Have any of you read the Communist Manifesto? If not, you should. It declares that a lie, told long enough, devoid of the truth -- becomes truth! How do they accomplish this? They control your mind by replacing your old beliefs with their new propaganda. First they deride your current beliefs, creating doubt about them, then they offer their modern and progressives ideas. After all, the new ideas regarding religion have better facts which dispute the old belief system - a lie of course!.
In many countries on the planet tyrants have, and still are burning the Bible, calling it lies and myths that turn its proponents against the State. Some regimes call the Bible the "opioid of the people." In my 45 years as a Christian, I have watched the developed countries, which were founded on Jesus Christ, be drastically transformed into believing this lie. Sadly, by telling this lie about the Bible, over and over, devoid of the truth, it has become truth to hundreds of millions of people. Who is to blame? The Communists? No! They are doing the will of their father Satan.
Who is to blame then? The leaders of the Christian church! They are not doing the will of their Father in Heaven! This is why God's judgment begins in the House of God -- His Church. The Church has been commissioned to carry the gospel to the utter most parts of the earth. The Church is to be salt and light for those walking in the darkness of sin. It has been commissioned to reveal what the Bible says about the invisible realm -- who resides there -- and how followers of Christ can depend on Him & His heavenly beings to help them to be victorious in their earthly walk.
The more we talk about the happenings in the invisible realm, the more we will believe and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and the messengers God sends to help us be a faithful witness to the power of the Cross. By denying the validity of the truths in the Bible, the more earth-conscious we become, trusting ourselves and our vain reasoning, submitting to the wiles of Satan & his demons. Yes, he is real -- lives in the invisible realm -- our arch enemy...roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour...I Pet. 5:8.
In my early days of teaching Bible classes in church, if I taught on the wiles of the devil, some would say, "You are glorifying the devil, you should only teach about Jesus Christ." While others would whisper to me, "Shhh...you shouldn't talk about the devil, he will hear you and do us harm." I couldn't believe what I was hearing, since I was teaching the Bible. The Apostle Paul said that we must put on the whole armor of God. Why? Because we have an enemy whose job is to kill, steal and destroy...John 10:10.
When we were last together in this series Who is Satan, I asked, "If Satan and his demons are not real why does the Bible have so much to say about protecting ourselves from these invisible entities. What are the fiery darts of the wicked one, which our shield of faith will quench? The word fiery in the Greek language is pyros meaning: kindle; ignite; inflame. Dart means: missile - to throw. Remember...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (bombs, guns, spears) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds...II Cor. 10:4.
Our weapons are spiritual -- our battle is spiritual. The Apostle Paul described our spiritual weapons -- defensive & offensive -- as the whole armor of God in Eph. 6:10-20. 1) truth 2) righteousness 3) gospel of peace 4) shield of faith--quench all fiery darts of the wicked one 4) salvation 5) sword of the Spirit--Word of God 6) praying in the Spirit. How many of theses weapons are we implementing everyday?
One of the most effective fiery darts used by Satan and his hordes of demons is the tongue! Remember the little ditty you grew up with, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!" Well...that is another lie! Calling someone insulting and humiliating names can hurt that persons spirit for a lifetime, if they are believed, while being hit with a rock hurts until the injury heals in a couple of days.
Just tune into any media today -- newspapers, television, radio, internet -- and listen to the insulting lies being hurled against any person who happens to be in the public eye--inflaming the passions of violent rage and revenge--fiery darts. The press knows if they speak their lies, over and over, devoid of the truth, the lies become truth to their gullible audience. You can see how the Communist creed is alive and well on planet earth today!
Now we know that Satan's most effective fiery dart is the tongue -- lies and deception. After all, Jesus called Satan a liar, the father of all lies. Wars in families, friendships, workplaces, cities, states and nations have erupted because of lies, inciting division and revenge. So if we find ourselves not telling the truth about a situation, an incident, or other people, we now know to whom we have surrendered our allegiance - Satan.
Since words are spirit, how does our shield of faith quench the fiery darts of lies spoken against us? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together I asked, "Did God leave us defenseless against these mighty wicked powers in the invisible ream? After He was baptized...Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil...and when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry...Matt. 4:1-2. Matthew goes on to explain how Jesus was tempted by Satan to follow the way of the flesh and worship him.
With every resistance to Satan's temptations, Jesus said...It is written! What is written? The reason that Jesus could successfully resist Satan's temptation to follow him was because He knew God's answer -- it was the immutable Word of God! When Jesus was hungry after the long fast, Satan said mockingly...If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.
Although Jesus had the power and authority to command the stones to become bread, He knew the wiles of the devil desired that He submit to the lust of the flesh. Jesus overcame Satan's temptation by saying...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God...Matt. 4:3-4. The allegiance of Jesus Christ was totally submitted to God -- not the world, the flesh or the devil! Jesus overcame the wiles of the devil for us - but we must overcome His way!
The final temptation was when Satan took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, saying to Jesus...All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me...Matt 4:8-9. What did Jesus say? Away with you Satan! For it is written...You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve...Matt. 4:10.
Jesus, as a man, knew the Word of God, therefore, was able to defeat the temptations of Satan. Do you know the Word of God well enough to defeat the temptations Satan throws at you on a daily basis? Only God's Word can defeat the wiles of Satan. After Jesus shed His blood as a sacrifice for our sins, death and the fear of death was finally defeated. Satan was defanged spiritually, but still roamed the earth roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour...I Pet. 5:8.
If the power and authority of Satan has been defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ, why is he allowed to roam the earth and roar -- creating chaos and destruction? Satan was defeated spiritually, but he is still god of this world and is allowed to tempt mankind until the end of the world. He has not faced his final judgment as yet.
When is his final judgment? At the end of the world, the earth and the works that are in it will burn up. At this same time, Satan will face his final judgment...the devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are...and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever...Rev. 20:10.
In the meantime...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds...II Cor. 10:4. The word strongholds means: Satan's arguments/deception against God/Jesus Christ. God has not left His followers defenseless against the mighty wicked powers in the invisible realm. But...we must use those spiritual weapons to defeat the wiles - deceptions/arguments - of the devil. If we do not use the spiritual weapons supplied to us by God -- we will be defeated!
What is the number one weapon that Satan uses against us? IGNORANCE! As a whole, the Church has neglected to emphasize to the followers of Jesus Christ that there are two real realms - worlds. The most important realm is the spiritual invisible realm. Why is it the most important realm? The spiritual invisible realm is eternal - was, is, and always will be. The earthly realm is physical and created by God -- it will burn up at the end of the age.
When we talk about something over and over again, it becomes real - clear in understanding. By the Church neglecting to discuss with the followers of Christ the importance of understanding the invisible realm, we have fallen prey to the world, the flesh and the devil. The Apostle Paul wrote...Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might...put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Eph. 6:10-11. What is the armor of God?
The Apostle Paul said that after we have prepared ourselves according to God's instructions, we are to...stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness...and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one...and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...Eph. 6:14-18.
If Satan and his demons are not real why does the Bible have so much to say about protecting ourselves from these invisible entities. What are the fiery darts of the wicked one, which our shield of faith will quench? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
So the dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast with him...Rev. 12:9. The word deceives in the original Greek language is planao meaning: to roam - stray from the truth; fraudulent.
The dragon symbolizes the Devil & Satan. He is that serpent of old. What does that mean? In the Garden of Eden it was the serpent who whispered lies to Eve and deceived her - she fell into temptation and ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. By doing so, sin entered the human race, spiritually separating them from God. Adam & Eve submitted themselves to the god of this world - Satan - who was given permission to deceive the whole world.
In this series so far, we have revealed what the Bible says about who lives in the invisible realm and how these beings - good and bad - influence human beings on the earth. When we were last together I asked, "Why isn't the Church teaching the followers of Christ over and over and over again, that the invisible spiritual realm is real -- that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, Satan and demons are real -- and that we in the earthly realm are influenced by these 'very real beings' who live in the invisible realm?"
The Church leadership in the mainstream denominations have become dependent on psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors, rather than the gifts of the Holy Spirit to resolve issues in the life of a Christ follower...I Corinthians chapters 12-14. Regarding the Body of Christ, the Apostle Paul said that Jesus...gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers...Eph. 4:11. Why would Jesus do this?
The Apostle Paul answered...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ...Eph 4:13-15.
I was watching a Christian television program the other day where a viewer wrote about their daughter, describing acts of violence, insults, vengeful promises and threats to kill - asking if these symptoms could be demonic? The host quickly answered, "No - while demons are real, your description doesn't reveal that. You daughter needs a good psychiatrist and some medication."
Why did Jesus send the Holy Spirit to the earth with spiritual gifts? To equip His Church to have victory over the powers of darkness that would assail us. But these things must be taught daily to the followers of Christ, so they can mature spiritually. The war that is going on in the invisible spiritual realm for our souls, must become so vivid, we will finally rise up and do exploits -- turn the world upside down - as did the early Church giving all glory to God...Acts. 17:6.
While we have a few powerful churches in strategic places on the planet, we need every church that claims that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from sin, and reconciles them to their Father in Heaven, to daily teach their congregation the reality of the invisible realm, so they can mature in their knowledge of the Son of God and how He has equipped us spiritually to overcome the Prince of Darkness -- Satan.
The Apostle Paul clearly explained the realities of the invisible realm. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might...put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Eph. 6:10-11. Devil! If there is no devil, why is Paul telling us to arm ourselves so we can stand against him? What in the world are wiles?
The word wiles in the original Greek language is methodeia meaning: travelling over; travesty, trickery; lie in wait. Have you ever heard someone say, "I have a method to my madness?" Well, the devil has a method to his madness -- it is to walk all over us and defeat us. He is invisible; he is real and he will defeat us - unless we wake up and take charge of our own spiritual life! Do you have a Bible? Everything you need to know about the invisible realm is in there -- so open it and read. If you don't, you will become fodder for the devil
The Apostle Paul went on to explain about the invisible realm...for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places...Eph 6:12. Paul is explaining that our warfare is not with flesh & blood - human beings - but rather with rulers of the darkness in the invisible realm. So why are human beings fighting each other every moment of everyday somewhere in the world? The Church has neglected to teach them that their enemy - the devil - lives in the invisible spiritual realm.
Did God leave us defenseless against these mighty wicked powers in the invisible realm? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth...John 4:24. The word Spirit in the original Greek language is pneuma meaning: breath. So God created man in His own Image; in the Image of God He created him; male and female He created them...Gen. 1:27. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being...Gen. 2:7.
Without the Bible we could never understand the invisible spiritual realm or the physical material realm. God was, is, and always will be Spirit. God is an eternal being, living in the invisible spiritual world. He breathed His spirit-life into man causing him to become a living being. We were created in His Image: a spirit being. Since we were created in the Image of God, we also are an eternal being, living in the invisible spiritual world, yet we also have a physical body in order to function in the physical material world.
Over the centuries, the most hated book that was ever been printed is the Bible, because it reveals the truth about the eternal spiritual realm. It reveals mankind's sinful nature, God's judgment, and God's punishment for choosing to follow Satan, rather than the blessings he will receive for following God. Tyrants in most countries around the globe have burned the Bible by the millions, while viciously persecuting the readers of God's book -- beatings, imprisonment, chained in dungeons, starvation, burned at the stake, thrown to the lions, stretched on racks until their bodies are torn in pieces, and many other atrocities. These precious souls died in order to reveal the reality of the invisible spiritual realm. They lived for Jesus Christ and experienced vicious Satanic attacks.
When we were last together I asked, "Why don't people believe that Satan is real?" My answer is, "The same reason they don't believe God is real!" I lay the total blame at the feet of the Church who have been negligent in emphasizing the reality of the invisible spiritual realm. The more we talk about something the more real it becomes to us. How do I know?
Advertisers pay huge amounts of money to advertise their product over radio, television, internet and newspapers. Each ad is spoken over and over and over - adnauseam. Does this repetition get into the minds of the potential customers, causing them to believe the advertising, and clamor to purchase the product? I believe you know the answer - talking about something over and over causes you to believe.
Consider the modern press. The mainstream press owns most of the audio/visual media networks, so their ability to formulate their ideas into the minds of the populous is powerfully persuasive. Globalist leaders, with an anti-Christ agenda, have bought up most of the small independent newspapers around the globe, in order to indoctrinate their readers with their agenda. Is it working? You bet!
Has Hollywood indoctrinated modern society through their movies and television programs by scripting paganism and immorality as a 'normal way of life' for their viewers? Of course! What a person hears and sees everyday, over and over, becomes real to him - it is finally believed! While it has taken Hollywood a few decades through visual & audio indoctrination, modern society finally reflects the pagan immoral values it espouses. Did saying something over and over and over again work? You bet!
Many university professors have taken it upon themselves to eradicate any vestige of Christianity in their students through humiliation, shame, and blackmail (failing grade if they don't comply with their radical godless beliefs). Is it working? You bet!
The Church, as a whole around the world, has not taught the followers of Christ the reality of the invisible spiritual realm. We live on the earth a very short time, but eternity is forever, so one would think there should more emphasis on how to be prepared for eternity. The Apostle Paul said...Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth...Col. 3:2. Why isn't the Church emphasizing this teaching in scripture?
Paul explained about Jesus when he declared...He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation...for by Him all things were created that are in Heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers...all things were created through Him and for Him...Col.1:15-16.
Why isn't the Church teaching the followers of Christ over and over and over again, that the invisible spiritual realm is real -- that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, Satan and demons are real -- and that we in the earthly realm are influenced by these 'very real beings' who live in the invisible realm? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together in this new series we revealed that Lucifer was created by God, described in the Bible as...the anointed cherub who covers...Ez. 28:14. Lucifer was perfect from the day he was created...till iniquity was found in you (him)...Ez. 28:15. What is iniquity? The Bible defines iniquity as perverseness, unrighteousness and wickedness.
When iniquity was found in Lucifer he lost his favored position in Heaven and was cast to the earth. How you are fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground...you who weakened the nations...for you have said in your heart: I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High...Is. 14:12-14.
When Lucifer, the created angel, said he would become like God, what did God say to him? ...you became filled with violence within, and you sinned, therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub from the midst of the fiery stones...your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor...Ez. 28:16-17. Pride is an ugly liability!
God continued...you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit...Is. 14:15. It is obvious that God had given Lucifer a kingdom to oversee, but the scriptures do not give is more detail. Because of his beauty and splendor, somewhere along his path of power and authority given to him by God, he became deceived into believing he could become God and overthrow the throne of his Creator!
And war broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon (Lucifer); and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in Heaven any longer...so the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him...Rev. 12:7-9.
God had one last thing to say to Lucifer, now referred to as Satan, as he cast him into the Pit in the earth...you shall be a terror...Ez. 28:19. As we look around at our modern godless society, we can see how Satan is continuing to terrorize our world. But when God told Satan he would be a terror on the earth, He also prophesied...and you shall be no more forever. When God is finished allowing Satan to test mankind, he will be cast into the Lake of Fire, away from God's family forever...Rev. 20:10.
Jesus anointed 70 of His disciples with His power and authority and sent them into the communities to cast out demons and heal the sick. When they returned they shared with Jesus how astonished they were that the demons were subject to them in the Name of Jesus! Jesus said to them...I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven...Luke 10:17-18. Another time Jesus was explaining to them about Hell when He said...the everlasting fire (was) prepared for the devil and his angels...Matt. 25:41.
Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning out of Heaven, as God cast him to the earth to become a terror. The Apostle Peter warned human beings about Satan when he said...be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour...I Pet. 5:8. If Satan isn't real I wonder why Jesus and His disciples talked about him in the first person?
After Jesus told His disciples that He saw Satan fall to the earth - a terror - He told them not to fear. He assured them when He said...I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you...Luke 10:19. Serpents and scorpions is symbolism for demons and their poisonous darts of destruction directed toward God's kids.
Is it becoming a bit clearer that Satan is a real living being, who lives in the invisible world, but his works are clearly visible in our physical world? He once was a bright and shinning star in God's heavenly kingdom, but he rebelled against God. God had no choice but to cast Satan from His presence - sin cannot live in the presence of God's holiness - His purity.
Since Satan no longer reflected the light and brilliance of the anointing of God, he took on the persona of wickedness, reflecting his nefarious activity hidden in the darkness of the sins of men. He was angry at God, so would relentlessly seek to kidnap God's family and take them to Hell with him. Well...how could that be since Jesus said that Hell was created for the devil and his angels?
I remember a conversation with my Dad who claimed he had read the whole Bible twelve times, so felt rather scholarly. He was telling me there is no Hell. Hell is the life you have to live on the earth. I usually don't challenge someone's emphatic statements, but I may ask a thought-provoking question. So I asked him, "If there is no Hell how does it enlarge itself?" After a brief silence, he snapped, "Where is that in the Bible?" I said, "Isaiah 5:14."
I explained that no human being is forced to follow God and His commandments, because He made human beings with a mind, will and emotions - they can choose whom they will follow. If they choose God, He will usher them into His heavenly kingdom - but - if they choose Satan, Hell will enlarge itself to accommodate their choice to follow him.
Why don't people believe that Satan is real? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
We are still searching the scriptures and observing our 21st century society for signs of the times that point to the fact that the end of the world is near. One of the major signs is the work of Satan in every nation on the planet. Is Satan merely a myth? Is he a figment of one's imagination? Is he merely someone to blame for our own evil thoughts and violent actions, so we don't have to take responsibility for the harm we have done to others --- the devil made me do it?
Since the Bible has so much to say about Satan, we needed to begin a new series to reveal all the evidence of his existence -- and his plans to separate mankind from their Creator. Down through the decades we have seen various cartoons depicting a human being with a caricature of an angel on one shoulder and a caricature of a devil on the other, influencing him to do good or to do evil. This image reveals the truth about the influence of the invisible spiritual world of God's angels and Satan's demons in the affairs of mankind on the earth.
Temptation to do evil is very real, and if we ignore the very real source of the power and authority behind this temptation, we do so at our own peril! All have sinned and come short of the glory of God...Rom. 3:23. Many years ago God sent me to a man's hotel room in the middle of the night to share the gospel with him, for he would die soon -- he was 103 years old and very ill. This man asked me, "How can I get to Heaven? I have always wanted to know God, but no one would help me."
It is a long story, but suffice it to say that when I shared this scripture with him he recoiled at the thought. He said, "I am not a sinner for I have given away millions of dollars to the poor and needy --- I have done many good works. I once asked a priest, to whom I had just given a million dollars, how can I find God? The priest turned around and said angrily, "You are a heathen, God doesn't want you!"
Softly and gently I asked him if I could read what the Bible says about the heavenly city. He gladly welcomed my reading from Revelation chapters 21-22, then I noticed tears flow from his eyes. While he still resisted the fact that we must repent and accept Jesus into our hearts in order to enter Heaven, he said he would read the literature I left that gave all the scriptures that would explain this truth.
About 1:30 AM, as I got up to leave this precious gentlemen, he grabbed my arm before I went out the door. With clear blue eyes, revealing a longing to know more about spiritual things, he said, "Will I ever see you again?" I said with confidence, knowing God was already doing a work in his heart, "Yes...I will see you in Heaven!"
Who is Satan? Satan equates to Sin - where you have one you have the other. Satan and Sin cannot be separated. The real world is the invisible spiritual world. God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, Satan, demons and devils all reside in the invisible spiritual world. The reason that most people don't believe this is because God's Church -- born again Christians -- have neglected to teach this reality. They are more interested in fitting into the world, being tolerant or politically correct, so they will be accepted, rather than ridiculed.
They have seriously forgotten the warning from James, the brother of Jesus...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?...whosoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God...James 4:4. Why does the modern Church, not all of course, ignore this warning? It seems that the developed world, who built their countries on the foundation of Christ, have prospered so much they don't need God anymore! Subsequent generations don't know God intimately, because they no longer have examples of godly men. They enjoy the glitz and glamor offered in the world -- no spiritual responsibility -- just fun and frolic.
The modern Church, as a whole, has pretty much eliminated any teaching about Satan and the Sin factor! In fact, the average church rarely speaks about Sin! After all, if a church teaches about Sin and how it separates men from God, some radical group may find out and try to shame them in the Press in order to silence them. Teaching gospel truth will always bring persecution and rejection from the world. But today, if a certain church teaches gospel truth, it brings persecution and rejection from other churches.
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house...Luke 11:17. Look around, don't you see division in every country? This is Satan's quest -- his purpose -- and he is succeeding. Who is Satan? God revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel the answer to our question.
Satan began his spiritual life when God created him an anointed cherub, whom He called Lucifer. The word Lucifer in the Hebrew language is helel meaning: the morning-star; brightness; to shine. When he rebelled against God and was cast down to Sheol, he became known by the title: Satan. The word Satan in the original Hebrew language is satan. In the original Aramaic language it is satanas. The meaning of his title is the same in all languages: accuser, opponent, adversary, attack, the devil, enemy of good.
Have you ever been verbally attacked - accused? Or, have you ever verbally attacked or accused anyone? Now you know the source!
God described Lucifer to Ezekiel before he was known as Satan...You were the seal of perfection...full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...you were in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold...the workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created...Ez. 28:12-13.
God didn't stop there in describing Lucifer...You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of the fiery stones...you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you...Ez. 28:14-15.
How did Lucifer lose his favored position in Heaven? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
The Apostle Paul advised followers of Christ to search the scriptures to see how God deals with sinful men, those who reject His provisions and protections from their arch enemy Satan. There are many dozens of examples from which we should learn, because our flesh innately desires the things of the world. When we were last together I asked, "Did you know there were Intercessors in the Old Testament - with the mark of God on their foreheads - who wept over the sins of Israel when they left God to serve other gods?"
The Prophet Ezekiel's ministry appeared after the Prophet Jerremiah, and both prophets had a message from God about a national calamity. Ezekiel warned every individual of Israel that they must take responsibility for the destruction of their temple and city. Why? Because they turned away from the provision and protection of God, and whored after foreign gods. And...it was their spiritual leaders who led them down this calamitous path.
The Spirit of God in a vision, took Ezekiel to the temple of God so he could see the wicked abominations - idol worship - that was being conducted by the elders of the House of Israel...Ez. 8:1-11. Ezeziel, who was invisible, heard the elders of Israel say...the Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land...Ez. 8:12.
In the temple of God, where the public cannot see, Ezekiel was shown the hypocrisy of his religious leaders. He saw women of the temple sitting around the idol Tammuz weeping for him. He saw men with their backs to the temple, faces toward the east, worshipping the Sun. The Spirit of God told Ezekiel these people of Jerusalem have filled the land with violence through their abominations - provoking Him to anger...Ez. 8:13-18.
Then Ezekiel saw six men - angels - with battle axes in their hands. One that was clothed in linen had a writer's inkhorn at his side. The Spirit of the Lord instructed this angel...go through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it...Ez. 9:1-4. Was this a visible mark on their flesh - like the word God - stamped on their forehead? Not at all.
These six angels were sent with battle axes to destroy all who participated in the wicked abominations, so they marked the forehead of the Intercessors, who wept over Jerusalem because of their sins, so they would not be included in the destruction by the angels. Why was the mark placed on their foreheads? The forehead symbolizes the mind, will and emotions. Men make their decisions with their mind - declare their allegiance to God -- or to Satan and the world.
This is why the Apostle Paul said to believers...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God...Rom. 12:2. The Intercessors in chapter 9 had their minds focused on the things of God, their allegiance to God was sure, so Ezekiel was allowed to see God's recognition of their obedience through the symbolic ink mark on their foreheads.
After the mark of God was placed on the foreheads of all the Intercesssors of Jerusalem to protect them, the fury of God was unleashed upon the city of Jerusalem -- beginning in the sanctuary where the elders of the temple had committed their abominations. When any nation turns away from God, and His eternal plans and purposes for His family on the earth, their wicked abominations must be cleansed from the land. God's judgment and punishment on sin is meant to draw men to Him. Why? He is the only one who can lead men safely and victoriously through all the traps set by Satan to ensnare them, while they make their earthly journey to His heavenly kingdom.
The Church of the 21st century has secretly done abominations against God. The judgment of God against us will be no different than in the ancient days of Israel, if we do not sincerely repent and turn from our wicked ways. Destruction and devastaation will soon come upon us -- judgment begins at the house of God, just at it did in the ancient days of Israel. Are these abominations a sign of the times that will result in the end of the world?
One night in 1974, it was late in the evening and the kids were snuggled in their beds, when I finally had a minute to myself to study the Bible. I was curled up in my comfy chair and was reading about the many supernatural experiences of the Prophet Ezekiel. I was reading about the sins of the religious leaders committed against their congregation. There were false prophets in his time and there were priests who violated the Law and profaned God's holy things. God described them as wolves tearing the prey -- innocent citizens of Israel.
As I was reading about all the secret sins of the leaders of Israel, their oppression of the poor and needy, I realized these same abominations were going on in my generation, by religious and secular leaders alike, so is there any hope for ordinary citizens against such evil governmental power & authority. Then I came to the verse that changed my spiritual direction forever. What is this transformative verse?
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one...therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads...Ez.22:30-31. Wow... the Intercessors found in chapter 9 could no longer be found in the judgment of chapter 22. Why? Apparently every priest, prince and the people of the land had succumbed to wicked abominations by this time.
But, when I read that God was looking for someone to stand in the gap so judgment would not come to those living in sin, it sparked an immediate question to God. I asked out loud, "What does this mean to stand in the gap? Can I stand in the gap for my parents, who want nothing to do with You and hate that I am a Christian? Can You tell me how to stand in the gap for their salvation, so judgment won't come on them before they accept you as Savior? Later I stood in the gap for all relatives, friends and strangers I met along the way, including politicians & government leaders - thousands of people - intercession was my silent calling - only God got the credit!
This was a revelation to me and stirred my spirit with hope for the deliverance of my parents, especially since they did not want to hear my testimony, and wanted nothing to do with my God. So I wouldn't share anymore with them what God had done for me, but rather I would stand in the gap, bind Satan's power over their lives, and proclaim in the spirit realm that my God is not willing that any should perish but that all will come to repentance...II Peter. 3:9.
The Apostle Paul told us...for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh...for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds...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...II Cor. 10:3-5. Who places these strongholds against human beings? Satan - man's worst enemy - places these strongholds.
Who is Satan? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
