Moving From Religion to Faith to Relationship

I am often amazed at the Christians I come in contact with who are still unable to extricate themselves from a religious mindset, which keeps them bound in doubt and unbelief. That might sound like a vague or ill-defined statement, so let me try to clarify my thoughts. What I'm trying to convey is the message that oftentimes Christians view what they call their "faith" from a system of religious principles, tenets,  dictates, or decrees; as if there is a specific "order" of how to believe in God. But that can lead to associating God as a strict task-master, with rules or practices intended to regulate behavior or thought. Stray from the application of those prescribed rules, and God will punish you for "not doing it right".

Believers become so consumed with not breaking the rules, that they begin to doubt their worthiness to receive salvation. They become so worried about coloring inside the lines of religion, that the focus becomes about them and not about the One they profess to worship. That is the picture we see portrayed by the Pharisees in the Bible. Just like those ancient religious leaders, Christians today may recite all the commandments, but not practice them; profess holiness, but continue to act unrighteously; spout mercy and grace, but sow injustice. And believe me, I am well aware that we have an Enemy who tempts us to sin. That is our human nature, and I am in no position to cast the first stone!

This same religious mindset can come perilously close to Gnosticism which plagued the Early Church and is still alive and well in the 21st Century. Gnosticism makes God out to be distant and uninterested in the day-to-day experiences of life, and thereby leads to human interpretation (put forth as knowledge) of God's will.  So I grieve for my Brothers and Sisters in Christ who only know Jesus through religion. They will equate it with "faith", saying they have faith, but there is a world of difference between religion and faith. Religion tends to be expressed in outward acts or deeds and self-made wisdom; resulting in the performance of rituals and traditions.  Religion is often experienced in the physical world. Faith, on the other hand, is defined as assurance of things hoped for [and divinely guaranteed], and the evidence of things [unlike religion] that are not seen.

Religion will say, "I've done everything right ... I've followed all the rules ...". Faith will say, "God is my strength, and I trust in Him." People with faith [versus religion] do not define their relationship with God by how many of the rules they follow. That only got the Pharisees accused of hypocrisy by Jesus. The acts of people of faith are done to please God, not men. Faithful people are obedient to His expressed will; knowing [and expecting], and eagerly looking forward to their promised inheritance. Religion is focused on the here and now. Faith knows we are strangers and exiles on the earth, sustained by the promise of a return to our heavenly home. Chapter 11 in Hebrews is known as the "Hall of Faith", and there is not one person listed in that chapter that is lauded for their religion; they are all men and women of faith. They are examples of how to move from religion to faith and Godly relationships with our Father in Heaven.

And that leads me to the importance of relationship with God. It is difficult to have an authentic relationship with God if we see Him as only a distant taskmaster with rules that must be followed to please Him. There is no room for intimacy in that relationship. And faith, alone, without intimacy in a relationship with God, will be empty of the familiarity and friendship that are hallmarks of a real partnership. For you see, that is what God is looking for... someone to partner with on the earth. And I wish I had discovered that truth earlier in life.

But the reality, in my life, is that I first came to know my God, and my Lord and Savior, through Religion. I found a Pastor that introduced me to all the doctrines of the Church and the precepts and principles of the Bible, but I was never taught that these principles were level one; that my Father wanted obedience and intimacy, and I would never find my way to those concepts by limiting myself to Sunday attendance, Church offices, or denominational affiliation. As strange as it may sound, I was never really encouraged to get to know Him through a personal study of His Word. There was always someone else responsible for telling me what I was to know ... a Sunday School teacher, the Pastor in his 20-minute sermon each week, or an "elder" whom I automatically assumed should know more than me.

It wasn't until I began to study and read the Bible on my own, and went to these people with my questions, that I realized a lot of them had no answers from a faith standpoint ... they were just repeating man-made doctrine, and were responding from religion, not faith. Some were even uneasy with questioning these formulaic answers, possibly thinking it was blasphemous to God to challenge what the leaders of religion had unquestionably accepted as "God's Truth". But I found that as I dared to trust in God [more than men] for my answers, that He responded with amazing revelations that left me in awe of His character and nature. I began to believe EVERYTHING about Him in the Bible -- especially the supernatural aspects, which the modern world declares He no longer displays. 

And that has led me to real relationship with ALL of who He is ... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; merciful, gracious, loving, and just. I know Him in all His individual capacities, and how He works for my good. I know how to hear from God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit -- individually and together. I have learned how to spend time in the spirit with them and receive rest, peace, power, and strategies. And I know that if the Body of Christ is unable [or unwilling] to move beyond Religion into Faith, and then grow their Faith into a real Relationship, then the season we are about to move into is going to be difficult for most to traverse. We must be focused on Christ as our way forward and through the crises that are coming upon us. We must be able to transcend the limitations of this earth and ascend in the spirit to sit in the presence of our Savior. Religion cannot become our sanctuary in this season. Faith and Relationship will be the weapons that the Enemy cannot destroy or defeat. He has no answer for them! There is nothing in his arsenal that is comparable to them! Thank you, Jesus, that you continue to pursue us; that you answer our questions and doubts with your convincing and infallible truth; and that you never leave us nor abandon us when we fail you! Strengthen us through your power in us, far beyond anything we dare to ask or think! Glory be to you in all the generations that come after us! Amen!

1 Corinthians 1:30-31     But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin],  so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord.”

La Palma: Tied To U.S./Israeli Policies? A Look Back At History

Get ready to put your tin foil hat on today! There is an interesting natural phenomena happening off the northwest coast of Africa on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma. In case you have missed the news stories on this event, La Palma is best described as a "volcanic ocean island". According to geologists, La Palma is currently, along with its sister island, Tenerife, the most volcanically active of the Canary Islands. Formed three to four million years ago by submarine (under-sea) volcanic eruptions, the island has a landscape of hardened lava and scoria (porous cinder-like fragments of dark lava. 

So, why am I bringing this subject up? Because La Palma has long been the subject of scary scenarios that have predicted a future event where a volcanic eruption could cause the western flank of the 203 square mile island (roughly 1/6 the size of Rhode Island) to fall in to the ocean, generating a giant wave of nearly 3,000 feet, which would radiate out across the Atlantic Ocean and inundate the Eastern seaboard with waves potentially reaching 165 feet or more -- and it would only take 7 hours to reach its destination! So, again, why am I sharing this information? Because, since September 11th, there have been over 4,000 tremors on the tiny island, resulting in an earthquake swarm and multiple eruptions causing fissures in the rocky landscape and along the ridge of its highest volcanic mountain, fueling fears that the flank of the mountain could possibly break off and fulfill the prognostications of centuries-old prophecies. 

And what does all this have to do with U.S. and Israeli relations [hinted at in the title of this post]? Well, in 2012, I wrote a blog post noting the natural and political disasters that had assailed America in the last 20 years. You can read that complete list on the post by clicking here. Those events began on October 30, 1991, with what became known as "The Perfect Storm". President George H.W. Bush initiated the Madrid Peace Conference to consider Israel giving up "land for peace".  As this Conference opened, a freakish "perfect storm" developed in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm traveled 1000 miles from “east to west” instead of the normal “west to east” pattern and crashed into the New England Coast. Thirty-five foot waves crashed into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.

Today, I'd like to cite just a few of the other American policies that required Israel to compromise its land, and which seemed to "coincidentally" occur at the same time as natural disasters... the 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake (U.S. urges Israel to give up Golan Heights); Hurricane George in 1998 (when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright finalizes details of agreement between Israel and Palestine to give up 13% of Judah and Samaria); and culminating with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Israel carried out the evacuation of 9,500 residents from Gush Katif and four Samaria communities. Residents were forced from their homes by Israeli troops, some dragged away kicking and screaming and placed on buses that took them from the area.  The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment. These natural events, plus political and economic disasters all coincided with concessions Israel made with its Middle Eastern enemies. I think you will be astounded when you read the post in its entirety.

So, now we're facing the possibility of another natural disaster that could potentially dwarf all the others... the entire Eastern seaboard, including the economic center of the U.S. (New York City) and our political capitol (Washington D.C.) could suffer monumental loss of life and territory. So, is there anything going on in our national foreign policy with Israel that could possibly foretell such a disaster? Well, during negotiations in the House this past week, the Democratic leadership was forced to cut $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, leaving Israel vulnerable to thousands of Hamas-launched rockets. Israeli officials have been quoted as saying that most of the 4,350 rockets fired from Gaza during the conflict in May were blown out of the sky by Iron Dome interceptors.  It is obvious, that failure to fund the effectiveness of this self-defense system could be catastrophic for Israel. Some are saying this is a "temporary" halt and only a "technical postponement" of eventual reinstatement of the funding. [Within 24 hours the House overcame the lobbying of their liberal faction to approve and pass the funding]. Now we will see if the Senate follows through. And in the meantime, La Palma continues to erupt and the world watches to see if the earth-changing event will occur. 

All this may seem like a crazy Christian conspiracy ... and maybe nothing happens. But I'm not one to dismiss what history has shown us. Remember that old axiom, Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it? Maybe, we'd be wise to consider that. And to add fuel to the conspiracy flames, there is the quatrain from Nostradamus (1503-1566), the French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer who wrote, The great mountain, seven stadia round... after peace, war, famine, flooding... It will spread far, drowning great countries... even antiquities and their mighty foundations. Willing to dismiss this as superstitious conjecture or a false prophecy? Perhaps what Revelation 18 has to say might give you pause. 

Revelation, Chapter 18 is focused on the Fall of the great city Babylon. Now, Christians and commentators, alike, have long speculated about the identity of this great city, with Rome/Vatican City, Washington, D.C., and New York City being among the top candidates. Described as the city where "the the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living", and sitting as a queen among the kings of the earth, my vote [at this time in history] is leaning towards New York. To fan the flames of this possible scenario, Scripture says "her plagues will come in a single day; death and mourning and famine, for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her, and she will be burned up with fire. One cannot help but think of the thousands of needless deaths from the disastrous C-19 policies in  New York City.

Again, the Bible forewarns that the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn because no one buys their cargo (goods) anymore. Is it because our dollar is on the precipice of being abandoned as the world's reserve currency? Wall Street is in New York and its numbers lately could certainly be signaling that event. But why would that cause the "merchants of the earth" so much torment? Wall Street has such a significant impact on the global economy because it is the trading hub of the biggest financial markets in the world’s richest nation [according to the website Investopedia]. Making some connections now?

And again, the Bible says that in a single hour all her wealth will be laid waste. So perhaps there's another little clue that La Palma is tied to this Biblical prophecy ... Verse 21 says, Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more. 

I'm not claiming to be a prophetic voice or a seer of any kind ... I just find it interesting that there are some compelling connections between our history with Israel via our political policies and events, the  predictions of a 16th Century astrologer/seer, and the prophetic warnings of the ultimate End Times book in the Bible. This is what we know for sure ... a faction of the U.S. governing body was successful in their attempts to temporarily stop the funding of Israel's primary defense mechanism at the same time an ancient volcano in the Atlantic Ocean has the potential to throw off a devastating tsunami that could wipe out our Eastern seaboard and destroy millions of lives. Sounds Biblical to me! Our political history has given us a template to go by, and it's sure hard to ignore. 

So, I will end this post the same way I did in 2012 ... whether you see a connection between our government's policies, the treatment of Israel, and these forces of nature, you must surely see that the fortunes of America are slipping. Is it God's judgment? I am not qualified to answer for Him. And now, in 2021, I would add this caveat: I'm afraid that we resemble the great city of Babylon even more today than we did then. I invite you to read that sobering chapter in Revelation, and then join me and millions of other Christians as the Kingdom government on earth to change the idolatrous and evil forces that are destroying our country. And be sure and keep an eye on La Palma!

Revelation 18:4-5     Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities".

"From Now On, I'm Gonna Wear Comfortable Clothes, & Start Running My Mouth!"

That is an accurate quote from yesterday by my husband, after we spent time with two other members of our Ekklesia in an intimate time with the Lord. In case you think that sounds arrogant and even a touch blasphemous, let me explain the context in which it was spoken...

Our little Ekklesia has around 15 faithful followers of Jesus, and after this last week when 5 of them (that's 33%!) were hit hard with "the virus", we made a deliberate decision to suspend our usual study and fellowship. Then a few days later, the Lord prompted me that we needed to stand as the government of Heaven on earth and pray for not only their health and recovery, but the restoration of our nation to God's will. So we called a gathering of the remaining members of our Ekklesia. We did it on short notice, so those that could not attend agreed to pray with us in spirit. So, the four of us gathered together in our living room, got quiet, submitted our flesh, souls and spirits to the Lord, and went into the presence of the Father. 

Now, I don't know what that looks like to you, but it is a very effortless action for us. We come before the throne of God, expressing what is on our hearts; what we are burdened with; sharing with God what [and how] we see the strategies of the Enemy on the earth. In short, we just have an in-depth conversation that is a characteristic of our relationship with Him. After all, a relationship is defined as "the state of being connected by blood or marriage". We are both! The blood of Jesus covers us and we are His beloved Bride, making ourselves ready, that we might be holy and without blemish before our Bridegroom on His return.

We simply got quiet, and asked Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit to speak to us and show us how to pray and what to pray for. We asked them to show us what they wanted us to see, and we let our spirits receive the heart and will of the Father, just as Jesus did. We were just four people with no pre-planned agenda or rule book to play by; no restrictions on expressing what we saw or heard; and no limitations put on God with what He wanted to share. It was pure, unadulterated relationship with our Creator -- uncontaminated by this world or dictated to by its "authorities".

We interceded on behalf of those among us who are fighting for their health, and for those among us and our families who have lost that battle. We asked for discernment regarding what heavenly strategies to use against the evil agendas that are in play, and which realms need to be torn asunder. We asked for an increase of the Lord's strength and power to enhance our own, so that we can be more effective in tearing down strongholds. We declared the Word spoken over Israel's enemy, Moab, and applied it to those in power over us and in the world ... "You will end their pride and all their evil works. You will bring down the high walls of their fortifications. You will bring them down to the ground, to the dust". We brought the testimonies of the afflicted before the Courts and Councils of Heaven as evidence of the injustice on earth, and asked for judgment and restitution to a hundred-fold. We prayed against weaponized grids in the spiritual realms; to close all the portal access points of demonic infiltration; to dismantle the structures of invasion; to destroy the webs of deception; and we pleaded for the uploading of a "Jesus virus" into the quantum entanglements established by wicked entities. And then we all concentrated on establishing the importance of true relationship with God among the Body of Christ. We declared that God does not need [nor desire!] long-winded speeches or empty phrases of praise. He wants our hearts aligned with His heart and with His purposes. He wants a holy interchange between Him and us -- we seek His voice and His heart, and then we act on what He reveals to us! It's really that simple! 

And that's where my husband's comment comes in. I'm sure -- no, I know -- that his words will be misunderstood by those within the Body of Christ who possess a religious spirit. They will not understand that he is a man of direct and frank language, but with a loving and compassionate heart. His name literally means "Peace-Loving Warrior", and he is the perfect embodiment of every characteristic of that appellation. And, if I can speak for him, he is tired of the same old modes by which we Christians identify ourselves. We need to be more than subservient sheep to habitual and predictable methods of engaging God. We need to become more than our titles and giftings; it can no longer be about how we appear in the world. We are not of this world, and if we don't start acting from our place in the spiritual realms, there will not be a place for us in the world!

My husband has tried to speak and act within the restraints of accepted Christian practices, but it is becoming more and more difficult for him to walk that line. I believe God is calling those who will be bold and undeterred from His purposes during this time. These are men and women who know that the hour is approaching when compromise and conciliatory gestures towards the Enemy will no longer hold back Evil. These are men and women who know they are watchmen on the wall -- but they are not just warning about the players from their position on the physical walls of the earth, but also from the spiritual walls in the heavenly realms. And the magnitude of what they see coming does not fit any paradigm of the modern Church. And that can put them in conflict with the traditional Body of Christ. But thank the Lord that God has a purpose for them that both includes the hope and encouragement of victory that their Christian brothers and sisters espouse, but also includes the honest, outspoken, and open dialogue of a John the Baptist, a Jeremiah, or an Elijah ... a remnant that is willing to look different, sound different, and swim against the current of conventional Church-ology. 

I will tell you that this is not a place of faith that is for the faint-hearted. You will be despised, discounted, dismissed, and disregarded. You will be called a heretic and worse. But you can no longer go along to get along, and you can no longer pretend that you don't know what you know. As a wife who marches in step with my husband, I sometimes wonder if more grace and mercy would soften the message God has given us. But God has time and again told me that there is a time and place for His grace and mercy [and He will make those times discernable], but now is the time for clear, concise and deliberate discourse with the world. It's no time to hold back, or ease the pain of the reality of this Age. God needs more Peace-Loving Warriors who can carry out His purpose in witnessing to both the wise and the ill-advised. My husband might appear foolish to some within the Body of Christ, and misdirected by most who are on a different path, but he's ready to lay it all on the line for Christ and His Kingdom. Hence, the statement, From now on, I'm gonna wear comfortable clothes and start running my mouth. Translation: "I'm going to be free from worrying about what others think, and instead, be comfortable and content in my Kingdom assignment. And I'm not going to worry about how the message God has given me is received or interpreted. I'm going to be bold in declaring it ... within every realm of influence God gives me ... and without hesitancy, trusting Him to transform lives". 

It might not be your style of presentation. But know that he, and the members of God's remnant like him, recognize the time is critical, and their severe and stern demeanor is evidence of their compassionate heart for those who have not yet perceived or entered the Kingdom. Call it tough love, if you will. But it is precisely because they love their fellow man, that they are willing to be controversial. May God strengthen them, protect them, and encourage them to finish their race. 

2 Corinthians 11:19   And since you are so smart and so wise to gladly put up with the foolishness of others, now put up with mine.

Christians: It's Time To Get Battle-Hardened!

 

Mario Murillo, a pastor who boldly proclaims the power of Christ to transform lives and heal every area of affliction, recently posted a blog article titled, You Are Now A Wartime Pastor. Aimed at ministers and church leadership, Mario exhorts his fellow pastors to get on the front lines of this spiritual battle that the Enemy has brought to us. He calls for Christian leaders to no longer shy away from the evil that has permeated our governing authorities, our schools, our health care system, technology, and nearly every sphere of influence over our lives.

Yes, it is about time that pastors lead their flocks in the manner God ordained the Israelites as they crossed into the Promised Land. It is time for pastors to command the people to prepare for the spiritual war that is upon us and to take back all that has been lost through compromise, complicity, and collusion. But I want to take it a step further. If your pastor is not leading and calling out evil where it plainly exists, what is holding you back? We may not all carry titles that organized religion recognizes and honors, but we all have the potential to be the shepherd boy, David, or a Joshua, or a Jael. And the truth is, that whether you want to admit it or not, we should all be on a war footing against Evil; and in a state of readiness for this spiritual war that portends the End Times. While most have been waiting for a God-sent hero to take the lead, or to follow someone clearly in charge of commanding a spiritual army, the Enemy has steadily moved the line of encroachment until our backs are against the wall. The time of waiting is over. We must each take our battle positions on that wall and declare that the battle is the Lord's and the God of Israel will triumph!

The Lord is [even now] speaking to many in dreams, visions, and words of knowledge, saying, "The time has come to stand and engage the Enemy! The time is near for the cataclysm -- the violent upheaval in the world that the Bible prophecies -- and everyone must be prepared to recognize what is coming on the earth! Will you simply stand and watch? Or will you serve Me, the Lord of the Universe,  and obey My voice?" 

To stick our heads in the sand, or to run away from the evidence that is before our eyes, is to deny what the Spirit is showing us. The nations are lining up for war. Famine and plagues are threatening to decimate vast populations. Even the elements of nature are warning that upheaval could be imminent; the La Palma volcano off the northwest coast of Africa is acting up, and should it erupt, 500 billion tons of rock will slide into the Atlantic Ocean, sending a 3000-foot wall of water careening across the ocean towards the United States and Europe, killing untold millions. And last but not least, Good has become evil and Evil is now called good. But the Lord will not abandon those in covenant with Him!

That's why it is important that we, who call ourselves followers of Jesus, realize that we must battle this spiritual war on two fronts. First, we battle from a position of spiritual protection, just as Psalm 91 instructs us. In the shadow of, and under the wings of the Most High and Almighty God, we battle from a place of protection and safekeeping; fighting in the confidence of one who trusts the Name of the Lord of Hosts to defend him. This is how the shepherd boy, David went into battle against the giant, Goliath.

But, we also battle from a position of God's power and authority in the physical. If we trust that the battle is His, we can be bold, even in the midst of our fears of what is coming. We can release ourselves to Him to be used for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth, no matter what it looks like or what is required of us... because we know that it will be accomplished in HIS strength and power. He just needs men and women to work with [and through], and our agreement to be in covenant with Him to see His will done. We need not be afraid of the power of men on the earth; knowing that if God tells us to take that mountain, He will go before us and we will see our victory. We can defeat anything -- corrupt governments, empires, evil domains, demonic entities -- if we will just have faith and do not doubt. We can trust, as did King David, that God has trained our hands for war and our fingers for battle. He will stretch out His hand and fortify us because we know His Name.

But, as a watchman on the wall, I will tell you that now is the time to get settled in your spirit that this war is coming. Indeed, the opening salvos have been fired. Failing to respond is to hasten Satan's agenda, as written in the Bible. The Enemy's forces are on the battlefield and advancing rapidly. We know who wins in the End. But far too many Christians want to skip to the victory and are refusing to look at [or prepare for] the battle that precedes that glorious outcome. You can hope for an escape through the Rapture. But read the Good Book. I don't believe it says that! We will need to be Jesus's witnesses on the earth; proclaiming His Truth and renouncing the works and lies of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet; always pointing the peoples and nations towards Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the World. We will battle on the earth, alongside Jesus, and His Heavenly Host, taking part in the final battle before the Millennial Kingdom is ushered in. We have lots of work to do as the end of this Age unfolds, and we need to get battle-hardened.

Our nation just declared the end of a 20-year war in Afghanistan. The nation is weary of war. But the truth is, wars never end... they just mutate into a different name, plan and objective. That's the way Satan has been operating for the last two millennia. Our soldiers may be weary and disillusioned [with good reason], but they are battle-hardened; experienced in combat and effective at fighting. As spiritual soldiers, we cannot afford to get weary, and we sure better get focused on sharpening our skills at fighting in both the spiritual and physical theaters of this war with Satan. Let us not be blind to the battle we're in, and let us be ready and equipped to fight on all fronts. The Glory of the Lord will prevail!

Psalm 18:39-41   For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me [in defeat], And I silenced and destroyed those who hated me. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—Even to the Lord [they cried], but He did not answer them.

The Anti-Christ Spirit in the Church

If you have never contemplated the possibility that the Antichrist Spirit has gained access to the Church on the earth, then I hope you will let me share my thoughts on this subject. I'd like to explain what I perceive the Antichrist spirit to be, and offer up some characteristics and how to identify it. And then let's examine how this pernicious spirit has gained a way to enter our church buildings.

First, I think it is important to understand that there are many Christians, when one brings up the subject of Antichrist, who picture the devil incarnate; an evil, sinister, giant of an individual who strikes fear in the hearts of all men. I cannot say that he won't eventually become that, but I deliberately used the word "pernicious" to describe his spirit because this is how I believe he will actually be able to insinuate himself into the inner sanctums of our places of worship. The word pernicious means "to have a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way". Which is exactly why the Antichrist spirit has gone so undetected.

We know that Jesus became flesh and blood to do the will of His Father in Heaven. He became a man so He could empathize with all that we, as humans, experience in our everyday lives, and so that He could teach us how to avoid the sin with which this life tempts us. But Jesus was the Christ -- the Anointed One, the Messiah; without sin and undefiled. The name, Antichrist, means exactly what it says; "against Christ". He is Satan's emissary on earth. And since Satan seeks to be like God, He counterfeits everything the True God does. There will soon be a man who makes himself known, who comes to do the will of his father, Satan. And just as Jesus possesses the Spirit of His Father, so will the Antichrist possess a spirit -- although it will be far from the Holy one that is part of our Lord.

If we are going to defeat this spirit, we must come to realize that the Body of Christ is not always cognizant of just how crafty and cunning the Enemy can be! Satan saw, from the beginning of the Christian Church, that God was warning the new Believers to be wary; to test the spirits that entered their meetings and congregations to see if they were of God. Even though it had been just a relatively short time since the witnesses of Jesus's resurrection had begun to give their eyewitness testimonies, there were already spirits influencing men to assert that Jesus was just a man, and not of God. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:2-3, "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of Antichrist, which you've heard is coming, and is now already in the world". Well, folks, that spirit has now had 2000 years to become fully entrenched here on earth, and that includes the institutions of the Church. And he has proven himself a formidable foe when it comes to preparing the Church to be battle-worthy when the Antichrist shows up in person.

Remember that I said that Satan is crafty and cunning? He hasn't been so brazen as to send people into the Church that blatantly deny that the Son of God came in the flesh and was resurrected to eternal life. [That assignment was given to spirits in the secular world]. No, instead Satan has sent spirits of pride and deception into the hearts of many of our church leaders and religious organizations. How does this happen? Again, Satan has accomplished this in a pernicious manner -- it's been gradual and subtle, yet no less harmful. You see, this spirit coaxes the Church to forgive the things God calls sin, without actually ceasing from the sin, allowing the Body of Christ to live comfortably without a guilty conscience. 

Take for instance Pastors who have begun preaching that they doubt the existence of hell; or that an eternal hell exists, citing their opinion that what the Bible is really intimating is that this life amounts to separation from God, and is therefore what the Bible intends for us to understand as hell. Another popular teaching is that our God is a loving God, and He would not actually subject someone to eternal torment. But they fail to teach that it is not God who decides to send people to hell -- they choose it by rejecting Jesus. God has made a way for all to receive salvation through faith in Jesus, so there is no excuse. I actually attended a church for 20 years where the Pastor, at the end of his life-long ministry, announced that he no longer believed in hell. What about Revelation 20:14-15, which says, "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire". The truth of Scripture, whether it makes us uncomfortable or not is that either eternal torment in hell or eternal joy in heaven awaits us all, depending on whether we trust in Christ's payment for our sins on the Cross, or we reject Him and His sacrifice for us.

Then there are those who deny the authority of the Believer and our power in Christ. Jesus clearly says in Luke 10:19, "Now you understand that I have imparted to you My authority to trample over his [Satan's] kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority". We are told that only church leaders have authority in the Body of Christ, and we should not venture out from under their covering. These same Pastors will not only deny that spiritual warfare exists, but they will preach it is unnecessary -- leaving their flock unguided and unprotected from the schemes of the Enemy! Jesus taught His Disciples [and modeled for them] how to cast out a demon; how to lay hands on the sick and heal them; how to preach the Good News that it could be "on earth as it is in Heaven". And then He tells us in John 14:12, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father". 

Jesus taught that we are to be representatives of His Father's Kingdom here on earth. Just as He sought to do His Father's will, so should we. Which is exactly why Satan has worked so diligently to suppress that purpose in the Church. He has sent spirits that whisper "we must keep the people entertained"; "we must protect our finances with the 501(c)3 exemption"; "titles and positions and validation are important in the Church" -- and none of these are requirements established by Jesus. In fact, they go "against Christ" and all that He stood for. And that makes them Antichrist spirits. 

I do not write this today to disparage the Church or Church leaders, in general. Instead, I am incredibly encouraged by the number of Pastors, Ministers, and members of the clergy who step out of the box, aren't controlling, and actually disciple their flock to do the work of Jesus. It stirs my spirit to see leaders of faith -- both inside and out of the traditional building -- break old traditions of orthodoxy in order to walk in the footsteps of the Early Church fathers. Those brave men and women were people who "upset the apple cart", so to speak, and embarked on a journey into new territory blazed by Jesus Christ, Himself. The organized religion of today is just as guilty as the Sadducees and Pharisees of "shutting the kingdom of heaven in people's faces". It is just as true today that there are church leaders who "neither enter themselves nor allow those who would enter to go in". That is evidence of an Antichrist spirit. 

And now, in this time and age, it is evident that the fruit of all the Antichrist spirits that have been operating in the last two thousand years [to delay the return of our Savior], are readying for a man who will be Satan's representative and counterfeit Savior of the world. So, it is time for the Church and the Body of Believers to rise to their true identity; to throw off any trepidation or doubt that the very Power and Authority of Heaven has been given to us to prepare the way for the return of the Messiah and His heavenly host. No more compromise with the world! No more fear or doubt! Our Enemy is revealing Himself and those who have chosen his side. It is time to pray that they will change their allegiance before it's too late. It is time to pray that all Believers will endure in their faith and be strengthened in their spirits. It is the time for courage, commitment, and stepping into the destiny God has written in our Book of Life. May the True Church be all it was meant to be ... pure from the Antichrist spirit, following Jesus's commandments, and preparing to rule and reign with Him! Get ready! Jesus is about to show us how powerless Satan and his Antichrist really are, and we will soon see Yeshua Ha Mashiach ruling the kingdoms of the world!

1 John 2:18-25      Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour... This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son... Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you, too, will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life.

 

Twenty Years Later ...

 

 The memories of this day are most likely burned into the souls of everyone over the age of 30. We all remember exactly where we were twenty years ago this morning. Every American most likely has a distinct memory of that tragic day ... the ash-colored faces of panicking people rushing to escape the falling Towers behind them; the grief-stricken families wandering the streets of New York City in the aftermath, holding photos of their loved ones and hoping beyond hope that someone would tell them their son/daughter/father/mother/spouse had been spotted among the injured; the courage of those brave passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, who knew they were most likely sacrificing their lives to save those at the U.S. Capitol; the images of NYC firefighters atop mountains of rubble continuing to do their jobs after 343 of their comrades died trying to rescue those trapped in the buildings. And that's not counting the tens of thousands who have gotten sick or died from recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

The pain and loss of that day extends [as well] over 20 years of war; to all the families of all the wounded and deceased combat members of our military who answered the call to stop decimate the evil that had attacked our country. It is difficult to get a final figure of those who paid the ultimate price, but to each family whose lives were forever changed, the only number that matters is the one who came home to them -- whether in a flag-draped coffin, or a shattered body that took months or years to put back together. And there are many more whose wounds are not visible to the naked eye. 

It is hard for me to fathom what our Father in Heaven thinks as He looks down on the consequences of decisions made over these past 20 years. I am aware that this stretch of two decades in our lives is but a moment on His divine timeline. And I know that there have been similar tragedies, atrocities, and wars throughout history. But my human mind asks, "God, where does it end"? Is the cost we've paid in human life, national treasure, loss of freedoms, and societal/cultural division worth it? "What is your perspective, Father"?

I know the Bible says there is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:8). I know that God can lead us into wars that are righteous, but I also know that He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:3-4). Oh, how we long for that time!

I don't have the mind of the Father, but I think I perceive the heart of Jesus, who desires that we love our enemies. That's a hard thing to do when Evil comes knocking at your door. And the Apostle Paul tells us to never take our own revenge, but leave room for the wrath of God. I believe that God is a God of Justice, and there will be judgment against all who act out of evil hearts. But how do we reconcile these last 20 years, and where do we go from here?

There have been considerable changes inner nation since that fateful day in 2001. We are not the same country in so many ways. The unity we experienced in the days immediately following 9/11 seems like a fleeting memory. The Enemy has done everything within his power to divide us along economic, social, political and spiritual lines. We have mocked God's authority in covenantal marriage; the assigning of gender to our children; and have desecrated what is holy. And that's saying nothing of the greed and arrogance shown by our government leaders and corporations. The media and many ministries have fallen prey unto tempting deceptions, and the truth is often hard to discern.

But, I also want to mention that there is an entire generation that wasn't born when this evil came to our country. It is important that we never forget all those that died on that day, and in service to this country, so that we teach them this history. Let us take to heart, Deuteronomy 4:9, Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 

And it is important to share the ideals that our flag stands for, and why it is important to so many when they see it flying high and proud. This latest generation needs to know it is about more than deciding whether to kneel or not at a football game. That flag represents the blood that has been shed throughout our 245 years of existence as a nation. We have been far from perfect and we have lost some of that national pride, and much more of our national identity, in the last 20 years. But I believe our God can return our hearts to Him and the purpose for which this nation exists. 

I could go on and on about all the ways that we, as a nation, and as a people have gone astray. It all comes down to this: We have defied the Living God, while deifying the unholy alliance among ungodly men and institutions. It may look as if we've gone too far to be redeemed, but we must never forget that God is always faithful. He keeps His Covenants, Promises, and Steadfast Love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hate Him, by destroying them. Judgment and Vengeance are His!

So, 20 years later, I want you to know that we have much to look forward to. Do not look at the world ... yes, the Taliban is still in power; Israel is still under attack; and the threats against our country may be even greater than they were in 2001. But we are still here, and there is still hope! On this 20th anniversary of the greatest national tragedy in our lifetime, we honor our dead and those who have displayed the American spirit of courage, bravery, and service. We recognize that there is a faithful remnant who will not bow down to worship evil; nor will they flinch at their duty; nor abandon their post. We have been called to a holy calling, and we have been raised up for this time and this season to display the power of the Almighty God of the Universe! We must trust that He has gone out ahead of us to establish our steps, and that we will witness His shaking in the land. We will be given the strength to stand in courage and boldness as we proclaim His strategies and plans that will lead us to victory!

Do not believe the false images or the defeat that the Enemy is feeding our hearts, eyes, and minds. Seek the Lord! His face is not hidden! He honors our grief over September 1, 2001 and all the years in-between. The souls of those who cry out from beneath the heavenly altar [for justice] will soon receive it! And we must not be afraid of what is coming. Remember, our God goes with us and fights for us. When we pray in the Might and Power of the Name of Jesus, we will have the opportunity to see something extraordinary in our nation! So, let's honor those who have paid the price for unrighteousness in the land; stand against those who would destroy what this nation stands for; and then look forward to what the Lord can do when we believe [in faith] and set our eyes upon Him! Get ready to witness His Kingdom, Power and Glory!

Isaiah 28:5-6      In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of His people. He will be a Spirit of Justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

It's A New Biblical Year! What Does That Mean For Us?

Last evening [Monday, September 6th] at sundown began the observance of God's Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah. This Feast is mentioned in Levitcus 23:23-25, and was instituted as a memorial day announced by the blowing of trumpets; a holy convocation. In the Jewish tradition, it is the first day of the month of Tishri, and the beginning of the "civil" New Year in which the counting of years is calculated. Since the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles, rather than the solar cycles of the Gregorian calendar [which we in the West follow], it can get a bit confusing. And according to the sages of the Jewish faith, when we count the years from the first day of Tishri, we find that it has been 5782 years since the creation of man [Adam]. 

It can get even more confusing when we understand that there is another month also designated as the "religious" new year. In Exodus 12, God tells Moses that the month of Nisan "shall be the beginning of months to you; it is to be the first month of the year to you". But unlike the new year in the month of Tishri, this new year is not for the counting of years, but is in commemoration of the Israelites' momentous transformation from slavery to physical liberation from Egypt. And not coincidentally, it is the month in which the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits are celebrated, signifying our transformation and freedom from the slavery of sin and eternal death through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. 

Although the Feast of Trumpets is not specifically mentioned in the New Testament, the themes of the Feast [trumpet blasts] are found throughout the Book of Revelation. And in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, the Apostle Paul alludes to the prophetic importance of the trumpet blasts heard during the Feast of Trumpets ...  Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed], in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].

So, what does all this tradition and instruction have to do with us 21st Century Christians? We see that the celebration of the new year in the month of Nisan speaks to the delivery of the Hebrew nation from slavery in Egypt, and their transformation into freedom. It speaks of Jesus's First Coming. The new year in the month of Tishri also speaks of a transformation -- and for us Christians, it commemorates our future transformation into our glorified bodies when Christ returns at His Second Coming. Should we observe this Feast of Trumpets, and what significance, if any, does the counting of this particular year have for us? 

The celebration of God's Feasts has increasingly become important to Christians as we take note that God ordained these Feasts as "permanent statutes throughout your generations, wherever you may be". Often mistakenly referred to as the "Jewish Feasts", they apply to all who call themselves children of Abraham. We may not be Jewish, in the physical sense, but we are "spiritual children of Abraham". He is the father of our faith, and through him, we have the roots of our faith. So, again, is this year any different than any other? Is there special significance to the year 5782? It is not uncommon at this time, as it has been for thousands of years, for prophecies to be forthcoming about what this new year holds for the faithful. All of us want to know how God's plans for mankind will transpire. And since we know there is a very active Enemy coming against those plans, we want to be forewarned of danger ahead.

To be honest, I am often skeptical of all the prophetic words that are coming from all the prophets in the land. I am always conscious that we are to test the spirits of those claiming to hear from God, because He tells us in His Word that "many false prophets have gone out into the world". I am aware that we have the ability to prophesy, as the Spirit leads us, therefore I am very discerning of what I hear prophesied, and, in turn, I never want to prophesy anything to anyone that I'm not convinced came from the Lord. That being said, I hear so many [in Christian circles] saying that the theme of prophecy for this year seems to be centered on rest in the House of the Lord; new things will be birthed, as the old falls away; new levels of Grace and Favor; Divine alignment and Kingdom connections. Oh, how I pray all that becomes our reality!

My spirit longs for it all and I will be earnest in praying for it! But I decided today to take some time away from what I'm hearing the prophets say and ask God what He wants to say to me about this year of 5782 and the year 2022. I just sat quietly and listened. I didn't want to project my fleshly biases, but honestly wanted His perspectives on what this year could bring. So, I now would like to share what I heard in my spirit; what I felt was an honest answer to my question of Lord, what is it that You want me to know about this coming year? [NOTE: this is not intended to be considered prophecy for the Body of Christ! It is simply sharing the personal conversation I had with the Lord, in the hopes of focusing my heart, mind, and spirit on discerning His will for my life].

Lord, what is it You want me to know? What should I be expecting [or looking for] in the coming year? Lots of upheaval, but a strengthening at the core. 

At the core of what? 1) My physical body;  2) the core of my spiritual house;  and 3) the core of the TRUE Body of Christ in the world.

Lord, I'm afraid to ask, but what does the upheaval look like? You don't need the details of all that is coming ... Trust Me to prepare you and inform you as needed.

Is there anything else You want me to know about this coming year? It will be difficult for many and your heart will be burdened by loss.

Is there any hope, Lord? You will be victorious and able to help many. You will see Me in the midst of it all. 

I want to stress again that this is what the Lord spoke over my individual life. It is not meant to be spoken as an umbrella prophecy over the Body of Christ. In fact, I urge you to take the time to sit with God and ask for Him to speak to you regarding His will for your life in the coming year. We each have an individual destiny as well as a corporate one, so He may have something specific to speak to you, and it will likely be vastly different than mine. And then continue to stay in touch with Him. As His prophetic word over your life comes to light, you will have more questions in which you will seek His direction and guidance.

 But most of all, I want you to celebrate this beginning of the new Biblical year, declaring that God is ever-present in our circumstances and we are all individually known to Him. We must never doubt that He has His eye on us, nor that we will be alone in what comes, good or bad. We have so much to look forward to! In this season we will experience the Ten Days of Repentance [leading to the Day of Atonement], and the Feast of Tabernacles [when we celebrate the future of living in the presence of our Lord and Savior]. So, I bless you all with peace and joy and revelation in this season of Holy Days! May the Lord's face shine upon you!

Revelation 21:5   And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  

The New Religion of Artificial Intelligence

You may think I am just being clever with the title of this blog post. But there is an actual church dedicated to “the realization, acceptance, and worship of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed through computer hardware and software.” This church is called Way Of The Future. As ludicrous as this sounds, it is real! None other than Tesla founder and technology guru, Elon Musk, warned in 2017 that there are developers of digital super-intelligence that have plans to create a new religion centered on a "divine AI god". 

The man behind the Way Of The Future artificial intelligence church (WOTF), is Anthony Levandowski, the man who engineered the self-driving car. Although his reputation has been under fire amid allegations of pirating industry secrets, Levandowski leads the way among this generation's godless in promoting the divine attributes of Artificial Intelligence. Just consider this statement in a 2017 article on the Wired website: “What is going to be created will effectively be a god ... It’s not a god in the sense that it makes lightning or causes hurricanes. But if there is something a billion times smarter than the smartest human, what else are you going to call it?” Try calling it God, with a capital "G".

But to emphasize that humankind is still falling for the same old lie that deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden -- namely, that we don't need God -- the self-appointed "Dean" of the Way Of The Future Church goes on to say, “Humans are in charge of the planet because we are smarter than other animals and are able to build tools and apply rules. In the future, if something is much, much smarter, there’s going to be a transition as to who is actually in charge. What we want is the peaceful, serene transition of control of the planet from humans to whatever. And to ensure that the ‘whatever’ knows who helped it get along.”

No, Mr. Levandowski, humans were designed to be in charge of the planet by their Creator; to govern the earth as He governs Heaven. The ultimate control of the planet is in the hands of this One True God of the Universe, YHWH. But because there are humans who refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty, they bow down to whatever they create to be their little "g" god; whether it be Science, Politics, Money, or Artificial Intelligence. This philosophy plays into the hands of the devil, who seeks to overthrow the true God's dominion over man and the earth, and become the "whatever" of godless men's souls. Also, this philosophy is nothing new. What has become known as the idea of "Singularity" has been promoted ever since man discovered the capabilities of technology.

My research takes the understanding of the possibility of Singularity back to John von Neumann, one of the WWII German scientists recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, who commented [and warned] on the "accelerating progress of technology and changes in the mode of human life, which gives the appearance of approaching some essential singularity in the history of the race beyond which human affairs, as we know them, could not continue." In other words, as fast as AI is advancing, there could be a very real danger of human extinction. This "singularity" where men and machines become one, with the machine being in control, has been predicted by modern technology engineers to occur between 2030 and 2050.

But this idea that AI could become a god is especially heinous and abominable. Consider what was written by John Brandon in a 2017 article on the VentureBeat website: "In the next 25 years, AI will evolve to the point where it will know more on an intellectual level than any human. In the next 50 or 100 years, an AI might know more than the entire population of the planet put together. At that point, there are serious questions to ask about whether this AI — which could design and program additional AI programs all on its own, read data from an almost infinite number of data sources, and control almost every connected device on the planet — will somehow rise in status to become more like a god, something that can write its own bible and draw humans to worship it" [my emphasis].

Think it's not possible? In this same VentureBeat article, an expert named Vince Lynch [who builds custom AI] likened Artificial Intelligence to organized religion. In the Bible used by Christians, for example, Lynch says there are many recurring themes, imagery, and metaphors. “Teaching humans about religious education is similar to the way we teach knowledge to machines: repetition of many examples that are versions of a concept you want the machine to learn,” he says. “There is also commonality between AI and religion in the hierarchical structure of knowledge understanding found in neural networks. The concept of teaching a machine to learn … and then teaching it to teach … (or write AI) isn’t so different from the concept of a holy trinity or a being achieving enlightenment after many lessons learned with varying levels of success and failure.”

The article goes on ... Indeed, Lynch even shared a simple AI model to make his point. If you type in multiple verses from the Christian Bible, you can have the AI write a new verse that seems eerily similar. Here’s one an AI wrote: “And let thy companies deliver thee; but [I] will with mine own arm save them: even unto this land, from the kingdom of heaven.” An AI that is all-powerful in the next 25-50 years could decide to write a similar AI bible for humans to follow, one that matches its own collective intelligence. It might tell you what to do each day, or where to travel, or how to live your life.

Again ... do you doubt that this can actually happen? The generation that is now approaching 30 has been surrounded by technology since birth. It's all they know! They've had a cell phone in their hands from nearly day one! From watching videos as children to receiving their news of the world today, they have been subjected to technology as their primary source of information. As crazy as it sounds, those within the digital and AI services community refer to the Bible as "a large data asset pertaining to God in the Old and New Testaments". It is proposed that AI could build algorithms based on the Christian Bible to then communicate what "God might do or say" ... but what "God" would it be promoting?

Granted, there are experts in the field that doubt AI could ever build compassion or the equivalent of a "spirit" as part of its process or operation -- both of which are essential to real faith. The reality of a machine being able to create a divine nature is certainly grounds for skepticism. But could humanity decide to "worship" it, nonetheless? Don't we already? How many people trust and obey their GPS, or ask Alexa for advice? How many of you have had conversations with your children or grandchildren in which they implicitly declare a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, and impartation of information they have received from their cell phone? Could we go a day, a week, a month or [gasp] forever without our cell phones or computers? 

And when you consider that we now willingly implant technology within our bodies, I discern that we must take Elon Musk's statement that "humans will deepen our ties with technology even further, to the point where we become cyborgs, as a way of upgrading our inherent natural abilities". Where does he think those "inherent abilities" came from? And the audacity of the created to think they can upgrade the Creator's divine design! So while, on one hand, Mr. Musk warns of an AI god; on the other hand, he proclaims that "the future of humanity depends on us merging with machines" -- hence his venture into his new company, Neuralink. [See my post on this related subject here]. 

All of these prognostications and warnings all come back to the same idea -- the interconnectivity of man and technology. Will man's desire to be like YWHW, to know as He knows, to create as He creates, be the downfall of mankind? Will we repeat the same mistakes of judgment that took place in the Garden and at the tower of Babel? Will we abandon our true faith to idolize, follow, and worship the false gods of technology and AI, just as the Israelites abandoned YHWH? If, as obedient followers of Jesus Christ, if we are not careful to safeguard and teach God's Truth to this and future generations, then I'm afraid the answers to the above questions are "Yes". And God will not interfere with our free will. 

I appreciate the warnings of men like Elon Musk and the late Stephen Hawkings, that AI is dangerous to the future of humans. But, ultimately, it is our responsibility as the Ekklesia of Heaven on earth to declare the Truth and speak out against the lies. We have an Enemy that is exploiting and corrupting our God-given intelligence; encouraging mankind to be complicit in his plans to build a superhuman controlling power -- plans that could ultimately lead to the extinction of all who do not pledge their loyalty to YHWH. In this case, I advise us to consider the words of the duplicitous Mr. Musk: "With Artificial Intelligence we are summoning the demon. In all those stories where there’s the guy with the pentagram and the holy water, it’s like, yeah, he’s sure he can control the demon. Didn’t work out". 

But for those of us whose minds, hearts, and spirits remain firmly fastened to Christ, I solemnly urge you to be cognizant of where we are headed in this age of technology. It will be up to us to declare the Sovereignty of our true Lord and Master. We will find ourselves battling upstream against the culture, but the destiny of future generations depends on us. While it may seem unlikely that humans could ever get so far off base as to worship a cold and impersonal machine, if we are honest with ourselves, we are further down that road than we care to admit. We must take a stand for God and His Divine Truth! The history of mankind has proven that when we stray from Him, we further the devil's plans and strategies. As the old saying goes, "if we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything". And our "something" is none other than Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible! He is above all; from whom all things came and for whom we exist! We praise and worship Him only!

Psalm 135:18     Those deaf to God can only make a deaf image. Dead men can only create dead idols. And everyone who trusts in these powerless, dead things will be just like what they worship—powerless and dead!

 

 

 

"Comfort My People"

I write today, knowing that many of you are tired, weary, and yes, even disheartened. I will confess that I, too, have experienced moments of overwhelming discouragement as I witness the evidence of the Enemy's plans to kill, steal, and destroy. The world has suffered through nearly two years of a pandemic that leaves us with so many questions and concerns. We have lost family members and friends to a disease that no one can really explain, and it has cost us so much -- lives, treasure, freedoms, and confidence in those who have been appointed over us. There is a real spiritual darkness associated with this phenomenon, and at times, it seems never-ending -- at least that seems to be the devil's strategy for now.

Then, to add dismay to misery, and right before our eyes, we no longer recognize our nation. Once seen as the light and hope of the world, our country now appears to have abandoned the last of its principles and righteous standing among the nations. It's no wonder we [who walk in our Kingdom power and authority] are weary! We have spent hours in fervent prayer, battling in the spiritual realms against the forces and powers of darkness who are hell-bent on carrying out Satan's hatred against mankind. We have declared the glory and majesty of our God Most High; we have warred against the wickedness we have openly seen on display. And now the spiritual warriors are hearing the cries of the people for comfort and reassurance -- "The Enemy looks like he's winning! Is revival still a possibility?" "When will God answer our prayers?" "Has the world become so wicked that the Lord's mercy and grace will now be replaced with His judgment?"

Believers and unbelievers, alike, are feeling the stress. I know I speak for so many who are standing on the wall, and who will never abandon their post or their assignment. Like the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 40, we have been given instructions by God to comfort the people; to reassure them. Indeed, that charge is doubled! Verse 1 reads, "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. These are words that are as necessary today as they were nearly 2700 years ago when Isaiah spoke them. Sometimes the souls of God's people are so distraught, when faced with a level of evil they've never known, that it is incumbent upon us to comfort them because it is God's will that they be comforted -- even in the worst of times. And that comfort must jointly consist of the conviction of our faith along with bold words of reassurance and encouragement.

So, forgive me if I borrow from the esteemed prophet Isaiah, as I speak to those who are weary. We need to understand that all nations will one day be judged before Almighty God, not only for how they treated His chosen people, Israel, but for how they treated their fellow man. I don't need to point out all the wicked ways of this nation. If you are a righteous follower of Jesus Christ, then you know the list is long and we deserve His discipline and punishment. But, just as YHWH showed the ancient Israelites that the sentence of "her wickedness had been taken away, and her service in warfare was finished", He will be willing to deliver us from our sins and iniquity.

It is not God's will that He remain in conflict with those He calls His children. Just as with Isaiah, we who are called to comfort the faithful [the true believers], we proclaim that the obstacles set before us will be removed and a way will be made for our God to manifest Himself in this realm ... "And the glory and majesty and splendor of the Lord will be revealed, And all humanity shall see it together". It may look like the world is on a fast pace towards ruin, but God still sits on His throne and His mercy and love for His people endures forever. We may not know how long the darkness will prevail, but we are assured that by His light we can [and will] walk through the darkness (Job 29:3).

We must come to know and believe that just as Jesus has prepared a way for us at the end of the world's wickedness, it is our duty to prepare a way for Him now! We must get in fighting shape; we must rid ourselves of our despondency and hopelessness by receiving God's divine Grace [which is His power in us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own]. We must rid ourselves of any pride or conceit regarding our own merit, and help those held captive and in bondage to prepare for their deliverance. God longs to stir up courage and determination in our hearts to break through any discouragement the Enemy is setting before our eyes. We can bring the Light of the Lord, even in the midst of despairing darkness!

The power of the Enemy, and of men, is not to be feared, nor trusted. Isaiah declares not only that, to our God, "All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless", but also, "Listen carefully, the Lord God will come with might, And His arm will rule for Him. Most certainly His reward is with Him, And His restitution accompanies Him". When we understand that God has no rival and His Word stands forever, and is incorruptible, then His promises become our hope and our confidence that we will be delivered from our circumstances. 

God called on Isaiah to remind the people of his day that "It is [God] who reduces dignitaries to nothing, Who makes the judges (rulers) of the earth meaningless (useless)". Rulers and authorities on earth are no equal for the Might of our God. "Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown, Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And a strong wind carries them away like stubble". Then the voice of the Lord declares, “To whom then will you compare Me, that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One. 

Rulers and authorities on the earth will come and go. Throughout the history of the world, those who have chosen to act against Him have all been humbled, and brought low by the mighty hand of God. And so it will be until the end of time when all will stand before Him for judgment. Let us give glory to His sovereignty over them!

In these days when our souls and spirits are wearied and may be burdened by what we see happening on the earth, I want to remind you of what God told Isaiah to say to the people: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power. Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired".

We must comfort ourselves, and each other, with the knowledge that our God is an Almighty God; an Everlasting God, whose power reigns over all. In fact, He has absolute, complete, and total power over all and that power is sufficient to see His people through all the difficulties of this life. So, don't beat up on yourselves when you have those moments of despondency... we, who point the way to Jesus, are in the cross hairs of the Enemy, and our flesh can become weary and tired. But when we know our duty to represent Him, and rely on our faith in Him, and commit ourselves to be guided by His Holy Spirit ... then our spirit will be strengthened and renewed as we declare that He will not fail us. We will press forward, in the strength of the Lord, with perseverance, and we will reap the comfort, the hope, and the victory that we long for.  

Isaiah 33:2     O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm of Your servants every morning [that is, their strength and their defense], Our salvation also in the time of trouble.