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SANCTIFIED VESSELS

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SANCTIFIED VESSELS

There are many inroads to ungodliness, darkness, lawlessness, immorality and demonic influences and oppression. If you give Satan an opening, he will pry that opening wider and wider.

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.”

We must cast down vain imaginations and temptations which we know are contrary to the knowledge and way of Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NKJV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

What most people don’t see, choose not to see, underestimate or disbelieve is that the greatest spiritual battle was fought in heaven and that same battle continues here on earth even within the church assemblies and leadership.  Look across the world today at how exterior influences of Covid19 and other mandates have restricted the assembling of the saints not to mention the attacks from within the church assembly.

Sadly, much of this battle is fought within the church assembly and within leadership as demonic influences constantly attack even from within the church assembly. To deny that Satan puts people or demonic spirits/influences within the church buildings and assemblies to destroy the works of Christ is to deny the battle fought in heaven ever happened and the battle here and now, not to mention the battle which is to come when Christ Jesus returns.

In addition, it was the works of Satan which crucified Christ but even through that, Jesus was in control because Jesus controlled the time that the crucifixion would take place. It was at an appointed time.  Jesus freely gave His life, we need to do the same and lay down our lives to Christ for the salvation of others. 

John 15:13 (NKJV)

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

I am saddened when I look at profiles that have lustful images and “likes”. There should be modesty in our appearances as this applies to both men and women.  As the Lord leads I private message people to help them work through their struggles and many do comply by repentance and removing those things that are ungodly or invite demonic influences into their lives.  The struggles are real, and we need to rightly deal with these struggles. 

When I see Pastors or church leaders with these things it is even more disheartening yet not surprising. (No condemnation) If Satan can attack leadership then everything under that leadership is subjected to those same demonic influences. Satan will always try to attack “the head” leadership and if that doesn’t work Satan will attack those close to the “head leadership”.  This includes the family structure and why there are so many separations, adulteries and divorces.

We must not sit under false prophets or ministers believing the words of these false prophets. Substituting lies for truth. Then there are those who “like” “false prophets” or a mixture of true prophets and false prophets. I am not being judgmental here I am stating facts.   The truth is every time we receive revelation of the Truth of God we are under judgment.  What are we going to do now that we truly have a revelation of Truth?  We must conform to Truth! 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(Read 2 Peter 2)

As we truly grow in Christ and walk the narrow path so will the people we follow or associate with.  Things we once enjoyed we longer enjoy, things we once did we no longer do. The time is accelerating and of urgency. The bride must prepare for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

See my article:

http://abidingbread.com/2018/01/28/marriage-supper-of-the-lamb/

As the world increases in ungodliness, immorality, perversion and lawlessness the influences and forces of these demonic attacks increase against us. Let us not lose hope or faith in this battle because a born-again follower of Christ knows this earth is not their home.

I believe however hard these times are for the body of Christ, all of this is a preparation for what is about to come. Many go without food and shelter. Others are abandoned by loved ones because of the spiritual division of beliefs. Whatever the hardship let us rejoice in the finished work of Calvary. Do not grow weary as our redemption draws near.

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

 

See my article on Consequences: 

http://abidingbread.com/2020/07/12/consequences/

Meanwhile let us humble ourselves as individuals with truthful personal reflection of our pursuit of holiness and righteousness to Christ Jesus. Our salvation is not dependent upon others it is only dependent upon our personal true and godly devotion to Christ.

 

We need to restore one another in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus in the Fruit of the Spirit. Restoration only happens through true humility, honest reflection, repentance and our true desire towards being the bride of Christ Jesus. NONE OF US IS EXEMPT FROM THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE WE EACH MUST HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE.

 

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

Bear and Share the Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

 

1 Corinthians 11:27–34 (NKJV)

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

 

We know that judgment starts in the house of the Lord, the Lord desires His pulpits to be holy, undefiled, sanctified, consecrated just as the Lord wants our bodies to be sanctified and consecrated.

 

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

 

True discernment within the church is not only knowing truth from error but also knowing those who are under demonic influences that truly seek deliverance and restoration verses those who come to undermine, kill, steal and destroy on behalf of Satan. As long as we falsely believe the “partial truth” that only the Lord knows the hearts of people we will deny that the heart is wicked and deceitful. To be a preacher of righteousness sin must be addressed and the wages of sin spoken and addressed.

 

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

9  “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

 

 

Ezekiel 36:26 (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. 

The Lord always exposed the hearts of people to His true servants. These servants are humble enough yet strong enough in the Spirit of God to approach people for repentance and restoration. Many of these servants are mocked, slandered, demised, persecuted, cast away, ridiculed and were martyred.

(Read 2 Samuel 12)

King David is a prime example and David was a man after God’s heart. The Lord sent Nathan to speak to David and there are times the Lord will send people to us for restoration.  It is also worth noting that if ANYONE merely points out your sin but DOES NOT bring you to the cross of Calvary AND the resurrection of Christ so that we can become new creations in Christ they are NOT of the LORD JESUS!  (The exclude the gospel of Christ and the propitiation of sin through Christ.)

 

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The time is long overdue that we seek the holiness and righteousness of Christ wearing the full armor of God not only in our personal temple but in the House of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10–13 (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.

Luke 22:31–32 (NKJV)

Christ Predicts Peter’s Denial

Matt. 26:31–35; Mark 14:27–31; John 13:36–38

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

 None of us are exempt from the attempts or sifting of Satan.

 

The grace of God and the blood of Jesus is all sufficient and blessed are those who are cleansed, forgiven, redeemed and reconciled to Christ Jesus.  May the Lord receive the fullness of His inheritance, the hearts and souls of all His children. 

 

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.” ’

 

Titus 2 (NKJV)

Qualities of a Sound Church

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

 

Trained by Saving Grace

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

 

 

SPIRITUAL SICKNESS

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SPIRITUAL SICKNESS

 

One of the greatest sicknesses isn’t a disease it’s a spirit which embraces other destructive spirits rendering sound decision making impaired, health restoration inhibited and attempts to destroy the same attributes in those we love and care about!

 

This spirit perverts, twists, manipulates, enforces tactics, methods, and protocols contrary to what is needed for restoration of true health. It can leave a person with feelings of hopelessness, destruction, abandonment, isolation, lack of self-worth, loss of strength, loss of motive and render complete paranoia and even the embracement of death.

 

Ultimately, its goal is to bring death to the soul and eventually to the life of the person and all those people exposed to this spirit. If this spirit were classified in human military terminology perhaps it would be called “friendly fire” because spirits work through people and affect other people. Its true spiritual purpose is to kill, steal and destroy every life possible!

 

There is no human antidote or medical cure because it is a spirit and not a disease! A disease can’t kill the soul only the flesh! Does this resemble what is transpiring across the globe now? 

 

SPIRIT OF FEAR

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

There is a very simple reality about the fear of death and I in no way in stating this attempting to undervalue a person’s life.  Many fear death because the wages of sin is death.  They are not in right standing with God and/or truly not “born again”.  I am astonished at the number of professing Christians who fear death while openly proclaiming that the “Resurrection” dwells within them.  How can you fear a disease when the “Resurrection” dwells within you?  How can you embrace John 3:16 in faith and embrace death simultaneously?  How can you truly preach Christ fearing death, were not the Apostles martyred? 

I’d like to expound on what I have never heard preached, but the Lord revealed to me.  When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, He sweat drops of blood as the crucifixion drew near.  Jesus then spoke not my will, but your will be done Father.  Was that the son of man or the Son of God speaking?  If flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven what was displayed and truly happening was the separation of the son of Man and the Son of God.  The flesh (human soul) needed to die/surrender to fulfill the will of God!  The last thing any person desires is to die so the conversion, sanctification and human will of the human soul is only overcome by the Spirit of God!  The Son of God is eternal and cannot die so it was the Son of Man totally surrendered to the Son of God in the garden of Gethsemane. 

 

Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

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

 

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

 

John 11:25 (NKJV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

If we reflect on Psalm 23 which is often quoted at funerals this Psalm is for those who live in Christ not for those who are not.  The good news is the Gospel of Christ where redemption is available, and atonement has been in Christ Jesus!

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

Where is the “valley of the shadow of death”?   I am not referring to a city, country or specific location but generally speaking it is the earth.  We are surrounded by death, spiritual death.  There are people dying spiritually and they don’t even know it because the enemy has them captive.  Only through Christ are the captives set free!

 

Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death “I will fear no evil for thou are with me!” 

 

The table that is prepared is symbolic of the last supper and we are able no matter how much darkness and death tries to consume us partake of the “BREAD OF LIFE”!  Praise the Lord!  Glory to God! 

 

In these last days or as I see it last HOURS the professing body of Christ must overcome the fear of death!  Why are so many Christians afraid of death, let each of us search our hearts humbly before the Lord on this.  How will you be able to refuse the mark of the beast if you fear death? 

 

Satan is likely laughing as humanity fights whether to wear a mask or not to wear a mask when in reality the mask is NOT the problem it is a diversion and smoke screen to what is really happening.  A mask cannot save your life!  There is an evil agenda at work and who is anyone to Lord over us saying we can’t buy food without a mask?  How did they get to decide who lives and dies?  Satan wants to make himself God, what spirits are at work?  To simply say it is a mandate does not make it godly!  Is abortion godly?  It may be legal, but it is NOT GODLY! 

 

Has the mask become an idol, is your faith in your mask?  To be told you don’t love because you won’t wear a mask is absolute hypocrisy.  Are we bowing to a mask?  Do you believe in the Resurrection, have you encountered the Resurrection, or have you been conquered by the grave?  If you choose to wear a mask that is a PERSONAL decision and should remain a PERSONAL decision. 

 

Personally, I can’t imagine believing in the healing power of God and praying for someone’s health while wearing a mask.  I am either delivered from death or I am not.  Is sickness real, sure it is.  Does sickness define me, definitely NOT!  There is a separation of the flesh and the spirit!

 

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

 

For example, I NEVER force prayer on anyone, and I respect their personal decisions and boundaries.  While in a store recently the Lord prompted me to pray for an elderly woman with difficulty walking.  I sought the Lord then approached the woman telling her the Lord wanted me to pray for her and asked if she would like prayer.  She said yes, I stated I am not wearing a mask does this make you uncomfortable and she said no.  Both her and her husband were wearing masks.  I laid hands on her and prayed.  I then looked at her husband and the Lord gave me words of knowledge and through those words of knowledge came prophetic utterance.  I said The Lord says you are a strong man and you do not wish to burden your loved ones with your troubles the Lord says that you need to cast those burdens upon Him as only the Lord can deliver you from your burdens.  There were other words from the Lord, but I am merely giving this as an example.

 

Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

22 Cast your burden on the Lord,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

 

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

His wife then spoke and said he was just diagnosed with dementia.  I asked if he would like prayer.  He said yes, The Lord had me break the curses of his diagnosis as lead by the Lord and spoke the mind of Christ over him and proclaimed that the Spirit of God is not ruled or subjected to the flesh but the flesh is subjected to the Spirit of God.  I continued to pray as the Holy Spirit guided me.  We continued to pray and fellowship for a while. 

 

My point is that I respect your personal liberties and I merely ask the same in return.  I believe in the resurrection and I believe my destiny is in Christ and in NOTHING else.

 

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

Psalm 23

The Lord The Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

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

2   He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3   He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

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

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

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

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

 

It would be good to remember that a house divided will not stand and that the foundation of TRUE faith is ONLY in Christ Jesus.  My life is not my own but the life I live know is in the faith of Christ.

 

Galatians 2:20 (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.

 

Daniel 3:16–18 (NKJV)

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

 

We know the story of Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-Nego and through meditation and perhaps the way the Lord has me process things I try to examine not only the truths of God’s word but also the consequences of God’s word.  For example, why something happened following God and what happens or could happen not following God.  There are consequences and I meditate on both sides for clarity.

 

An example would be who, what, when, why, how and why not.  The why not has me question why didn’t the rest of the Israelites go into the fiery furnace after Jesus was in there with the three Jews?  If you truly are seeking the Lord, HIS glory and to be one with the Lord why wouldn’t you go into the fire?  Jesus is an “All Consuming Fire” and everything will be tested by fire.  This question would also include the book of Exodus when they would not go up the mountain with Moses, but they made idols.  When I say Israelites, I am not being specific regarding Israel or Jewish people but followers of Christ.  If you are truly seeking and following Christ wouldn’t you want to dwell and abide in His presence?

 

I encourage all of us me included to continuously embrace these thoughts humbly in prayer.  Will the Lord be glorified in my life and death (human death) for His glory and will I be a living witness unto death for His name sake?

 

John 14:27 (NKJV)

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

 

Fear is often used for manipulation, control, dominance and submission of a person’s personal liberties to life that is dictated by others.  The forces behind fear is evil and demonic in nature.

CONSEQUENCES

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CONSEQUENCES

 

There are consequences for both doing what is righteous/godly and doing what is lawless and immoral.  Are we willing to endure the hardships of righteousness as evil intensifies?  Will we fall or depart from “THE FAITH” as Jesus questioned?  Will the root of bitterness take root as we endure tribulation?  We must each ask ourselves these questions and make a firm, solid decision as the battle escalates against good versus evil.

 

We live in a world where consequences and accountability for personal actions, decisions and choices are perceived and taught to be non-existent, denied, obscured and “free will” is promoted without accountability or consequence.  “Individuality” is taught, spoken and promoted to eliminate the consequences and accountability of personal decisions and actions.  Free will has been manipulated to portray that there are no consequences to a person’s actions, decisions or lifestyle to the false belief that there is no “fall out” or effect on others and that our individual actions have no corporate or widespread effect on others.  This is a lie from the pit of hell!

 

 Discipline is now portrayed as unloving, unkind and inhuman.  Biblical “sowing and reaping” is being taught and embraced as “KARMA” where people actually wish others would experience the pains, sufferings and abuse they themselves have endured!  Let us remember that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another just as Christ died the death we all deserved.  Are you willing to pay the personal cost of true discipleship and righteousness of Christ?  Are you willing to be forsaken by family, friends, employers, church members and the like? 

 

The time when you could “keep your head down”, “fly under the radar” or “mind your own business” without consequences has ended as evil is manifesting in greater measure and those that take a stand for the righteousness of Christ are overtaken by the fall out of evil.  Satan doesn’t care how many he destroys or who is a casualty of his evil. 

 

Do you have faith in Christ first and foremost for your daily needs when you are no longer able to buy, sell or barter for life’s essential needs such as food?  Have you totally surrendered your life into the loving arms of Christ?  Are you a true living witness for Christ not by mere words but by a lifestyle of the life of Christ? 

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

1 John 2:2 (NKJV)

2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

 

Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV)

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 

Statements like “It’s my life and I will do what I want”; “It’s my choice and I will decide,” “Mind your own business” and the classic statement; “Who are you to judge” are often quoted in an effort to remove accountability and consequences for one’s personal statements and actions.  It’s as if the whole world was created just for them and you are privileged to even breath the same air!

 

Marriages, relationships, jobs, friendships and even a person’s life and livelihood can suffer consequences because of someone else’s decisions, actions, lies, manipulations, etc.!  Selfishness, conceit, narcissism, pride and arrogance is common place as moral fortitude and backbone for righteousness and truth are sequestered and silenced while “free will” is the common moral law. Will you choose to remain silent as souls perish, people die or will you bear the cost of persecution, mockery, slander, captivity and the like for the purposes of Christ? 

 

Matthew 5:3–12 (NKJV)

3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4   Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5  Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7   Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8   Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9   Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

 

Luke 9:24 (NKJV)

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

 

People are taught “sensitivity training” and not to judge others according to what is right verses wrong.  Love has been perverted into whatever feels good and that love will never face adversity, struggles, hardship, trials or tribulations. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

 

Right vs. Wrong

 

Isaiah 5:20–21 (NKJV)

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,

And prudent in their own sight!

 

 

 There is a personal price to pay for doing what is right and for what is wrong.  Sadly, most people will not stand for what is morally and biblically right because of the personal sacrifices, persecution, slander, ridicule, loneliness and other losses as well.  These actions are not self-induced, self-inflicted but are normal consequences of other people’s actions who promote lawlessness, immorality, inhuman activity and actions against those who stand up for, promote and speak God’s truth. 

 

John 15:20–21 (NKJV)

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

 

Are you confronting the works of darkness and lawlessness?  Are you fellowshipping with darkness or tolerating darkness?  We are called to expose the works of darkness and have no fellowship with darkness.

 

Ephesians 5:11–13 (NKJV)

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

 

2 Corinthians 6:13–17 (NKJV)

13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

 

The time is short as evil is escalating and each of us must ask ourselves this very important question as we humbly seek the Lord.  Are we willing to partake in the sufferings of Christ for His name sake and glory?  We will not escape this world we will only overcome this world through Christ Jesus.

 

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

Matthew 24:22 (NKJV)

22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

 

1 Peter 4:13 (NKJV)

13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

 

Galatians 6:16–18 (NKJV)

Blessing and a Plea

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

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

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

 

There is only ONE that will not forsake us and that is Christ Jesus, but will we as individuals forsake Jesus?  We must endure the hardships as a “good soldier” for Christ and endure whatever may come for Christ as the great commission must continue even in these difficult times.  The battle has been for thousands of years but as the second coming gets closer and closer evil gets worse and worse.  Put ALL your trust in the Lord and may the love, grace and mercy of God dwell in you richly for the glory of the Lord Jesus.  Are you willing to totally lay down your life for Christ Jesus?  We must each make that choice and have understanding of the consequences we must bear for His namesake, and remember that Agape Love bares all things and does NOT fear.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–13 (NKJV)

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

2 Timothy 3 (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

 

Cross-Carrying – A.W Tozer

3. The spiritual man wants to carry his cross. Many Christians accept adversity or tribulation with a sigh and call it their cross, forgetting that such things come alike to saint and sinner. The cross is that extra adversity that comes to us as a result of our obedience to Christ. This cross is not forced upon us; we voluntarily take it up with full knowledge of the consequences. We choose to obey Christ and by so doing choose to carry the cross. Carrying a cross means to be attached to the Person of Christ, committed to the Lordship of Christ and obedient to the commandments of Christ. The man who is so attached, so committed, so obedient is a spiritual man. 4. Again, a Christian is spiritual when he sees everything from God’s viewpoint. The ability to weigh all things in the divine scale and place the same value upon them as God does is the mark of a Spirit-filled life. God looks at and through at the same time. His gaze does not rest on the surface but penetrates to the true meaning of things. The carnal Christian looks at an object or a situation, but because he does not see through it he is elated or cast down by what he sees. The spiritual man is able to look through things as God looks and think of them as God thinks. He insists on seeing all things as God sees them even if it humbles him and exposes his ignorance to the point of real pain.

THE LIFE OF CHRIST VERSES RELIGION

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THE LIFE OF CHRIST VERSES RELIGION

There is no shame in the truth only shame not abiding/walking in truth.  So it is once again that I bear my heart as a messenger of the Lord knowing that in the Love of Truth/Jesus is how truth is revealed.  The very nature of truth is to be a lover of Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  (John 16:4) 

Using the “words of the bible” without the Holy Spirit has no life giving spirit to reveal or bear witness that we indeed are children of God or the power to reveal Christ Jesus (Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5).  Following a method is not a lifestyle it is a yoke of slavery.  Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty!

Romans 8:16 (NKJV)

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV)

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 

The “words of the bible” without the Holy Spirit does not have the power to change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh nor the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (Note small “w” as Jesus is the Word)

John 16:7–9 (NKJV) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me

Yes the Written Word was/is written by the Holy Spirit but my point is that many people are following people or leaders who are not saved/born again merely because they stand in a pulpit speaking their version of the Word of God or literally reciting the Word of God (False Prophets). We worship in Spirit and Truth not one or the other!

John 4:24 (NKJV)

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Where there is no Holy Spirit there is no Holy Spirit Convition, there is only condemnation! The Holy Spirit doesn’t condemn us it convicts us of sin.  When the Holy Spirit convicts us it is revealing our need for Christ for the propitiation of our sins and the need to repent and live in a godly lifestyle. I must also point out that when The Holy Spirit repeatedly convicts us of the same sin(s) and we do not choose to repent that our conscience gets seared and conviction will not be noticed or heart felt.  When this happens there is condemnation and a reprobate mind. 

1 Timothy 4:2 (AMP)

2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),

Romans 1:28 (AMP)

28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,

There is no condemnation for those in Christ. So why would the Holy Spirit in us manifest condemnation on others?  Who is the accuser of the brethren/people who brings condemnation? It is from Satan! Condemnation is a trap of Satan, this is why people submit to people thinking they are the way to salvation or have knowledge of salvation verses totally submitting to Christ Jesus.  

When someone asks you “who is your covering” it is a sure sign of manipulation and control.  It is not biblical and totally ungodly.  It is as if they are asking what person is your idol or lord. Who was David’s covering when he killed Goliath?  It wasn’t the covering of his peers they wouldn’t even engage in battle or hold the front line.  We submit to one another in the love of Christ as we each submit to the Lord. NO servant is greater than his Master/Jesus.  Who is our covering in Psalm 91?  With whom do we dwell with, and with whose shadow are we covered by, it surely isn’t the local assembly or others. 

Psalm 91:1–2 (AMP)

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

You are covered with the Blood of Jesus, not mine or anyone else.  It is the Holy Spirit that reveals all truth not a covering from others.   We honor one another in love but we don’t exalt or glorify one another.  Condemnation leads you to people in submission and control whereas the Holy Spirit reveals Christ Jesus. Thus the human thoughts of “my leader must be right because he is my leader” or “if I do as my leader says” verses fully submitting to Jesus. There are many leaders who are not submitted to Jesus and not born again. There are many people that are trying hard to separate the Holy Spirit from the Written Word of God and claiming that the Holy Spirit contradicts the Written Word.  They want you to believe that the Written Word does not validate the workings of the Holy Spirit!  They even claim spiritual revelations and insight that do not align with the Written Word.  Do not be deceived!  It is NOT the Holy Spirit.    FALSE PROPHETS

Fellowship:

1 John 1:7 (NKJV) 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.

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Let’s look at another example. In Romans 10 as we are to believe in our heart in the Lord Jesus AND then confess with our mouth.  It is possible to confess without believing in your heart.  That little word “IF” is very significant.   

1 Samuel 16:7 (AMP)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Romans 10:9–10 (AMP)

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

Are we saved only by what the Word of God tell us, or by the finished work of Christ Jesus on the Cross of Calvary being cleansed, redeemed and reconciled to Jesus by the Blood of Jesus and being truly “born again”?  It is the Holy Spirit that reveals the Truth of God’s Word!  –  Methodology/Religion verses the Life of Christ.

John 3:3 (AMP)

3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.

John 16:13 (NKJV) 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

1 John 4:1 (NKJV) 4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The Word of God reveals the life and testimony of Christ Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10). However the Word of God without the Holy Spirit is what is happening in a profound measure.  I repeatedly address this very issue over and over.  Satan doesn’t care if you read the Word of God he doesn’t want you to become Christ like by being born again!  It is the Holy Spirit that gives us life! So why settle for bible “shop talk” when you can have and live the life of Christ?  Why sit under religious leaders and be lead into apostasy and damnation? 

2 Timothy 3:5–7 (AMP)

5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

6 For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.

7 [These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.

If you go back to Genesis you will notice that the Holy Spirit precedes the spoken Word of God, the “Holy Spirit Hovered then God spoke.” The Holy Spirit must be present to fulfill the Word of God, as God is Spirit. 

Genesis 1:2–3 (NKJV)

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

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (AMP) 45 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. [Gen. 2:7.]

Just following or preaching the Written Word will not generate or manifest the life of Christ within us. You can’t follow a method, we must be born again.  Don’t be fooled by false signs and wonders! The bible warns us of this and regardless if you have witnessed or seen them first hand they exist.  Jesus did not say we would know people by their words or signs and wonders but by their spiritual fruit.   Satan knows the Word of God, don’t be fooled. 

Galatians 5:22–23 (AMP)

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

There is little evidence these days of the love of Christ or the fruit of the Spirit. The hearts of many are waxing cold just as Jesus told us they would.  I see people hungry for prestige, notoriety, and prosperity and for Power, but I don’t see people walking and revealing the Love of Christ Jesus.

The carnal/natural mind associates Jesus with a church building and sadly many professing Christians do also. When church becomes a business verses the House of the Lord the Lord will remove Himself from that church, it is dead just as Ananias and Sapphira and the spirits of Ananias and Sapphira are alive and active within much of the church.  The church will no longer glorify the Lord.  We must not confuse Christ in us with Christ being in a building or assembly. 

1 Samuel 4:20–21 (AMP)

20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, Fear not, for you have borne a son. But she did not answer or notice.

21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel!—because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

Personal reputation, glorification, pride and status now take over eliminating true representation of Christ Jesus!  Building a ministry is not the same as building the Kingdom of God.  It’s not our ministry, it belongs to Jesus and Jesus gets all of the glory.

Methodology/religion takes over and the Holy Spirit is no longer allowed to freely flow and the stronghold of deception makes one believe they are serving the Lord but they are actually denying the Lord.  Without the Holy Spirit all you have is a method, no genuine life representation of Christ Jesus. There is a method to madness and madness in the method.  

The transition is often unnoticed as pride, methodology and religion now replaces genuine intimacy with Christ and the freedom of the Holy Spirit. You may begin to hear “a spirit” but it may not be the Holy Spirit!  King Saul had this problem and even sought a witch attempting to hear the voice of the Lord!  Kindred spirits start filling the church just as King Saul sought a kindred spirit and what appears to be true holy fellowship is transitioning into a den of tares/wolves.  Religion yields religion!  It is much too easy to validate the flesh or ones personal will than to deny and crucify the flesh. Flesh validates flesh, but the Holy Spirit crucifies the flesh and reveals Christ Jesus. What a person believes verses the truth is often quite different.  After all the flesh is enmity with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:17 (AMP)

17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

We must also not take the Word of God out of context.  It grieves the Lord when people take Matthew 18:20 out of context. 

Matthew 18:20 (AMP)

20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. [Exod. 3:14.]

Exodus 3:14 (AMP)

14 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!

As you read both Matthew 18:20 and Exodus 3:14 you will notice what is required in the “NAME OF THE LORD”.  Are you truly walking in His righteousness, holiness, will, faith, trust in loving covenant relationship?  It’s not about numbers it’s about the fullness of Christ.  False prophets use this out of context all the time so they can deceive people to believe they are ambassadors/servants of Christ. Moses represented “I AM” as and ambassador for Christ Jesus.  Surely it’s more than a mere name!  It’s the name above all others!

Acts 19:15 (AMP)

15 But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?

We must each examine ourselves, as we alone will stand at the judgment seat of Christ Jesus.  There is a way that seems right to a man but it leads to destruction.  Those that are leaders will be judged at a higher price, as they are personally responsible for the damnation of those who follow them. 

James 3:1 (AMP)

NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].

Galatians 1:8–9 (AMP)

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

2 Corinthians 11:4 (AMP)

4 For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received or a different gospel from the one you [then] received and welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough!

1 Corinthians 11:1–4 (AMP)

PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).

2 I appreciate and commend you because you always remember me in everything and keep firm possession of the traditions (the substance of my instructions), just as I have [verbally] passed them on to you.

3 But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.

4 Any man who prays or prophesies (teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, and comforts) with his head covered dishonors his Head (Christ).

We are at a very critical time in the spirit realm and we must each be accountable first and foremost to the Lord Jesus.  I urge all of us to examine ourselves and fully submit ourselves to the Lord Jesus.  The eight woes are being revealed and exposed and as the wheat is being prepared for the harvest and the marriage supper of the Lamb.  I urge each of us to seek the Lord and to come out of religion or sitting under religious people.  Even a born again believer can be affected sitting under such teachings.  We must not fellowship with ungodliness. 

Ephesians 5:11–12 (AMP)

11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret.

Proverbs 4:14–15 (AMP)

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on.

The eight woes are unfolding as the Bride is being called out of the dark places and to walk in the fullness of light.  Let these eight woes be a warning to those who are falsely prophesying in the name of the Lord Jesus.  The tables are being turned over. 

Matthew 23:13–36 (AMP)

13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so.

14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you swallow up widows’ houses and for a pretense to cover it up make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation and the heavier sentence.

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one [a proselyte], you make him doubly as much a child of hell (Gehenna) as you are.

16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, If anyone swears by the sanctuary of the temple, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the sanctuary, he is a debtor [bound by his oath].

17 You blind fools! For which is greater: the gold, or the sanctuary of the temple that has made the gold sacred? [Exod. 30:29.]

18 You say too, Whoever swears by the altar is not duty bound; but whoever swears by the offering on the altar, his oath is binding.

19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar which makes the gift sacred?

20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.

21 And he who swears by the sanctuary of the temple swears by it and by Him Who dwells in it. [I Kings 8:13; Ps. 26:8.]

22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by Him Who sits upon it.

23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law—right and justice and mercy and fidelity. These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.

24 You blind guides, filtering out a gnat and gulping down a camel! [Lev. 27:30; Mic. 6:8.]

25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but within they are full of extortion (prey, spoil, plunder) and grasping self-indulgence.

26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may be clean also.

27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you are like tombs that have been whitewashed, which look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything impure.

28 Just so, you also outwardly seem to people to be just and upright but inside you are full of pretense and lawlessness and iniquity. [Ps. 5:9.]

29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,

30 Saying, If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have aided them in shedding the blood of the prophets.

31 Thus you are testifying against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins to the brim [so that nothing may be wanting to a full measure].

33 You serpents! You spawn of vipers! How can you escape the penalty to be suffered in hell (Gehenna)?

34 Because of this, take notice: I am sending you prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes (men learned in the Mosaic Law and the Prophets); some of them you will kill, even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue and persecute from town to town,

35 So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous (those who correspond to the divine standard of right) shed on earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering]. [Gen. 4:8; II Chron. 24:21.]

36 Truly I declare to you, all these [evil, calamitous times] will come upon this generation. [II Chron. 36:15, 16.]

Matthew 4:17 (AMP)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

It is my prayer that each of us walk in the fullness of Christ and that no man/woman would perish.  I urge each of us to seek the Lord regarding all relationships, alliances, affiliations and agreements that we have made to expose the works of darkness so that we may walk in the fullness of Christ Jesus.

Blessings from Christ our Lord.

MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

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THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

PREFACE: 

I am not an author or scholar as surely you will discover.  I don’t claim to have any wisdom of my own so if you find something you don’t agree with please take it the Lord in prayer, as we all should do.  I write from my heart, as that is where the foundation of true relationship, intimacy and abiding with Christ Jesus dwells. (PSALM 91) It is a Covenant of Love with Christ that manifests the life of Christ in us. I pray that this post may touch our hearts and Spirits to grow deeper in love with the Lord Jesus.  I am not a theologian and I have no desire to become one as I have tried that route several times and the Lord closed those doors and told me no and that I needed to seek Him and trust in Him.  Having worked with very troubled young adults after my salvation I wanted to return to school to obtain a counseling degree and the Lord said no and said He was the Mighty Counselor.  So I am no master of scripture but I know my Master Jesus intimately.  There is more to intimacy than knowing about someone verses the reality of knowing someone. 

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Lord has put this on my heart for many months now and has prompted me to write this.  I would like to say that this has been very challenging as when I write the Lord gives me more and then I go back and edit trying hard to keep the structure of context flowing smoothly.  While it is lengthy I believe it covers a vast amount of information and insight reflecting what the Lord has placed on my heart.  I have traveled for the past five plus years for the Lord across the USA and some international travel as well so this personal observation and spiritual revelation is not just local to my current area but very wide spread and reaching.  Surely we all have wept for loved ones who are hurting, suffering or burdened but weeping under the burden of the Lord is so much more because of His omnipresence/wide reaching the Burden you feel is also.

It is my hearts desire that the Lord Jesus would be glorified by the purity and simplicity of the Gospel of Salvation so that many would be reconciled to the Father and Christ Jesus.  May the Lord Jesus bless you and reveal Himself to you and may you experience the genuine AGAPE Love of Christ Jesus. 

My goal is to simplify salvation unto Jesus without all the complications and try to reveal that the basis of Salvation is the very essence of God, which is love.  

What I write comes from my personal love relationship with Jesus.  (1John 2:27)  Thus a “childlike” nature not influenced by ritual, formality, earthly principles, religion or the thoughts of mankind but simply genuine authentic reciprocated love to my loving Savior Jesus who has given His life for me even when I was suicidal throughout my life wanting to end my life.  One day in the middle of a field wanting to end my life abandoned and destitute I looked up to the sky and conversed with a God I believed in all my life and never had a relationship/intimacy with.  I didn’t ask for deliverance I simply asked God if you are real answer me this one question:  “Why am I unworthy of love and everyone I love has abandoned me”.  The Lord Jesus came to me and spoke and revealed himself to me and said to me “I have loved you from before the foundation of the earth, I will show you true love”.  I fell to my knees weeping as the Lord began to reveal His living waters flowing through me and over me.  I had tasted and encountered pure divine love, the Love of Christ Jesus.  No church, sermon or person involved just the Lord Jesus. It is a personal intimate covenant relationship with reciprocated love. (Short Testimony)  I tell you this testimony to reveal how simple and loving a genuine reciprocated love relationship with Christ Jesus can be. 

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.

Matthew 18:2–4 (NKJV)

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Following Jesus and walking in the Holy Spirit isn’t man made or subject to man’s ways. It’s supernatural and spiritual and not a man made educational program. My own thoughts from my own experiences and I am not discouraging anyone from seeking formal schooling I merely state this once again that even a child can come to salvation and walk in the Spirit of the Lord. Our relationship and intimacy with Christ Jesus is personal so let’s put away and foolishness about how long someone has been saved or “born again”.  Intimacy is a heart condition not age discrimination.  Jesus said to come to him as a child and doesn’t a child learn from their heavenly Father? 

What I am about to share with you is a Word that the Lord has given me and I have spoken this Word under the unction of the Holy Spirit where and when the Lord has asked.  The Lord has said that now is the time to release it to His Children/Church also.

WORD OF THE LORD

The love of God is holy, pure, undefiled, unadulterated, sanctified, reverenced and to glorify, reveal and magnify God/Christ Jesus.

There is far too much adultery and un-holiness in the house of the Lord and within His children.  If anyone is using horoscopes, astrology, taro cards, palm reading, Ouija boards, fortune cookies, pagan idol figures, pagan symbols, etc. it is spiritual adultery.  There should be NO fornication or consummation outside of Covenant marriage as the two become one exchanging both physical and spiritual transference.  Additionally God defines marriage as A man and Woman there is no exception.  There are also many ungodly clubs and associations that are spiritual adultery and an abomination to the Lord. Let us all be humble as there is to much self-righteousness and pride within the professing body of Christ.  It would be wise to be humble as pride comes before the fall!  Please renounce, repent and turn back to Jesus.

Exodus 20:3–5 (NKJV)

3      “You shall have no other gods before Me.

4      “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Matthew 22:37 (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.’

I also would like to tell you that “Covenant” is “critical” and God designed and created covenant and that is the heart of this message!  A covenant of Love!   A genuine Covenant is freely and mutually reciprocated/relational or there is likely no real Covenant and only a desire to be loved and no genuine return of love.  How many hurting souls are out there in this world seeking the desire to feel loved?  Only God the Father through Christ Jesus our Lord can fill and occupy that part of our hearts. 

The Kingdom of God is the Heart of Christ Jesus because God is love!  Are we reciprocating genuine covenant AGAPE love to Jesus.  Personally for me I want people to taste living water and reveal Christ to them so they will thirst after Christ Jesus. Without walking in the Agape Love of Christ Jesus from true reciprocated covenant love with Christ how are people we meet or witness to going to experience Christ Jesus, which is the source of the divine love they were created to receive.  Bottom line if we don’t hunger and thirst for Jesus how will others we meet desire to hunger and thirst for Jesus!

The measure you love God is in direct correlation with the Fear of God!  You don’t desire nor want sin because sin is death and damnation and being cast away from God!  If you truly love with all of your heart there is no room for spiritual adultery or placing anything in priority before Jesus. It is the fear of God as well as the love of God that submits us to one another amongst the body of Christ.  As well as the love of God and Fear of the Lord that separates us from ungodliness in others, have NO fellowship with darkness or be un-equally yoked. (If neither spouse is born again and one becomes born again that is different.)

As Peter was called to shepherd the Church Jesus had to restore Peter before Peter could be over the Church.  Phileo love is NOT AGAPE love!  I believe we will all discover this is the foundational key to the Kingdom. Why did Paul say that if he did all those things without Love He was nothing!

FOUNDATIONAL PRICIPLES TO FOLLOW 

1)    Let the Word of God and Spirit of God be true and the source of all TRUTH! 

Romans 3:4 (NKJV)

 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 

2)    The rule/law of first mention. This simply means God’s governing Order, for example Lord and Savior according to Romans 10!  NOT Savior and then Lord. God’s order of sequence and government is not subject to mankind we are subjected to God’s divine order.

3)    Third, let us establish that GOD IS LOVE and GOD IS SPIRIT. 

John 4:24 (NKJV)

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

1 John 4:8 (NKJV)

 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

4)     The Fourth principle is the importance of numbers and what those numbers signify and mean.  (Book of Genesis as example)

5)    We must use the full counsel of God and all of His Word not just pulling scripture out of context as God’s Word is not contradictive.  There are many scriptures today taken out of context for self validation and vindication and not to glorify God.

LET’S BEGIN WITH OUR STUDY

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

As I reflect on our suffering Savior Christ Jesus let us remember that there is NO greater love than to lay down one’s life for another.  It is God’s Love in us that empowers and manifests in us un-wavering sacrificial love for one another.  Love comes before the sacrifice/atonement of Jesus on Calvary just as Samuel said obedience is better than sacrifice.  If you love God you will keep His commandments being obedient to them.  Are you beginning to see the beauty of God’s Word and how the Word confirms itself.  Powerful and not contradictive! God so loved the world that he gave His only Son Jesus.  Love comes before the “Blood of Jesus” as GOD is LOVE!  Hallelujah. 

Godly love covers a multitude of sins!  If we forgive others we too shall receive forgiveness!  Law of first mention, we must forgive to be forgiven!  Therefore you have the Holy Spirit dwelling/manifesting the Love of God in you, forgiveness lives and dwells inside of you!  Hallelujah there is deliverance from bitterness and unforgiveness and freedom in the Spirit of God!  How can a “born again” believer live in unforgiveness if Jesus forgave the whole world and The Holy Spirit dwells within us?  John 3:16 states God loved the whole world and Jesus died for the remittance/propitiation for the whole World.  (I will say that we can forgive someone however we need not tolerate their sinful nature.)  It is Love in action and love that paid the price for our sins!  Jesus died for us and as us to fulfill Covenant AGAPE love with Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:15 (NKJV)

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

1 John 4:20 (NKJV)

Obedience by Faith

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

In regard to repentance and forgiveness I would also like to mention that Jesus is faithful to forgive and keeps no record of our past sins if we ask for His forgiveness and truly repent seeking His righteousness His way of godly living.

That being said do not be fooled as the Holy Spirit reveals all truth I can attest that some people can make false confessions so if The Holy Spirit reveals something don’t be fooled!  I put this out there because of the seriousness of false conversion and false repentance as some are only preaching forgiveness absent of repentance!   Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. There are many people who get deliverance only to face the same temptations and don’t cast down the temptations and strongholds.  I am not getting personal I merely want people to rely on The Holy Spirit.  The primary principle to spiritual discernment is to keep us free so Christ in us can free others as well as “righteous spiritual judgement/discernment”.  (Matthew 7)

2 Peter 2:22 (NKJV)

But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Proverbs 26:11 (NKJV)

As a dog returns to his own vomit,

So a fool repeats his folly.

NEXT SCRIPTURE TO LOOK AT IS JOHN 21:15-19

John 21:15–19 (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.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

In John 21:15-19 listed above Jesus is revealing Agape love verses Phileo love which is God’s pure AGAPE love forsaking all others even unto death.  Love comes before feeding the sheep! How would this relate to Galatians 2:20 / Philippians 3:8-10 /Revelation 12:11 / Matthew 22:37-39?

Please note that Jesus asked Peter 3 times, which also signifies the death and resurrection of Christ and then Jesus said even unto death!  Also notice that when Peter was younger he walked as he wished.  If you read Saul (Paul) encounter on the road to Damascus you will note that Paul fasted three days denying himself after His encounter with Jesus!  Amazingly Paul writes Galatians 2:20!  Have you ever wondered why Galatians 2:20 is the total opposite to Revelations 2:20.

Galatians 2:20 (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.

Philippians 3:8–14 (NKJV)

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Why would Paul need to “gain Christ” if the Holy Spirit already dwelled within Paul?  Why would Paul need to obtain resurrection if the Holy Spirit dwelled within Paul? 

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Matthew 22:37–39 (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.’

Notice the law/rule of first mention is to love God first then love your neighbor.  What type of love are we reciprocating to our neighbors, family, loved ones and friends and within the church structure?  Are we loving like Jesus or Pileo love like Peter before Jesus asked him and revealed AGAPE love? 

Without AGAPE true covenant love it will very difficult if not impossible in the days ahead as the Bride of Christ will not be prepared.  The Lord has showed me this many times.  Please hear my heart brothers and sisters I am not saying you don’t love Jesus or that Jesus doesn’t love you.  I am merely pointing out what the Lord has revealed to me many times during my travels unto the Lord.  Human nature is to receive love because we are created for intimacy but are we genuinely reciprocating true covenant love back to the Lord?  How is it that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego went into the furnace of fire and didn’t get burned or even smell of smoke?  Had they offered themselves as a sacrifice to the Lord to stand true to the Lord which includes the truth of His Word. Does that sound similar to Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son?  Will we become broken bread for a burnt offering to be in the fullness of Christ?  If you love Jesus you will keep His commandments, that is what is written and we must not add or subtract from the Word of God or our names are blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life.  We have the Holy Spirit in us which is also the Written Word of God upon our hearts.

Deuteronomy 11:18 (KJV 1900)

18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

John 15:7 (KJV 1900)

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The Holy Spirit inspired the Written Word why can’t it inspire the fullness of the Living Word in us?

Revelation 22:19 (NKJV)

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Some of you have heard me say this time and again.  You can’t separate the Written Word From the Holy Spirit or Living Word!  Satan tries very hard to blind us of this and he is the master of deception.  We should be walking in the Holy Spirit not just talking the Word but living out the Word producing real spiritual fruit and spiritual discernment .  We are called to the life of Christ not just following a written method. 

2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

John 1:12 (KJV 1900)

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 Corinthians 1:26 (NKJV)

Glory Only in the Lord

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

We know that Peter was told to feed Jesus’ sheep what was Jesus telling Peter to feed them?  Was it merely referring to the Written Word or did it include AGAPE LOVE?  Hadn’t Peter just learned the difference between Phileo love and AGAPE love?  Are we the body of Christ walking in Agape Love or Phileo Love?  This is the burden of the Lord that He has given me.  Jesus has spoken this to me many times about the lack of Agape covenant love in His church/people.  I have had professing Christian friends do the same to me as Peter did to Jesus. Jesus has literally told me they are your Peter.  I thought dear Lord that was before Pentecost!  I pray for those people that Jesus would restore them as Jesus did for Peter.  As you grow in covenant love with Jesus you will lose friends and you may or may not even initiate the separation. Most of the time they just walk out from your life.  Don’t be disheartened Jesus came for His own and they did not receive Him.

Matthew 16:23 (NKJV)

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

John 1:11–13 (NKJV)

11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

The Acceptance of Christ

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

When reading John 1:12 you will notice Jesus gave us the right to become children of God.  Today we see every battle for rights except to become a child of God.  Just because you have a “born again” right doesn’t mean you won’t have to fight to keep that right or holiness and sanctification.  Just because someone gives you something it is of little use if it isn’t used or executed.  A right is not a guarantee!

It is shocking when you walk in the love of Jesus and are not received amongst professing followers of Jesus yet I have received directly from the Lord Matthew 10:11-15 and it is very disheartening.  EVERYTHING comes out of the heart!   We are told to guard our hearts Proverb 4:23 as everything flows out from the heart.  I share this because of the complete sadness that I hear Christians dealing with rejection and folks if you are walking with Jesus you too will face and deal with rejection even amongst professing Christians.  Embrace the promises of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 as great is your reward in heaven.  So those dealing with rejection must not embrace rejection merely the truth as Jesus is truth and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  Most of the persecution doesn’t come from the lost souls in the streets but the sinners in the pews.  It was the religious leaders who demanded Jesus crucified. 

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!

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

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.

Matthew 6:23 (NKJV)

 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

For some time now the Lord has truly put this burden upon my heart to bring attention to the difference of AGAPE love verses Phileo. Let’s dig a little deeper on this.  When we read 1 John 1:7 we are to walk in the light as Jesus is in the light!  Is your lamp full of light or is it dim?  What are we doing with the light we have been given?  Are we walking in Covenant love with Jesus?  A Covenant is fully surrendered just as Christ Jesus fully surrendered on Calvary.  Are we fully surrendered to Jesus and living in His will or our own will?  If there is darkness how great is that darkness?

1 John 2:19 (NKJV)

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

I added 1John 2:19 to make a brief point as I have witnessed this taken out of context used by the enemy to make it appear that we are walking away from  light and truth when in fact we are separating ourselves and walking away from darkness.  There are many false prophets.  Don’t take separation to heart it is part of the journey and walk with Jesus.  “Because they say they can see they are blind, because they say they can hear they are deaf”.  There will be separation in this pilgrimage journey until we get to our heavenly home.  Once again there are saints dealing with rejection feeling they are alone.  My brothers and sisters loneliness is part of the journey at times if we are to forsake all others and put Christ first.  When you are lonely get into the quiet place with the Lord as loneliness is a call to greater intimacy with Jesus.  Loneliness can be easy prey for ungodly spirits to attack, cast down those strongholds and seek the Lord for His love.  We must each be obedient to the Holy Spirit because Jesus will bring light where there is darkness.  Seek the Lord and He will guide our steps if you should stay or leave.  Sometimes we reach one, sometimes the multitude.  We need to stay in the will of the Lord Jesus as Jesus might be teaching us and revealing things to us increasing us through what we are going through or experiencing.  (Reflect on 1John4:4)  I can attest to this as I/we are constantly tested and will continue to be tested  as I would not partake and the Lord spoke to me Deuteronomy 13.

Luke 12:51 (NKJV)

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

Matthew 10:37 (NKJV)

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

FINAL SCRIPTURE TO LOOK AT

Matthew 25:1–13 (NKJV)

Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

I would briefly like to say that I a merely opening up this scripture (Matthew 25:1-13) for analysis and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to each of us what we need.  Just as with the Word of God we must stay Abiding in the Living Word of God Christ Jesus.   Intimacy is found both in the Person of Christ Jesus and the Written Word of God.  To love Jesus is to love truth and abide in Truth. (John 14:6) We are to abide in the Written Word as well as the Living Word Christ Jesus and The Holy Spirit.  The Word became Flesh.

I would like to start with another section of scripture to attempt to tie in what I believe the Lord has shown me.  So let’s start with John 2:1-11.

John 2:1–11 (NKJV)

Christ Changes Water to Wine

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.”And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

The Disciples Believe

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Did you notice the number three signifying the death and resurrection of Christ signifying and correlation to becoming (future tense) born again through the death and resurrection of Christ? There were six water pots of stone, six being the number of man with a heart of stone!  Notice the 6 stones were filled with water for purification.  What did Jesus tell the woman at the well? Did you notice the reciprocation of returning what we received back to our Master!  Did you notice that the Father/Master called the Bridegroom? Are we returning and reciprocating the Love of God in Genuine Covenant relationship and intimacy back to the Lord?  That corresponds to drawing some wine out and taking it to the Master of the feast!  Are we in Covenant love and truly reciprocated love with Jesus?

Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV)

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.

John 4:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus was going to fill us with living water/The Holy Spirit which would become wine at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.

The man did not know where the wine came from because Jesus won’t dwell in things made with human hands!  Jesus couldn’t be touched in the tomb because He hadn’t ascended.

Acts 7:48 (KJV 1900)

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Every man at the beginning sets out the best wine and then puts out the lesser wine.  This is a backslidden nature of a born again follower/believer or fleshly living going from good to bad!  Jesus gave us His best and gave us the Holy Spirit what are we doing with the best of Jesus through the Holy Spirit are we prepared for the Marriage supper of the Lamb?  Are we walking, manifesting and abiding in Covenant relationship with Jesus.  If we love Jesus we Abide in His Word and follow his commandments.

The best wine will be at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.  Now when we go back to Matthew 25:1-13 we can properly assess the 10 virgin parable.  This corresponds the Word of the Lord that Jesus has had me speak under His unction and has now put it on my heart to release to the body.  All 10 virgins were engaged, being engaged signifies you belong to someone! The engagement signifies you belong to someone whom is Jesus, thus the invitation of the Holy Spirit was already received dwelling within them.  You don’t go to a wedding you are not invited too!  No man comes to the Son unless the Father draws them!  The invitation was received which is the Holy Spirit.  Jesus knocks on the door and if we invite Jesus in He enters so the invitation or Holy Spirit was received.

John 6:44 (KJV 1900)

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

They all had their lamps signifying that a measure of light/Holy Spirit was given to them.  Notice slumbering and sleeping is backsliding in nature.  Notice Ephesians 5:14 is after Pentecost. 

Ephesians 5:14 (NKJV)

14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

PAUL IS PREACHING TO THE CHURCH!

When I think of the ten virgins only five were in AGAPE Covenant love with Christ Jesus and their lamps were full! They all had lamps, they all had oil, yet five were not full of the love of God!  Revelation 3 address this, this is the Church that is being addressed!

Revelation 3:15–17 (NKJV)

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

The foolish virgins asked for oil from those that were prepared.  This correlates with each of us giving an individual account for our lives here on earth at the judgment seat of Christ Jesus.  Only Jesus can give the oil as it does not come from any other human!  The brides then tried to buy the oil just as Simon tried to buy the anointing which is the Holy Spirit.  After the door was shut the virgins asked to open the door and Jesus said that He did not know them.  Does this sound familiar as it lines up with Matthew 7!

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!’

 

I urge you to read Matthew 21 where Jesus cleansed the Temple.  They were merchandising doves!  What were they selling and what were people buying if they were merchandising doves?  They were selling lies and apostasy and people were buying them buying the FALSE GOSPEL because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth!  Where do we bring our tithes so what were they paying for?  Surely Jesus wouldn’t cast out His own that He was going to die for!  We are supposed to come prepared with The Holy Spirit and the belt of Truth  (Ephesians 6) not buying the lies from false prophets merchandising apostasy.  We are called to test the spirits!

John 16:13 (NKJV)

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV)

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Luke 11:52 (NKJV)

52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

 

Acts 8:18 (KJV 1900)

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

The trimming of the lamps is in direct correlation to John 15.  Have you allowed the Vinedresser to trim away ungodliness to bear good fruit! Notice Jesus said that every branch in HIM!  So it’s not that we have not received Christ we are not Abiding in Christ in Covenant Loving Relationship.  Wow, I am getting revelations as I write.  Don’t follow a gift or calling they are irrevocable, we need to walk in the Holy Spirit.

When I prayed for months about my Website the Lord told me to call it Abiding Bread!  Thank you Jesus!

John 15:1–10 (NKJV)

The Relationship of Believers to Christ

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

I underlined John 15 as this ties in the parable of the ten virgins and I want you to see what the Lord is revealing.  Many feel like the return of Christ Jesus is soon to come regardless if Jesus is or not, are you ready for Jesus return! 

Fruit is evidence of discipleship there is no disciple where there is no discipline or obedience to the Lord Jesus.  Don’t follow a gift or calling they are irrevocable, we need to walk in the Holy Spirit.  Many are called but few are chosen.

John 17:21 (NKJV)

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

In Jewish marriage the “groom” leaves to prepare a home for his bride and the bride must keep herself prepared for the return of the bridegroom keeping herself without spot or wrinkle.  Jesus is returning for His bride without spot or wrinkle.  Also the Father is the one who tells the groom when to get his bride!  I hope you can see how severe, challenging and delicate this post has been for me to write.  This is the burden of the Lord that He has called me to share with all of you.   

Jude 21 (NKJV)

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

It is true that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us but have we forsaken Jesus?  People it is time to meditate and search our hearts and get in true Covenant Agape Love with Christ out Lord.

I am posting a few other scriptures for meditation and prayer purposes.  I thank you for reading this post as it the burden of the Lord Jesus that His bride be prepared!  Jesus has given me this burden and by His grace I have broken down things for you to consider and take to prayer.

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV 1900)

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

In 1Corinthians 9:27 we have the Apostle Paul stating the he could be castaway!  Let us remember Paul was healed of his blindness and filled with The Holy Spirit so why would Paul address his own concern of being castaway?  How is that Paul mentions both being castaway and in Thessalonians Paul talks about being “caught up in the air with Jesus”? Where does the bible say we are cast into!  Lucifer was cast down, Adam and Eve were cast out and five virgins were not allowed at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV 1900)

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Romans 8:35–39 (KJV 1900)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you meditate on Romans 8:35-39 you will notice that all of the things Paul addresses are external conditions that challenge us yet Paul never states that what is internal or within us our very own hearts! Notice it starts out with “WHO” shall separate us from the love of Christ, who signifies a person?

Matthew 24:12 (KJV 1900)

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 (KJV 1900)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

 Only we (born again people) ourselves can separate ourselves from God as we are created with free will just as the angels have free will.  The Lord wanted me to expose this as Satan has twisted the mindsets and people believe that they can’t lose salvation.

How does this apply to todays messages of “once saved always saved”, “once in grace always in grace”,  “eat the meat and spit out the bones”, “don’t through out the baby with the dirty bath water”.  I have heard these statements from the pulpits and I want to vomit!  Why would you put a clean baby the Lord has cleaned back in the dirty water! 

Philippians 2:12 (NKJV)

Light Bearers

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NKJV)

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

FINAL MEDITATION TO PRAY OVER WHICH SHOULD TIE ALL THIS TOGETHER

Matthew 22:1–14 (NKJV)

Parable of the Marriage Feast

22 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”


I did not write this post to create controversy or debate and I tried very hard to incorporate the full counsel of God’s Word.  We are individuals and will be judged individually so please take what the Lord put on my heart and revealed to me in prayer. 

My dear brothers and sisters it is with a heavy burden that the Lord has given me and what I have shared with you that the Lord put on my heart.  I have worked very carefully to bring seriousness, truth and love in this post.  Please take what you have read into prayer with our Lord Jesus.  It was with a heavy heart and burden that the Lord wanted me to release this to all of you.  I pray that the Lord’s will with be done in the hearts of His children.  I pray for grace, mercy, love and peace from our Heavenly Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

From your brother in Christ. 

Glen

PREPARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

/in , , /by

URGENT CALL TO PREPARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

 

In a recent dream the Lord gave me I kept seeing a bride and the Lord kept giving me the number 40 with the vision of the bride and a wedding ceremony.  As I was dreaming I kept thinking and speaking to the Lord why the number 40, this can’t be personal and for me as I wouldn’t marry someone that much younger then myself.

 

As I awakened I kept thinking of the number 40 along with the dream the Lord gave me.  Through my quiet time, prayer and seeking the Lord He revealed that He was referring to His church and the “Bride of Christ”.   I called a friend and was telling them of the dream and as I was telling them the Spirit of the Lord hit me profoundly and I began to weep under the presence of the Lord as His burden for His bride became even more real, prevalent and urgent than ever!   We should take heed in the number 40 as it represents such things as the “wilderness” which is testing, refinement, separation, unthankfulness, unrepentant, etc towards the Lord.  The Lord revealed that much of his church believes they are already “bride” ready when in fact they are in the wilderness and don’t even know it because they are deceived and bound by pride, self-righteousness and a spirit of delusion and error.  The Lord is warning that His bride will soon have experiences and revelations that they are in the wilderness verses the inner court.  Wilderness can be for edification, sanctification and spiritual growth even if it is unpleasant but even gold must be purified as the dross must be removed and the Lord is about to allow the wilderness to remove the dross from the hearts of His people.   People will bow to the “potter” and realize that they are mere clay in the hands of their Lord and Master.

 

Proverbs 25:4 (AMP)

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. [II Tim. 2:21.]

 

My prayers have been very focused for the “remnant and bride” of Christ and to prepare the bride for the return of the Lord.  We all know the parable about the 10 virgins and the wedding ceremony in Matthew 25.  My spirit is grieving for the Lord as the bride is not ready and many are following the traditions and systematical organizations of men and religion verses the Spirit of the Lord.  Sin and ungodliness have been embraced in the hearts of people which is a mockery and perversion of the power of the Blood of Jesus and power of the Spirit of the Lord.  The hearts of many are failing them as they deny faith unto sanctification, holiness and the righteousness of Christ Jesus.  We are witnessing Jesus own words in Luke 18.

 

Luke 18:6–8 (AMP)

6 Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! 

7 And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? 

8 I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?

 

The bride is not willing to “pay the price” for the wedding ceremony which is the price of sacrifice such as laying down/dying to the worldliness, “old carnal nature” and seeking sanctification and holiness unto the Lord.  Too many are embracing the fallen nature instead of crucifying the “old man” and living the resurrected life of Christ as in Galatians 2:20!   Telling people you are “only human” is an excuse not to seek the Lord’s mercy and grace unto sanctification.  The same faith unto salvation is the same faith unto sanctification! While it is true that we are human isn’t it true Jesus was human also for Jesus had to come as a man to justify and redeem mankind.  None of us are exempt from temptation in this fallen world however are we to deny the finished work of Calvary and the Blood of Jesus because of the fallen nature we were/are redeemed from?

 

1 Corinthians 11:28 (AMP)

28 Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only when he has done] so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

 

1 Corinthians 15:21 (AMP)

21 For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].

 

Romans 5:17 (AMP)

17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

 

Romans 6:1–14 (AMP)

WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? 

2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 

3 Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

4 We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life. 

5 For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. 

6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. 

7 For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men]. 

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 

9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. 

10 For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. 

11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. 

12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. 

13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness. 

14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

People are following methods, other people and FALSE gods which are idols of their hearts.  While even “methods” may have a measure of success that success is often our own efforts and will of the flesh which is not surrendered to the Lord.  Just because methods have success doesn’t mean the Lord is in the method!  Much of the church/body will not acknowledge nor engage in the spiritual warfare to protect, deliver and uphold the sanctuary of the Lord and “popularity” and notoriety has replaced the Glory and presence of the Lord Jesus.  The lack of spiritual discernment and ungodly covenants/agreements has blinded many into following “charisma” verses Christ.

 

The Lord brought Ezekiel 8 to my attention of the abominations in the temple of the Lord!  The Lord is grieving for the purity and holiness of His bride and yet there is sin without repentance, spiritual adultery/fornication, idolatry and much more taking place in the sanctuary of the Lord.  We must remember that the Lord will NOT dwell in what human hands/works has made!  Hearts of professing believers (not followers) are not submitted to Christ nor do they exhibit evidence of spiritual fruit.  Talking the talk is not walking the walk. Just as the hearts of the religious leaders would not turn towards the Lord thus the Lord turned over the tables and ridded HIS church of what was not of the Lord so it will be again.  The Lord has brought people to speak correction, holiness and sanctification only to be mocked, ridiculed and persecuted by professing believers/followers of Christ.  We must not forget that judgment starts in the house of the Lord.

 

Acts 7:48 (AMP)

48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says, [Isa. 66:1, 2.]

 

Ezekiel 8:1–18 (AMP)

AND IN the sixth year [of the capitivity of King Jehoiachin], in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house [a captive of the Babylonians] with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me. 

2 Then I beheld, and lo, a likeness of a Man with the appearance of fire; from His waist downward He was like fire, and from His waist upward He had the appearance of brightness like gleaming bronze. 

3 And He put forth the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heavens and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the door of the inner [court] which faces toward the north, where was the seat of the idol (image) of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. [II Kings 16:10-16; 21:4, 5.]

4 And behold, there was the glory of the God of Israel [Who had loved and chosen them], like the vision I saw in the plain. [Ezek. 1:28; 3:22, 23.]

5 Then He [the Spirit] said to me, Son of man, now lift up your eyes toward the north. So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, on the north of the altar gate was that idol (image) of jealousy in the entrance. 

6 Furthermore, [the Spirit] said to me, Son of man, do you see what they are doing? The great abominations that the house of Israel is committing here to drive Me far from My sanctuary? But you shall again see greater abominations. 

7 And He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall. 

8 Then He said to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall. And when I had dug in the wall, behold, there was a door. 

9 And He said to me, Go in and see the wicked abominations that they do here. 

10 So I went in and saw there pictures of every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel, painted round about on the wall. 

11 And there stood before these [pictures] seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan [the scribe], with every man his censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense was going up [in prayer to these their gods]. 

12 Then said He to me, Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in his [secret] chambers of [idol] pictures? For they say, The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land. 

13 He also said to me, Yet again you shall see greater abominations which they are committing. 

14 Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz [a Babylonian god, who was supposed to die annually and subsequently be resurrected]. 

15 Then said [the Spirit] to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Yet again you shall see greater abominations that they are committing. 

16 And He brought me to the inner court of the Lord’s house; and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the bronze altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were bowing themselves toward the east and worshiping the sun. 

17 Then [the Spirit] said to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too slight a thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here, that they must fill the land with violence and turn back afresh to provoke Me to anger? And behold, they put the branch to their nose [actually, before their mouths, in superstitious worship]! 

18 Therefore I will deal in wrath; My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. [Prov. 1:28; Isa. 1:15; Jer. 11:11; 14:12; Mic. 3:4; Zech. 7:13.]

 

The number 40 biblically is of great significance and the Lord gave me the number 40 concerning the bride of Christ.  The Lord revealed that His bride is in the wilderness, self seeking their own ways and methods and not fully submitted to the Lord and that some are not submitted at all.

 

Life is but a vapor and time is of the utter importance and salvation is not to be taken lightly for all of eternity weighs in the balance.  The Word of the Lord was revealed that His bride believes they are bride ready but the Lord is about to expose much of the church’s true spiritual state and the “wilderness” will become reality very soon to those who falsely believe they are bride ready and prepared for the wedding ceremony!  We must choose without faulting whom we shall serve this day and every day as the testing of the bride through the wilderness is soon upon us.  I pray for a Damascus encounter for those who believe they are with Christ but are truly lost and that their wilderness encounter will include a “burning bush” of Glory.  I pray for the refinement, holiness and righteousness of Christ in His bride for the Lord is worthy of all Glory, Honor and Praise!

 

1 Chronicles 29:11 (AMP)

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all.

We must discern the times we are in and let us hear what the Lord is saying to His church!  This is not meant to be judgmental but rather an urgency in preparation for the bride to prepare for the wedding ceremony and for our Bride-Groom Christ Jesus!  Many falsely believe that remittance of sin excludes repentance of sin and this is a lie.  Both John the baptist and Jesus first spoke of repentance as the Kingdom of God was at hand.  There is little spoken today about repentance and if we compare King David with King Saul we see that Saul’s repentance was superficial and not from his heart like David’s repentance.  Saul wanted to appear right with people while David wanted to get right with the Lord!

 

Revelation 2:29 (AMP)

29 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).

 

Luke 12:56 (AMP)

You playactors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time?

 

Those who worship the Lord must worship in spirit and truth as they are both one in the same as Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life! The Lord has spoken and said much of His bride is in the wilderness and not seeking Him in Spirit and Truth!  We know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life so if you are not seeking the Truth are you truly seeking Jesus?

 

John 14:6 (AMP)

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

The Lord is sounding the trumpet of the true prophet and apostolic messengers, let our ears be open to what the Lord is saying as we prepare for the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

Matthew 23:34–36 (AMP)

34 Because of this, take notice: I am sending you prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes (men learned in the Mosaic Law and the Prophets); some of them you will kill, even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue and persecute from town to town, 

35 So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous (those who correspond to the divine standard of right) shed on earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering]. [Gen. 4:8; II Chron. 24:21.]

36 Truly I declare to you, all these [evil, calamitous times] will come upon this generation. [II Chron. 36:15, 16.]

 

Life is a vapor and the winds of destruction/judgment and the wind of life (Spirit of the Lord) are blowing yet many cannot discern the difference as sin, deception and worldliness has veiled their eyes, ears and hearts!  It is time to repent and turn back to your first love Christ Jesus and to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, body and soul.  Time waits for no man or woman, for today is the day of salvation.

 

1 Kings 19:11–18 (AMP)

11 And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. 

13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? 

14 He said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts, because the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, thrown down Your altars, and slain Your prophets with the sword. And I, I only, am left, and they seek my life, to destroy it. 

15 And the Lord said to him, Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

16 And anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place. 

17 And him who escapes from the sword of Hazael Jehu shall slay, and him who escapes the sword of Jehu Elisha shall slay. 

18 Yet I will leave Myself 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.

 

Revelation 2:4 (AMP)

4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

 

Matthew 22:37 (AMP)

37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut. 6:5.]

 

Let us each search our own hearts before the Lord seeking the Lord in Spirit and Truth.  We must have pure hearts before the Lord for nothing is hidden before the Lord and there is no “secret sin” or ungodly covenants that are hidden from the Lord. Let us be awakened to the urgency of the times we live in and seek Matthew 6:33 the righteousness of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom and His will not ours.  It is time for the fear of the Lord to be in the hearts of His chosen and to have no other love placed before the Love of the Lord Jesus.

 

Isaiah 26:9 (AMP)

9 My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the night, yes, my spirit within me seeks You earnestly; for [only] when Your judgments are in the earth will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God).

 

Psalm 19:9 (AMP)

9 The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

 

1 Peter 4:17 (AMP)

17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?

 

Mercy has already triumphed our personal judgment on the Cross of Calvary and redemption is through the Blood and Atonement of Christ Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.  Behold, the Lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah!

 

Awaken the Bride of Christ, repent and return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

 

Ephesians 5:14 (AMP)

14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. [Isa. 26:19; 60:1, 2.]