and much sin. I had already packed up knowing this was going to happen just as David inquired and knew Saul was hunting him down!

Notice the scripture states the mind of Christ. My actions were not of my own as it was the Holy Spirit that prompted me to confront this false prophet and the false prophet used scripture out of context just as Satan did with Jesus in the wilderness.

Acts 8:9–24 (NKJV)

The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

If you have discernment you will see that we have sorcerers in the pulpits and people think he is wonderful so they give heed and sit under this demonic spirit and false teachings! They even state this man’s power is from God! Simon even got baptized! An outward act of deception of repentance which NEVER happened!

The Sorcerer’s Sin

¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

How many spiritual pimps are in the pulpits today? How many think you can buy the anointing? Is that not the same as the five foolish virgins, perhaps it’s much worse! They had to go “buy” their lamp oil! You can’t buy the Holy Spirit! I seriously doubt that even 2 % of the church assembly truly belong to the Lord so what does that reflect on the church leadership and what spirit are they? There are ONLY two kingdoms and two types of Christ which is the TRUE LIVING CHRIST JESUS and Antichrist!

There is much conversation on why a pastor won’t preach on sin and the major reason is likely they are hirelings and false prophets who entertain “itchy ears” for personal gain whether financial gain, influence, pride or are they commissioned as masquerading ministers of righteousness working for Satan? Itchy ear preachers are often the judgment of those who sit in the pews as the Lord has turned them over to the desires of their own hearts.

Any preacher who says ONLY THE LORD KNOWS THE HEART is giving a partial truth thus rendering a lie. If the pastor won’t address or preach on sin the pastor himself likely has secret sin. Let us get real, humble with a contrite heart before the Lord and repent, cleansed and restored.

Satan will build your ministry quicker than the Lord because you need to die to “self” to have a real ministry with Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 11:1–15 (NKJV)

Concern for Their Faithfulness

11 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. ² For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

⁵ For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. ⁶ Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

⁷ Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. ⁹ And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

¹² But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. ¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The post THE SPIRITUAL LIES AND DECEPTION OF “ONLY THE LORD KNOWS THE HEART” appeared first on Abiding Bread.

As with any posting from anyone I do my best to try to communicate what is on my heart the best that I can. Please take all matters to the Lord in prayer. It is NOT my will that anyone be deceived. The enemy is after all of us, including me! I pray the Holy Spirit bears witness to all of you. If not then it could be for a different time in your walk with the Lord. DO NOT ACCEPT WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT REVEAL BUT PRAY INTO IT. God bless the saints of the Lord and may the fullness of His love and spirit dwell and manifest richly within you.

I wrote a blog post back in June that I am expounding on as the Lord has been revealing more to me about this and many other spiritual truths and revelations. I want to expound on my post from June and you really should read that first so you get a greater understanding of this post. You can read it here: https://abidingbread.com/2025/06/07/jesus-verses-the-pharisees/

As I was spending time in contemplation and quietness with the Lord I was reflecting on Revelations and the Harlot Church and how it will will make war with the saints, overcome them and martyr many of the saints. The Holy Spirit brought back to me what I had written and showed me that Saul from Tarsus was in the Harlot Church system as he was delivering people to the high priest to be killed and murdered by the Harlot Church through the high priest. That is the same church system in the end of the age where the Harlot Church Beast System will make war with the saints as it is written. Saul was delivering the saints to be killed and that is the same thing that will happen in the end of the age.

Saul from Tarsus was a scholar’s scholar. Saul was highly educated and trained by the very best scholars and Rabbis. Saul had head knowledge without a “new heart” and “new spirit”. The Harlot church reflects the “heart and spirit” within a man. They might have all the knowledge but never have the heart of love within them for Spirit and Truth. So you have the those who represent the bride of Christ but do not have the heart and Spirit of Christ Jesus. Additionally you have those who’s hearts grow cold and fall away from one being in Christ Jesus. Notice Paul’s epistles on the mind of Christ and if he did all those things without the love of Christ he was nothing but a clanging symbol. Let’s continue.

Ezekiel 36:26–32 (NKJV)

²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. ²⁸ Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. ²⁹ I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. ³⁰ And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. ³¹ Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. ³² Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

Revelation 17:3–6 (NKJV)

³ So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. ⁴ The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. ⁵ And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY,

BABYLON THE GREAT,

THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

⁶ I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

I want to emphasis that you truly must read my original post: https://abidingbread.com/2025/06/07/jesus-verses-the-pharisees/ as it will bring all of this together as I will just touch on points but not expound as I did in that article to show how this comes together. After reading my post Jesus Vs. The Pharisees you will see the “synagogue of Satan”. In my earlier post which hopefully you read you will see that Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites 7 times and turned them over to their own wicked hearts! This is the same foundational principle in Romans 1 with a reprobate mind! The word hypocrite is the Greek means “godless”.

Revelation 2:9–11 (NKJV)

⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

¹¹ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

Revelation 3:9 (NKJV)

⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Now Saul from Tarsus was serving the high priest NOT the Lord Jesus and Saul had received “papers” from the high priest! Today we call those same “paper” ordination papers commissioned by a church system, denomination, seminary school, etc! These people with ordination papers mainly operate out of ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY AND NOT SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. This is why they despise and detest TRUE spiritual authority! How does this differ from the modern day educational system? Today modern day theological education has replaced true spiritual revelation and wisdom, spiritual calling and gifting. It would be wise to remember that Saul from Tarsus was a Pharisee’s Pharisee a highly educated man! This is also why we know Jesus did not establish denominations as God is a Spirit and is NOT DIVIDED. This is also why many denominations deny many of the spiritual gifts and the offices of ministry which Jesus established AFTER Pentacost. The twelve disciples were NOT apostles until Pentacost! They were disciples that is why Jesus makes the following bold and profound statements!

John 14:26–27 (NKJV)

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This implies what I have told others that when you receive revelations from the Holy Spirit they are eternal forever a part of your spiritual life in Christ Jesus. This also implies that without the Holy Spirit they would not have remembered the teachings/discipleship of Jesus!

John 16:7–16 (NKJV)

⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

The Prediction of Christ’s Death and Resurrection

¹⁶ “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

Now having read my previous post Jesus Vs. The Pharisees along with this posting you will see in greater measure there are only two types of churches, the Church of Jesus Christ in Spirit and Truth and the Synagogue of Satan which were both in the land of Israel when the incarnate Christ Jesus was on the earth.

Now that we have established Saul from Tarsus affiliation with the Synagogue of Satan let us look at the “NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS” the Apostle Paul!

Acts 9:1–2 (NKJV)

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 22:5 (NKJV)

⁵ as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

As I mentioned in my post Jesus Vs. The Pharisees I believe Saul from Tarsus was deceived believing he was serving the Lord Jesus by and through the authority of the high priest which in today’s language we could call man’s church or synagogue NOT the TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST JESUS. Are you starting to see the modern day political church system created by the doctrines of men and demons? Let us look at Saul’s response during his encounter with THE RESURRECTED CHRIST JESUS.

I emphasis resurrected intentionally because I want you to think of Paul as the NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH when you read his Epistles! Look at his life transformation! See how Saul fasted THREE DAYS with his encounter and how he was obedient to follow what Jesus told him to do. Let us read this incredible spiritual transformation of Saul to Paul! What amazes me is that in a short time after Paul received the Holy Spirit that Paul was bringing correction to the church putting the church back on the foundation of Christ Jesus in Spirit and Truth and how today there is little to no discernment of what is going on within the modern day church!

Acts 9 (NKJV)

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

(Letters of ordination! Remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees about seeking one proselyte and making them twice the child of hell in Matthew 23:15.)

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Saul fasted three days symbolic of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Also similar to Abraham’s three day journey to sacrifice his own son!

Ananias Baptizes Saul

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

(Letters of ordination and designated authority similar to today’s modern day church structure created by man.)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Please notice that WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT SAUL WAS NOT OF THE BRETHREN/BODY OF CHRIST JESUS! Even Jesus speaks of the brethren of the synagogue of Satan! Just because someone calls you brother do not be deceived as there are two kingdoms, two spiritual churches and two totally different “brethren”! You should really study on the topic of “kindred spirits” as they fellowship together and why a true spirit filled Christian will NOT fellowship with darkness or partake/sit under in the preaching, works or assembly of darkness, doctrines of men or demons! Amazing that Ananias called Saul BROTHER! Praise the Lord! Once again please think of the events of Saul being transformed/born again into Paul as a living example of the NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH! Paul never went back to the Pharisees but wished and prayed none would perish and all come to the light and truth of Christ Jesus.

¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

²¹ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

²³ Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. ²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Here we see that the Jews plotted to kill Paul because he preached Christ Jesus, they wanted to kill Paul just as they did Jesus! As I showed in my post Jesus Vs. The Pharisees they denied the living incarnate Christ in the flesh standing before them as being the Christ! That means they were of the Antichrist!

1 John 1:6–7 (NKJV)

⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 4:3–6 (NKJV)

³ and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. ⁶ We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

BACK TO ACTS 9:

Saul at Jerusalem

²⁶ And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. ²⁹ And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists/Grecians but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

³¹ Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Aeneas Healed

³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. ³³ There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. ³⁵ So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

³⁶ At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

The teaching, doctrines, methods, beliefs, and traditions of men will not produce TRUE disciples of Christ as ONLY Christ Jesus can disciple HIS people!

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 (NKJV)

Spiritual Wisdom

⁶ However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

⁹ But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Let us see how Paul established the church. When Paul commissioned Timothy Paul did not give Timothy “papers” he laid hands on Timothy and “stirred up” the gifting and calling that the Lord had within Timothy! This is similar to the Lord telling Jeremiah I knew you before I formed you and called you to be a prophet!

1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

2 Timothy 1:6–11 (NKJV)

⁶ Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Here is an example of how church appointments were made:

Acts 6:1–7 (NKJV)

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Now let us bring this home to the events playing out around the world. All the accusations, slander, mockery, etc. that is going on about Israel and antisemitism. We must understand that there are only two kingdoms, light and truth by the Holy Spirit vs. darkness and deceptions by the spirit of Antichrist. Two overall spirits and kingdoms, The Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus and the Antichrist Spirit! (there are many demonic spirits comprised and working for the Antichrist!) All of this was plainly written and establish in the original land of Israel through the Living and Written Word of God as you have read.

We must also remember that Abraham was NOT a Jew and that Abraham’s son Jacob was renamed Israel because the TRUE ISRAEL IS THE BORN AGAIN AND REDEEMED IN CHRIST JESUS and is NOT A PHYSICAL NATION ON EARTH. Jesus chose people, not land as the whole earth will be consumed by fire and the land of Israel will burn with the rest of the world! There will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Romans 2:28–29 (NKJV)

²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

In closing I ask that you seek the Lord on what has been revealed to you so that you yourselves may receive revelation from the Lord Jesus. The end of the age is drawing near and we must come out of Babylon or suffer our own demise. Paul not only writes from divine revelations from the Holy Spirit he writes from personal experience of his own life and the life he know lived for Christ when Paul writes the following:

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

¹⁸  “I will be a Father to you,

and you shall be My sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.”

Paul came out from the false church and never went back so Paul is not only writing from the Holy Spirit he is also reflecting on what was required of him personally.

Galatians 2:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Galatians 6:14–18 (NKJV)

¹⁴ But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Numbers 6:24–26 (NKJV)

²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;

²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

The post SAUL FROM TARSUS AND THE HARLOT CHURCH OF REVELATIONS appeared first on Abiding Bread.

As with any posting from anyone I do my best to try to communicate what is on my heart the best that I can. Please take all matters to the Lord in prayer. It is NOT my will that anyone be deceived. The enemy is after all of us, including me! I pray the Holy Spirit bears witness to all of you. If not then it could be for a different time in your walk with the Lord. DO NOT ACCEPT WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT REVEAL BUT PRAY INTO IT. God bless the saints of the Lord and may the fullness of His love and spirit dwell and manifest richly within you.

Today I would like to share what the Lord put on my heart. When you read Matthew 23:13-36 read slowly and really meditate on what Jesus is speaking to this group of Pharisees. Scripture does not tell us who was included or present but that they were Pharisees so it would apply to the “title” Pharisees.

My initial intention was to put comments in between the scriptures to save time but I really think you need to read these scriptures without me stopping the flow of revelations within these scriptures. So I will include my comments after you read the scriptures. I have placed some of the key words in bold and underlined some also for you to see. Let’s get started, please read the scriptures then I will share what the Lord has placed on my heart for you to understand and get insight.

Matthew 23:13–39 (NKJV)

Jesus Condemns the Pharisees

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

¹⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. ²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. ²² And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

The first point I would like you to notice is the Jesus repeatedly called the Pharisees hypocrites. In fact Jesus stated this seven times! Seven is NOT a random number and surely shows significance towards the Pharisees. Seven is the number of completion, fullness or perfection! So what Jesus was inferring was that the Pharisees were turned over in completeness to their own wickedness and evil and there was no redemption or salvation for them. I will expound more a little later by using other scriptures to bring clarity and truth. When you look up the biblical meaning of the word “hypocrite” you get the meaning “godless”. This reinforces the Word of Jesus telling them seven times they were hypocrites thus “godless” and there would be no salvation for them because they say they can see but they are blind and their sin remains.

ὑποκριτής

hypokritēs, n.c.¹, hypocrite. 2× +NT² +AF³

Hebrew Alignment

חָנֵף—godless (2): Job 34:30; 36:13⁴

Job 34:30 (NKJV)

³⁰ That the hypocrite should not reign,

Lest the people be ensnared.

34:26–30 Elihu argues that God judges the wicked publicly because of their wickedness in turning away from God and oppressing the poor. God also judges the wicked to prevent them from being in positions of power where they can influence people.⁵

Job 36:13 (NKJV)

¹³ “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath;

They do not cry for help when He binds them.

36:13 cherish anger Elihu continues to describe those who do not respond to God’s discipline. Instead of crying for help, they become angry.⁶

Romans 2:5 (NKJV)

⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

Romans 1:18 (NKJV)

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

1:18 the wrath of God Refers to God’s righteous judgment upon evil. In this context, the evil in view is immorality and the suppression of the truth about God. God reveals His wrath by giving people over to their sin, thereby allowing them to morally decline even further (Rom 1:24–28). This foreshadows His final judgment (see 2 Thess 2:9–12).⁷

Romans 1:24–25 (NKJV)

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

1:24 God gave them over God allowed for people to do as they desired, even when it meant opposing his will for their lives. This is part of the judgment related to God’s wrath (see note on Rom 1:18). Paul uses the Greek word paradidōmi (often translated “gave over” or “gave up”) three times in this passage (vv. 24, 26, 28) to emphasize God’s deliberate response to humanity’s wicked ways: He allows people to continue to live a life of increasing sin.⁸

Now that you have read the scriptures above you can see how the Pharisees were given over to their own wickedness as judgment upon themselves. When Jesus said to them because you say you can see you are blind and your sin remains Jesus implied there was NO salvation for them! While this sounds contrary to the purposes of why Jesus came it is also truth none the less! When you deny Christ Jesus you deny salvation! Let us also take notice of the Pharisees traveled land and sea to win a proselyte/convert and make them twice the child of hell as themselves.

While Jesus does not mention Saul of Tarsus in the scriptures above this who came to my mind by the spirit. You see Saul of Tarsus was commissioned by the Pharisees as Saul had papers of authority from the high priest who was a Pharisee. Even though it was Saul who requested these papers the high priest could have refused. So I believe Saul was deceived but the high priest was not deceived. How many people attend false churches because they are deceived! The Pharisees wanted to appear to have “clean hands and a clean heart” but Jesus exposed their hearts to them in this face to face confrontation. “Fools and blind” are mentioned twice and shortly we will cover this with Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Five times Jesus called them blind. Then Jesus tells them that they killed and crucified the prophets, scourged the prophets and persecuted the prophets and that ALL of the righteous blood shed on earth going all the way back to Abel they would be accountable for. Jesus calls them Serpents and Vipers! Who else was known as a serpent back in the garden?

Notice everything Jesus states they did to the prophets is exactly what they would eventually do to Jesus! They still wanted to appear to have “clean hands” so they used the “political” system to impose the sentencing of crucifying Jesus. We know that the Antichrist will be a “political” and “spiritual” figure when he is revealed! When you go back to Cain and Abel making offerings to the Lord you must realize these are two “religious” actions of worship. Thus two types of “churches” one being the true church and the other church of the Antichrist who is a murderer. Two types of “churches” for two types of “kingdoms”. The Lord’s Spirit will not always strive with man so let me make it clear, today is the day of salvation!

Acts 9:1–9 (NKJV)

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

We are all familiar with Saul’s encounter but what I want to emphasis is Jesus blinding Saul. You see Jesus told the Pharisees that they were blind. While they had their natural sight they were spiritually blind. If you remember the story of the blind man with no sin who Jesus spit in the dirt and made a paste/clay and put it on his eyes you don’t need to blind a man that is already naturally blind so what was the purpose of putting paste on his eyes? By Jesus putting paste on the man’s eyes Jesus was making a statement of spiritual blindness. Jesus then told the blind man to go and wash at the pool of Siloam which means “sent one”. This is direct correlation to Jesus being “sent” from the Father. The man was doubly blind both naturally and spiritually. So Saul had natural eyes but not spiritual eyes so thus Jesus did the same to Saul as Jesus did for the blind man. What did the blind man from birth tell the Pharisees who continuously asked him about Jesus. The man said this one thing I know, I was blind but now I see! He gave a testimony of Jesus! He not only had physical eyes but he had a revelation of Christ Jesus. This is what Jesus was doing for Saul. Saul encountered the resurrected Christ and called Jesus Lord. Now if you read the scriptures of Saul’s encounter Saul asked Jesus what do You want me to do? As I have said many times there is always a requirement to obtain the blessings and promises of the Lord. You can’t even be “saved” without believing in faith which is a requirement!

Acts 9:10–19 (NKJV)

Ananias Baptizes Saul

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

I have underlined line 12 to make reference that the Lord will always gift you insight on His will if you seek him. Saul was praying and the Lord revealed to Saul who was blind a vision of Ananias laying hands on him. True prophetic ministry/prophecy confirms the will of God that has been revealed to you by the Lord it does not contradict what the Lord has given you. Ananias would fulfill the vision of the Lord for Paul. Imagine Paul putting trust in a minister/priest for the Lord knowing Paul’s history! Also notice Paul fasted and prayed for three days. Three day’s references dying to yourself and being resurrected in Christ Jesus.

Now let me share some thoughts. First I’d like to say that the five fold ministry of Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor and Evangelist are ALL IN CHRIST JESUS and Jesus has these offices today for the edification of the saints and to build up a spiritual priesthood in Christ Jesus. For now I’d like to focus on the office of a prophet. Many times throughout the New Testament Jesus is referred to as a prophet. Jesus as a prophet revealed a person’s heart condition to them and that is what a TRUE prophet today will do so that you may be in proper standing and holiness with the Lord. What has happened today is Satan calls this judgment when you point out sin so Satan takes what is of the Lord Jesus and makes it appear as “the accuser of the brethren” but it is NOT! This is how Satan twists and manipulates scriptures! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus WHO WALK ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT! Emphasis on Spirit!

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

There is much confusion over the office of a prophet and prophesying. Anyone who claims to be speaking The Word of God is prophesying but that does NOT MAKE them a prophet as in the office of a Prophet! This is because prophecy is the testimony of Christ Jesus according to Revelation 19:10.

As I mentioned in an earlier posting the need/requirement for the five fold ministry within the body of Christ as five represents the number and fullness of grace. So when the true five fold ministry is present the proper equiping of the saints may be fulfilled. When you eliminate one you eliminate a part of Christ Jesus. Now perhaps you can see why many do not embrace true prophets because a true prophet will discern the motives, intents and spirits at work. How do you expect to be in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus when you deny that Jesus was the embodied fullness of the five fold ministry! You can’t be restored to what you deny! Hearing this about the five fold ministry look at all those well know preachers today who deny the five fold ministry! If you truly examine all of the things Jesus did and spoke you will see all five fold offices at work throughout the testimony/Word of Christ Jesus. In conclusion a saint who is mature and in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus can operate and function in all five fold offices! Jesus said a kingdom divided will not stand so if you divide or eliminate the five fold ministry you divide the kingdom of God.

This reminds me of my initial prayer when I became born again. “Lord help me to be whatever you need me to be when you need me to be it.” It’s not about the title or office it’s about the will of the Father and true representation of the Lord Jesus.

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

I hope this posting has brought revelations and truth to you enabling you to grow in Christ Jesus in Spirit and Truth. Blessings, grace and peace to you from our Lord Christ Jesus.

The post JESUS VERSES THE PHARISEES appeared first on Abiding Bread.

As with any posting from anyone I do my best to try to communicate what is on my heart the best that I can. Please take all matters to the Lord in prayer. It is NOT my will that anyone be deceived. The enemy is after all of us, including me! I pray the Holy Spirit bears witness to all of you. If not then it could be for a different time in your walk with the Lord. DO NOT ACCEPT WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT REVEAL BUT PRAY INTO IT. God bless the saints of the Lord and may the fullness of His love and spirit dwell and manifest richly within you.

Let us start at the beginning of creation so we can set the foundation of truth. It is imperative that you pay attention to the sequence of creation because in line two you might think the earth was already created and it was not. Also in line number two “the deep” refers to Water and Word because everything was created by the Word of God. You will see later that “Water, Word and Spirit” are ONE in Christ Jesus. Okay lets get started by reading Genesis 1:1-10.

Genesis 1:1–10 (NKJV)

The History of Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

⁶ Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” ⁷ Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. ⁸ And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

⁹ Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. ¹⁰ And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

In line six we see that God created a firmament in the midst of the waters (deep) and it divided waters from the waters. Also notice that “were” is italicized in your bible as I italicized all of scripture to make it stand out from my writings. God separated the Water/Word by firmament and created Heaven. When we read line nine we see that the waters under heaven gathered into one place and “dry land” appeared God called the dry land Earth. Okay, so now that we have established this we can see that the waters above as well as below the firmament are the Water and Word of God.

Proverbs 18:4 (NKJV)

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

So let us now reflect on Noah’s Arc and what the Arc represents and who the person of Noah reflects. We know that Noah was a preacher of righteousness which is the Word of God. We know that God told Noah to build the Ark so it was God who created the Ark by the hands of Noah. God was about to destroy the earth by the flood and Noah was the carrier of the Word of God in the Ark of the Covenant! The Ark represents the Covenant as we know God told Noah when you see the rainbow it is the NEW Covenant.

Genesis 9:12–17 (NKJV)

¹² And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³ I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. ¹⁴ It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; ¹⁵ and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ¹⁷ And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Now remember the correlation between Noah and Covenant by means of the Ark. Now we can look into the person of Moses.

We know Moses as an infant was to be killed by order of Pharaoh. However Moses mother created an “Ark of bulrushes” for him and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. Notice “ark of bulrushes” as this is similar to Noah’s Ark carrying the Word of God and the Covenant of God!

Exodus 1:22–2:10 (NKJV)

²² So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

Moses is Born

2 And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. ² So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. ³ But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. ⁴ And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

⁵ Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. ⁶ And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

⁷ Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

⁸ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. ⁹ Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. ¹⁰ And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

We must notice in line one of chapter two the bloodline of Levi of Moses parents which is the royal priesthood. The “Ark of bulrushes” is what carried Moses and Moses was to be the person carrying the Word and Covenant of God. Moses would prophecy of  the “ONE TO COME” which would be the Lord Jesus. So now you see that Noah’s Ark and the Ark of Bulrushes” are one of the same as carries of the Word and Covenant ABOVE THE WATERS OF THE EARTH. This is an essential point of mention, above the waters of the earth as in Genesis mentioned earlier as the Water and Word are one of the Same, Christ Jesus.

Now let’s look at King David who was a carrier of the Covenant and Word of God which was the presence of God. Through David the Lord made a Covenant.

2 Samuel 6:1–23 (NKJV)

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

6 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. ² And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. ³ So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. ⁴ And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. ⁵ Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.

⁶ And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. ⁷ Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. ⁸ And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.

⁹ David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” ¹⁰ So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹¹ The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.

¹² Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. ¹³ And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. ¹⁴ Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. ¹⁵ So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.

¹⁶ Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. ¹⁷ So they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. ¹⁸ And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. ¹⁹ Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.

²⁰ Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

²¹ So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. ²² And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”

²³ Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

I did a posting earlier about walking on water and now I’d like to bring more to that posting. Notice the name Moses means “out of the water”! Okay, now lets go to Jesus walking on water again.

Matthew 14:25–33 (NKJV)

²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

³³ Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Now from what I have spoken about Genesis and the “deep” waters being separated by firmament and the Waters and Word are ONE you can see how Noah, Moses, David and Jesus were carriers of Covenant and Word as well as Jesus being the incarnate Word in Flesh. You can also see how Jesus sustained their mortal lives through floods, pestilence, plagues and rulers. Jesus walking on water was symbolic of Jesus’ baptism by John the baptist. Jesus came up out of the “Water which was the Word of God” thus Jesus walked on water. Jesus rose above the firmament which separated the “deep” waters in Genesis. Above the firmament was heaven below the firmament was the earth yet both were “Water and Word”. This is how Jesus makes a bold statement He was not of this World and us being born again come up out of the Water & Word raised above the firmament into the Kingdom of Heaven no longer in the kingdom of darkness!

Matthew 3:13–17 (NKJV)

Baptism of Jesus

Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

¹⁵ But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

¹⁶ When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. ¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

This is what happens through true repentance and Water and Spirit baptism we emerge from Water and Word which is Christ Jesus. We emerge with an open heaven! We have access to the Father through Christ Jesus! Jesus was demonstrating what was awaiting those who are baptized with Water and Spirit to the disciples. Remember initially Peter did walk on water but when Peter took his focus off Jesus and focused on the storm it inhibited Peter from continuing walking on the water. When Christ Jesus was pierced with the spear on the cross Water & Blood came out of Him. Water and Word are One in Christ Jesus. Jesus told the woman at the well that He could give her LIVING WATER.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So if we focus on Philippians 4:6-7 we see that “peace” was challenged and when peace is challenged it is from one to three sources. One being our adversary the devil attacking our peace in Christ by spiritual conflict, secondly relying on our own abilities, worries or concerns and third an attack on our faith/belief! We must have unwavering faith in Spirit and Truth according to the Word of God and Spirit of God that conquerors the enemy and helps us trust fully in Jesus.

In 2 Samuel 8 we know that the Lord made a covenant with David and that the incarnate Christ Jesus would come from the bloodline of David. I hope you see who Noah on Water, Moses on Water, David with the Ark and Jesus walking on water all represent “Covenant & Word” as Jesus came to be our blood covenant as the sacrificial Lamb. Noah’s Ark, Moses Ark of Bulrushes, David with the Ark of the Lord and Jesus walking on Water as Jesus was the Water and Word made flesh and was the NEW COVENANT being the “Blood Covenant” of the sacrificial Lamb.

I have provided some more scriptures to support the “Water, Word and Spirit” as being ONE. I will continue after you read a few scriptures.

John 3:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 7:37–38 (NKJV)

Christ Reveals the “Living Water”

³⁷ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

John 19:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

So we have gone from Genesis to Noah, Moses, David and Jesus. Now let’s go from Jesus to the disciples to finish this part of the post. Let’s read about Jesus feeding the 5000 and the 12 disciples roles in this. It is important to see the final stages of the fulfillment of Jesus being the Blood Covenant and the fulfillment of His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Pay attention to the words in bold type.

Matthew 14:14–21 (NKJV)

¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

¹⁸ He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹ Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹ Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I highlighted line 14 because I wanted to emphasis that Jesus was moved with compassion. Consider John 3:16 and Christ slain before the foundation of the world. Additionally these were “unsaved” not born again people and Jesus had compassion and care for them. So how much more at the end of the age will Jesus provide for His church/bride! Those that are TRULY His.

In line 16 Jesus gives the disciples instruction to give them something to eat. Isn’t this the same as Jesus telling Peter “feed my sheep” when Jesus restored Peter in love! Line 17 states there were 5 loaves of bread and bread being the Word of God from the Bread of Life Christ Jesus because Jesus multiplied the bread so it was divine bread! Five is the number of GRACE and the bread was the Word of God. The disciples were each told to pick up 12 FULL baskets of fragments. Notice the word FULL. This represented the grace of God with each of the disciples FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD. This would be the great commission of Matthew 28 and once Pentecost came they were filled with the Holy Spirit and everything the Lord had taught them the Holy Spirit would bring back to their remembrance. This is why I tell people when you receive revelations from the Holy Spirit they are eternal and NOT subject to your soul which would be your mind but the mind of Christ being built within you by the Holy Spirit. The disciples were to become Apostles carriers of the gospel of Christ Jesus the blood covenant of reconciliation with the Father through “Christ Crucified”. I mentioned in an early posting about needing 12 witnesses to fulfill “legal” requirements of baring witness. The 12 disciples fulfilled that requirement and became Apostles when the Lord breathed The Holy Spirit on them.

John 14:26–27 (NKJV)

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Now I will begin to conclude this post as I hope you can see the “carriers of covenant” and the “Ark of Covenant” all the way to the Incarnate Christ who came to be our sacrificial lamb for the Blood Covenant.

Now I hope you see greater revelations of truth and how the Lord’s Word is faithful and true. I’d like you to consider what I have revealed and shared above and now apply it to the coming of the Lord and the pestilence, plagues and fire that will come upon the earth before the return of the Lord Jesus. With this in mind focus on the flood and Noah, the plagues of Egypt not affecting Moses and David conquering kingdoms for the Lord. The end of the age to come is with pestilence, plagues, fire and kingdoms against the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus. Think back and remember the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace who were not burned neither smelled of smoke and apply this knowledge to the end of the age and being able to stand in the fire to come. All those who have been taught and believe the false doctrine of the per-tribulation rapture are NOT being prepared spiritually to overcome what is developing and to come upon the earth. Their faith is based in a lie and the Lord will not empower a lie as the Lord only empowers His Spirit and Truth. They embrace an illusion of living their best life now and embrace this world and the teachings of this world. They do not seek revelations of Truth from the Lord. The blind leading the blind. Meditate on the scriptures below and see how the Lord will sustain those that are completely His who have prepared themselves spiritually to overcome. I pray you receive revelations of Truth and repent for believing lies and following wolves in sheep’s clothing or leaning on your own understanding. You are following your own “pride of life” and not the truth of scripture.

Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalm 66:12 (NKJV)

¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

Psalm 23

The Lord The Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

³ He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

Psalm 91 (NKJV)

Psalm 91

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

Zechariah 2 (NKJV)

Vision of the Measuring Line

2 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. ² So I said, “Where are you going?”

And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

³ And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, ⁴ who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. ⁵ For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ”

Future Joy of Zion and Many Nations

⁶ “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. ⁷ “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.”

⁸ For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. ⁹ For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

¹⁰ “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. ¹¹ “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. ¹² And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

In my time with the Lord today the revelation of Moses Ark of bulrushes was given to me and it brought me all the way back to genesis to revelations as “Jesus is our Ark” or “Dwelling Place” and those that dwell in Him shall be protected from the pestilence, plagues, fires and destruction to come.

It was the Lord that “shut Noah in the Ark”, it was the Lord that delivered Moses from the death of Pharaoh as an infant, it was the Lord who slew the giants and kings for David and it is the Lord who will keep us from the onslaught of our enemies and the coming destruction.

I hope you have been enlightened, encouraged and edified to “stand firm” in Spirit and Truth and witness the hand of the Lord in your life and redemption.

Isaiah 66:14–24 (NKJV)

The Reign and Indignation of God

¹⁴ When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,

And your bones shall flourish like grass;

The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants,

And His indignation to His enemies.

¹⁵ For behold, the Lord will come with fire

And with His chariots, like a whirlwind,

To render His anger with fury,

And His rebuke with flames of fire.

¹⁶ For by fire and by His sword

The Lord will judge all flesh;

And the slain of the Lord shall be many.

¹⁷ “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves,

To go to the gardens

After an idol in the midst,

Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse,

Shall be consumed together,” says the Lord.

¹⁸ “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. ¹⁹ I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. ²⁰ Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. ²¹ And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

²² “For as the new heavens and the new earth

Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,

“So shall your descendants and your name remain.

²³ And it shall come to pass

That from one New Moon to another,

And from one Sabbath to another,

All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

²⁴ “And they shall go forth and look

Upon the corpses of the men

Who have transgressed against Me.

For their worm does not die,

And their fire is not quenched.

They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

The post CARRIERS OF COVENANT AND THE WORD OF GOD appeared first on Abiding Bread.

Prophecy has exploded this past decade and with most of this prophesy is false and of the Antichrist spirit. This is exactly what Jesus warned us of and what Paul wrote about. It would be wise to remember that Elijah was outnumbered 850 FALSE PROPHETS to 1 and that was thousands of years ago! HOW MANY MORE FALSE PROPHETS ARE THERE NOW?

1 John 2:18 (NKJV)

Deceptions of the Last Hour

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

Matthew 24:4–5 (NKJV)

The Tribulation

Mark 13:5–23; Luke 21:5–24

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

These people are preaching lies, deceit and false doctrines of demons! Yet I see so many “professing” Christians following these false prophets, liking these false prophets and promoting these false prophets. THIS IS A REFLECTION OF YOUR HEART! If you love the Lord you will not fellowship, promote or like false prophets.

Galatians 1:6–8 (NKJV)

Only One Gospel

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:1–15 (NKJV)

Concern for Their Faithfulness

11 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The post PROPHECY appeared first on Abiding Bread.

Ephesians 2:20–22 (NKJV)

²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Let me start out by saying I do not believe in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) at all, but that does not mean I do not believe in the five fold ministry or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I also know the path to salvation is narrow and few find it so that being said the “path” or “call” to the apostolic or prophetic or any of the five fold ministry is even likely more narrow than the path to salvation. Many are called but few are chosen.

I also need to point out this simple truth that if vastly overlooked so it will help you understand why today’s denial of the five fold ministry is not true. It was NOT the Son of Man who taught the disciples it was the Son of God who taught them. All true disciples are taught by the Holy Spirit not man! So if a person teaches you without spiritual knowledge and revelation it is in vain! I will cover this more further in this posting.

John 14:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

Matthew 16:13–17 (NKJV)

Revelation of the Person of the King

Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–21

¹³ When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

¹⁴ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

As you clearly see in the above scriptures it was the Son of God (Spirit of God) that taught the disciples but when you listen to a man or person you will often get their “understanding or interpretation” and not spiritual revelation from the Holy Spirit or Jesus. I always tell people when you receive spiritual revelation from the Lord it is eternal, forever a part of your spirit. It is NOT head knowledge, it is heart and spirit knowledge.

Let us also reflect that ANY of the five fold ministry offices can be infiltrated by the Antichrist spirit. No office or person/saint is exempt from this. Just because an individual has not experienced or operated in the Holy Spirit and cast out demons or healed the sick doesn’t mean that this doesn’t happen today through a saint today. If you haven’t cast out demons or healed the sick perhaps the problem is not with the Lord, it is with you.

Matthew 10:7–8 (NKJV)

⁷ And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

I have personally witnessed and exposed demonic spirits by revelation of the Holy Spirit that are within the church assemblies everywhere I go and only to get laughed at, mocked and ridiculed. So let us look at which five fold offices exposed witchcraft, Jezebel, Ananias and Sepphira and other demonic spirits in the bible.

Peter received revelation from the Holy Spirit that Ananias lied which kept a lying spirit from entering the church of Christ Jesus. Paul in Acts 16 cast out a spirit of divination that was following his ministry potentially affecting the TRUE WITNESS and revelation of Christ Jesus. The prophets exposed false prophets and Jezebel throughout the Old Testament. Samuel rebuked Saul and said “rebellion is as witchcraft”! Wow, could rebellious denial be witchcraft in the church because they rebel against truth and do NOT seek the Lord in Spirit and Truth? We wonder why the church is in suck dismal and pathetic condition spiritually as the denial of true apostles and prophets existence has made things even worse.

Matthew 10:40–41 (NKJV)

⁴⁰ “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. ⁴¹ He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

People will clearly tell you that true discernment is missing in the body of Christ and there are several reasons for this. Primarily the elimination of the five fold ministry which is necessary for true edification of the saints. While each born again person should have discernment I question why they don’t have personal discernment. The Holy Spirit is the only source of TRUTH and many have they put their trust in a person, NOT in Christ Jesus. I believe it is the lack of a true born again experience and/or total dependency upon the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus. If you know your spouse, shouldn’t you know who is NOT your spouse? Jesus is the Bridegroom and the church is called to be His bride, shouldn’t we know the Bridegroom personally and intimately?

Amos 3:7 (NKJV)

⁷ Surely the Lord God does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

While the scripture says prophets let’s focus on servants. I have heard right from the pulpits and lips of professing Christians that only the Lord knows the hearts of the people. This is correct but only a partial truth as the Lord reveals the hearts of people to His faithful and obedient servants! Just look back at Peter confronting Ananias, Paul with the young damsel with the spirit of divination.

Preachers are not called to preach to someone’s intellect they are to preach matters of the heart! Jesus wants to give them a NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT. This is why there is no mention in much of today’s preaching about sin or matters of the heart! Preaching today is from man’s theology, man’s teaching, man’s beliefs, man’s wisdom rather than Spirit and Truth!

Ephesians 2:20–22 (NKJV)

²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Now I know what my critics might say. They look at the phrase “having been built” and take it out of context. This is why they say there are no more apostles and prophets. So tell me when did Christ Jesus stop building His church and why are you preaching the good news of the gospel if the church stopped being built? What that statement refers to is the established church on the foundation of Christ through the apostles and prophets. In truth many years ago the Lord showed me a primary reason the church is in such pitiful condition is because true apostles and prophets have been kicked out of the church of Jesus Christ and false ones are in the church claiming to be apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists. Additionally to many preach against the offices of apostle and prophet as well as some of the gifts of the spirit.

Jeremiah 17:9–10 (NKJV)

⁹ “The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?

¹⁰ I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

So if the Spirit of God dwells in you how is it you can’t discern or preach matters of the heart? If you don’t preach matters of the heart how do you preach true repentance? In the book of Acts it clearly states the Holy Spirit added to the church not a sinners prayer.

Today we have preachers that deny the offices of apostle and prophet yet them themselves claim to be the only office necessary such as pastor/teacher. So here is a question to consider. If the Holy Spirit is incapable of lying and the Holy Spirit reveals all truth how do these preachers make the claims that the office of apostle and prophet ceased. How is it they claim that certain gifts have ceased! Where there is one untruth how many untruths might there be? I’ll let you discern if it is and untruth or a blatant lie.

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ “God is not a man, that He should lie,

Nor a son of man, that He should repent.

Has He said, and will He not do?

Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

1 Corinthians 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

There is a reason there is a five fold ministry and the number five signifies the fullness of grace! The divine power of God in fullness. I will admit and boldly proclaim that all five offices have been infiltrated by the Antichrist spirit but that does not mean they do not exist. Just because there are many calling themselves Christ doesn’t mean they are Christ. Many will falsely come in the name of the Lord but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in the Lord.

1 Peter 2:6–10 (NKJV)

⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone,”

⁸ and

“A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Matthew 10:40–41 (NKJV)

⁴⁰ “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. ⁴¹ He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

Matthew 10:11–15 (NKJV)

¹¹ “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. ¹² And when you go into a household, greet it. ¹³ If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. ¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

I have been to churches that the Lord has spoken to me Matthew 10:11-15 personally. They have not rejected me they have rejected the Lord Jesus!

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So ask yourself this question. Why would Paul write this regarding the five fold ministry after the book of Acts/Pentecost was written if there are no apostles or prophets as they would have had to been with the incarnate Christ? TO PREACH THAT THERE ARE NO MORE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS TODAY BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE HAD TO LIVED AND SEEN THE INCARNATE CHRIST IS LIKE SAYING THE BLOOD OF JESUS HAS NO POWER TODAY BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN AT CALVARY WHEN JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED.

Why were the Epistles even written in the first place if the “foundation” had been already laid and was established properly? Why was correction being brought to the “established” churches by the apostles if apostles are not necessary? Why is correction not allowed today within the church? When you say that someone would have to have been alive when the incarnate Christ was on the earth are you saying the resurrection never happened because NONE of the disciples became apostles until after the resurrection! My God is alive and living!

Why would Jesus tell the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came it would bring all of His teachings back to their memory? It was the power of the resurrection by the indwelling Holy Spirit that made them apostles. Has Jesus stopped His ministry by stopping the Holy Spirit to create born again believers and the five fold ministry? Has Jesus stopped building His church? I believe this is the major problem! Man is building his ministry and NOT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. How is it for salvation your faith must be in Christ and once you go or attend church your faith is in a man calling himself a pastor or preacher?

John 14:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

What they don’t see clearly is that none of the disciples became apostles until they received the Holy Spirit either by Jesus breathing on them or after Pentecost in Paul’s case. Jesus breathed on the disciples after His resurrection. So when you say you would have had to been with the Incarnate Christ this is not completely true as Paul was not with the original disciples Paul encountered the Resurrected Christ Jesus. The five fold offices are given by the Holy Spirit not by dispensational grace.

John 20:22 (NKJV)

²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

This is the perfect example of the New Testament church as Paul encountered the resurrected Christ not the incarnate Christ.

When Paul received the Holy Spirit he departed for approximately three years or more, but when Paul came back He wrote the epistles to put the Church back on it’s foundation! How could a relatively new convert see what was wrong with the church and people confessing to be Christians for many years can not discern what’s going on in the church?

One of the foundational oversights that goes neglected is that the incarnate Christ Jesus taught the disciples by THE SPIRIT OF GOD. It was the Spirit of God not the son of man that taught the disciples! The disciples were taught by the spirit of God! That is why Peter said to Jesus, you are the Messiah the Christ! Jesus responded flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father has revealed this to you! A man cannot teach things of the Spirit of God they must be taught and received by the Spirit of God! This is why Jesus said it was best if He left so the Holy Spirit could come and bring EVERYTHING THAT WAS TAUGHT TO THEM BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE INCARNATE CHRIST JESUS AND THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD BRING IT BACK TO THEIR REMEMBRANCE.

This explains how Acts 1:21-22 and 1 John 2:27 work together! Once the Holy Spirit is sent you would not need to have been alive with the incarnate Christ! The incarnate Christ taught by the Holy Spirit and 1 John 2:27 teaches by the Holy Spirit! In Acts 1:21-22 that is why they wanted someone who was around the teachings of the incarnate Christ because they were taught by the Spirit of God prior to Pentecost! It was the Lord’s desire that they all be commissioned/sent at the same time! So Paul was not with the incarnate Christ but by the Spirit of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit became an apostle for the Lord Jesus. That is why Paul spent approximately three years alone with the Lord because the Lord had been with the original disciples for three years. Do you see this similarity?

True discipleship has not changed! Today it is the Holy Spirit that disciples a born again believer!

1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

1 Corinthians 2:11–16 (NKJV)

¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

There are many problems in the church today and they evolve from the basic principles that Christ MUST be the Chief Cornerstone and Head of the Church. When you deny there are apostles and prophets you deny how Jesus established and continues to establish His church and by doing this you allow the enemy to infiltrate the church because you have limited the fullness of how the Church is to be established. Just look at how Elijah mentored Elisha, Paul mentored Timothy and how Paul and the apostles encouraged the saints and edified the saints. Don’t confuse preaching with building a “spiritual house/church” for the Lord! They are not the same!

I know many will deny what this post reflects and that is your choice but be careful you do not deny the Lord or the fullness of the Lord by your lack of understanding, faith and belief! 

Let me ask you why then does Revelation 2:20 which is about the end of the age mention testing apostles to discern true ones from false ones if they don’t exist any longer in the church of Christ Jesus?

Revelation 2:2 (NKJV)

² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

James 1:5–8 (NKJV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Matthew 23:1–39 (NKJV)

Jesus Characterizes the Pharisees

Mark 12:38–40; Luke 20:45–47

23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. ⁶ They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ ⁸ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. ⁹ Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. ¹⁰ And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹ But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus Condemns the Pharisees

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

¹⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. ²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. ²² And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

I have always prayed this simple prayer to the Lord as while I know my calling and gifting neither belongs to me, it belongs to the Lord.

“Lord help me to be whatever you need me to be when you need me to be it”. While I know my gifting and calling it is never about me it’s about revealing Christ Jesus and if that is preaching, prophesying, praying, counseling or whatever I just want to be what Jesus needs in the moments He needs it for someone else. This is being led by the Spirit of God not walking in an “office” because it is Christ and Christ alone that needs to be revealed, released and prophesied.

I hope this posting has brought understanding and clarity. Above all seek the Lord and read the full counsel of God’s Word. I offer this one posing thought, ask yourselves why it was the apostles and prophets that were martyred, imprisoned, stoned, whipped, tortured and despised by the religious leaders and why by denial of their existence today they are still being martyred spiritually by the religious leaders?

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