I'd left off the last post talking about the deception that has so many of the churches bound. In that post we expounded on Jeremiah and Isaiah's prophecy. We found out those shepherds -who was left to shepherd the flock- led the flock astray.
There's a statement made by the LORD God in verse 23:2 of Jeremiah's prophecy that says. "I will visit upon you THE EVIL of your doings".
From this statement, we are easily able to gather the anger kindled against false teachers. By lying to people - about what the WORD of the LORD God says - these teachers led people away from the truth.
From this understanding, we can also easily see just how important the truth is.
That means, we can see clearly that the WORD is truth and anything that deviates from it is false and misleading and will lead people away from the LORD God Almighty. If it isn't clear to you. Then let's make it clear using the WORD of GOD.
Since we left the last post talking about Pastors leading the flock astray and didn't fully drive home the point. I think we should cover a few more details that are extremely helpful when searching the scriptures to understand them.
In that writing, we managed to cover a lot of ground scripturally speaking. The thing is, we did not cover every important detail. Nor did we cover what that may look like. Although, I did touch on it in the first writing titled: A Stripper in the Church there is more to this topic. Besides, this is how it helped me to gain a clear-cut understanding to the many questions I posed in my other writings.
It took me over 15 years of study to learn. There are many aspects that won't be shared. However, to help others understand. Scenario's expounded upon will be necessary to get a more accurate and detailed picture of my learning process.
Remember in the last post. I pointed out how we are called to examine ourselves and prove whether we be in the faith or not? I also managed to bring up a topic that seems to come up far too frequently in my life. But I didn't really cover it in detail. These will set the tone for today's writing.
You should already know all these writings are about my walk with Jesus Christ. The first two posts on this topic are vital to this post. If you haven't read those. Please do now:
- A Stripper in the Church why didn't the brick-and-mortar church teach me properly?
- Pastors leading the flock astray?
These are things learned in a way that are hard for me to describe with words out in the wilderness. This is the best way I know how.
Since all of this stems from my meeting the Messiah back in Aug of 2000. Surely it would be wise to talk about HIM for a moment.
Let's begin with how much Christ was rejected, and once we quickly review the scriptures, we are going to unpack them.
- Mark 12:10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone;
- Matthew 21:42, Jesus *said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
- Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.
- Luke 4:28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; Luke 4:29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.
- Luke 17:25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
- Luke 23:18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!”
- John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
- John 5:43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
- John 12:48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
This is eleven scriptures talking about the King of Kings Lord of Lords Jesus Christ. Within these eleven verses is a lot of information. In fact, we gotta unpack all of it to get a better understanding of each intricate piece.
"The stone the builders rejected became the chief cornerstone?"
Do you have a firm understanding of why Jesus spoke this parable? If not, it may be well to bring up the following scripture...
- Matthew 13:9-11 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Without much detail, since I'm not a teacher, and merely sharing a personal testimony of what I've been shown in my walk. I'm only going to point out the obvious. Some have ears to hear and some don't. That's exactly what this scripture is saying. Thing is, who is "them" that it was not given for them to hear?
This is another question that will be expounded on by the end of this writing. It may also be carried over in the next chapter (post). Anyhow, this scripture isn't saying these people can't see physically. It's saying they are unable to see spiritually -because it wasn't given to them. This is one of the very few reasons we read, "those who have ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches". Let us always keep this in mind.
He who hath an ear let him hear.
Who would've been those that it wasn't given to? I mean, after all. If you are a believer, and you are anything like me, you seriously would want to know if you were going to hear "I never knew you".
That is, if its even possible to figure it out.
Having always believed it is possible. I also believe the truth of it will absolutely stun you. However, we won't summarize this aspect until we have covered a lot more ground scripturally speaking.
After all...
- Hosea 6:4 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
- Isaiah 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
I know we went over that in the last post. None-the-less, it is important enough to bring it up again. Rejecting knowledge to later on find out we could be rejected because of it? Nah, not my forte'. This could be why I know so much about the heresy that is freely moving around and being touted as the truth. Who knows? No way this was going to be a charge on my account. Especially cause my children. If I reject knowledge. He will forget my children? Oh, no. Not rejecting any knowledge. Going to soak it all up until I get to the bottom of truth.
That's what I did. I'm 22 years into my walk. If it's one thing I'm certain of. It is. I studied to show myself approved. Nowadays, I don't study the same way. My focus on study is to memorize now.
Anyhow,
The only way we are able to get the proper understanding of scriptures is to search them. Let them build upon one another until every aspect of the text fits like a glove with one another. That is why Isaiah tells us (in short). It is line upon line, precept upon precept. Having spent a lot of time trying to understand this allowed me to stop my quest for truth. This may sound haughty (but I'm not trying to) I know that I know, that I know, the truth now.
It's time to share my journey of how I obtained it.
Luke 4:28-29 the people in the synagogues were enraged when they heard what HE said? They were so engulfed with rage that they wanted to throw HIM off a cliff?
Wait, isn't the synagogues the churches in those days?
Let's see.
A synagogue is G48644 in Strongs Concordance and is said to mean the following:
a bringing together, gathering (as of fruits), a contracting
in the NT, an assembling together of men, an assembly of men
a synagogue
an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures; assemblies of that sort were held every sabbath and feast day, afterwards also on the second and fifth days of every week; name transferred to an assembly of Christians formally gathered together for religious purposes
the buildings where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held. Synagogues seem to date their origin from the Babylonian exile. In the times of Jesus and the apostles every town, not only in Palestine, but also among the Gentiles if it contained a considerable number of Jewish inhabitants, had at least one synagogue, the larger towns several or even many. These were also used for trials and inflicting punishment.
The New Testament mentions synagogues 57 times. In Luke 4:16-21 it's recorded that Jesus read from the scriptures in the synagogue. So HE obviously wasn't totally against the church either. This is what the scriptures say about this:
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Our Messiah stood in the meeting place of all those who professed to know God Almighty. These people were in the meeting place gathering together in an assembly of men. This is what a modern day assembly would look like...
Here is a quick seven minute video depicting one of the many synagogues found throughout the world. This synagogue is much like many others throughout the world. In you have been in a place of worship you should already know what these places look like. I'm merely sharing the video so there is no misunderstanding as to what a church/synagogue is. In the post prior. I covered how there is more than 350,000 churches in the United States.
Could we say a modern-day church in the United States are the same as the synagogues in Jesus' day?
Modern day churches are buildings where people come together in an assembly to seek out and offer prayers. A place where people gather to hear scriptures and to worship together.
With this being said.
Compared to the definition of "synagogue". We can say. The synagogue in Jesus day - where HE stood and read the passages from the book of Isaiah mentioned in Luke - are one in the same.
This means, the very people in the CHURCH aka SYNAGOGUE were the very people who became infuriated (enraged) when they heard HIS sayings.
It is with this knowledge we can say -without doubt. Those who were professing to "know God" were those who couldn't hear spiritually. If they could. These people in the church wouldn't have been made angry. They would have known when the WORD stood before them.
How interesting is that? Actually, when you really take the time to think about it. It is a scary thing. This must be why there are at least 56 warnings to not be deceived in the scriptures.
If we took what was happening, then painted a picture of what that would look like now, can we say the same thing is happening in this day and time?
Oh, we can!
It so happens that MANY professing believers are doing the same thing the Scribes and Pharisees did then.
Remember my last post?
I went over the fundamental aspects of leaders in the churches leading the flock astray. I also covered the current situation in the church from my personal experiences in the first blog post - About a stripper in the church. We simply didn't get into the personal situation that keeps occuring.
There are ample scriptures to study found within those posts. If you do as the WORD suggests, and examine yourselves, the scriptures used are imperative to focus on.
The posts were lengthy enough to break them down. That is until I get them connected (better than it is now) and put into a free e-book. No-one can say they don't have a biblical understanding of what is being said while documenting my testimony. If that be the case. Go back. Read that post again. Then come back. After all, studying to show thyself approved is an absolute must, and it may be well, you could be sparked in thought that drives your learning who Jesus is. So as to prove your own selves.
After all, it's the scriptures that tell us people in the church were unable to perceive who HE was. It was the people teaching others the WORD and saying they knew it. How, unless you study diligently are you sure it's not you HE is speaking about?
This was my concern. This was one of the many driving points that kept me on a path of learning.
I studied all these components touched on within these posts for years. Not just a few weeks or months. It took at least 17 years to get the basics. This need to want to know -and to be sure that I knew- allowed me to obtain the understanding I have now.
I refused to quit searching until I knew, that I knew, that I knew.
Could these people who are in the churches -unable to hear or recognize our Messiah- could it be me? Do you ever wonder if it could be you?
These people. The people in those days. They still walk the earth today. Scripture tell us, they profess with their mouths to know God. You can find them in the churches now. According to the WORD of GOD, even though they profess with their mouths their hearts are far from HIM (Mark 7:7 and Matthew 15:9). A group of these people even seem to be self- appointed teachers.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”
The verse in Luke could really be about anyone in the church. I mean, the LORD of GLORY absolutely stood before them. In the very place they were meeting to share the Word of the LORD. And none of them knew it.
Don't you find that odd?
After all, the WORD BECAME flesh.... As it is stated in Luke 4:28 "ALL IN THE SYNAGOGUE were enraged." Not some, but all, at the very breathe of God Almighty in the flesh.
Digest this a moment...
Everyone who was in a place of worship, a place of fellowship, a gathering of like-minded people was brought to fury because of what Jesus said to them.
Can you picture this scene?
Have you ever been in a church?
Imagine, Jesus coming to pick up HIS Bride, or better, since we already have a picture of it. Let's imagine together the moment that Jesus walked the earth.
There's no real account of HIS childhood found within the scriptures outside of the moment HE was found in the synagogue as a child Luke 2:41-52 at the age of 12. So, let's not assume anything we can't prove out using the text. Instead, let's use HIS life as it was shown.
He was approximately 30 years old when HIS ministry began. (Luke 3:23)
He was not accepted in HIS hometown. (Matthew 4:13)
This is where Mark 12:10 and Matthew 21:42 (as mentioned earlier) the stone that the builders rejected fits so perfectly to the life of the WORD that BECAME FLESH and dwelt among us! Praise Jesus! Jesus is LORD. He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of the world, and rose again 3 days later. He is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in the throne room!
Jesus is that living stone that was rejected - The Lord of Glory - who was crucified for our sins.
I spent years in the church buildings and learned long ago what is necessary to know about our Messiah simply isn't taught. Instead, precepts of man are. This is probably why I was never reproved for being a stripper while in the church. But they reproved me for what I wore. They'd no real knowledge of who Jesus is. This is sad to say, because I do know these people prayed over everything, and they sought HIM through things. Thing is, the Pastor didn't teach them the truth. I know. I was in the church. It is for this reason. I can easily say. Most people have zero idea as to why the scriptures say this. Quite frankly, it is sad!
1 Peter 2
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
How amazing! The WORD allows us to get a clearer perspective of the scenario that played out in our Messiah's life as HE walked the earth. These people stumbled at the WORD which caused them to disobey the message! The very people who would be saying. "I know God. This is what HIS Word says... HE is..."
BUT IN REALITY, THEY STUMBLE AT THE WORD OF TRUTH!
Are you remaining faithful to Jesus? Are you walking on the straight and narrow path? Are you following man-made precepts, holding onto the old vain traditions of man, in danger of being told, "depart from me. I never knew you?"
Are you 100% positive you wouldn't get enraged at Jesus when you heard him speak the gospel truth?
If you said, "NO". I wouldn't deny HIM. I would know HIM. I challenge you to continue reading these posts. Taking time to study in prayer. Asking God Almighty to show you. Because I see clearly the 70% of the churches who are denying HIM right now. -in the modern-day churches- just like HE said it would be in this time.
If you can't handle the truth. If your feelings get hurt easily. If you get angered hearing something you don't naturally agree, without hearing it in its fullness...
... LEAVE NOW! This writing is not for you. My testimony can't benefit anyone who is wise in their own conceit. (Proverbs 26:5 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit)
Are you still with me?
Great! You and I would really get along because I like learning, hearing other perspectives, listening to other peoples testimonies, and seeing what I needed to learn from it.
Like, was that heresy or was that another way of speaking doctrinal truth? It's only one or the other. No in-between.
I've gotten a bit off track. So much to cover. Lots of details that shouldn't be missed. Back to the subject that took me off on this rant.
Remember? I said imagine HIS life? I pointed out people in churches were the very people who didn't know the LORD of GLORY when HE stood before them. In the previous posts, we got a bit more detail on what that would look like. Wanting to build on it and learn a bit more about HIS life. Took me to talking about HIM.
Knowing HIM is such a beautiful thing which is why I had to take this route.
Our Messiah was and still is the same. HE never changes.
(HE is the same yesterday and HE will be tomorrow Hebrews 13:8)
The Messiah wasn't just rejected and hated by men. He was loved by them too. In fact, the story of Peter allows us to get a clear picture of this. Peter, the sinner he was, was loved by our Messiah. Hand-picked and loved.
- Matthew 16:19 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
As mentioned, Jesus loved Peter so much! So much that HE gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven! He even referred to Peter as being a rock where Jesus would build HIS church! Peter was a sinner. So was Paul. But Paul was also anointed with the truth as well. Heck, Paul once reproved Peter. This allows us to see how our Messiah is. He wants us to stay on the straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14) and HE wants us to correct one another when they stand to be blamed (Titus 1:13).
Just like I said in the first post. My in-laws had no desire to correct me on matters that could've sent me to hell. However, they had no problem judging my attire or how my culture did things either. This goes against what Christ desires for us. Period.
Hopefully, through the documentation of my learning process. Others will see the errors found in far too many churches around the globe.
This brings me to asking you.
Do you know why the Lord God -in the flesh- gave Peter the keys and referenced him as being a rock HE would build HIS church on?
Another question you should ask yourself and seek a sound doctrinal teaching in would be.
Can you stack scripture upon scripture (as I've been doing in these writings) to show anyone in the scriptures what that scripture means without explaining it away in your own way? If not, I can show you a man studied up and taught by God who can help you get there. We will get to that in just when the time is right.
First, can we agree that Jesus loved you -and me too- which is why HE died to buy us back?
- 2 Corinthians 5:15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Surely, the scriptures paint one heck of a love story. The greatest love story this world has ever known.
- A Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
- We call HIM Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
- Gods only begotten son (John 3:16)
- To reconcile all things back to HIM (Col 1:20-22)
Many people believe this enough that they meet in church buildings across the globe in hopes of supernatural meetings with HIM. We, believers here in the states, meet in church buildings -wait, I used to. So, I shouldn't say "we- just to meet other like-minded people and learn the gospel. The last time I was in a church building. I prayed for a guy that was teaching the Sunday School classes (he was sick and just had surgery) and they called the police on us.
He said, "it was weird".
Yeah, it was weird to him. I prayed for him. How weird was he when he called the police on us to check us out because we prayed for him and left?
Gotta admit, that was weirder. How do you read, then teach, scriptures and not understand praying is what the body of believers do?
Needless to say, it really allowed me to get a better understanding of how they did my LORD and Savior.
This is why Luke 4:28-29 hits me differently too. At one time. I had to be sure I understood.
Why?
Why did they hate our Messiah so much that they chose to offer up Barrabas? It's one of the many questions I asked God along the way.
My first real questions, that called me on this quest to understand why Jesus would tell people who call upon HIM "depart from me I never knew you," were pertaining to these "other gods." The gods we are warned not to put before HIM -within the 1st commandment. As I was learning, I was coming into new questions before the previous questions were answered. It seemed those latter questions were answered much quicker and far more often. Didn't understand it then, but I know now, these questions were going to help me understand who these "other gods" were.
As I've stated in my other writings. It's my stance that it is imperative for every believer to understand -in its fullest capacity- who these people are that would be told,
"MANY WILL SAY TO HIM IN THAT DAY, LORD LORD WHAT ABOUT ME, and HE WILL DECLARE, DEPART FROM ME YOU WORKER OF LAWLESSNESS" as stated in Matthew 7:22.
The reason I feel so strongly about this. Is because I couldn't understand why an all-loving God, who would send HIS only begotten son, and then tell people who called upon HIM and prophesied in HIS name, I don't know you.
It didn't make sense to me.
It does now!
At the time, it was a fear of mine.
I don't want to be told, "depart from me. I never knew you."
So why would HE say such a thing? Heck, doesn't this thought scare you?
I feel led to say it again. Quite frankly, when it comes to me, I had to know why an all-loving God who would send HIS only begotton son to die for us would then turn around and deny those who call upon HIS name!
My friends, the answers truly are found written in the WORD of God.
As you may remember, Mark 7:7 and Matthew 15:9 was brought up to drive home the point of the prophecy of Jeremiah the Prophet. Remember? He was the Prophet who spoke on Pastors who lead the sheep astray in Jeremiah 23:1.
- “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7
- “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9
With these scriptures in mind, we can piece together a picture of what it was like when Jesus walked the earth. On top of getting a better understanding of how it would be now.
We should know -without any doubt- the people spoken of were in the synagogue! They claimed to know the WORD. They gathered to share the WORD. They offered up prayers to HIM.
Don't you find it odd that the WORD which became flesh, and dwelt among them, was rejected by those who obviously spoke, taught, learned, and fellowshipped with others in this WORD?
Oddly, when HE stood before them -in the synagogue -they chose to reject HIM. They got enraged by what they heard HIM say and wanted to throw HIS arse off the cliff!
The thing is, it wasn't everyone in the synagogue either. It's not my intention to say. Everyone in the church can't hear. Cause that would be a lie.
In fact, in John 12 the scriptures say:
NOW LOOK AT WHAT THE FOLLOWING SAYS:
Some among the chief rulers believed on HIM. Meaning, they believed what HE said. But this wasn't enough to confess HIM because they were afraid of being put out of the synagogue! What a picture this paints!
They wanted the praise of men more than the praise of God. Oh, may the LORD GOD have mercy on them in the day of atonement.
There was a time where this sort of thinking may have tainted my thoughts. The facts, in the beginning of my walk with my in-laws -that I expounded on in my first post about this- did me better than not.
Of course, meeting the Messiah. Hearing "my words are perfect" in the spirit set the precedence.
I wouldn't stop looking, learning, and studying while praying and asking until I obtained the truth. It could've been that fact that kept me from falling into the many lies for very long.
I mean, there were a lot of teachers I'd listened to. One guy, who does this campfire teaching really had my attention with his vast amount of knowledge. It was captivating. But with what I'd been learning around that time. I'd found it really odd what the Messiah had me reading. It was about being a wave, tossed to and fro. This had me asking. Was I listening to heresy? I'd asked HIM to keep my feet from falling. To put before me what HE wanted me to learn. I trusted that I could ask HIM something, and that something I asked for, would be what I received.
And quite frankly, what HE was showing me on a daily basis would be what was shown to me by a particular someone who just so happens to be rejected by church-goers daily. This gentleman is highly controversial among the people. In fact, HE is so controversial that I had to know more myself. Is it possible to be deceived?
Not by those who were called to hear and see. Nope. In fact, they may struggle a bit with the truth. But to be deceived by it is impossible. That's why it is written:
Mark 13:22: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect
The elect may struggle. They may even shy away from the truth for a moment. However, its not possible for them to be seduced. They will overcome because it is written "if it were possible".
Let me remind you.
- Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:13
There was a time when reading the scriptures. They didn't all make sense to me. I talked about this in the last posts. I saw two Gods. In my eyes, at the time, one hated with a passion and the other loved with a passion. I don't necessarily believe the same thing now either. This stood out to me because of meeting Satan at 14 four times and then meeting the Messiah at 23 (which so happens to be nine years later) cause they both are polar opposites. Just like light and darkness is described. This is something that never left me and helped me to fight through all the lies.
Not everything plays out the same way for believers. There is only one truth though. How people arrive at that truth could be way different than how I did. I mean, I'm sure it is. Not everyone learns the truth the same way. Thing is, I'm sure every believer had their own way of arriving at the truth. Meaning, they may have had to study hard, fall and bump their heads a few times, get chastised by Father for it, and look into different rabbit holes along the way. That doesn't mean every believer's story would be the same.
This now, allows me to circle back to the fact mentioned in previous posts. I've been accused of spreading falsehoods. By people I've held dear to my heart. Actually, they aren't just any ole' people either. They are considered brethren. I mean, they claim to know Jesus Christ. This would mean they're a part of the body of Christ.
Although, each case has been different. Some people say I'm in a cult, following a man who is set against the truth, someone who belongs to the Illuminati, and is spreading biblical lies. I'm always trying to show them where they're wrong. Unfortunately, these people don't allow you to show them. They've grabbed onto this notion -that they're correct- and refuse to listen to the scriptures which show otherwise. There are also some I've reproved, and their responses were so concerning, I asked them to not contact me again.
So, there's a real problem here. At least according to the written Word of God. After all, those who don't know Jesus will be told, "depart from me I never knew you".
Jesus is the WORD OF GOD.
Me thinking one thing and them thinking another. Is not okay. In fact, the scriptures paint this picture. This is one of the many reasons this writing was published the way it is now. For many years it was a personal goal to write a book. There wasn't any real thought behind what kind of book it would be. That is until one day a thought crossed my mind.
Have I lost my salvation?
It was this thought that encouraged me to start writing out everything. From the inception of my faith to that moment this thought crossed my mind. For the sake of avoiding any wrong judgement. Let me specify, I don't believe I've lost my salvation. I have had a number of scenarios where things seemed rocky. I seriously needed to examine myself. I needed to prove I was in the faith and not merely a reprobate. Maybe one day I will share that testimony in detail to (if it be God's will). Anyhow, during this time. A number of situations, unfolding through a variety of different people, brought me back to the first thoughts/questions regarding who God -according to the scriptures- is. All of my study throughout the years became necessary to review.
It's written in Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
I do not teach. I do not want to be a teacher either. They have awfully hard jobs that requires a lot out of them. None of which I would qualify for. Although, I'm not still learning in the same way as I did for all so many years, and in many ways, my learning process has slowed and shifted. As I said earlier, my learning is based on memorization of the WORD on top of learning more specifics of biblical characters. However, I do believe there comes a time where one is skilled in the WORD of righteousness. It's very evident that much learning brings much sorrow. But it also brings much reward because you don't faulter and fail as much, faith increases, and you can help others along the way.
I do believe this writing of my testimony will aid me in that department. Let me also point out, it is written in Revelation 12:11
They overcame by the blood of the lamb, and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives unto the death of it.
I'm still working hard to overcome the wiles of the devil and pray often to be found worthy. Knowing the truth is different than being a doer of the WORD. There are times I've slipped and fell. But that isn't the case at hand either. Not to seem evasive either. These testimonies I hold are told in various other posts and videos published. This quest of mine allows me to develop my faith. In hopes that I will be pleasing to my Messiah, not man.
To stay on topic. In a more recent event, Jehovah Elohim, thru the Holy Spirit, put it on my heart to talk to one of my sisters about the word of God. But because I'd been dealing with personal situations -which needed rectified. I felt they were what should come first - it occurred to me studying the scriptures would be beneficial to me and my faith - as well as my brethren.
I set up a time to study the WORD.
I was thinking. This! We couldn't go wrong in this!
My certainty failed me.
The first time we sat to read the scriptures -the exact scriptures we were looking at I can't recall - but when we began talking about them. She interrupted me and began speaking about a particular man of God (that everyone comes at me over). She began talking about how he views the scriptures.
I asked. Why are you talking about him when we are talking about the scriptures? Brethren -for sake of anonymity- told me. "I don't agree with how he says things." This struck a chord with me for many reasons. I won't expound on them here.
To save time for the sake of this writing. Our studying that day didn't last long. Strife is for the birds, in my book. It has no place between two believers. This person also isn't argumentative, for the most part. I see this individual as a loving, giving, and caring person who would help anyone. Thing is, what was brought up that day -when this man's name came up was the topic that the Lord God wanted me to bring up. I knew then, this was something I needed to educate myself more in. This topic -that I chose to stay silent on at the time - by choosing to study the WORD - isn't avoidable with brethren who view scriptures as if they're debatable.
They are not.
Scriptures need no private interpretation. Nor do they need to be explained away. Scripture backs up scripture. Period.
((Keep in mind what I stated in the beginning of this writing. Anything I touch on will be expounded. Even if it's not talked about in detail within the post that day))
A number of situations have been encountered over this un-named Prophet (for the sake of this post. More details will be given in following posts).
1. called me a deceived believer.
2. been accused of being part of a cult.
3. they couldn't listen to the man because of how much he bothered them so much
4. they felt this man didn't teach from the scriptures.
5. he hates woman
6. he focuses on sex too much
7. he twists scriptures
8. he is full of blasphemy
The list is pretty lengthy. In fact, I can think of a few more charges not listed here. Most people, who don't agree with his style of teaching get extremely angry and have no scriptural context to back up their claims. Most of what they say pertains to not liking the guy.
Umm, that's pretty carnal minded. Don't ya think?
Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
As I said, he is remaining un-named until the following posts for a good reason which will be expounded upon then. Needless-to-say, in one particular situation. I asked, "how am I deceived?"
The scriptures they gave supports a simple take on them. This is good for those who haven't been in the WORD for long. However, it's not so good for a seasoned believer.
If you can reprove a brother in their transgressions. Good. We are required to do so!
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
When I asked how was I deceived. I was given scriptures that support his ministry of 100% biblical truth. So when I showed the error and what he says is scriptural. That went un-noticed. No comment can be made? Umm, when ya spend time studying the WORD there are revelations given. You can find scriptures prove out scripture. No where in bible text is there a need for a man to put his spin on things.
2 PETER 1:20 No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.
A seasoned saint, rooted in the WORD, can use the WORD to help others. Not everyone understands scriptures as well as others. This doesn't mean anyone is smarter than the next. It just means they're a different part of the body. If a man can say. Look here. The scriptures line up with this here. I want to hear it. When I'm told. You aren't right. I listen. I consider. I contemplate what God is saying.
Oddly, that's not the case with these people.
They get angry easily. Don't want to hear the scriptures and always resort to something offensive. There was a time I wondered. Why was I told, "you're deceived and wrong about this man?" I asked how. They couldn't give me any solid reasoning. In some ways, I do believe one tried and thought they were saying something different than he says. Sadly, they weren't. In fact, he states what is written in the scriptures. The only difference is he actually goes to the root of words. He looks at the Hebrew and Greek origin of them and expounds. These people say that's heresy. (my hand is on my face)
The reason given is exactly what he says. It's just he provides more context directly out of the scriptures. Anyone who studies the word can see its true. Unfortunately, they choose not to listen to him in full. So they take what he says out of context. Mostly because they listen to the scoffers and mockers more than they do him.
Doesn't this show the true nature of their character?
One time it was stated. "I can't listen to him." From someone who consistently says I'm absolutely deceived by this man.
If a person can't listen to this man. How then are they able to say I'm deceived? They don't know what he says. (hand on face, again)
My thoughts.
Okay. He bothers you. I even have a testimony about this myself. Funny part is. They won't listen to that either.
Doesn't this show contempt for brethren?
Multiple people have provided videos of mockers and scoffers going after this guy. Although I didn't want to listen to them. I did, in respect, just to provide a solid biblical answer to what they were showing me.
One video was telling people he prophesied scenario's that didn't come true. Unfortunately, these people were showing heresy full of lies. There is a lot of his prophecy that has come to pass. And what hasn't come to pass is on the verge of happening. How I know this to be true is outlined on this website of mine.
In a particular video sent to me. They twisted the man's words. The thought that crossed my mind was to expound on all my study and how I've not missed a lick of this guy's work. They would trust that I'm not lying about my testimony of how I'd come to know the man in question is speaking the truth through hard and long study of Gods WORDS.
This too backfired. It came across as haughty and as if I was saying I'm smarter than them. At least, that was what I was told.
Honestly, it seemed to me as if this person had no respect for me as their brethren, no care for the study, and years in the wilderness. It was more important to hold their stance than it was to speak scriptural truth.
Oh, how wrong! I view this person in higher regards than myself. To do so, is scriptural.
Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
In prayer, I petitioned Abba to help me with this situation. He told me. It will be an ongoing situation in which this person would feel they were right. I've questioned how to prove they weren't. He instructed me to get this published and expound. On top of something else scripturally that will be expounded on in the next writing.
You see, the second time we spoke on scriptures. I was adamant on showing what was written in the concordance. The response to it was. I don't need the concordance to understand anything. This person has told me all they need to know is Christ crucified. Problem with this is. They've been in the faith longer than me. We, as believers, are REQUIRED to study to show thyself approved. Bringing this topic up was not of my will. It was the LORD God who wanted this conversation to ensue.
2 Timothy 2:15
~ "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
They're my elder. Disrespecting my elders isn't an option. Whether in the faith or not. You aint going to catch me disrespecting them.
How then do you tell your elder they're wrong without it coming across as if it's being haughty? They told me talking about all my study has made it seem as if I believe I'm smarter than them. It did dawn on me that outright saying so could work. This is why I used the scriptures. And showed them they were wrong using the scriptures. Oddly, the Holy Spirit told me they're not listening to what I'm saying in the texts! How frustrating! I'd screenshot every scripture and quoted them too. And they weren't concerned enough to look into it? How then do you take that?
Oh, I must be a doer of the WORD. That's the most important part.
1 Timothy 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers
For this reason, I've been praying, and asking for guidance from on High, for this matter.
It's easier to let your brethren learn on their own, rather than teach them, that what you've learned proves they're wrong. If the error can be proven wrong with the WORD of God, you must tell them. If they stay in that transgression. You will be held accountable for not reproving them. This is something I'm learning. What do I do? Oh! What do I do?
For now, I'm going to end this post with one of my Favorite teachers of the WORD. He goes into details within this teaching for the body of believers that are paramount to understand concerning false prophets. This video is directly in-line with the topic at hand as well.
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:7
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
