Fallen Angel Stronghold Still in Satan's Plans (For Those With Eyes to See)!

I have been open and forthcoming about my Biblical Worldview, which I will admit oftentimes runs outside of, and independently from, the traditional Church's viewpoint. I hope you will give me the grace and understanding that this does not mean I seek to rebel against traditional and long-established teachings. It simply means that I have not been willing to keep God in a box in order to make Him fit my framework [or the Religious Church's] of who He is or what the Bible desires to reveal to me through the revelations of the Holy Spirit.

You see, I've always held to the axiom that everything in the Bible is true and all about the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. BUT, everything about the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit cannot be contained in the Bible. The totality of information about who they are and the history of the world they created cannot be limited to a book with a mere 1540 pages. As John says in 21:25, Now there are also many things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. And as King Solomon is credited in Psalm 25:2 as saying, It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

So, I guess if you need to put me in a category, it could be said that I do not believe that God has quit revealing Himself to us. In fact, I believe that as the time for Jesus comes nearer, God is revealing Himself more, and continually exposing Satan's hidden strategies in order to prepare His Remnant for the physical and spiritual battles coming in these End Times. And that brings me to a connection between antediluvian history (pre-Flood) and today's headlines that I've been piecing together from several current sources. And again, I'm able to consider these things and vet them against Scripture because I'm willing 1) to accept that their connections are part of God's plan for us to know them; 2) I know how to test the spirits to see if they are from God; and 3) I'm willing to look beyond traditional religious belief systems to see if God is concealing things He wants me to search out. 

So, all that being said, this brings me to the current situation in Lebanon; namely that just this last week the Israeli military began a bombing campaign against the ancient city of Baalbek. Today, this historical site is known for being the location of one of the world's largest remaining standing Roman temples. It is also a World Heritage Site and famous for being known as "the ancient Roman citadel of Baalbek". While this is certainly of interest to us because of the chaos in the Middle East that threatens to spill over into the rest of the world primed for war, there is so much more significance to this site that we 21st Century Christians don't know ... but need to know as to how it relates to these times.

If you research the history of Baalbek in today's search engines, you will most likely discover the near ancient history of this famous site. One such extensive article tells us that Baalbek's origins can be traced back to the Phoenician era, around 900 BC, when it was known as Heliopolis, dedicated to the worship of the god Baal. During this period, the Phoenicians constructed sanctuaries on the site, laying the foundation for the religious sanctuaries and the religious and architectural legacy that would evolve over the centuries. After Alexander the Great's conquest in 334 BC, the city incorporated elements of Greek architecture, as the site embodied Greek style with its Phoenician heritage.

Modern history will tell us that in 64 BC, the Romans took over, and at this time the iconic Roman Temples came into existence, including the Temples of Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus. These monumental temples, dedicated to these ancient gods were known for their archeological magnificence, and credit was given to ancient Roman craftsman for their engineering skills in constructing these temples of stone known for their size, weight, and engineering marvels required to transport and assemble them. As the article reports, the most famous example of the Baalbek Stones is the so-called "Trilithon", which consists of three enormous stones located in the foundation of the Temple of Jupiter. Each of these blocks weighs approximately 800-1000 tons, making them some of the largest quarried stones in the world. The article goes on to say, "The exact methods by which these stones were quarried, transported, and lifted into position remain the subjects of historical and archeological inquiry." 

While that is the extent that modern secular historians are willing to research this subject, I want to take you a little further down this rabbit hole, if you will allow me. To begin with, the name "Baalbek" comes from the words "Baal" (the god who was significant in Canaanite religious beliefs), and the word "Bek" or "Belaa" (referring to the fertile Bekaa Valley). The name "Baalbek" translates something close to "The City of Baal in the Bekaa Valley". Indeed, the current city of Baalbek is located east of the Litani River in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley. Baalbek is mentioned several times in the Bible, often referred to as "Baal-Gad" and most notably as part of the land Joshua conquered in the land of Canaan --- [Joshua took all that land ...  as far as Baal-Gad in the valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon (Joshua 11:17]. This connection between Baal and Mount Hermon is mentioned several times in the Bible, namely Joshua 12:7, 13:5, and Judges 3:3.

What is significant, yet oftentimes missed by us modern Christians, is the understanding that the pagan god Baal's name means "lord, owner, possessor, or husband", and who was the supreme god of the Canaanites, who became a substitute for YHWH when the Israelites strayed from the One, True God. Also, did you notice the mention of Mount Hermon in these passages? It is necessary that we understand the significance of this location. And this is where you need to do your own research and develop your own Biblical and theological worldview, keeping in mind that God wants us to search out the things He has concealed for this Age so that we can spiritually see the cosmic war between Him and Satan that will determine where all mankind will spend eternity.

So, once again, I am sharing where I believe the Lord has led me. It is up to you to take my discernment, do your own research, and determine what you will believe. Because, very soon, you will need to know exactly what you believe in order to traverse the path before us. So, a very shortened synopsis of where I am at this stage of my research is this ... Because of the fairly recent discovery (1946-1956) of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Qumran Caves on the West Bank, we find connections between the Bible and 1 Enoch (or "the Book of Enoch"), credited to Enoch, great-grandfather of Noah, who walked righteously with God until God took him to Heaven). 

In fact, verses from Genesis 6, Daniel 7, Jude 1:14, and 2 Peter 4 bear a striking resemblance to 1 Enoch, which historians have speculated could have been written as early as pre-Flood, and as late as 300 BC. The truth is that no one knows the exact date it was written, but it pre-dates the Bible and serves as a historical account of the defection of Lucifer and his 200 Watcher Angels. NOTE: 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch are widely accepted as fraudulent and I do not give them credence as to their veracity. But for the purposes of this post, I want to use 1 Enoch to connect the dots that will lead us to the current situation in Baalbek, Lebanon.

From 1 Enoch 6:5,6 we read, Then they [the Fallen Angels] all swore together and bound one another with a curse. And they were, all of them, two hundred, who descended in the days of Jared onto the peak of Mount Hermon. If you have eyes to see, it can be understood that Mount Hermon was the landing location of the Fallen Angels who would begin their assault on the human race, producing a race of hybrids, known as the Nephilim, who became the Giants, "the heroes of old, men of reknown". It is important that we understand that they were no "heroes"; they wished to be worshiped as gods because they shared the spirit of pride that led them to follow the rebellious Lucifer, in search of their own kingdoms. So they began to share the forbidden knowledge of Heaven with their idolatrous followers among the human race, bringing with them the secrets of astrology, pharmakeia, metallurgy, sorcery, warfare, etc. They used the knowledge of these secrets to gain authority for their sons, who could then subjugate the sons of Adam by building their own kingdoms on earth.

A very insightful picture of this ungodly situation is convincingly written by Timothy Alberino in his book, Birthright: The Coming Posthuman Apocolypse and the Usurpation of Adam's Dominion on Planet Earth: "If men could be enticed to willingly abdicate their authority in exchange for [forbidden] knowledge, then having received authorization from its regents, the Watchers could legally operate in [man's] realm... Thus, the Watchers became the lords of the earth through the dominion of their sons and the willing abdication of mankind". 

So, 1 Enoch recounts the story of the progeny of the Watchers, who continued their Fathers' dominion over the earth, which "became a living hell filled with violence and despair". Eventually the supplications of the righteous line of Seth rose to Heaven and "filled the bowls of God's wrath". So 1 Enoch goes on to reveal that God sets a plan in motion to cause "a Nephilim Civil War; kingdom against kingdom, race against race. The progeny of the hybrid gods slaughtered one another in epic battles, laying waste to their realms and reducing their megalithic fortifications to rubble". The Book of Enoch goes on to recount that the Watchers come to Enoch and ask him to draw up a petition asking God for a second chance, so to speak, and when it was rebuffed,  they were "found together, weeping, in a place called Abelsjail, which is located between Lebanon and Senir". 

Lebanon likely refers to Mount Lebanon, and Senir is another name for Mount Hermon. It just so happens that the imposing megalithic complex located between these two mountains is the very same Baalbek of today! And the fact that it lies at the foot of Mount Hermon (where the Fallen Angels landed) gives me reason to agree with Timothy Alberino's conjecture that it is likely to have been built in the pre-Flood era and served as the epicenter of the Watcher's empire on Earth!

Modern archeologists and historians only credit Baalbek as a site of an ancient Roman temple. True, the Romans would later raise a temple to Jupiter over these mammoth stones, but new technologies have provided archeoastronomers the means to date monuments erected on such sites as the Giza Plateau (Egypt), Baalbek (Lebanon), Teotihuacan (Mexico), Tiwanaku (Bolivia), Sacsayhuaman (Peru) and Goebekli Tepe (Turkey), among others, as having been constructed between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. The fact that no one, even with our advanced scientific methods, are able to explain how 800-1000 ton stones were placed with such precision, and align with particular constellations and cosmological phenomena, gives rise to the speculation that perhaps the Giant sons of the Watchers were involved in building these megalithic structures as citadels within their earthly kingdoms. And they could have withstood the Flood!

So, as I hope you can see, this is a vast amount of information that takes us down many paths. And in this post, I have just barely scratched the surface of the implications for us Believers. But just for a moment, let's consider what the spiritual significance might be of modern-day Israel waging war on ancient Baalbek. If it truly was a fortress of the Fallen Angels, is God trying to tell us something? Granted, I'm willing to accept that it is just a coincidence ... but man, what a coincidence!  

Satan's enemy [God's chosen Holy Land], is now in a war against what was once the center of Satan's (and his Fallen Angels) empire. Is this signalling to us that the Great Battle between Good and Evil is on the horizon? You might think I'm reaching too far, and you certainly have a right to that opinion. Maybe I am ... but I never want to discount what the Lord might be trying to tell me. For too long, we Christians have closed our hearts and minds to the warnings of God, and look where it's gotten us. So pray! Pray that Heaven's divine and righteous Watchers (yes, there are good ones, too) will fulfill their spiritual purpose: to offer guidance to mankind and provide us with early warnings to keep us aligned with God's will in our lives and on the earth. And pray that we will heed them! The time is near when we will desperately need their holy counsel!     

Daniel 4:17     The sentence is by the decree of the Watchers, the decision by the word of the Holy Ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will and sets over it the lowliest of men.  

 

 

 

  

   

 

Even Dogs Can Eat Crumbs That Fall From Their Master's Table -- This Is Why!

The title of this post is a play on the words of a faithful Syro-Phoenician woman who hoped to receive the blessings of Jesus, the Messiah and King of the Universe. And while this is going to be a short and unconventional post; and may [at first] seem of little or no importance to the Christian life, I hope you will read it with a heart that is open to the equally unconventional ways God can speak to our spirits. This is what I experienced this morning ...

I try to start every morning with time in my Bible, seeking to hear and learn from the Holy Spirit's revelation. And I'm sure, like many of you, you recognize that there are many distractions that sometimes limit our good intentions. This morning, I started by preparing for our Home Church study of Mark, Chapter 8; then I checked for any emergencies that were coming in on the phone and that I needed to handle. And because of my weakness for dog videos, my attention was captured by an incredible training video of a German Shepherd which showed his discipline in pleasing his owner. 

I was still contemplating his incredible obedience and behavior while washing dishes (yes, I still sometimes like to calm my mind before the day's tasks with this simple routine). And I can't explain it, but the Lord often speaks to me when my hands are immersed in hot, soapy water. Then, all of a sudden, my mind was opened to the broad view of all the ways this dog's actions showed me how we are to respond to our own Master! Give me a of couple minutes of your time and I think you will agree!

1) The Dog Stayed Focused. This incredible creature was 100% focused on his Master. He never took his eyes off the man who had trained him. When standing at his side, the dog was always touching his human, looking up at him with adoring eyes. Their bond was unmistakable, and the dog's loyalty was without question. Attempts were made to distract the dog -- loud noises, intrusive activities around them, and confusing diversions. But nothing turned the obedient animal from his assignment. 

2) The Dog's Level of Obedience Was Exemplary. The dog was attentive to every movement and voice inflection of his Master. He watched for any indication that a new command might be coming, and then he followed it without hesitation. He stopped on a dime when commanded. He stayed when the trainer walked off and separated himself for a period of time; he kept still and waited to hear his Master's voice. And then he came running when called; full of joy and excitement, ready to submit and please. The dog was also ready to move any direction when he sensed the trainer's change of course. He followed his Master's every lead.

3) The Dog Never Hesitated and Accepted Every Challenge. I watched as this amazing animal showed how in tune he was to his Master. He never tried to outguess the trainer's next move, but remained disciplined and in self-control ... going when commanded; stopping and returning to his Master's side when called. He never got out ahead of the trainer, nor lagged behind when given a command. Nothing was too big of a challenge for him, and obstacles did not deter him. He ran over them, through them, and after them. There was nothing he wouldn't do to please his Master and his best friend!

So, as I stood at my kitchen sink, immersed in dirty dishes that needed to be cleaned, I understood that while the trainer did not portray the love and gentleness that I know in my relationship with Jesus, I nevertheless heard my Lord say in my mind, "If only My people, who are called by My Name, showed Me this kind of devotion." And then my mind just clicked off all the ways that this noble animal showed his Master how much he loved him, and would do everything in his power to obey and please him. He really covered all the attributes of what we would call a "good Christian". The words that described what I saw came rushing into my thoughts ... focused on the Master; adoration; loyalty; could not be distracted from his assignment; attentive to every word and action of the Master; followed every command without question; watched and waited [with patience] for what the Master called him to; only did what the Master told him to; never got out ahead of the Master or charted his own course; met every challenge with joy and excitement; and came running when called. 

Could I truly say that described me? Can you? Those of us who have known the love of faithful and loving animals like this dog, understand how they represent the unconditional love of our Lord towards us -- and how we are to respond in kind. I am thankful that my spirit is open to the Lord reaching me in such unconventional ways and in the ordinary, mundane activities of my day. Lord, thank you for the wisdom you have bestowed upon me today, and for showing me Your heart's desire. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to reveal my shortcomings so that I may correctly and joyfully show my love for You! I praise You, for You are worthy to be praised! 

Please take the time to watch this video and be amazed as I was! And let the Lord reveal Himself and His will for how we are to respond to Him. Enjoy!   

John 15:15     No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.  

             

  

TRUTH: Nothing Is Stable In This World ... Except the Unshakeable Kingdom of God!

 We are all increasingly aware of the instability in the world. And there is much fear and anxiety as to the future of mankind and [even] the planet. It is wreaking havoc upon men's souls. But to be honest, I find myself wondering why it should be so. Why are people surprised that, once again, we are facing cataclysmic chaos, uncertainty, and volatility? 

No matter if you are a Believer or not, where are we given any assurances that men can give us a world that offers us stability or security? Men have never been successful in building a stable or permanently established civilization, government or kingdom. Empires and kingdoms have come and gone throughout the history of the world. In the Bible, Daniel's vision prophesies of a towering statue that represents the coming world empires and kingdoms. Its shows us the passing of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman Empires; each greater in influence and power than its predecessor. But none of them lasted.

Even the British Empire, which began in the late 1500s and grew to rule over 400 million people by 1913, [making it the largest empire in history], finally ended in 1997 when it seceded control of Hong Kong to China. The kingdoms of this world have always been about men building kingdoms to glorify themselves. There is only one eternal and everlasting Kingdom, and that is the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ! Any other empire is doomed to failure and extinction -- especially the empires we build to ourselves. Because, let's face it! Since the Garden of Eden, men and women have let themselves be tempted, deceived, and seduced into seeking something that elevates them above others, whether it be influence, power, territory, material wealth, or dominance and control. It can be on a grand scale [impacting nations and peoples] or on a minor level, affecting only their own life. In either case, they build these kingdoms for themselves, thinking they are going to be imperishable and indestructible... they will last forever.

As men become aware that forever does not exist in the realm of man's life or the earth's, fear and anxiety set in. And I am seeing that at an increasing rate. Believers recognize that our nation has lost its moral compass, while the unsaved see the condition of their lives and the nation's support systems beginning to fail. The Believers are aware of 2 Peter 3:10, which tells us that there will come a Day of God's Judgment, and it will be unannounced; coming like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration/firestorm, and earth and all its works will be exposed to the scrutiny of God's Judgment. The unbelievers see the possibilities of nuclear war accomplishing the same destruction. And both groups wonder why we find ourselves in the mess we're in and what are we going to do about it?

I want to share a quote from the Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the distinctive Welsh evangelist and theologian [1899-1981]. I believe it lends a voice to the questions we are asking in this 21st Century...."Why, in spite of all our efforts and endeavors and great advances, is the world still in trouble? Why is every advance followed by regression, every rise by a decline and fall? Why do our attempts to govern the world end in disaster? What is the matter? And there is only one answer. It is is due to the fact that men and women have sinful and fallen natures; it is due to their estrangement from God; and, more, it is due to God's wrath upon humanity in its sinfulness and arrogance. But the tragedy of the world is that it does not realize this."

The tragedy is that mankind is all too willing to point the finger at someone or something else for the degradation of our lives: inflation, higher food prices, the decline of the family/home as our nation's foundation; the willingness for world leaders to go to war as the answer; the lapse in religious faith. Make no mistake, I agree that all these are valid factors! BUT we must be truthful with ourselves! Yes, we have very real human enemies [as well as spiritual] that want to destroy us, but the real enemy is within us; in the corruption, degeneracy, perversion, and immorality of our souls -- in the sinfulness that we practice. And does our faith have any real substance to it? Or is it merely fading away into a form of religion that has lost any contact and relationship with our God? Can we say we truly know Him and He knows us?

I think any of us who are in our later years must admit that we have failed not only our country and generations [by not taking a stand against removing God from the center of our society, and by not protecting the unborn], but we have failed to recognize that relying on secular rules, laws, and regulations will not replace the righteous rule of God and His Divine Justice. And yes, I know the Bible tells us we win in the end! But have you read what the Word says will happen before we reach that conclusion? All the empires and kingdoms of the world have come to naught. They've all been unstable and shaken. It is only the Kingdom of God that cannot be moved. All the other kingdoms [past, present, and future], will be overcome by the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of His Son.

No other kingdom or false religion can overcome the Son of God! We have no need of fear or anxiousness for what is coming! If we truly know who we are in Christ, then we know that we need not fear what man or nation can do to us. All those kingdoms and the evil men of the world are under condemnation. It is our responsibility as heirs of God's Kingdom to proclaim our certainty of God's promises to us of eternal life, and that our blessed Lord and Savior is coming again to call us to Himself! 

So, instead of walking in fear, let us stand up boldly and proclaim the Unshakeable Kingdom of God. Let our words come as fire from the Holy Spirit within us, consuming the hearts and minds of the unrepentant and drawing them to the life-giving force of God, Himself. The kingdoms of the world have come and gone, but there are still kingdoms on the earth that need to hear God's Truth in today's contemporary circumstances. And they need to hear what no one else but God's Remnant can proclaim: It is God who makes us stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come! Praise Him and His Eternal Kingdom!

Hebrews 12:28     Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for God is a consuming fire.  

       

My Personal Assessment (& A Piece of Advice) For Those Called To Ministry

I find myself in a quandary today. Ever since my husband, Mark, and I were called out of our lackluster relationship [and service] to the Lord in order to receive a God-ordained ministry, we have been blessed by His faithfulness [and the Holy Spirit's wisdom and counsel] to be connected to people who have ignited, activated, encouraged, and walked beside us to see His will done in lives on the earth. 

Our spiritual journey really began over 15 years ago, and to be honest, we were simply a couple living a normal, commonplace life who faithfully went to Church, loved our Sunday School group, and thought of ourselves as good Christians. But one day, we just looked at each other and said, "I need more; I'm not being fed, and I want more of who God is." Long story short, it all began with my husband receiving an unexpected [and rare] vision from God that let us know He was calling us to something bigger than ourselves. 

At the time, we were seen as rebels within the Church we attended. After all, we were no longer coloring inside the lines of traditional Religious practices. We were attending conferences and training workshops with people who professed to also have heard from the Lord that He wanted to work with His followers to help continue the work He started ... preaching the Good News of His Kingdom; proclaiming that they could have freedom from their bondage to Satan [through the ministry of Inner Healing]; and working with Jesus to free individuals from the oppression of demons, illnesses, and the traumas and tragedies of life. 

We literally spent three years in the Word; studying every morning for at least two hours, and examining our denominational theology to make sure it aligned with God's Holy Word. After that dedicated time we were rewarded with His sanctified calling on our lives to a ministry in which we partnered with Jesus to set the captives free. We did not advertise it, call ourselves by a fancy title or ministry name. We just took advantage of every opportunity God brought to us to speak to anyone whom He helped us discern needed to be set free in order to pursue their purpose on this earth. One by one, they found their way to us, as God ordained their steps. At the beginning, we were met with a lot of skepticism, doubt, and unbelief. And we understood. The Church had their own form of "normalcy bias" ... and the message we were sharing [that Jesus can still set captives free like He did in the Bible] did not fit the modern model. The results of our form of ministry testified to the truth we professed, and lives were rescued from the Enemy and gloriously changed.

As the years progressed, we were thrilled to see more and more people awakening to our testimonies and Jesus's command to Seek the Kingdom first and righteousness. And we counted it a blessing when a few, who were themselves set free, experienced the calling on their lives to set others free -- just as Jesus called His disciples to do. By this time, the number of people finding their way to Jesus's Healing Table in our home had grown exponentially. We hoped that because of the freedom they received, they would want to become disciples of Jesus, following His model of bringing inner healing to those who have experienced trauma and oppression, all by the devil's design to keep them from discovering their assignment for the Kingdom. We began receiving requests to convene small conferences to teach and train others what we had been taught.

We were excited that people seemed interested in continuing Jesus's practice of setting the captives free. We naively thought that once they had experienced their own freedom, they would glorify Him by unselfishly setting others free. Over the next year or two, we saw people embrace the ministry from many different perspectives. We saw those who began having dreams and clearly hearing their instruction to plant and grow a ministry for the Lord. They were ready to take the ball and run with it! But then I also began to discern those who loved the idea of emulating Jesus's ministry and became impassioned with the possibilities of what they could accomplish for God's Kingdom. And I also began discerning that some were approaching this ministry out of their soul, rather than hearing God's voice in their spirit. They seemed to be getting out ahead of God's plan and schedule, devising their own program of ministry, fueled by their own zeal and enthusiasm.

In truth, not every dream, or thought that comes into our minds is always from God. Sometimes they are our own thoughts, prompted by our desire to serve the Kingdom [or, even our need for validation]. They can seem like God is speaking directly to our spirits, when in reality it is our soul [our mind, emotions, and free will] generating the dreams and thoughts. And that is an important distinction because it is the difference between God HONORING or BLESSING our ministry. And we have to ask ourselves an honest question ... is the condition of our heart to grow our ministry, OR is to advance the Kingdom? Granted, you can advance the Kingdom if your ministry is growing, and God will certainly honor those efforts; He will recognize, appreciate, and value your ministry. And a byproduct may be that people will also recognize the validity of your ministry.

But I think we have to ask ourselves a very important question -- are we more driven to develop and grow our ministry; or are we more focused on representing God's Kingdom and taking back territory from the Enemy? Is the focus of our ministry centered on us and our reputation, or is it about declaring, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?" If it is the latter, then the ministry God has called us to will be blessed; there will be bountiful fruit that is borne from it.

I'm going to be honest here ... the Lord has blessed the ministry that He called Mark and I to. It is so encouraging [and gratifying] to see people who have been set free through our obedience to Christ, then answer His call on their lives, and begin to work with Jesus to help set others free! I find it uncomfortable when someone makes an appointment and tells us that they have been hearing about us. No! I want them to be hearing about what Jesus is doing through us! For us, it's always been about Jesus; about being obedient to His teachings and commands, fulfilling the same assignments as the Twelve Disciples were given. I want it to be said of us as it was said of them ... And they went out and preached [the Gospel of the Kingdom] everywhere, while the Lord was working with them and confirming the Word by the signs that followed.

And what did Jesus say would be the signs of those who believe in Him and were baptized into salvation? In My Name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them [these are cultural idioms for engaging with evil people and poisonous words]; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well. That is some fruit that cannot be ignored!

Sadly, it is has become my opinion over the last few years that the true motives for ministry have [for a growing number of Christians] become all about chasing the Gifts, Titles, and Positions. If we are going to see these ministries truly model the ministry of Jesus Christ, we need to be honest with ourselves and ask if we are not elevating ourselves and our ministries above what God is trying to do in getting people free. If we do not become poor in spirit [recognizing that we have no spiritual "assets"; we are truly poor and must be willing to beg God for His resources that are necessary to do ministry], we will never receive the rewards of the Kingdom of Heaven. If we are relying on our own abilities and resources, instead of God's will and instruction, then we will never receive as much from Him as we could have. And we are denying the person we're ministering to the full measure of what God wants for them, and it becomes all about us.

I do not want to condemn or judge, because I believe these ministers love the Lord and have a heart to help people, but I have become increasingly disappointed in some of them as I watch them chasing what I can only call "Performance Ministry", seeking validation from their actions and what is put on display for all to see. I read an article back in 2019 by Deliverance Minister, Kathy DeGraw in Charisma Magazine that has stuck with me. She asked this pointed question: Are we doing ministry for ourselves so we can release our anointing and preach, pray, and prophesy ... or are we genuinely in love with God, desiring to release the Spirit of God within us? That answer is important because one draws attention from others to us; the other focuses on the intentions of our heart towards the Father. One is an honor; the other a blessing which can result in changed lives for the Kingdom, which is synonymous with fruit. 

I don't want to paint a broad brush across all ministries, but I do want to share these cautionary words if you are being called to ministry ... let your heart be cleansed of all self-promotion and centered on the will of God, for there you will find blessings that far outweigh the praise of men. 

2 Timothy 2:15    Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth.

Who Does The Earth Belong To? God, Man, or Satan? And Why It Matters!

image ©craiyon.com

The questions I pose in this post's title may seem inconsequential to many, but I assure you they are at the heart of the spiritual battle in which we find ourselves. I don't think it's too hard to figure out that this earth is under extreme pressure. Organically speaking, the earth's elements are deteriorating and the Bible actually tells us that they are crying out for us to take back our dominion [and rule and maintain the earth as we were assigned]. Relationally speaking, man's mandate to love the Lord God with all our hearts, minds, souls, [and spirits], and to love each other as we love ourselves, has been a woeful failure. The state of our nation and the world is a testament to our shortcomings. 

And if I could point to one thing [among many] that has led to this demise of our original position on earth, it would be this .... I don't think we fully understand God's plan for mankind, or Satan's plan to foil it. It's as if we've been blinded to the actual events that began in Heaven and have played out on the earth since the account revealed to us in Genesis, chapters one through three. The universe, itself, has a consciousness of the origin of "the rebellion" and its consequences throughout the millenia, but man, himself, became more and more self-centered and therefore, has been unable to see the full agenda of God's Enemy, Satan, the author of Heaven's Rebellion. It's as if, once removed from the Garden, mankind lost his supernatural worldview and now his perception is skewed and limited to only what is available to the human mind.

As this article on logos.com reminds us, we still have the basic concept of who Satan is and what he's all about ... The Bible tells us that because of his prideful nature he challenged God's Supremacy and Authority, hoping to usurp God's Heavenly throne and rule Heaven and all Creation for himself. As my previous post reveals, the Garden of Eden was the gate [portal] that gave man access to the presence of God and his relationship with Him. But the success of Satan's offered temptation to Adam and Eve cost them [and him] that access point, and the gate to Eden was closed. Satan's judgment was "to be expelled from Eden to a new domain: earth and the underworld". And ever since, there has been a battle between man and Satan for ownership of earth.

So, if asked "where does Satan live?", I would say he doesn't have a set, permanent residence. In fact, when God asks him in Job 1:7, "Where have you come from?", Satan answers, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it". It is important that we, as God's representatives on earth, understand that only He can be present everywhere at the same time [omnipresent]. Satan can only be in one place at a time. That's why he is best seen as a wanderer, prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

So, although we need to be alert to his ways and the territories he may inhabit, it is of utmost importance that we comprehend that Satan wants full and absolute dominion over the earth. He wants it for his permanent home and he resents that even when man sinned against Him, God still allowed man to retain his dominion over the earth, by sending His Son, Jesus, as the way to forgiveness and the re-establishment of our dominion. Therefore, Satan has been determined to come up with a plan that will [for all time] destroy man's authority and jurisdiction over the earth. Satan knew that if God's plan to send mankind a Redeemer is allowed to play out [as foretold in Genesis 3:15], his deed to the earth would become null and void.

And just so I make it clear as to who the Earth belongs to, let's consider a couple of verses that are essential to a true Biblical worldview. Deuteronomy 10:14 says, Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Makes it pretty clear, doesn't it? God is the rightful Owner of everything -- first, second, and third heaven, along with the planet earth and everything in it. But wait! What about Psalm 115:16, which says, The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of man. Doesn't that sound contradictory? Does the earth belong to God, or does it belong to man? As Genesis 1:26-28 tells us, God created the earth and then created man in His likeness, giving us authority to steward the planet on His behalf. In other words, we were given the responsibility to look after the earth, to manage it and take care of it for God, and to keep God's order in the land.  

This is why you will see recurring posts on my blog that point to warnings about recognizing the attack plans of the Evil One to rob us of our authority and rulership of this domain called Earth. Satan is jealous that we are allowed to call Earth our [temporary] home -- even though our ancestors also rebelled against Him -- and he hates us, knowing that God has set His redemptive plan in place to return us to our original abode [from which he has been permanently expelled]. And that is why Satan has become our Enemy, and through his cunning and crafty ways, has always been committed to tempting men to rebel against God. And sadly, to some, he is [as Jesus refers to him, "the ruler of this world". Just like Adam and Eve, men throughout the ages have let their willful disobedience blind them to Satan's schemes to alter our identity, which is made in the image of God. If Satan can successfully pull off his game plan, then we will no longer share our hereditary traits that identify us as part of God's family, and the highest Fallen Angel can finally claim Earth as belonging to him.

Because let's face it, the people in Jared and Noah's day didn't understand the Seed War that Satan designed [through the Fallen Angels] to corrupt the bloodline so that the Redeemer could not be born. And neither do enough of us see Satan's modern attack plan through his GRIN network (Genome manipulation; Robotics, Intelligence (Artificial), and Nanotechnology). Nothing has really changed! Satan will continue to seek ways to tempt, deceive, exploit, and corrupt man's relationship with God in the hopes that he can, at last, remove us from God's protective hand. We know that God will never relinquish us if we remain a true and steadfast believer. But we must pay attention to Satan's schemes so that we are not tempted to remove ourselves by no longer remaining in God's image.

That's what Satan's latest warfare strategy is all about ... transhumanism. By its own definition, transhumanism is "a philosophical and intellectual movement that advocates the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available new and future technologies that can greatly enhance longevity, cognition, and well-being". [Emphasis is my own]. In other words, if we are willing, we can improve on God's design of what it means to be a human. The ultimate goal behind this movement is to convince mankind that we don't need God to live eternally, gain wisdom, or enjoy good health, feel secure, or prosper. Satan's agents in this world want us to believe that technology is our new Savior; technology has become the new tree of life and the new tree of knowledge -- don't worry about whether it is knowledge of good and evil; it is just "the way" to our future; a future where God is unnecessary.

So, can you see why it matters who we think the earth belongs to? If you think God has lost ownership and authority, and his plans for this planet and the future of mankind are archaic and obsolete, and mankind would be better served by joining forces with the Usurper, then you have the free will to make that choice. As for me, I pray that men will come to the knowledge of Christ and recognize that we are in the predicament we're in because we have fallen short of our mandate to steward the earth as the God of all Creation has commanded us. Because of our fallen nature, the earth has been under God's curse (Genesis 3:17). And nothing the Enemy of God can offer us will ever replace God's righteous rule. All of the technology that is supposed to enhance and advance our condition on earth is no match for God's promise that Heaven and earth will pass away (Matthew 24:35), but we will live eternally with Him, where we will live in the new Heaven and earth, and we will rule and reign with Christ in His Kingdom (Revelation 22:1-5). 

The time is now to see and understand what has been, what is now, and what will be on the earth! Do you know who you are, and whose you are? Do you understand the part you are to play? Do not ask, "Why does God allow Satan to rule on the earth?" God doesn't allow Satan's authority over men! Men choose [through their free will] to follow Satan's false rule in their lives! The true King of the Universe is coming soon! The earth and everything in it is coming under His judgment and we, who have faith in Him as the Creator and our Savior/Redeemer, await Him as the Righteous One who brings renewal and restoration. Hallelujah!

Psalm 23:6     Surely [only] goodness and mercy [steadfast love] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall [return to] dwell in the House of the Lord forever. AMP

 

 

Jesus Is The Way ... Understanding the Ancient Belief System That Led To This Truth.

I am always blown away by how much the Bible opens up to me when I make the effort to study the origins of man and the ancient civilizations that have influenced us. That information is essential to understanding our Biblical ancestors and our comprehension of Scripture, as it was written. Unfortunately, we 21st Century Believers can get so caught up in our own self-importance [and condescending attitudes] that we can invalidate, [or even remove all traces of], what ancient cultures believed about a Creator and man's access to him. What's more, we can even develop a contempt for that belief system; beliefs that might actually benefit us with a more truthful interpretation of what the Creator intended. Just because we think man has advanced in intelligence, expertise, and achievements doesn't mean our theological belief system is any closer to our God's objective and desire.

Of course, we must take into account all the efforts of the Rebellious One [and his followers] to sow deception, misdirection and untruths into our historical relationship with the One who created us for His purpose. But I think we need to be careful not to carelessly dismiss what the cultures of our forefathers-in-faith understood. Although their belief system might seem antiquated or simplistic to us -- and maybe even heretical to some Christians -- it just might provide some incredible insight to a deeper view of the Gospel. 

I'm going to say, right off the bat, that what I'm going to try to explain is better suited to an academic paper, and indeed, could be expanded to a book on its own merit -- but I'm going to try to condense it to a reasonable length in this post that will, hopefully, incite enough interest that you will take it to the Lord and ask for more information. So, let's take for instance, the Biblical story of the Garden of Eden, and how I see that it is a representative allegory of our way to the Father. That might seem contrary to our understanding of Genesis, but keep reading ...

I would say that most Christians today conceive of the Garden as an actual physical place that once existed on the earth. After all, the Bible gives us a limited description of Eden in Genesis 2:8-14 ... a garden ["a hedge of protection and defense", according to the Hebrew meaning], was established in the east, and called Eden [which means "delight"]. In the midst of this garden God planted the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Bible tells us that a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers, of which only the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are still known. 

Our modern, and simplified, version of the Garden of Eden is symbolized by the notion of innocence, temptation, and of "Paradise Lost". The desire to return to the Creator's gift of Paradise - where we resided in intimate relationship with God -- is an embedded part of our divinely created DNA; it cannot be destroyed or removed.  Would it surprise you to know that all the religions of the historical cultures of the world all share a theme of a divine connection between gardens and their gods? Furthermore, they share narratives of the gods/angels descending from Heaven to earth on the summit of a mountain, in the midst of a lush garden. 

NOTE: At this time, I want to address the arguments that our Faith is founded on the mythological stories of these other religions because they were in existence long before the Bible was written [therefore making our faith just a replica of these primitive belief systems]. But what if these other cultures/civilizations were shown the Creator's truth but did not experience His Presence [as we have], and therefore represented His Truth in different ways? What if the fallen Angel, Lucifer, was able to tempt these early civilizations to worship him and his fallen angels as false gods and creators, teaching them that they could have access to the heavenly realms through other garden-like access points? The fact that there are similarities between the ancient belief systems does not negate that the Word of God reveals the True Creator's Truth for all men through Time! It just means that humanity from the antediluvian period of history [pre-Flood] did not understand what God began to reveal to our forefathers in the faith, and therefore, has revealed to us.

Now, back to the narratives of the gods/angels descending from Heaven to earth to land on the summit of a high mountain, and in the midst of a lush garden ... Nebuchadnezzar's famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were his attempt at building a ziggurat (a step pyramid with a series of platform levels that ascends to form a temple or shrine] as a means of establishing an artificial mountain where the gods could come down and hold court on its summit. The Word, in Ezekiel 28, tells a very accurate depiction of this concept of a divine mountain theory that explains the defection of Lucifer and the Fallen Angels ... You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God ... You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God... 

There is so much more about the corruption of Lucifer [and the subsequent end of Satan] in that chapter, but I must remain focused on the point of this post; connecting the Garden of Eden to our Way to the Father, through Jesus. So I hope you can begin to see that throughout the history of man [from the ancient and first civilizations in Sumer and Akkad up to today] there have been belief systems that accepted the thought that the gods [or in our case, God and His Son and the angels] dwell in heaven, but they can also dwell on the earth, and there have been specific points of contact that provide access to the heavenly realms where the Divine reside. 

In the context of our faith, Mount Hermon has great significance, and has certainly been a "point of contact" for several important events in our Biblical history. Mount Hermon is a very real place and the root of its name, charam, signifies that it has been devoted for the purpose of both destruction and a sacred use. Our ancient ancestors believed that the gods dwelt in heaven, and that certain locations were somehow supernaturally joined to earth at these specific places. In other words, from the dawn of various civilizations, man has been aware of "gates" or "portals" that provide access from the earthly realm to the heavenly realms. Again, it has simply made sense to seek the highest points of elevation in this realm to try and find those "access points"; sacred places that serve as the connection point, linking heaven and earth, and allowing passage from one realm to the other. 

Biblically, Mount Hermon serves as both a place dedicated to destruction and a sacred site. According to an article about Mount Hermon, there were over 20 temples on the slopes of this Mount, which corroborated biblical accounts that the mountain was considered sacred to the worshipers of the Canaanite god Baal. And Chapter 6 in the apocryphal book of Enoch tells us, "And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children' [which aligns with Genesis 6:1-4] ... Then they swore all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations [spoken curses] upon it. And they were in all two hundred; who descended [in the days] of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations [spoken curses] upon it". Here, we can see that "Hermon" means a dedication to the destruction of Jesus's pure birth by the contamination of our bloodline.

NOTE: For those who will question my use of Enoch as a reference, I will simply say this: The Lord uses specific passages of this apocryphal book in the Bible as well, which, to me, affirms that [although not inspired], the Book of Enoch holds clues that God has concealed, hoping that we will search them out [see Proverbs 25:2].  

We see this idea of specific sites on earth serving as "gates" that lie between the earthly realm and the heavenly realms when we consider Matthew 16:13-19. Caesarea Philippi was known as a "gate to Hades" [the realm of the dead; the underworld]. Jesus takes His Disciples there to challenge them to see that it was not only an access point/gate for all the people who went there to worship the gods of the underworld, but to recognize that He was the Son of the Living God who was also a gate to the Kingdom of God, and He had the keys to defeat the gates of God's Enemies.

And again, Mount Hermon may have been a gate that was meant to give Satan and his rebellious angels an access point that would lead to the destruction of the redemptive plan of God through the birth of His Perfect Son, but it was also a sacred gate that Jesus shared with Peter, John and James when they witnessed His transfiguration. On the summit of Mount Hermon, which is the highest mountain in ancient Israel, the three Disciples witnessed a meeting between Jesus and Moses and Elijah, which is a clear picture that this sacred gate was an access point that existed between Heaven and Earth. For Biblical support of this premise, read Matthew 17:1-8 and 2 Peter 1:16-18.  

NOTE: I would be remiss if I did not mention that the Bible clearly [and often] makes note of the "high places" in the Old Testament. These were places of worship (usually mountaintops) where the people would offer sacrifices to their gods, in the hopes of calling these gods to intercede for them. These high places were earthly access points or gates into the heavenly realm. It is important to realize that there were generations of Israelites who spent years of building pagan high places when they would fall into the temptation of worshiping and sacrificing to the false gods of other nations. When they returned to following the Most High God [YHWH] they would dedicate themselves to destroying these high places. The verse of 2 Kings 23:5 speaks to this truth: He [King Josiah] did away with the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the surrounding area of Jerusalem, also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations and to all the host of heaven.

So, hopefully, we can begin to see the universal principle shared by the peoples of the world throughout history: there are connection points, or "gates", that conjoin all realms with "paradise", the place where Earth and Heaven intersect. And that place of intersection -- that access point -- is perfectly [and allegorically] represented by the Garden of Eden. Rather than an actual physical garden, Eden is representative of that spiritual gate where earthly man once had physical access to the God of Heaven.

And here is my final premise that I hope you will consider ... From the days of the peoples of ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day Christians and Jews, mankind has preserved the memory of our access to paradise; that place where we can commune with God. The "gates" on earth are the access points; "the way" to our reunion with our Creator. The Garden of Eden in the Bible is not meant to give us the address to a specific location on the map of Earth. Rather, it is to show us the representation of a point of access, a gate, a way to be in relationship with Him -- and after the fall of man, a way to be reconciled to that spiritual relationship.

I hope you will read this passage in John 14 with renewed spiritual insight ... "In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. Where I am going you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, " I am the  way [to God], and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me." 

So, in summary, I know I have presented a lot of information and, in all humility, I hope I have been able to show you that the ancient belief systems that speak of Gardens like Eden serve to lead us to the Truth that Jesus is our gate; our way to that Paradise that was lost to us. I believe that our longing to return to that Paradise is truly written on our DNA and our spirits yearn to return to that idyllic place. The Biblical Garden of Eden was intended to show us a picture of the access point between man and God, where Adam could receive divine instruction on how best to steward his realm on earth; a picture of how the perfection of Heaven could be replicated on Earth. Adam's directive to "subdue" the earth was not just a commandment to bring Earth under God's design, but to expand God's rule and reality of Paradise throughout his [Adam's] domain. 

It speaks of the Grace of God that He gave men free will and the choice whether to follow His standard of Eden or give in to the temptation of God's Enemy. Because of Adam and Eve's failure to be faithful to their Creator, the gate to Eden has been closed. But because of God's everlasting faithfulness to His creation, the Cross has provided a "gate" and a "way" [through our faith in Jesus] that will culminate in the gate being opened again when we receive our resurrected bodies and once again enter into Paradise, our original Heavenly Home. Until then, we rejoice in the hope and the belief that Jesus is the way, and that the gate will be opened. And as we receive our instructions through our access point of Jesus, we persist in our spiritual war to expand the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. 

Genesis 3:24     So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim [ministering angels who avenge assaults on God's holiness] and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way [entrance, access] to the tree of life.

 

Wonder Why the Earth Is Under Attack? It's Waiting For Us To Be Holy!

 I can't begin to explain what is being revealed to my spirit, or what my soul is experiencing. My mind is reeling as I see a clearer picture of the state of the world, and my emotions are reflecting the truth I'm seeing. The devastation from Hurricane Helene seems beyond comprehension, and the toll of human suffering seems unlimited. And I know we aren't even seeing the whole picture, nor the truth of what is contributing to the misery and trauma.

All we're seeing is what the enemies of God wish us to see; the images and the words and the reasons that will keep us in ignorance and in bondage to the corrupted systems of willful disobedience to the Creator. And before you stop reading and dismiss my post as the rant of a religious fanatic, please allow me to pull back the veil and show you how simple it is to understand what is really going on.

First of all, if you decide to trust the scientists, you believe that the destruction in the mountains of North Carolina is a result of global warming, or "Climate change", as they are now choosing to call it. They want us to believe that Helene's rapid intensification and massive destructive force are all human-caused. What's funny is that they are correct, in a spiritual manner of speaking. But, it is not as they would have us believe, the result of humans who love their gas-driven cars or farmers who raise farting cows. There's a much more ancient and damaging spiritual dynamic going on.

If we, as Christians, could only understand that what happens in the natural [and visible] realm is the fruit of what happens in the spiritual realm, we might be able to see how we [mankind] have contributed to the deterioration of the earth, and grasp our part in the resulting destruction. The prophets of old shared [first with Israel], and then with all men who came to faith in YHWH, what the Lord told them to reveal, in order that we could avoid such devastation and chaos. 

They spoke it, as He instructed them, and then it was written down so that it might educate those of us destined to be on the earth in the future. It's all right there in our Bible! Written for our edification and enlightenment; instruction from our God on how to live in harmony with Him and the earth over which we've been given dominion! But do we read it and take heed? The condition of the physical planet would seem to tell us the answer is No! So, let me share the clear warnings that God Almighty has given us:

Hosea 4:1-3 ... Hear the Word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a [legal] case with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness [no steadfast love, no dependability] or loyalty or kindness or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land. 

There is [false] swearing of oaths, deception [broken faith], murder, stealing and adultery; they employ violence, so that one [act of] bloodshed follows closely on another.

Therefore the land [continually] mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes [in tragic suffering], together with the animals of the open country and the birds of the heavens; even the fish of the sea disappear.  

Isaiah 24:3-6 ... The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish. The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

We need to see the big picture! The earth and all that we need to sustain us was created by the Lord, and God saw that it was good! Then God followed through with His pre-ordained plan to create man in His image and establish us as guardians or regents of His domain called Earth. We were designed specifically to administer His government over this planet in His stead. Unfortunately, man was tempted by God's Enemy to willfully abdicate his authority and he handed over the government of Earth to Satan and his rebellious followers. Man not only surrendered his own blessings from the Lord, but subjected the created earth to the bondage of wickedness and evil.

We need to understand that our authority on Earth is authorized by the King of Heaven. All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Jesus, and He transferred it to those who believe in Him in order to protect and righteously rule this domain we've been given charge over. We have authority over all the power of the enemy in this realm. But does the earth look like we've taken our responsibility seriously? Does the earth reflect its original properties and the glory of the Master's hand?

What's been declared to my spirit is that God's original mandate for earth -- that we have dominion over it -- has not changed. The devil has no ordained authority in this realm except what we give to him or we perceive by the actions of evil men! The devil has no worldly power on the earth; but he can tempt those who do have the power to become his willing partners. That betrayal and treasonous decision by evil men also affects other men and the nature of the creation. 

That's why Paul's message in Romans 8:19-21 is so important for us to understand: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   

It was not only mankind that God subjected to His righteous judgment when Adam and Eve gave up the blessing of our authority and dominion of the earth. Everything created on the earth has felt the pain and loss of our forefather's sin against God. And it is time that we recognize that the reality of mankind's current existence, the environment and elements of the earth, and the atmosphere, itself, around this planet -- everything -- is the result of evil men who used their free will choices to willingly walk in rebellion and disobedience to God. They chose to follow Satan for the prizes offered: power and wealth. And they are willing to sacrifice all of God's creation for their own selfish purposes and worldly enrichment.

And, yes, the consequences are evident in the physical earth. But they have also resulted because of the spiritual war over this earth and its inhabitants. It has become so abundantly clear to me that we Christians don't really know who we are. We aren't trained up to know our power and authority or how to destroy the works of the enemy of God. Too many of us know and use the Name of Jesus as a magical mantra, praying and hoping Jesus will do the hard lifting in this battle because we are either afraid or don't truly believe the Word about our dominion. Talking and singing and praying about Jesus isn't enough! We must actively stand in the confident knowledge that we are truly a new creation! 

That's what it means when the Word says "creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God". The earth is waiting for us to step into our identity as a new creation who walks in the power and authority of our holiness and righteousness; a new creation that truly knows the Lord and His will and follows His commands. The land knows our purpose and knows that when we step into that identity, that they will be restored and our spiritual renewal will result in a renewal of the earth! That's why it is groaning and mourning! 

It is time for the true sons of God to stop participating and compromising with the sinful world and come out of hiding inside the Church walls! The earth groans and mourns, waiting for us to rescue it from the darkness that has been manifested by the evil deeds of men -- the darkness and bondage that comes in the form of violent hurricanes, floods, mudslides, fires, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other devastating attacks upon the land. 

God has shown us that man's evil ways bring His judgment upon the land. But He has also given us His promises of renewal, restoration and reconciliation. It breaks my heart that the good people of North Carolina are the latest victims of man's failure to maintain the goodness of God's blessings that were ours in the Garden of Eden. Lord, give us the wisdom, and the courage, and the hunger to make things right again. Give us a chance to repent and renew the land as we meet the expectations of the creation. And let us stand up to Evil and all its accomplices as we free Your creation from its bondage and bring the earth into its rightful place in Your Kingdom. Amen!  

Hebrews 6:7-8    For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

The Return of Jesus: Awaken To The Call of The Shofar!

Just a couple of days ago, I spoke to a friend who asked me the age-old question, "Do you think we'll see Jesus coming back in our lifetime"? He quickly followed up that inquiry with, "I know that no man knows the day or hour, but just what is your opinion [based on what you're seeing in the world]? I mean, I know Israel is back in their homeland, but what else are you looking for"? 

I understand there are lots of Christians who are asking those questions out of their concerns and fears [as they sense the instability in the world]. But I also think it is as much a result of the lack of depth in their understanding of the Bible and of God, Himself. I don't mean to offend anyone in particular, but over the 12 years of writing this blog, I have discovered that the desire to seek God's Truth through knowing Him in a real relationship, or through study of His Word, is lacking in a large portion of "the modern Church".

I used to say that we all have a worldview, or a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world. But I find that there is a separation in belief systems that leaves so many without any solid ground to stand on. Maybe you are still mired in a normalcy bias, choosing to not look at what is going on in the world; or your senses are highly alert to the drums of war that are sounding across the globe and you instinctively discern that we are on the edge of a dramatic course of events; or whether, like me, you have a Biblical worldview, which is my framework of ideas and beliefs through which I interpret the world and how I choose to interact with it.

So, rather than give my friend a direct Yes or No as to whether I expect to see Jesus in my lifetime, I explained that throughout history people have lived during destructive times that looked like what Jesus told us it would when He returned. And, yes, I recognize that Israel is back in the Holy Land, given to them by YHWH. But there is more that I wanted him to understand. It's not hard to see that the current situation in Israel is affecting the entire world, so yes, it would be easy to say "God's Zion" is under attack and on the verge of destruction, so surely Jesus will soon be coming back! 

So, before I am called a "Zionist Christian" or ridiculed for my "pro-Feast, Jewish tendencies", I want to make this simple statement ... I see the nation of Israel as that land promised to God's Chosen People in the Bible. And I recognize that there is a distinction between the future prophetic restoration of that land, and the existence of the current state of Israel. My Biblical worldview tells me that Jesus will not return again until God turns the focus of His saving mercies on Israel again, and Israel responds to God through Jesus Christ, their Messiah. That hasn't yet happened in a national sense.

Yet, the circumstances there right now should be waking a lot of Israelites up! The spiritual and temporal attacks against them should be driving them to search what their ancient prophets have revealed regarding their salvation, deliverance, preservation and redemption! As I explained to my friend, the question is not really about whether Jesus will come back during my lifetime, but how God sees the state of the world and how He measures Israel's continued rebellion against Him. 

In Biblical language, Zion refers to God's spiritual kingdom. But, in this modern century, the word Zion and Zionist have taken on negative connotations because the love of Zion [from its establishment as a Jewish state in 1948] has become a nationalistic and political movement, rather than a religious/spiritual or cultural identity. Zionism, today, continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the nation of Israel and address the threats to its continued existence and security. It has little to do with God's spiritual view of Zion. 

Let me be clear in explaining my sensitive position, and please read this paragraph in its entirety before you pass judgment ... the state of Israel, as it exists today in the Middle East, does not represent the Israel that will say, "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord."  They are largely a secular and political state, with no religious connection to Yeshua, their Messiah at all.They are true political Zionists. However, the population also includes a sizable number of religious Orthodox Jews who remain blinded to their future, and most probably view themselves as Zionists from a historical, Old Testament perspective. But I also want to point out that there is a growing population of Messianic Jews, who know and believe in Yeshua as the Biblical Messiah, and are evangelizing "in the Name of the Lord." And I praise God for this remnant that is returning to its true identity in the land.  

BUT, as I continued to share with my friend, it is not only Israel that God has His eye on. The Bible tells us that Jesus will return when all the nations have drunk from the cup of wine of God's wrath [Jeremiah 25:15-17]. "They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword [Jesus, the Word] that I will send among them." I have no doubt that our own nation has drunk from this cup, and God abhors our rebellion against Him as much as He does Israel's. We have squandered His favor and goodness towards us -- being responsible for killing 60+ million innocent babies; supporting, promoting, and exporting child trafficking and pornography; for turning our humility into endless greed; and if that's not enough, we have sought to remove His influence in every sector of our society, while much of "the Church" maintained their self-promoting identity in the shelter of their extravagant buildings. 

My friend had to acknowledge that we deserve God's judgment and have surely drunk the cup of wine of His wrath. If God did not spare the fallen angels, the ancient and wicked civilizations in Noah's day, or Sodom and Gomorrah, how much more will He bring certain judgment upon those of us who have knowledge of the Good News of His Salvation and Kingdom?!? As I explained further, Jesus has told us the times will get worse until He returns, and I do not believe we are destined to be raptured out of this wicked earth. God does not want to lose even one soul, and we need to be present to speak into the unsaved, the skeptical, and the wicked themselves who have yet to sear their minds against God's love for them. So, we will have work to do right up to the moment that we hear the trumpets sounding the Lord's return!

And let us not forget that we are entering the season and rehearsal of the Lord's Fall Feasts... As you read this blog post, the Feast of Trumpets is upon us, which has us looking heavenward, anticipating the blowing of the shofars announcing His return as we repent and celebrate renewal in the Lord. If He doesn't come this year, what would I advise my friend and all Christians? Let us live in patience and with purpose! Let us trust in God's timetable as we live out our New Covenant responsibilities. Let us proclaim that all the promises of God in the Bible are possible because of the work of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit. Let us not bemoan the delay of His return, but rather seize each day as new, transformed people who bear witness to Jesus, continuing His work to heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and spread the Good News that God's Heavenly Kingdom has broken into our world! And let us never tire of fighting back the power of evil and wickedness, thereby bringing new disciples into His kingdom on earth. I don't know if my Lord and Savior will return in my lifetime ... I'd love to see that! But I will devote however many years I have left to hasten His coming! May the shofars sound soon!

Habakkuk 2:3   For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end -- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.         

Is the Church Equipped to Carry Out Its Great Commission?

First things first ... what is the Biblical definition of a commission? Strong's expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, tells us "this word denotes a turning over (to another); a referring of a thing to another, and so a committal of full powers." Let's take a look at what Jesus tells His Disciples [in Matthew 28:19-20]: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [or into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."   

Next question ... What constitutes the "all"? Obviously, making disciples of all nations and baptism of new believers was part of the commission. But there's more! Matthew 10 begins by telling us that Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority [turning over His authority, in full power -- the definition of a commission] over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and affliction. Furthermore, in verses 5-8, He tells them, Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel [the Gentiles did not receive the gospel of the Kingdom until the Jews refused it]. Proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons." These are the things Jesus taught them and commanded them to do. We see the disciples carrying out that important commission in Scripture. 

Now, the important question for our generation ... How does the Church define its commission? I think we can all agree that the Church [which are the people of God] has been given tasks by God for us to accomplish in the world. I would venture to say that the modern Church has largely defined its role in terms of the Matthew 28 description of the Great Commission: i.e., making disciples [through preaching the doctrine of salvation], and baptizing believers. Nothing wrong with that!  Jesus absolutely commanded that. And the missionary work of the Church has certainly taken the Word of God to the world.

But somewhere along the way in history, the Matthew 10 part of  "the all" He commanded became discounted through doctrines like "Cessationism" [the belief that Jesus gave His power to work miracles to the disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons only until the Church was established]. But Jesus didn't come to establish a Religion to be practiced only in a building. Scripture does not record that as part of His commission. He clearly says "AS YOU GO"! So, as we go about our day, we are to proclaim "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" -- it's available; readily accessible when needed. That means the power that Jesus received from the Father to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons, is available to us, too, because He turned over the full powers of Heaven to us!

Because "the Church", for too long, did not recognize that part of its commission, the Enemy of God has had a field day with Christians. Please note ... I am not questioning the salvation of those who are truly committed to a faith in Jesus, nor am I discounting all the good things the institution of Religion has done in the world. But let's be honest with ourselves. Has the Church walked in the power of Jesus that He turned over to us? If so, why has cancer grown in its power? Why did so many die from the latest pandemic? Why has evil and violence gained so much ground in our culture? We cannot deny that our church buildings are full of wonderfully saved people. But why are so many on medications to deal with their anxiety and depression? Why are marriages failing as we see the Biblical concept of family disintegrating before our eyes? 

And don't tell me that demons aren't real! If you call yourself a Bible-believing Christian, then tell me this ... do you believe the Bible when it says Jesus cast out demons? Do you think when He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended into Heaven, that the demons decided that they were vacating the earth, too? And finally, do you think Jesus left us here at the mercy of the demons, with no way to war against them, as He had? No! It's HIS POWER [that He gave to us] to continue His work to show believers that the power of the Kingdom of Heaven is available to us, too ["at hand"]! That's why He says in Matthew, Teach them to observe [participate in] all that I have commanded you; and I will be with you always, until the end of the age. He intended for His work to continue through us until the end of the age .  That's what John 14:12 means ... "Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."  

Rest in the part of that Scripture that says He will be with us always! Yes, we have His power in us, but we don't have to try to figure out how to use it by ourselves. He is now seated in Heaven, giving us instructions on how to advance the Kingdom of heaven here on earth, just as the Father guided Him when He walked the earth as a human. He showed us the way, and we are now to carry on that work, "as we go". And I want to summarize why I presented the question in the title of this blog. It is so important that we, as the Body of Christ, inside and out of the building, be equipped to do ALL the work of Jesus's Great Commission. I cannot imagine that there is a single spirit-filled Christian on this earth that doesn't see the darkness that is coming on the world. And more and more, we are going to see people [those who are believers and those who are not] begin to despair and walk in fear. 

Jesus tells us over and over and over, "Do not fear; don't be afraid -- just believe." Fear and belief [faith] cannot co-exist. You must decide which you will be ... fearful or faithful. Because I will tell you, [through my recent personal experiences] that you will encounter people "as you go" throughout your days who will need to be healed of illnesses, freed from demonic spirits of oppression, cleansed of societal rejection, and yes, even brought back to life when the devil tries to steal their life before God has ordained it. And you need to be prepared to work with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, right then and in the moment, to free them from the attack of the Enemy. The darkness is coming fast and it is going to try men's souls. We MUST fulfill our commission and use the full power of Jesus [that He has transferred to us], or we will have failed to carry on His work as He intended us to do. And we must be equipped and prepared to do it anywhere, at any time -- our mission field is the world, not only inside the Church building.

Yes, Jesus preached the Word inside the synagogues. But He didn't limit His work to the building. He displayed the Mighty Power of Heaven as He went; and wherever He went. I believe our world is going to look a lot different in a very short time. I pray that those with ears to hear and eyes to see will rediscover Jesus's commandments to His followers. I am so thankful that God always has a Remnant to work with and I am believing He will empower us with all the spiritual weapons that Heaven has to offer. Prepare your heart for what's coming. Then ask to walk in faith, trusting that Jesus will be with you, as He promised --  and you will receive! 

Matthew 10:26-27     So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.