APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

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APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

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?

SPIRITUAL MARTYRDOM – JEZEBEL

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SPIRITUAL MARTYRDOM – JEZEBEL

The slaughter of the sheep and the onslaught of the church has reached levels that only few truly recognize. Most people think that they won’t be here for the great tribulation because they can’t discern the spirits or the times we live in and twist scriptures to support their beliefs rather than Spirit and Truth. When you read in Revelations that the beast was given power to overcome the saints this can be spiritual and NOT just physical martyrdom.

It would be wise to know that Satan doesn’t need to kill us physically because Satan can kill us spiritually just as he did with Eve and Eve did to Adam. The wages of sin is death! Eve got Adam to partake. So today it’s not which gender gets you to partake it is about partaking! This is why Jesus warns many times about deception. You can be spiritually killed by believing, following and partaking in lies and deception! THIS IS A FORM OF MARTYRDOM.

JEZEBEL

This is why when Jezebel could not kill the prophets in the Spirit she attempted to killed them physically! The first objection is to get you into sin and this would include pagan worship to Baal so you will be killed spiritually and if that doesn’t work she will seek to kill you physically. While this might sound outrageous but it is true, Jezebel will even try to get you to kill yourself by suicide. I know this first hand! Suicide is spiritual! Going on medications and seeking psychological counseling will not deliver you from a Jezebel! If Jezebel can’t kill you spiritually she will attempt to take your life! Jezebel will use witchcraft, lies, manipulation, false accusations and turn friends and family against you making you feel abandoned and all alone.

Don’t make a mockery of Elijah by saying he lost faith because that is not true. Also stop just thinking of Jezebel as a spirit when it is also a principality! Jezebel ruled over Ahab and even used Ahab’s signature and king’s seal! Now when you read Revelations 2:20 think of Jezebel ruling the church of Jesus from within and how the church leaders and saints tolerated Jezebel. Where ever the Jezebel spirit is, it seeks to create Jezreel total dominance and authority for Baal worship. A Jezebel spirit seeks to clone itself in her own children. In my travels for the Lord I witnessed a Jezebel female pastor who was spiritually cloning her daughters into Jezebel pastors also. There are NO women pastors or preachers and you need to go back to the Levitical priesthood to see there was never a Levitical woman priest or preacher. That is why Jehu was instructed to kill all of Jezebel’s offspring.

2 Kings 10:23–28 (NKJV)

23 Then Jehu and Jehonadab the son of Rechab went into the temple of Baal, and said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and see that no servants of the Lord are here with you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” 24 So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed for himself eighty men on the outside, and had said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escapes, whoever lets him escape, it shall be his life for the life of the other.”

25 Now it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, “Go in and kill them; let no one come out!” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; then the guards and the officers threw them out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal. 26 And they brought the sacred pillars out of the temple of Baal and burned them. 27 Then they broke down the sacred pillar of Baal, and tore down the temple of Baal and made it a refuse dump to this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel.

I’ve read several books and teachings on a Jezebel spirit but from my experiences and revelations received from the Lord there are many things not written about the Jezebel spirit. As I mentioned suicide tendencies and actual suicide in males is from the Jezebel spirit as you will read in scripture below. I know because I was suicidal from the age of 5 to the age of 49 off and on. Dealing with a Jezebel spirit is not an easy task especially when this spirit controls someone you love. I am thankful to the Lord for hearing my cries in the wilderness as I wanted to take my life that the Lord heard my cries and delivered me from the hands and spirit of Jezebel.

The Jezebel spirit is also the spirit behind the LGTBQ movement. This spirit emasculates men and feminizes them while making females with this spirit gets more masculine, authoritarian, dominant, overbearing and ungodly. Role reversal equals “gender reversal”. We need to recognize this not only as a spirit but a principality! Jezebel ruled the Israelite’s over king Ahab. What is happening in this world now with with transgender men in women’s sports, sex trafficking, etc. 

When you read about Jezebel in the scriptures you will read she was given a “season of repentance” but when a Jezebel goes beyond the point of repentance she was killed by Jehu. You really need to think about the progression of the evil spirit(s) in Jezebel. Let’s remember the name Jezebel is used but the spirits involved are what needs to be focused on. I don’t have time to elaborate more on the Jezebel spirit but I did want to touch on suicide and the LGTBQ movement as those I have not heard any other person mention or preach upon.

1 Kings 19:1–4 (NKJV)

Elijah Escapes from Jezebel

19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

When Jezebel said “so let the gods do to me” she was speaking of principalities where Jezebel received her evil powers and strength from. This is why we must not underestimate the effects that a Jezebel power has, or the ungodly influences of the Jezebel Spirit. It is the most alluring evil spirit as Jezebel gets others to do her dirty work so Jezebel can portray herself as a victim. When Jezebel lied about Naboth to get his vineyard she brought false accusations of Naboth cursing God and the king which led to Naboth’s stoning and seizure of his vineyard into the hands of Ahab. She portrayed Ahab as a victim! This is how manipulations transfers guilt and accusations onto the innocent which in this case was Naboth’s innocence. True spiritual discernment is needed to discern that Jezebel worships another god!  So Jezebel can appear to be spiritual, prophetic and can even display false humility and tears.  Fasting and prayer may be required and also getting out of the “spiritual atmosphere” of Jezebel, get into the wilderness with the Lord and seek the Lord for true spiritual discernment.

Notice Elijah saying he prayed he might die and even asked the Lord to take his life! This is suicide from a spiritual attack!

In closing I want to reiterate that martyrdom can be in the spirit and NOT just the natural death. Spiritual death is real just as the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden. There is no true life without Christ Jesus dwelling in your heart.

Blessings to all, I hope this has helped you see the condition of the church as well as the times we are living in.

MORE TESTIMONIES FROM KENYA

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More Testimonies From Kenya

The Lord Is Moving in Kenya!

I wanted to bring you an update on how the Lord is moving in Kenya through Kristo Church of East Africa. The head pastor has sent me testimonies of how the Spirit of God is moving on the hearts of the people in Kenya. Praise the Lord. I also want to thank all of you for your prayers, thoughtfulness and donations to provide bibles for the pastors and saints in Kenya.

Testimonies:

Blessings to you servant of God pastor Glen Garrity Sr, I was in prison where I have been given an opportunity to preach every week on Monday morning from 8: 00am our time. Please pray for me to get fare every week on Monday morning to be able to present the word of God rightly in the presence of the Holy spirit who convicted sinners today to give their lives to Christ Hallelujah 43 people gave their lives to Christ. It was on the spirit of discernment as the Holy Spirit brought it to is through you, thank you Holy Spirit for this great revelation.

Our beloved servant of God pastor Glen thank you so much for being used of God for the teachings of today, God moved mightily and Instantly healed the sick, fourteen years suffering from sickness has been permanently settled today. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! People are being saved, and the baptism of the Holy spirit is being experienced in every congregation. We deeply prayed for God to use you more in touching lives as this and again to provide for these servants of God, my pastors the Bibles each so as to help them deeply study and be strong without being challenged by any false teachings anywhere.

Hallelujah to God be the glory!!! We are still celebrating Christ Jesus for what He has done and we are convinced by the miracles, signs and wonders that you are a God sent into our lives in such a time as this and the teachings of God through you our beloved servant of God pastor Glen Garrity Sr are truly timely. May God Almighty give you the grace to press on in Jesus Name

The first sermon the lead pastor preached was on my post of the Apostle Paul and his life as the New Testament Church as Paul encountered the resurrected Christ which every new believer should encounter by being born again. In that first sermon preached 37 adult souls came to the Christ and 12 children souls came to Christ within the 24 congregations. Every congregation experience the Lord Jesus moving upon the souls of those in attendance. Praise the Lord!

I want to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness in contributing toward bibles for the people of Kenya so that they may show themselves approved as good Bereans.

Acts 17:10–12 (NKJV)

Ministering at Berea

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

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.” ’

 

 

 

 

 

TESTIMONIES FROM KENYA

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TESTIMONIES FROM KENYA

I wanted to share some wonderful testimony from Kristo Church of East Africa. I was contacted by the lead pastor several weeks ago regarding my postings on my web site www.abidingbread.com and was asked to assist them in their ministry. They are an organization of 25 churches and currently only have one LUO BIBLE which the lead pastor is in possession of. The lead pastor has to write the sermons on paper and distribute the sermons as neither the pastors or saints they have bibles. That is why I created the GoFundMe page on their behalf. These people desire to be Bereans but have no bibles.

https://gofund.me/bd6f6bb6

I hope you are blessed by the testimony of their first church service utilizing what I have shared online and how the pastor translated my writings from English to Luo inspired by the Holy Spirit for the people of Kenya for his churches. What an amazing testimony!

TESTIMONY

Our beloved servant of God pastor Glen thank you so much for being used of God for the teachings of today, God moved mightily and Instantly healed the sick, fourteen years suffering from sickness has been permanently settled today. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! People are being saved, and the baptism of the Holy spirit is being experienced in every congregation. We deeply prayed for God to use you more in touching lives as this and again to provide for these servants of God, my pastors the Bibles each so as to help them deeply study and be strong without being challenged by any false teachings anywhere.

Hallelujah to God be the glory!!! We are still celebrating Christ Jesus for what He has done and we are convinced by the miracles, signs and wonders that you are a God sent into our lives in such a time as this and the teachings of God through you our beloved servant of God pastor Glen Garrity Sr are truly timely. May God Almighty give you the grace to press on in Jesus Name

The glory and praise belongs to the Lord. Jesus is to be praised and worshiped for His outpouring of Spirit and Truth in Kenya healing the sick, preaching the gospel with signs and wonders!

Luke 7:22–23 (NKJV)

22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

The people of Kenya thank you for your thoughtful and loving donations towards providing them with the Word of God allowing them to purchase Luo Bibles for the pastors and saints.

God bless you.

Bibles Needed for Kenyan Pastors’ Ministry

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Bibles Needed for Kenyan Pastors’ Ministry

I have been working with Kristo Church of East Africa which consists currently of 25 churches, children’s ministries, prison ministries and there is a humble need for bibles for pastors and saints. They are humble and hungry for the Word of God. May the Lord bless you to be a blessing and thank you on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Kenya. https://gofund.me/7250a689

SUPERNATURAL PROVISIONS

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SUPERNATURAL PROVISION

This is going to sound blunt but you just have to speak in truth no matter the sting.

There is a vast difference between the brethren helping in our needs than begging.

Even when the brethren helps with those needs are you yourself willing to grow in faith and trust in the Lord for His provisions verses the provisions from the brethren. When someone falls we help them up to their feet but we can’t walk for them, they must walk themselves. When Peter said arise and walk it still took faith for that person even though healed to arise and walk. Jesus continually said, your faith has made you well.

So it is with faith, rendering greater faith, glory going to glory, trust growing into deeper trust and revelations of God’s continual and growing love in us.

When you ask over and over and over again that is begging and unbelief in God’s sovereignty and the truth of His Word. Even though you are tested, perplexed on all sides doesn’t mean God is not true to His Word. Miracles happen through us from Christ within us, just as much as God performing miracles out of His love directly to us.

These matters always bring back to my mind “many are called but few are chosen”. If you are chosen for a specific calling then the Lord will provide and hardship and persecution is the normal way of life. Yes I know what the word says about if you see someone in need we are to provide but when you constantly lean on the brethren you have made the brethren your lord and not Jesus Christ.

Go back to the Old Testament and read the cries of the prophets, the Psalms of David and how they petitioned the Lord not the brethren. If you want revelations of God’s supernatural provision it must come from Him by you seeking Him! He is the author and finisher of your faith not the brethren.

Look at the original sin and how Satan temped Eve. He presented it as “lack” God holding back! You are in a spiritual war but you rely on physical provision, but you need spiritual provision which renders the natural.

I lost jobs, health, friends, family and even professing Christians in my journey with the Lord! Stand up in spirit and truth like I had to do! Speak to the Devil in Spirit and Truth like I had to. “Devil you come to steal, kill and destroy but I tell you the Lord God can out bless anything that you steal and the Lord Jesus is my provider so while you may continue to steal and use others to keep me from my provisions my Lord is able to out bless anything you can take!”

I have also been in such poor physical health because of the enemies attacks. I couldn’t breath well at all. Walking 10 feet was about all I could do and I would have to rest for 30 minutes. This was terrible as I was alone with no family, friends or church family. One day I had enough! I said Devil you can’t take my breath away from me! I have the breath of life dwelling in me! Go now in the name of Jesus! I don’t even know where the strength came from as I was so weak but I shouted it out as loud as I could. My breath was restored and healing began in my body.

Stop living from defeat, stop being carnal in thought and put on the armor of God. You feel like you are alone and abandoned that is where the Lord brings all of us eventually so we can become totally dependent upon the Lord.

How do you think Job must have felt when even his wife told him to curse God! You are on a battlefield not a playground. If you don’t engage in the battle defeat will be your portion.

Job 2:9–10 (NKJV)

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

I will tell you this I believe every true saint will experience the fullness of what is written which includes suffering, hardships, abandonment, false accusations and the like. The bible bears witness all the way from Genesis through Revelations what a life in Christ resembles. We are no different than the saints that were before us.

Could this be how people go astray? They make the brethren their lord even without knowing it. How will you overcome when you can no longer buy or sell food when the Antichrist comes if you are a beggar in the Kingdom of Heaven?

I still believe in a fire by night, cloud by day and fresh manna from heaven. I believe in fish and bread being multiplied and I believe when we are thankful for what we have and are good stewards of what we have the Lord provides the increase.

Unbelief is not righteousness, it is doubt, lack of faith and it relies on our own ability which we do not have. It is only by God’s ability, His love, mercy and grace.

Psalm 37:25 (NKJV)

25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his descendants begging bread.

Tuck in your shirt, tighten your belt, straighten your cap, put on your boots, hold your head up and stand up firm in the Lord not shaken tossed to and fro.

We are not living in the Garden of Eden we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death!

Ephesians 6:10–20 (NKJV)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The great commission included “take nothing with you” meaning total dependency upon the Lord. Your current “lack” is an opportunity to grow in Christ but you must believe in His Word and that Jesus is true to His Word.

Please read 1 Thessalonians 3

May you be strengthened in Spirit and Truth and may you continue to grow in Christ Jesus our hope and glory.

NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

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NO SALVATION WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

I have been seeing many online postings on social media with statements that obedience is NOT necessary for salvation so the Lord has me writing this post to expose this lie. Let me start by saying that you can be saved by grace through faith but you will not be born again without obedience which is denying yourself, picking up your cross and follow Christ Jesus. Salvation and being born again are supposed to be together not separate. Salvation through repentance is not merely admitting of your sin but also your rebellion to follow Christ Jesus according to His Word and commands. In order to do that we must be born again!  What we have in much of the church is likely just “white washed tombs” and without the Holy Spirit you have not be delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.  See other post that expounds on this:  https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/15/salvation-unto-being-born-again/

To fully understand this we must go back to the “Father of Faith”, Abraham. We must also understand what TRUE repentance is because that is not preached much these days. Without obedience the crucifixtion of Christ is made into a mockery and there would be NO salvation without the obedience of Christ Jesus!

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

Phillipians 2:5-11 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How was faith and righteousness imputed/accredited to Abraham? Secondly is sacrifice better than obedience? Third, what is true repentance?

Let us read scripture to understand how Abraham became the “Father of Faith” and how it was imputed/accounted to him. You should understand that obedience is the prerequisite to faith, repentance and righteousness. Even Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient to the point of death! No one could take Jesus’ life but He freely laid it down in obience to the Father’s will. If Jesus was NOT obedient there would have been NO Propitiation for sin and thus NO SALVATION without His death and resurrection! Are we to believe obedience is NOT necessary for salvation but Jesus had to be obedient unto death/crucifixtion for the propitiation for our sins so that we may obtain salvation through Christ?

Jude 2: 14-26 NKJV

Faith Without Works is Dead

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

So in the book of Jude we see very plainly that obedience is required to have faith! Jesus’s ways and truths are to be applied and established in every TRUE believer. Without obedience there is NO true faith.

Here is another principle and fact that is not preached today. Whenever the Word of God or the Holy Spirit reveals/speaks to you, you are at the place of decision to be obedient or deny the Holy Spirit/Word of God. This is a form of judgement through either obedience or disobedience in that your free will is being tested whether to apply, conform and obey the Word/Voice of God.

1 Samual 15: 22-23 NKJV

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.”

True repentance is not only acknowledging your sins but also FULLY submitting to the Lord Jesus in Spirit and Truth. You acknowledge your need to submit, obey, adhere, and turn away from your sinful life and follow the Lord Jesus and the Word of God. You must allow the Lord Jesus to guide you, lead you, correct you and teach you by dying to “self” as well as your beliefs on what is right and wrong by submitting and following Jesus as LORD and Savior. Many preachers purposely omit LORD!

Matthew 16: 24-26 NKJV

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

Romans 6:15-23 NKJV

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were 5delivered.

18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I hope this has provided insight and truth to you and that you seek the Lord for His Spirit and truth. I could litteraly spend hours adding more scripture from Psalms, Proverbs, Hebrews and more but I will leave that to you. Let us remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and let us seek the Lord Jesus in ALL of our ways and let the Lord’s Word be lamp unto our feet and keep us on His path of righteousness. May the Lord bless you.

RAPTURED IN CHRIST JESUS

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RAPTURED IN CHRIST JESUS

Let me start off by saying that the revelations I received today I could write a book as these revelations and principles apply all through the Word of God and biblical history. These revelations are already written and contained in the Holy Scriptures. We must pursue the wisdom of God and not the teachings and wisdom of men/women. This statement is not meant to be offensive but it is the truth. That is why we meditate on the Word of God and not just read the Word of God. It is the Holy Spirit that gives revelations of God’s Word and by His grace and Spirit we can receive revelation of His Word. The Lord gave me much more but what I have written here is what started the Spiritual Revelations to flow. I pray you will receive revelations in Spirit and Truth.

While the title of this posting includes the topic of the rapture there is much more needed to reveal to render understanding regarding the rapture. I will bring to you what the Lord has revealed to me in Spirit and Truth but I won’t have time to expound and completely address some of those points at this time. Otherwise I would have to write a book instead of a short story. I ask you to seek the Lord on matters that I do not expound on but I will give you thoughts to consider in your time with the Lord.

Today as I was meditating with the Lord I was once again was troubled in my spirit about the lack of love, faith and trust in the Lord and the Truth of His Written Word that I read online and have seen in the church. These virtues of the Lord Jesus should be as a three stranded cord the scriptures tell us about. This is why I am so troubled by what I read online in peoples statements as when ONE virtue falls short it compromises all of the virtues of Christ Jesus. So I began to go back to the beginning which was Genesis as any “detective” searching for truth would do. In my Spirit I was called to the fall of humanity. In my spirit it was as if I was there personally which is possible with the Lord regardless of anyone’s belief or lack of.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV)

12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Let’s begin:

Jesus told Adam about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam later told Eve about this same knowledge. They were told if they partook of the forbidden fruit they would die.

Genesis 2:16–17 (NKJV)

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Now pause there for a moment. Eve had not yet been created yet as we know in scripture. We do not exactly know how long Adam was alive before Eve but we can determine it was for some time before the Lord said it was not good for the man to be alone.

Genesis 2:18–23 (NKJV)

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23 And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones

And flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called Woman,

Because she was taken out of Man.”

Now that we have established God’s divine order of man before woman lets expound on how the Devil got to Adam. We know the devil came to Eve and made the fruit appealing to her not only naturally but spiritually because the true word of God was twisted, manipulated, and lies and deception were spoken denying the truth about the forbidden fruit causing DEATH. The devil is the father of lies, he is a lying spirit so his words had spiritual powers of deception.

When Eve later presented the forbidden fruit to Adam he partook of the forbidden fruit. Now let’s look at how crafty and cunning the serpent really is. The devil perverted the LOVE OF GOD. You may not see it yet but you will. The serpent presented the fruit as sensual love which is NOT godly love. What did Jezebel do when Jehu arrived, she adorned herself to appear sensual. What happened to Sampson with the sensuality of Delilah? Does this sound familiar!

In my travels I have witnessed many spiritual manifestations and I can tell you this, the HOLY SPIRIT is NOT CARNAL and will not appear or manifest as sensual love! I have seen false mimicking spirits that are sensual and not the Holy Spirit. There was an old song and the lyrics said something like this. “I’m hooked on a feeling and I am high on believing” and that is what this false manifestation spirit does. People are under the illusion and deception that this is the Holy Spirit and it is from the Devil! Okay like I said I won’t go to far on this but it needed to be said.

Let’s get back to the fall in the garden. Adam had divine/agape love for God but when Eve came Adam loved the Eve also, in fact it was Adam that called her woman. When Eve presented Adam with the forbidden fruit she presented it just as the devil presented it to her, sensual because Eve had already fallen. What was presented to Adam by Eve was sensual love because she had already fallen. Not all love is the same there is only one form of Godly love. Just because a man is attracted to a woman doesn’t mean the man has godly love for that woman and it’s the same with a woman loving a man. Intimacy with your spouse should NEVER be put above or before your intimacy and love with the Lord!

This is why in 1 Corinthians 7 Paul expounds of husbands and wives and loving as Christ loves his church. I suggest you read this whole chapter so you will understand that Paul is addressing the original sin from the garden of Eden. Now Eve was deceived but Adam was NOT deceived. Now ladies do not take this as offensive but several years ago the Lord spoke to me and said to me as I was meditating, “I did not come back as the second Eve, I came as the second Adam.” Ladies please hear what I am about to say because this is a controversial subject today regarding divine order. Adam was Eve’s spiritual covering. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul talks about if one spouse is not of the faith/believing and the other spouse is of faith/believing, then that spouse is the covering for the unsaved/unbelieving spouse. So before Adam fell, Adam was a “covering for Eve”even though she had fallen. When Adam fell the covering was removed, thus both fell. So IF the Lord came as the second Eve that would have meant Adam would not have been restored and the divine order needed to be restored. By coming as the second Adam everything that preceded after Adam could be restored. The original created order needed to be re-established.

So men build up your wives in the ways of the Lord and wives build up your husband in the ways of the Lord and stop letting the Devil destroy your marriage. Stop blaming one another and get Christ Centered, and put Christ first and foremost in your marriage honoring and adhering to God’s Covenant of Marriage. Paul is addressing the original sin and it is Paul who said the mystery of iniquity/lawlessness was given unto him. Paul is talking about how Adam fell by loving Eve more than God. So whatever a man or woman follows is what they worship. Adam chose to worship Eve, it was sensual love and not Agape love. This is why a spirit of “lust” masquerades of love. Jesus told the woman at the well the time was coming and was here now that HIS people would worship in Spirit and Truth. Adam fell from Truth, he knew the truth but denied the truth. What you follow whether right or wrong is what you worship in spirit. If you are following lies, what spirit are you worshiping? God’s Spirit is Truth! Shortly I will tie this all together from the book of Genesis all the way to the topic of the rapture.  Bear with me a little longer.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Now let us look at the exchange Jesus had with Peter when the Lord asked Peter if Peter loved the Lord.

John 21:15–18 (NKJV)

Christ Speaks to Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

Peter had to be restored to Godly love verses brotherly love. Brotherly love in retrospect is no different than Adam choosing Eve over the Lord. Adam’s love for Eve superseded the love for God! It takes Godly love, the very love of Jesus and nothing short of it to overcome this world. Jesus himself makes reference to this:

Revelation 2:4–5 (NKJV)

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Now let’s share the initial revelation the Lord gave me.

Let’s start from a parents perspective. When a parent tells their child don’t touch the stove top because it is HOT you hope that they will listen to you. What is really challenged is love, trust and faith. Let’s go further. This child has never touched the stove top before thus your initial warning DO NOT PARTAKE/TOUCH requires the virtues of trust, faith and love. What does a child do that has never experienced touching a hot stove? They test the theory for themselves. Is mom and/or dad telling me the truth? The child’s disposition is I need to see and know for myself. So they touch a hot stove and get burned.

Now take that concept back to the garden with Adam and Eve. The Lord tells them not to partake of tree of knowledge of good and evil or they would die. So ask yourselves as you reflect on this “What is death” where death never was before! Adam and Eve didn’t know what dying/death was they were supposed to have loving faith and trust that the Lord loved them to tell them NOT TO PARTAKE. Just as you told your child not to touch the stove. This was an advantage the devil, had he knew what it was to be “kicked out”! The devil knew they would be “kicked out” and die. So the devil presented sensual love to Eve who in turn presented sensual love to Adam. Love for each other is NOT the same as true love for the Lord! Now let’s look at what Jesus tells us the two greatest commands are, and don’t reverse the order like so many preach!!!!

Matthew 22:37–40 (NKJV)

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Now let’s take this further. What did Noah warn the people of, the imminent flood. What is a flood where there is no rain! Same principle applies here also! This is why the Lord gives us this warning:

Matthew 16:4 (NKJV)

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

If you need a sign you don’t have love, faith and trust in God’s Word. It’s no different than mocking Jesus on the cross and saying if you are the King of the Jews remove yourself from this cross. That is Satan speaking through a man. It was the will of the Father for Jesus to go to the cross. “GIVE ME A SIGN!”

The sign of Jonah is dying to yourself just as Jesus spent three days in the tomb! Paul fasted three days after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus and this was before Paul received the Holy Spirit.

How many plagues did Pharaoh have to go through which were “signs” and yet Pharaoh hardened his heart! Once again imagine death in a place that knew no death. A flood in a place that had no rain. Now we can go to the rapture.

How many believe that it is as the Word of God states in Matthew 24? Why do they not conform to God’s Word and Spirit and Truth. Why do they not believe what is written? Why do they take other scriptures out of context to validate false belief? What does Jesus tell us, let’s take a look.


Matthew 24:4–26 (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. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.


Now I pose this question to you having read what the Lord inspired me to write why is there so much controversy regarding a rapture? It’s because people don’t believe God’s Word so they twist things to their own belief verses what the Word of God clearly says and the pick a couple of scriptures out of context so they can believe the lies Satan has inspired.

Just as what happened to Adam and Eve so it is today. When you don’t want to believe what the Word of God says you make yourself as god and create your own plan of salvation, not God’s way to be saved and overcome the world. It’s an escape mentality not an overcoming in spiritual and truth given by the Word of God and Spirit of the Lord. I can boldly tell you if you have difficulty believing any of the written Word of God that doesn’t mean it is not true. You need to believe even if you don’t understand, TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

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.

Now please take these matters to the Lord if needed. I believe many will receive witness from the Holy Spirit. Given what you have read I have a warning. Many are not prepared for the great tribulation such as the world has never seen before. When things get difficult many will likely turn away and get bitterness falsely believing the Lord Jesus didn’t love them because of the false teachings and beliefs of other people and preachers. But above all SEEK THE LORD! If we knew everything faith would not be necessary, we would be as god which is the original lie of Satan. There are also times the Lord is protecting us because we are not prepared or totally strengthened in a certain matter or issue. He even told his disciples this when Jesus told them He would send the comforter/Holy Spirit.

The problem is what Jesus address time and again, Faith verses unbelief! Jesus told many throughout the scriptures their faith has made them well. Jesus Himself was concerned about His second coming with the following statement, please take it to heart:

Luke 18:8 (NKJV)

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

TAKE HEED OF ANY UNBELIEF IN GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH

INCLUDING MATTHEW 24 & LUKE 21

Matthew 17:19–21 (NKJV)

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

John 20:29 (NKJV)

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Romans 3:4 (NKJV)

4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“That You may be justified in Your words,

And may overcome when You are judged.”

My closing statements. I was once in a bible study with two pastors and a group of people and the two pastors were going through the book of Revelations. I don’t claim to be a biblical scholar in any means but if someone is just going to read the bible I can do that on my own. I want spiritual meat not fluff.

In all honesty it wasn’t much more than reading it word for word verses giving revelation of meaning. One pastor and I use that term lightly and with hesitance said: We need to tell people about what is going to happen with the great tribulation and revelations so they will come to Jesus and be raptured out before any of this happens. The other pastor made no comment and just continued to read the bible like it was a comic book, NO MEAT just entertainment.

I said to the first pastor telling him that the tribulation and book of revelations is NOT THE GOSPEL! You two are trying to get people raptured but I am already raptured. I got looks like I had six heads or something. I said yes I am raptured, I was delivered from the kingdom of darkness and I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am in this world but I am not of this world so I don’t need to be raptured I am already home in Spirit and Truth! I was next in line to lead a bible study and my bible study was “who’s voice do you listen too”. After my bible study they closed it down for the saints to lead study and only the pastor could lead the study. That was okay with me as my time there came to a close as TRUTH was rejected so someone’s ministry could be built and NOT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

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 6:14–15 (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.

If this post has blessed you please feel free to share. I had never before seen origin sin in 1 Corinthians 7 as I was more focused on Covenant but today the Lord showed me how loved failed in the garden and in 1 Corinthians 7 was the original sin. Thus in the end of the age and the coming of the Lord Jesus is the “MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB”. That in itself should help you see 1 Corinthians 7 in a different perspective.

Please feel free to read my other articles which will help you with this article if you struggle with what I have said here they may help broaden your understanding.

https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/12/the-greatest-perverted-virtue-of-christ-jesus/

https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/10/the-new-testament-church-through-the-life-of-apostle-paul/

https://abidingbread.com/2025/04/15/salvation-unto-being-born-again/

https://abidingbread.com/2017/02/06/love-faith-trust-2/

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

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THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

When I was a youth and I would be at a funeral I would hear Psalm 23 spoken and I would imagine as it was recited that it reflected the after death journey from this earth to heaven because it was spoken after people died and at their funeral. Mind you I was young and not a born again Christian The religious affiliation I had only heard Psalm 23 spoken at a grave site and I had never actually heard it elsewhere and it was not even mentioned in church growing up other than for funerals. Thus my perception although wrong was what I believed. If you will continue to read further you will understand that the valley of the shadow of death is not some far distant land of the days of old.

While the Lord inspired me to write this I believe it relates to a recent YouTube video I saw about tours of the Holy Land where a man stood up on a hill and pointed to a valley between two hills and said this is the valley of the shadow of death were David walked. I thought no that isn’t the valley of the shadow of death because of the revelation the Lord gave me. This is why the Lord prompted me to write this post. When you understand that the whole earth is the valley of the shadow of death you will understand the great commission to preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus throughout the earth. Under the curse of sin and the consequence of death from sin the whole earth groans for the sons of God to come forth.

Romans 8:19–22 (NKJV)

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

8:22 groans together and suffers agony The created order is in turmoil. Like God’s people, it is longing for Christ’s return, when He will liberate the world from death and decay (see Rev 21:1 and note). This restoration is a prominent theme of the ot1 prophets2 (compare Isa 35:1–10).3

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The true spiritual battle is based on the great commission and Ephesians 6 tells us about our opposition to fulfilling the great commission. The objective is by preaching the good news of the gospel which will deliver people from the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus. This can only be done by preaching the gospel in power through the Holy Spirit. In short people need to believe in the whole gospel, repent and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Not a sinners prayer. Too many are deceived believing in the prayer and not the finished work of Calvary which includes the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NKJV)

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Sadly I was visiting a church in Florida during one of my ministry travels. At the end of the sermon the pastor asked everyone to close their eyes and then asked those in attendance who wanted to be saved to raise their hand and he said no peaking. He then said you can put your hands down and everyone can open their eyes. He said I will lead “everyone” in a prayer for salvation. First of all I was already saved and filled with the Holy Spirit by saying this prayer the enemy would likely laugh at me as in the form of a question. “Look he doesn’t know if he is saved or not”. In addition the Word of God clearly states that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel. So why was everyone told to close their eyes! The deceptions of Satan!

Matthew 10:33 (NKJV)

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

While we battle with spiritual hosts, principalities, rulers of this world the gospel must be preached. In any type of warfare you must know your adversary along with your “equipment” and plan of action. In spiritual warfare we need the equipment listed in Ephesians 6 and plan of engagement being LED by the Spirit of God. Take for instance Moses conversing with the Lord about delivering the Israelites (Exodus 3) Moses was raised in Egypt in the Egyptian palace and their traditions. Who better to be commissioned as Moses knew the enemy of the Israelites personally.

Romans 5:17 (NKJV)

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at Psalm 23

Psalm 23 NKJV

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.

One day about three years ago, give or take, I was walking with the Lord in a remote area by a river praising the Lord and meditating on scriptures. This was only about 4 or 5 years after my born again experience. As I was meditating the Lord spoke to me and asked me a question which really opened my eyes to Psalm 23. The Lord asked me “where was David when he wrote Psalm 23”? I said Lord David was in Israel but Lord, that answer does not witness in your spirit with me to be the correct answer. So I kept talking with the Lord as He listened I said Lord in the beginning (Genesis) of creation you make no mention of creating Israel. You created the heavens and the earth. Lord the earth is the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I said Lord even though they recite Psalm 23 at funerals David was alive when He wrote Psalm 23. The Lord said yes, that is correct and confirmed that the earth is the valley of the shadow of death.

I never doubted or had any misconceptions that evil spirits existed as the Lord has had me come against demons in people and command them to come out. I guess in my mind I just did as the Lord led me each day but I never really thought of the bigger picture. I was focused on what was in my immediate area in my daily walk and the spiritual realm that would come against me and the will of God that I didn’t see the bigger picture. For me it was natural to share Christ Jesus with people and I never really saw the bigger picture and to me each day no matter where I was there was the great commission.

I said Lord, now everything come into proper understanding of the spiritual realm and why the battle is so real. I am alive in Christ, but I am surrounded by people who are physically alive, but spiritual dead to the Lord. If they are dead to you Lord then the devil uses those people who are not of you Lord (born again) to come against us because their father is the Devil and they are influenced and blinded by the spirit of this world the Devil. Now Ephesians six took on a whole new perspective so did the great commission to go throughout the world and preach the gospel.

Rather than put an overwhelming amount of scripture I thought I would just list them as a timeline as most of us know about the Garden’s provisions, the tree of Life, etc.

Let’s go back and read Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

The History of Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

When the Lord God created the earth He saw that it was good.

Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Man was created from the dust of the earth which God saw that the earth was good. In Genesis the serpent was cast to his belly to eat the dust of the earth. Wasn’t humanity/man created from the dust of the earth. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy!

Genesis 3:14 (NKJV)

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,

You are cursed more than all cattle,

And more than every beast of the field;

On your belly you shall go,

And you shall eat dust

All the days of your life.

Genesis 2:15–17 (NKJV)

15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:22–24 (NKJV)

22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Garden of Eden. Location east of Eden (Gn 2:8) in the Tigris-Euphrates area of Mesopotamia, referred to 14 times in the OT4. The data in Genesis 2:8–10 show that it was in the Shinar Plain area, and that four “heads” were formed from the one river flowing through Eden to water the garden. The heads were the Tigris and Euphrates (both of which are familiar modern rivers), and two rivers which have disappeared—the Pishon and Gihon. The latter were most probably irrigation canals, since in cuneiform there is no separate word for “river” and “irrigation canal.” Thus the Eden area was irrigated after the Sumerian manner, making for a highly fertile garden. If Pishon and Gihon were in fact irrigation canals, the narrative places Adamic man firmly in a historic high culture, and takes him out of the realm of myth and legend. If the above identification is correct, Cush referred to the land of the ancient Kassites, while Havilah may have indicated Arabia.

The notions that the rivers were the four encircling the earth and that Eden is to be identified with the Sumerian Dilmun are based on inadequate geographical information.

Eden was the testing ground of man’s fidelity to God’s commands, and through disobedience, the garden was lost. It will be regained in the form of the new paradise (Rv 22:14).5

So as you see the whole earth is the valley of the shadow of death. Now lets look at some of the verses from Psalm 23.

Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

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

This passage reflects the Lord’s care and protection.

Psalm 23:2 (NKJV)

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

Sheep graze in pastures so this reflects the Lord’s provisions and nourishment for us.

Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

This would reflect being led by the Spirit of God as the Lord orders our steps and those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of god. (Proverbs 16:9 & Romans 8:14)

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

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.

This symbolizes that life will not always be characterized by green pastures and that we will walk through darkness and gloom.

Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

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

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

While my study bible does not specifically state this, I see this as a prophesy of the last supper as well as David uses the term “table” and yet it also refers to David’s daily walk with the Lord. The holy Spirit revealed this to me and as I continue you will see it more clearly. Seeing how it prophesies of the “table in the presence of enemies” it is telling us that even surrounded by darkness and enemies we can partake of the Bread of Life Christ Jesus. See how this ties in the last supper. Hallelujah, praise the Lord. The anointing of oil symbolized constant refreshing of the Lord. (Psalm 92:10)

Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

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.

This statement refers to being led and guided by the Lord through the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s unfailing convenantal love. I also see Psalm 91:1 even though it is not mentioned in my study bible. So when you meditate on God’s Word you will see the last supper and Psalm 91 in Psalm 23.

I would also like to make this statement because to many speak Psalm 91 like they are entitled to this. The rest of the Psalm 91 will not apply to you unless you yourselves fulfill line one. This is also stated in John 15 as I always like to provide more than one scripture.

Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

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.

So know I hope you see the greater picture and revelation of the spiritual battle and significance of the valley of the shadow of death how it relates to the great commission. I would also like to state while I have been invited in the past to travel to other nations the whole world is our mission field and a saint must be sent by the Lord and in the Lord’s timing. It is not that I do not want to go so please do not take it personal or feel offended or left out.

We must be led by the Spirit, this is just the plain truth. You can see in the book of Acts for yourselves that Jesus sent the Apostles out to different areas they did not chose where they were sent and commissioned. While I know there are many afflictions of the righteous and many degrees of affliction globally I also know that suffering is not local it is global. That being said my mission field is always before me and not confined in a region as the whole world is the valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Perhaps now you can see why when the second coming of the Lord arrives the Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth as the corruptible and evil ways of this world will be no more.

Numbers 6:24–27 (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.” ’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

1ot The biblical books produced by the “writing” prophets, including the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

2 prophets The biblical books produced by the “writing” prophets, including the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.

3 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ro 8:22). Lexham Press.

4OT Old Testament

5 Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Garden of Eden. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 839). Baker Book House.

SALVATION UNTO BEING BORN AGAIN

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SALVATION UNTO BEING BORN AGAIN

I believe there should be more preaching on the progression from just “being saved/salvation” (cleansed of sin) to being “born again”. The body of Christ needs more meat and preaching on the spiritual life in Christ Jesus. It’s as if this is totally omitted and not being preached by some. You you must be born again to see the Kingdom of Heaven and to be delivered out of the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Then you are in this world but not of this world. There must be more preached and desired than just being saved by grace and being white washed tombs. Salvation should lead us to seek and desire to be born again with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Salvation and being “born again” are meant to be together.  Without a new heart and new spirit of being born again the old rebellious nature is still within you.


Ezekiel 37:1–28 (NKJV)

The Dry Bones Live

37 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ ”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’ ”

One Kingdom, One King

15 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 16 “As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.’ 17 Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.
18 “And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by these?’—19 say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” ’ 20 And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.
21 “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. 23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
24 “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. 25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 28 The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ ”

To really begin to know the Lord and grow in Christ you must be born again. I have said this many times and I will continue to say it time and again. The devil does not care if you read the bible, go to church, have bible classes and fellowship. He doesn’t care if you are filled with HEAD knowledge the devil doesn’t want you filled with the HEART of God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What the devil does NOT want is for you to be “Born Again” in Spirit and Truth. When that happens when you are born again you have a NEW FATHER IN HEAVEN and the devil is NO longer your father.

You have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and born again into the Kingdom of heaven! This is why the Apostle John gives us these scriptures because the devil doesn’t want you to be born again and if the devil can obscure the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus there it will inhibit your ability to be “born again” in true saving belief. All three must be preached the life of Christ unto the death/propitiation of sin, the resurrection and the ascension of Christ Jesus. Paul writes this in Acts.

Acts 19:1–6 (NKJV)

Paul at Ephesus

19 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples (this means followers/believers)2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

This makes me think of the statement Jesus says at the judgment seat.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NKJV)

True Way into the Kingdom

Luke 6:46

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Ask yourself, could it be they didn’t have the Holy Spirit so they were not led by the Holy Spirit? Could it also be they were building up their ministry and not building the Kingdom of God? I heard a testimony once of Howard Pittman’s death experience where he was taken up to heaven but not allowed to enter heaven. In this experience Pittman spoke to the Lord and said Lord have I not done all things in your name for your glory. The Lord said to him you have done nothing for me as all your works were for your ministry. In Pittman’s testimony he said he had preached for over 30 years “believing” he was serving the Lord.

Jesus said that He only did and spoke what the Father told Him, we are to do the same only by and through the Holy Spirit which leads us? After all, the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. This is something to consider.

Okay, lets get back to why we must be baptized of the Spirit of God.

This is why Jesus makes the statement about if there be any darkness in you because the whole world is in darkness which is of the devil. There is no darkness in Christ Jesus. So then if there be any darkness in you HOW great is that darkness?

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.

Please notice line seven. We only have fellowship with those who walk in the light as Jesus is light. This requires the indwelling Holy Spirit for the Light of God must be in us.

Matthew 5:14–16 (NKJV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

This directly connects to Jesus saying if the love of the world (darkness) is in you the love of the Father is not. Jesus is referring to being born again and delivered from the kingdom of darkness.

We know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So is the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is why we must have the Holy Spirit to truly worship and love Jesus. Just as Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him we also must go from brotherly love to Agape love and by the indwelling Holy Spirit this is possible. Also remember after each time Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Him Jesus said “feed my sheep”. The only way to truly feed the Lord’s sheep is by Agape love and Spirit and Truth which is provided to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Jesus doesn’t use a different word than Peter because agapaō has a special meaning; rather, He wants to emphasize the extent to which Peter must love Him in order for him to follow through on God’s plan for his life. Peter must love Jesus as Jesus has loved him: He must be willing to die for God’s mission of bringing salvation to the entire world (13:34; 21:18). Also, he must be willing to die for others.1

We praise what Jesus has done/does for us, but we worship Him for who he is, God Almighty the One True God. What type of offering are you giving the Lord in worship?

Doesn’t this remind us of Cane and Able, what are you offering up to the Lord in worship? Able offered a blood sacrifice the first of his flock. Are you offering Jesus the Holy Spirit in you from Christ our all sufficient “blood sacrifice”? Doesn’t Paul refer to Jesus as the “first fruit”. If you want to grow deeper in love with Christ Jesus then reciprocate that love he placed in us which is the Holy Spirit. Worship Jesus in Spirit and Truth. Just as the Father loved the Son, we worship the Son Jesus through the Holy Spirit the very Love of God. This is essential to truly love the Lord with all of your heart. Without a new heart and a new spirit it will not be so. A wicked heart cannot worship in holiness!

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.

Matthew 22:37–40 (NKJV)

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

This is why salvation without the Holy Spirit falls short. They are meant to be together even though they are different. That is why my believe is that water baptism is an outer declaration of an inner transformation by receiving a new heart and new spirit. It is the Power of The Holy Spirit that begins the process of sanctification unto holiness. While salvation by grace through faith is imputed by believing, sanctification and holiness is not imputed, it is a work of progress by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It takes the Spirit of God to crucify our flesh by receiving a NEW HEART AND NEW SPIRIT.

Ezekiel 36:26–38 (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!”

33 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

This is also why Jesus told the woman at the well that the day was coming and was here now that HIS people would worship in Spirit and Truth. To worship in Spirit and Truth you must be born again. That is what the Lord desires. Adam was created by Spirit and had the Spirit but when Adam denied the TRUTH by partaking of the forbidden fruit the result was the fall of humanity. Jesus came as the second Adam. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a born again Christian we are now able to worship in Spirit and Truth once again. Ask yourself this question and bring it to the Lord, knowing that whom we worship we follow and submit to. So whom did Adam follow and thus chose to worship? I hope this sheds light and revelation to you.


Matthew 23:27 (NKJV)
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.

John 3:3–6 (NKJV)

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

I hope this post has inspired those people to earnestly seek the Holy Spirit verses just being saved. Let us also bear in mind in Galatians 5 the works of the flesh and the works of the Holy Spirit. Someone without the Holy Spirit cannot produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said we will know them by their fruit. May you be blessed and encouraged to continue pursuing all that the Lord has for you, an abundant spiritual life in Christ Jesus!

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 (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.

A final scripture to really bring this message to conclusion and fulfillment of the need to be born again and FILLED with the Holy Spirit!

Matthew 12:43–45 (NKJV)

43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

1 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jn 21:16). Lexham Press.