To the church in Pergamum:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
This church was built in the town where there were many idol worshiping churches. The largest was the main temple of pagans, who violently opposed Christians, and even killed one of their members, Antipas. Because it was the main temple of this sect, God called it the throne of Satan.
This is a warning to Pastors: Keep an eye on who is teaching in your church and WHAT is being taught. The Bible speaks of wolves in sheep clothing. Just because someone calls themselves a Christian or claims to be a God-called teacher, doesn't make it so. False teachers will try to sneak into your congregation, just like they did then and steal or mislead the sheep. You MUST not only feed them but you must GUARD your sheep. Wolves in sheep's clothing always appear to be sheep. It takes the gifts of the Spirit to discern them sometimes.
I know of one church where the person teaching the children was teaching them how to fight demons. "Hold hands in a circle and take three steps backwards and three steps forward." WHAT??? That's about as pagan as you can get.
When the pastor was informed what was being taught, his reply, "I know but no one else will volunteer to teach them."
King Balak wanted Balaam to come put a curse on the Jews. God had blessed the Jews so of course he wouldn't tell Balaam it was all right to do it.
God basically repeatedly told Balaam, "NO". He was instructed not to go see Balak. But each time Balak's men would tell him to come with them, he would say he would go ask God. AGAIN.
NUMBERS 22:7
7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.
Finally he said God had told him to go. When you read this story, you'll find that Balaam got into all kinds of trouble for being disobedient to God, including almost getting him killed.
God is all knowing, and when He tells you "NO", it's wise to listen because He doesn't change his mind.
The scripture gives us another clue as to why Balaak got in big trouble. He didn't pray to God for his answer. He was going into a trance. In today's world we refer to that as "channeling".
The altars he kept having Balak set up were pagan altars not Godly altars and the sacrifices were not to God.
You cannot be a Christian and practice the occult. That is absolutely forbidden. Try it and you'll end up in big trouble just like Balaam. Any of the "gifts" given from an occult practice are satanic. I've been there, done it, and can personally attest that God's gifts are more powerful than satan's and absolutely DO NOT operate the same way. I can also attest that you will eventually get yourself into BIG trouble in the occult.
God's prophets NEVER go into a trance. NEVER. When you do that, you leave your mind blank for whatever spirit wants to take over. And that is never a Godly spirit.
NUMBERS 23:3
24 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
WARNING...THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA. PAY ATTENTION AMERICA.
To the Church in Smyrna
8 These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
(We know when the Bible speaks of ten days, it means ten years because it tells us a year is like a day to God)
The seven churches were located in, what is now western Turkey. But these churches have spread world-wide so are still very relevant. The book of Revelation was put there for Christians to know what was to come in the last days.
It follows that whatever church you attend falls into the description of one of the seven churches, so churches must still look at themselves and heed the warnings. The church you attend won't fall into every category but it WILL fall into one of them.
At this time, we can look at the church that was in Smyrna and realize that churches all over the world are in danger. Particularly in the middle east where Christians are being arrested, thrown into prisons for years, and tortured for not renouncing Jesus Christ.
When you live in a country where we're assured, by our Constitution, the freedom to worship as we choose, we tend to ignore or forget in other countries our brothers and sisters are having to die because they believe in Jesus Christ.
Fortunately we Americans don't have to worry about that. YET. But that could change quickly if we don't guard against losing our freedoms. If you don't believe that, you've got your head in the sand and you're not paying attention.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Countries are being taken over and threatened. Churches are being bombed for their belief in Christianity. Even the countries that have always been considered neutral are now threatened.
It doesn't matter what your religion or lack of religion is, if you allow our freedom of religion to be taken away, you WILL be killed as a heretic if we lose our freedom.
The general opinion of atheists seems to be, they want freedom from Christianity. They now have that. But lose our freedom of religion means you lose the right to choose. America allows you the right to choose. God allows you the right to choose. If we allow our country to be brought down by the muslims, we will no longer have ANY freedom.
Does it then follow we are to hate our muslim neighbors? Absolutely not. Christians are to love. That's what makes us different. The Bible tells us to be gentle as a dove and wise as a serpent. It doesn't tell us to be stupid.
Pay attention and keep your eyes on Israel and on what's happening here in America.
8 These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
(We know when the Bible speaks of ten days, it means ten years because it tells us a year is like a day to God)
The seven churches were located in, what is now western Turkey. But these churches have spread world-wide so are still very relevant. The book of Revelation was put there for Christians to know what was to come in the last days.
It follows that whatever church you attend falls into the description of one of the seven churches, so churches must still look at themselves and heed the warnings. The church you attend won't fall into every category but it WILL fall into one of them.
At this time, we can look at the church that was in Smyrna and realize that churches all over the world are in danger. Particularly in the middle east where Christians are being arrested, thrown into prisons for years, and tortured for not renouncing Jesus Christ.
When you live in a country where we're assured, by our Constitution, the freedom to worship as we choose, we tend to ignore or forget in other countries our brothers and sisters are having to die because they believe in Jesus Christ.
Fortunately we Americans don't have to worry about that. YET. But that could change quickly if we don't guard against losing our freedoms. If you don't believe that, you've got your head in the sand and you're not paying attention.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Countries are being taken over and threatened. Churches are being bombed for their belief in Christianity. Even the countries that have always been considered neutral are now threatened.
It doesn't matter what your religion or lack of religion is, if you allow our freedom of religion to be taken away, you WILL be killed as a heretic if we lose our freedom.
The general opinion of atheists seems to be, they want freedom from Christianity. They now have that. But lose our freedom of religion means you lose the right to choose. America allows you the right to choose. God allows you the right to choose. If we allow our country to be brought down by the muslims, we will no longer have ANY freedom.
Does it then follow we are to hate our muslim neighbors? Absolutely not. Christians are to love. That's what makes us different. The Bible tells us to be gentle as a dove and wise as a serpent. It doesn't tell us to be stupid.
Pay attention and keep your eyes on Israel and on what's happening here in America.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
PROPHECY TO THE CHURCHES
One can't teach about Bible prophecy and ignore the book of Revelation. In chapter 2, Jesus rebuked the churches for various errors being practiced or taught in the Christian churches.
The seven churches of Asia had the same problems that plague present-day churches. The churches today fall under the same descriptions as the seven churches then. The only difference is, those seven churches are now spread out world-wide. That's why the warnings and rebukes given then, are relevant today.
Jesus said to the Church of Ephesus:
Rev 2:2-7
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
This church worked hard and it would seem, they had all kinds of things coming against them, but they stuck to their guns because of Jesus.
The problem was they had quit loving each other. When that happens you have strife, backbiting and all kinds of trouble move into a church. Sounds like some of today's churches. Their theology is solid. They teach the "full gospel". But when a church stops loving each other, they then stop reaching out and loving others.
They didn't just automatically believe every one claiming to be an apostle. They tried them and found them to be liars. They protected their church from being deceived.
They hated evil. They hated the practices of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus said he also hated.
It seems the Nicolaitans were heretics who tried to throw stumbling blocks in front of Christians by causing them to also indulge in idol worship, eating meat that was being sacrificed to idols and generally living an indulgent lifestyle. The leader had complete control over the lives of his followers.
The church at Ephesus stood strong against that teaching.
However….yes, there's a however….they had quit loving each other and Jesus told them he would remove their candlestick. Translation: Either repent and start loving each other again, or I will shut you down.
How many times have we seen that happen in today's churches? Too often for sure. A church can be be sound in it's theology but they need to remember this:
Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The seven churches of Asia had the same problems that plague present-day churches. The churches today fall under the same descriptions as the seven churches then. The only difference is, those seven churches are now spread out world-wide. That's why the warnings and rebukes given then, are relevant today.
Jesus said to the Church of Ephesus:
Rev 2:2-7
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
This church worked hard and it would seem, they had all kinds of things coming against them, but they stuck to their guns because of Jesus.
The problem was they had quit loving each other. When that happens you have strife, backbiting and all kinds of trouble move into a church. Sounds like some of today's churches. Their theology is solid. They teach the "full gospel". But when a church stops loving each other, they then stop reaching out and loving others.
They didn't just automatically believe every one claiming to be an apostle. They tried them and found them to be liars. They protected their church from being deceived.
They hated evil. They hated the practices of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus said he also hated.
It seems the Nicolaitans were heretics who tried to throw stumbling blocks in front of Christians by causing them to also indulge in idol worship, eating meat that was being sacrificed to idols and generally living an indulgent lifestyle. The leader had complete control over the lives of his followers.
The church at Ephesus stood strong against that teaching.
However….yes, there's a however….they had quit loving each other and Jesus told them he would remove their candlestick. Translation: Either repent and start loving each other again, or I will shut you down.
How many times have we seen that happen in today's churches? Too often for sure. A church can be be sound in it's theology but they need to remember this:
Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)