As we have seen from scripture in the prior article, Satin desires not only to unify the kingdoms of the world (New World Order), but bring them to total wickedness. This will increase his hierarchy of power. A unified world worshiping the Anti Christ and false prophet is his method to accomplish this. (Rev. 13).
For Satan to maintain his governing powers over the world the church has to be deceived in three critical areas.
1) The church has to be divided. They have to believe division by an organization is part of the church norm. Unification by the blood of Christ into the kingdom of God must be nothing more than is theological concept and not a mission to defeat the devils reign over the world. (Matt. 6:33, 24:14, John 3:5-6, 4:21-24-see Kingdom of God-site map).
2) The church has to be void of the Lords supernatural power. The purpose for receiving the power by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit must be hidden from the church.
1 Cor. 4:20 the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit will help bring in Gods power and glory that will ignite the church to defeat the devil.
3) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. Satan understands human nature. We will not work toward something that does not affect us. If we are ‘raptured’ before the final tribulation events, then we will never work toward accomplishing his defeat. He knows the church will be ‘totally immobilized’ to deploy a unified army to fight against him if he can get the church to believe there is an early ‘easy’ way out.
First-A Concern for the Church
This article will discuss these three areas of doctrines. Unlike part 1 of this paper, I feel the Lord is convicting me to cut straight to your heart and show how devastating these errors are. One of these false doctrines I believe the Word explains will jeopardize not the lives of thousands-but millions of the Lords saints! (see Day of the Lord Rapture-site map). There will be scriptures mentioned with theses teachings, but the most extensive Biblical support will be listed in their own categories on the site map.
What concerns me most about the church advancing toward the end times is the ‘casualness’ of our walk with Him. Jesus gives us descriptive verses about the horrific punishment for those who choose to walk away from His saving grace-His dying on the cross for them (I John 5:11-12, Romans 5:8, John 3:16 ). While visualizing someone entering in this eternal realm is not what the Lord wants us to dwell on, most of us are knowledgeable enough to know we need to aggressively fight a spiritual battle for an individual to avoid this! If we are not motivated to spiritually fight for one we care for, how can we understand the need to battle for the masses!
These errors of teaching will affect more lives than we could ever imagine. I am not bothered by a sincere disagreement while honestly searching for truth. What concerns me is when we present these scriptures to the church we see almost a total lack of ‘fear of the Lord’! When these verses are explained they are not ‘reviewed or humbly considered’ but ‘put on the shelf’ with the understanding- it is fine for you to believe one way and me another-everything is ‘okay’. Where is the ‘searching for His truth’ with the Holy Spirit to enlighten their hearts for Gods understanding? For the most part, there is no crying out to God for His truths that will bring His Word to life! (see –Why We Disagree-site map) .
PR 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
What many ‘casual Christians’ do not see is alarming…. being lukewarm, their lack of crying out to God and searching His heart for truth and direction (from His Word and by personal leading) causes them to be so far from God’s light..you can actually start to see His directing light fading from them! This is why the Word shouts for those to listen! Be awake, don’t sleep (spiritually), have Gods Holy Spirit ‘lit’ within you NOW-before He starts giving directives for His return. (Matt. 25:1-13, 1 Thess. 5:2-10, Matt. 24:42).
For those in the Lord-we all need the His light shining within us. While I mention the concerns I have for others I will more than gladly acknowledge the Lord continually shows me my needed areas of growth. It’s is daily (many times hourly) work in the Lord for all of us and it is vital we stay attached to Him
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Please pray before you read these viewpoints, simply allow the Spirit to have authority over our personal teachings.
I. Unified Body Of Christ
If you have read scriptures presented in the Kingdom of God articles, there is no question that His Word declares our unity comes by the Lords sacrifice on the cross. We are joined by being born of the Spirit into the kingdom of God. An earthly organization is never mentioned.
John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We have also seen how denominations and personal ministries have kept us from ‘joining forces’ to evict Satan’s forces-territory by territory-nation by nation (Luke 10: 1-23, Matt. 24:14)
Instead of leadership training the Lords elect (army) to ‘go out’ and invade darkness to bring in the Lords glorious light, we teach them ‘going to church’ is the ‘apex’ of our Christian walk. This is a deception. Leadership is to train and build up and not be ‘THE’ focal point of our Christian walk.
Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, …attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Imagine a drill instructor who does not understand after training our objective is to ‘go out’ and fight a REAL WAR! He would naturally think being a ‘head trainer’ would be the most important assignment. He would start to believe ‘he’ should receive the ‘honors’ and not those who risk their lives in battle (as many in other countries do for the cause of Christ). I personally think I would probably succumb to pride if my perspective of the church was what it used to be, the way many of you believe today. Yes, pastors-trainers-drill instructors should be in the front lines of battle, but the Glory of God will radiate through the ‘Body of Christ’
Ephesians 5:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
All those eyes looking at a pastor will go into battle and may very well receive wounds of service in the end times. Our ‘position’ is not the great honor-it is the ‘Body Of Christ’ dedicating their lives to the Lord that brings in the glory of God!
Some may say your greatest blessing in life is experiencing His presence through His glory in a church service. Those who pursue the kingdom of God cannot agree with you more! That is why we ‘go out’ and proclaim His kingdom glory and engage in battle to defeat the darkness that tries to hinder this. Only after victories in battle can a assembly achieve its full potential to experience the Lords glory! How distorted and backwards our fight for the Lord has become. Beloved, there is a new church arising, Praise God!
Pastors, Bishops- when we have spoken to you many have disregarded the call to surrender ‘your ministry’ and join forces to fight as explained in His Word. Look directly into His Word again. Jesus says if you do not understand (receive its secrets like the least of these Luke: 10: 1-22) the kingdom of God Satan has snatched it away from you.
Matt 13:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
After reviewing this scripture again before going to the site…all I can say is WOW!
What I am starting to see is when a leader rejects this truth, his life and ministry are at a cross road. If their heart is sincere but ignorant, the Lord is patient and gives time. If they are just determined to advance ‘their ministry’ –not humbled to receive this truth-their heart starts a process of being led astray as mentioned in His word above (see Kingdom of God-site map).
The Lord gives us this priority verse for a purpose
Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Like most of the Word, we have far underestimated the significance of these Words. Bringing in the Kingdom of God will also bring in Gods glorious light. This is the only way one or multitudes can be saved! It will also defeat the god of this dark age.
2 Cor. 4:4-6 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
If you care to look, there are hundreds of scriptures that teach us about the churches role in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. Now show me 1 verse that says build ‘your ministry’.
Satan has been successful to maintain denomination and personal ministries to divide the Lords power base-so he can simply survive! Church organizations are to primarily promote the kingdom of God-period (Matt. 6:33). I know surrendering your ministry can be extremely difficult and may take time. Now that the boundary line has been explained and drawn in the ground-you will have to stand on one side or the other. Sir, which side will it be?
II. THE POWER-BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
See Baptism of the Holy Spirit-Site Map
Yes, Satan had me deceived on this one too. I used to ‘discuss’ this issue with my Pentecostal bros on many occasions. The Lord used my lack of progress in my Christian walk to convince me I needed help. For me to realize there was a another provision of the Holy Spirit that I lacked, all I needed to do was simply to look at Scripture. There were gifts of prophecy, healing’s, tongues and moves of God that I did not have or apply-nor did the churches that I attended. The Lord specifically says these gifts will not cease until we are ‘face to face with Him’. All this can be found in 1 Cor. 12-14 (see topics under Baptism of the Holy Spirit for a detailed listing of scripture).
Jesus did not want the church to go out and advance the gospel (and engage in battle against Satan) until we had the power, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, also Acts chapter one and two).
The power gives the church an extra ability to ‘tap into’ the presence of the Lords glorious throne room. This brings in not only spiritual gifts from heaven, but a greater presence from the Lord Himself. Yes, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we believed and are saved (Ephesians 1:13),but we also need the power to bring in the Lords victory
1 Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Satan knows when believers receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, they have access to Gods power to literally take him down. (see Kingdom of God, About the Power). With the exception of a few pockets of revival, the devil was successful for 2 thousand years keeping the church from obtaining its original state of power. When the early church became a ‘political branch’ of the Roman government (in the 4th century) persecution stopped, but so did the heart of His bride.
We do not need persecution to revive the church, just a heart willing to surrender. Unfortunately however, like Israel, many will have to be ‘awaken’ with a loud cry or trials from the earthly seals before we rise from our sleep (Matt. 25: 1-13).
Satan is wise, so when ‘Pentecostal’ churches started to spread across the country in the early 1900’s, he attempts to make them unholy so they would not experience Gods righteousness. This was done in the exact same manner Paul describes in Corinth (review the book of 1 Cor.. especially chapters 12-14-see Tongues in Scripture-site map). This pride, boastfulness, focus on self and money brought many Pentecostal leaders into disgrace as witnessed with some ‘TV’ evangelist. This also kept me from considering their ‘type’ of service for 12 years. It hides the true presence of Gods glorious love and power as mentioned in the Word (2 Cor. 4:6).
The Lord had to show me my error. While He agreed that their behavior ‘charismania’ was indeed ungodly, His truth for the church to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is still very important for today’s church.
The church is called today to ‘Set The Captives Free’ and to proclaim the full gospel in the power of the Lord (Mk. 16: 15-20,see Setting the Captives Free-Kingdom of God). To bring in the Lords glory and power from heaven to evict Satan, we need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 4-5). The issue always seems to be about surrender. If you are a minister or member who attends an organization that does not practice this provision from God you simply have to make a choice. This choice does not include attending a ‘charismatic’ church, but seeking the Lord for every provision He has for the body of Christ! May you be blessed for making the right one.
III. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
See Prophecy-Site Map
For those of you not familiar with teaching, this view holds that the church will be ‘taken’ in an instant to heaven-before the tribulation period. They believe the rapture (taking in an instant) will be done by the Lord before the 7 years of tribulation events prior to Jesus second coming.
While we are both in agreement that a ‘literal’ rapture will take place as mentioned below, we are however in serious disagreement about when this will happen.
1 Cor. 15:52-53 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
The misinterpretation of this teaching I believe will jeopardize not thousands, but millions of lives, Christians included! I hope this has caught your attention! To say ‘it does not matter what view you believe’ violates the Word of God.
I have heard so many preachers say that the book of Revelation (along with other prophetic books) does not apply to us, or it is too difficult to understand so let’s not begin to try. This teaching also goes against the Word of the Lord.
REV 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Not only to we need to read Revelation, we need to take to heart what it is saying and apply it to our lives!
When the Apostle John was taken in a vision to heaven he wept until a seal was opened and he could understand what a message in Revelation meant
REV 5:4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
The false prophets who went against the Lords true prophetic teachings were given a death sentence by the Lord.
JER 14:15 Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, `No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine.
In every case I have come across, the teacher or student who says ‘I thinks it is ‘okay’ to believe one way and you another’ in the major areas of prophecy has never seriously cried out to Him and desired truth from His prophetic Word! It is deadly serious!
If we are sincere about seeking His truth I believe the Lord understands our limited understanding and is patient if we have error. We also acknowledge that prophetic truth is progressive, so we will understand more as we enter the end times (Dan. 12:9). If however we do not have the fear of the Lord that brings understanding and start to proclaim false prophecy-just reread the above verse. The fear of the Lord brings truth!
PR 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge
SUMMARY OF ‘THE DAY OF THE LORD RAPTURE’
To be fair to you, please read the details about the Pre-tribulation Rapture view on the internet. It is the prevalent view-the one that brings an ‘easy way out’.
For a detailed view of ‘The Day of the Lord Rapture’ please see Site Map/Prophecy/ Day of the Rapture.
This view believes the church will endure the trials from Satan (the 7 seals from earth) and be raptured when the Lord judges the non believers at the end of the age. Note: please take the time to read the above articles in the prophecy section to help gain a scriptural understanding of our place in the end times.
Here is a summary of the view as written in the above article. The church will…
1) Be on earth until the end of the age. Matt. 28:20
2) The end of the age will be ‘cut short’ by days- Matt 24:22. The reason the church age is cut sort -it will not go through Gods wrath (I Thess. 5:9, Romans 1:18, 2:5, 2:8, 5:9, Ephesians 5:6). Thus the church will be here until Gods wrath, or Day of The Lord. They are one in the same. (Joel 2:1-2, Zephaniah 1:15, 1:18, 2:2)
3) The method for the church age to be cut short will be a literal rapture
(I Cor. 15: 51-53)
4) Daniel and Paul together Place the Day of the Lord after ‘mid trib’ or 3.5 years (Dan. 9:27, 2 Thess. 2:1-4)
-Since the church is here until the Day of The Lord, the church will be raptured after the middle of the tribulation and before the wrath of God.
Note: We will not know the day or hour, but will know the season. (Matt. 24:32&36)
The church will endure the wrath of Satan and evil men and become purified during the seals from earth. (Eph. 5:27, 2 Pet. 3:14). We will not go through the wrath of God (trumpet and bowl judgments from heaven). (Rev. 13:10,I Thess. 5:9, Rms. 1:18)
To review the details above, The Day of the Lord Rapture simply states scripture teaches the Lord will be with the church until the end of the age. The end of the age will be at the Day of the Lord where God judges those who rejected Him. We will go through the trials of Satan via the earthly seals and be purified, but be raptured before His wrath…. the trumpet and bowl judgments from heaven.
My final comments on theses two views is this. We have read from His Word how serious it is to falsify prophecy. If my position is false, I would have needlessly concerned believers into thinking they may enter a time when they may have to endure trials for the cause of Christ. If the pre-tribulation teaching is false let’s see what happens
1) The church will not believe they have to unite to bring in the Lords reign by defeating Satan. They simply think they will not be there to complete the task.
2) The scriptural evidence indicates that the USA is indeed Mystery Babylon as stated in the Bible (see End of America, John Price under the Christian Resource Menu). The Word describes how God is going to judge and destroy complete cities in one hour and for the saints to flee from God’s judgements (see Prophecy-Site Map). America will be found guilty of all her abortions, adulteries and evil before the Lord. The Lord desires to spare those He knows by name.
(Jeremiah 51:45 “Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the LORD.)
The loss of life will be horrific-unimaginable! The death count will be in the millions!! Those that believe in the pre-tribulation view will think they can stay because the will be ‘raptured’ before any catastrophic trials in the end times. I believe with all my heart there will be Christians trying to get their families and loved ones out of these cities but they will be content on staying because of this false teaching (see Matt. 24:4-14, Prophecy-Site Map). What angers me most is the children we will not be able to reach because of parents who have not humbled their heart to seek His truth.
Amos says Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets Amos 3:7
Jesus says But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13
As mentioned in Proverbs 1:7, if we fear the Lord we will have understanding. There is simply no excuse we do not agree on major prophetic truths. We should be hearing from His Spirit and the true prophets.
This proverb also says we are fools if we do not seek His wisdom. The Pre-tribulation view is indeed the most popular because it ‘causes the least pain’ and relieves ‘itching ears’ 2 Tim. 4:3. If it is wrong-and I believe there are NO clear verses to support it-this false teaching will jeopardize countless lives, both believers and those needing the Lord.
I have also witnessed this view almost completely ‘kill’ any motivation to advance the Kingdom of God. Why fight for something that we will never participate in the outcome. We will be ‘gone’.
No wonder Jesus was so full of joy when His Father was able to ‘cut through’ all the theological confusion and simply show His truth to those who were humbled (Luke 10:21). Praise God!
For those who understand the church is entering a important time, please be in prayer about a special request. There are several of us receiving in our spirit that we are moving into another phase in ministry. There will be a time when we send out a ‘Call To Arms’ and organize and join forces! We sincerely want the Lords timing, please be in prayer.
God bless you as we pursue His glory and the Kingdom of God.