On August 6, 1945 the Enola Gay
dropped a nuclear bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Almost 50,000 people died that
day and approximately 40,000 or more over the next several years. Or in spiritual terms we love to say we believe - tens of thousands of souls went into a Christless eternity. Estimates
concerning the injured were well over 100,000. Mankind had produced a weapon
that could kill massive amounts of people in the space of less than an hour.
Today nuclear weapons can kill many millions in the same amount of time.
But within the last decade America
has produced unmanned aircraft that can be operated from within an air
conditioned room. A trained person can maneuver the aircraft with just a
joystick while looking at a computer screen and enjoying a coffee latte. Killing
has become impersonal and assassination style through an electronic vehicle. This
trained drone operator can kill several people, still go to the gym, and then
meet his ex-wife at his son’s Little League game. It is so very American. We
have now come up with a system of killing that does not even interfere with our
everyday lives.
Long ago we
have been able to bring the war in real time right into the American home.
While munching on chips we can watch all the pretty antiaircraft tracers and we
can hear the explosions of the bombs. While carnage is occurring we get to
watch it in 3-D color. People are being blown to bits and it is brought to you
in living color and sponsored by Toys-R-Us and the Vitamin Shoppe. The American
ingenuity has once again prevailed. I mean think of what could have happened if
we had this technology many years earlier?
We might
have seen firsthand a major Indian battle and went to bed with the knowledge
that the white man continues to win. Some investigative reporter could show us
the skulls of freshly scalped soldiers and that could inflame us further
concerning our outrage at how savage these Indians are. I mean come on.
Scalping? How primitive. Hand grenades are much more civilized! And who do
these Indians think they are anyway? Why would you kill people to defend and
protect your way of life? Again, uneducated savages.
We could
have watched live as slave ships docked in South Carolina, and there may have
even been an online auction. Mastercard and Visa accepted. We could have
watched a live lynching as they hung some poor black man. Perhaps Bob Costas
could have interviewed the executioner before and after and he could express
his desire to become a better executioner. We could have watched live the
Battle of Gettysburg and seen thousands of men killed and their bodies strewn
all over the battlefield. They would have had an on screen counter as they
attempted to number the fallen. We could have also TiVo’d it for future watching.
The average
American household could have watched El Alamein or Normandy or Iwo Jima. I
mean we could switch back and forth between shocking carnage and the Word
Series game. And it might have been interesting as we dispassionately watched
utter mayhem with our chair in recline, but we quickly stand to our feet and
point to the TV because of a bad call at second base! Wow, densensitized to the core.
And in the
midst of this new antiseptic drone technology, and true to form, the
politicians parade all sorts of hypocrisy. The Democrats who would normally
throw a tantrum about things like this are a bit more restrained since it is
President Obama who has made drones a major military force. And the same
Republicans that were cheerleaders for the Iraq invasion are now acting as if
they have a conscience about killing. Yes, the American political scene appeals
to the partisan nature of people and ears hear what they want to hear.
But we have
now reached greater heights as it pertains to killing without being
inconvenienced. And in a stunning display of America cunning, the practice of
what they call a “double tap” is sometimes employed. That means that when
people hear a bomb and normally rush to see what happened and help those in
need, we sometimes drop another bomb in order to elevate the level of terror.
Wow, now that’s American exceptionalism at its very best! And all this directed
from the comfort of a padded chair and within driving distance from your home.
Many who rail against violent video games have no objection to drone strikes.
In fact, the greater the buffer zone between killing people and knowing who
they are the better. And if it means entering a sovereign nation’s airspace
with whom we are not at war, so be it. Heaven help any nation that attempts to
enter our airspace to seek out their enemies.
Ok, if you
don’t get the picture by now you probably never will. But what is my overall
point? I am openly and forcefully suggesting that all this is fallen and can
never be the way of Jesus. But look how we have invented our own convoluted message
that takes the words and teachings of Jesus and renders them ineffective and
even irrelevant as it pertains to the greater interactions of men. In fact, we
openly suggest that being an American trumps being a follower of Jesus even
though we attempt to create some sort of dispensation that allows for killing
and mayhem and still claims to follow Jesus.
And instead
of the Old Testament being a prophetic portal that leads to the ultimate
revelation of Jesus Christ, we take the Old Testament and use it as a template
for behavior when it is associated with nations. But if the teachings of Jesus
are not absolute, and if they can be ignored under certain circumstances, then they
are of no greater value than those of Mark Twain. If we can pick and choose which
truths we obey at which times, than instead of Jesus being God, we are. And in
reality when we treat His teachings with such personal subjectivity we
conveniently remove any real sacrifice for obedience.
So the “love
your enemies” stuff can be confined to personal interaction? Of course its
value and strength is even severely lacking in those circumstances. But “forsake
all” is just a Hallmark Card saying? “Do good unto them which despitefully use
you” stops at the Declaration of Independence? “Lose your life for My sake and
you will find it" is just some ethereal anecdote? This is spiritual treason at
its zenith!
It costs
something to follow Christ. And if that is so, then how can tens of millions of
professing believers be so comfortable and so unremarkable within a culture of
darkness and death? Well the answer is painful and almost inconceivable. The
expression of Christianity widely accepted in America is not Christianity at
all.
Matt.7: 24 Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Now it is no coincidence that these words were spoken
right after these:
Matt.7:
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
22 Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have
cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Throw out all the rest of Scripture and just commit to unconditionally obeying the Sermon on the Mount and you may well be ostracized from fellowship. But if we all just did that the world just may see some light. If what the church practices today is authentic Christianity then so be it. But please do not quote Jesus anymore. So what am I saying? What does it matter what a nobody
like me is saying. What is God saying. Selah.
Posts
33 comments:
http://procinwarn.net/2013/01/21/cult-of-the-second-amendment/
May have to be said in two or three posts:
When my kids were in high school, the military recruiters were very active. The school even gave out the names and contact information of the students without the permission of the parents.
I was outraged, yes, ungodly, but nonetheless I was very angry. When the recruiter called my home to speak with one of my sons I told him no. They sent literature and I tossed it out. When people of the Bush administration asked the congress for more money to exact Texas justice on Sudam Hussein, I was appalled. The war in Iraq was not a war at all, but a man hunt for the one who put a hit out on Bush Senior. I believe there were weapons of mass destruction, but not in the mass quantities we were force fed. My sons asked me why I didn't like the soldiers. I quickly corrected them and said I had no ill will towards the soldiers, they did what they were ordered to do. It was the leaders I disliked because their reason to go to war, and the result of it was over four thousand young men died. A leading prophecy speaker, Jimmy DeYoung said God used the Bush administration to get Hussein out of the way so that Babylon could be rebuilt as foretold in Revelation. Yes, I fell for this hook line and sinker, Lord forgive me.
I believe in the literal translation of the Bible, with both an actual and a spiritual application to us today.
OT - no we do not sacrifice for the remission of sins, but the book of Leviticus mentions the Holiness of God many many times. Spiritual The Great Commission we are to do. Actual thing we ought to do.
A few ministries I have recently been introduced to says that Babylon is America. The new ministry I recently looked at said that the end times as described in Revelation is an actual occurrence, and another says it is a spiritual occurrence. I do not know which is right, but if we are prepared as Jesus instructs, it should not matter.
Spiritual Treason is not only as you insightfully pointed out Pastor, but it is also ministries pushing false information to those of us who have an ache for truth.
I did not support any military action then any more than I support drone strikes now, and was appalled at myself for falling for utter nonsense. But are the actions of America a vehicle in which God uses to bring about His plan? Is all what those ministries taught true? Aren't we to be watchful of the things around us so that we know what is happening as Jesus told us? What may clear things up for some of us is to know the truth about prophecy. Some brothers and sisters take one of two roads in this area. One, they totally disregard escapology, or two, go way overboard injecting things which may cause confusion.
two:
When I read The Revelation of Jesus Christ, I believe all it says. I believe we will see Jesus in the clouds, I believe the Anti-Christ will allow Israel to rebuild the temple so that he, satan can be worshiped as foretold in Isaiah 14:
Isaiah 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
I also believe Isaiah 13:11
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Jesus said it would happen, and I for one believe every word that proceedth out of the mouth of God.
Some say the abomination of desolation will happen in the mind of the believer. ????
Your post seems to, not dismiss, but put the Old Testament in a position of least needed. I am not a preacher, nor am I anyone who has great knowledge, all I have is the Word of God, and that is my authority. Please correct me if I am wrong because if you don't I will live in error and may answer for it at the Judgement Seat of Christ. I know this is lengthy, but Pastor, you give meat to the unchurched in areas where we need milk. The basics have been incorrectly taught to us, so some of us need to start at the beginning. We are to read the entire Word of God, yes? If so, there are going to be many questions and Godly men like yourself need to undo the errors taught in the church. Teach us, so that we can teach others and perhaps, Glory to God and if His will allows, perhaps this post will help in making a change in the believer.
Love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength. This is the first commandment. DONE!. Love your neighbor as yourself? Should be done by now as a believer.
Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
We are so close to His return. We need to know the truth. Ready for that truth Pastor.
I am undone every time I read a post like this because of the lies we are fed by people we put too much stock in. Governments, Heretical church leaders, discernment ministries run a muck. Prophecy ministries twisting God's Word. Do you wonder why so many come to this blog? Because it convicts, keeps one on the straight and narrow, reveals truth, corrects error. Edifies, and allows for true fellowship.
If your spirit is led to answer some of the questions I have posed; helping some of us that have recently come out with the basics, it would be a great blessing. Praise and Glory with Thanksgiving to God and our Lord Jesus for unchurched Pastors who in the face of much ridicule preach the true Word of God.
May God forgive me if anything I have written here seems self righteous. Not my will, but God's Will.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Cherie c.
Cherie
Are you in disagreement with the link I shared?
I remember years ago asking why don't we see miracles and healings and deliverances? Some said it was because we in the west were too dependent on technology and health innovations and our wealth. They'd say those in poorer nations had nothing to depend on, and their faith in Jesus was all they had.
The bigger reason seems to be clear now. It's that we've traded in understanding for comfort. If we delve too deeply into the ways our governments keep us "safe", our consciences wouldn't be pricked. So we keep our heads in the sand, hoping that doing "lalalalalalala" will keep the awful truths out and we can continue living abundantly without guilt. Yet, we ask God why He doesn't heal us?
I just heard on a conservative news channel another account of a pastor who is jailed in Iran. They harp and harp on this story, and now from the comfort of their New York studio, talk about how he is being tortured. It is "news" to them. They sell themselves as christian. Yet, they seem consciousless when they discuss people who are in peril. They talk as though this family and children might not be watching. They give details and I have to shut the TV off. They don't realize it if were their son, or father, or brother, that they would try to reach out to the captors and the Iranian government in a Christ-like way, praying for them and praying to the Lord that they see something in this young man that might express Jesus to them.
Instead, conservative christians listen to the propaganda machine (which implicates it's christian), shoveling their hate propaganda on leaders who don't understand the gospel. If it were our children, would we be throwing little arrows of disgust towards the ruler of the nation and the legal system of the nation where our child is held prisoner? Or would we diplomatically be careful with our words, as not to create more resentment for the captors?
I find that some christians pit foreigners all in the same light. If their leader is a tight-fisted aggressor, they assume he can't be saved, or they assume that the citizens are aggressive as well.
Don't get me started on the church and it's false friendship with Israel. We, who love the Lord, love Israel. But, through Jesus, we are instructed to love all lands, and the Palestinians as well. We cannot choose sides. Yes, God says in the OT, whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed". But, under command of Jesus, we do not get involved in worldly battles. Our warfare isn't carnal. And, the governments, whether they be of Israel or others, may be corrupt in this day and age. Who are we to know who to support. If It's a carnal effort. When the leader of Israel asks the U.S. to strike Iran's nuclear sites (which would leave lots of collateral damage), christians are all for it.
If we believe God, who says Israel is the apple of His eye, then we'll believe that He will keep her in His time and in His way. How can we as christians bear arms and armies and help deliver Israel from her enemies? We are to drop the sword and live by faith. Pray for Jerusalem. Our warfare is prayer. Through Jesus, we are not an armed church, nor should we believe we are to be.
Pastor Rick
What do you think of the link I shared? Thanks
Keeli - I loved it. The Spirit is speaking tro many hearts today. Surely His coming is nigh.
Everything you wrote Rick is true.
It seems God is saying, what we, as a church, in this part of the world, are not doing.
Love Your Enemies-Matthew 5.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:"
But are we? Hard to believe when the church is so unmerciful, so unkind to those outside of it.
Most of what I've read in christian books for the past 20 years may have been rubbish. I can't believe how gullible I was to not see how the subtle hints of authors, who were teaching from (God's Kingdom on earth) point of view, and not the New Testament point of view.
The enemy had us by the tail. Now we have to unravel all we learned, and place it at the altar and start over again. It's a scary time to reconstruct our walk, because it has to be done with all faith, and no one watching our back anymore. We can't rely on a majority of pastors, or teachers, or
evangelists, certainly not from the West. The prosperity gospel is snagging good people in Nigeria, and other African countries.
It was always believed that the U.S. was the lighthouse of the world in that it spread the gospel to the most places; unfortunately the prosperity gospel movement was spread out too.
I remember my country's churches having a special day of remembrance to the Jewish people from Europe who escaped Germany and were shipped to North America. Our Canadian immigration officials wouldn't allow them refuge; the ship finally sailed to Cuba, I believe, where they had to wait for days on the ship, until they were refused entry and had to sail back to Europe where many died in Nazi camps. Evangelical churches in Canada met with Jewish citizens that day, maybe 5 years ago, and officially asked them for forgiveness on behalf of Canada.
I expect if we all asked those for forgiveness on a grander scale, to those people that our ancestors abused and ignored and enslaved and killed, we might see a revival. But, instead, we, the descendants, forgot. And we were told that the U.S. was God's New Testament chosen nation. But, there's never been a call by this supposed NT chosen nation to beg for forgiveness to all it's perceived enemies, or it's victims. That verse, "if my people, who are called by My name" verse is OT. However, through Christ, we are also called to humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways. But, we have to admit that we have wicked ways. If no one admits that they can do wrong, they can't get healed.
I don't think the body of Christ should think on a national level, but think on His church level. But, if they really want to think on a national level, like they are doing today, at the very least, they could start by admitting their faults, admitting that dropping the bomb on Hiroshima was wicked and publicly ask God for His forgiveness. For those who still feel singing the anthem brings tears to their eyes, they need to find some tears for those who were mercilessly used and killed at the inception of their beloved nation.
Until then, God will not heal the land. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
Anonymous - Good word. It is important to note that the United States has never spread the gospel to anyone. The church that lives in America has, although clearly not with a complete and humble surrender.
Wow. All excellent and meaty blog and comments.
Yes--it is only the CHURCH that can preach and spread the Gospel, not the USA or any nation. So much wickedness and foolishness has come from this terrible confusing and interchanging of the church with the USA.
Victoria
One thing maybe not in awareness is the irony of the bombing of those two cities in Japan by Truman's order? I have read or heard too that the largest concentrations of Japanese Christians was in those two cities!
Notwithstanding the terrible sufferings at least there can be some comfort knowing not all that died because of the bombing of those two cities went out into a Christless eternity.
kelli,
First I am seeing your link, and whether I will or not I will not say either way. I am not going to get into anymore debates with you or Shannon. I will check it out though, thanks.
Cherie c.
Cherie,
Yes, check out the link. Made the mistake of assuming you had already read the material from the link as you posted after me.
If you disagree and see something wrong, point it out. Have no problem in correction, still learning and growing.
Very true Pastor Rick. There is a pandemic of 'twisters'. Many church attendees have mastered the expertise of twisting old testament facts to meet their own selfish ends. They take old testament examples (out of the correct context) in or der to justify their own violence, hatred, and to (attemp to) maintain an iron grip on their own world. This, however, they only apply to themselves. They expect others to treat them in a gentle, forgiving, and generous, Christlike manner. We all need to be careful that we don't practice this kind of (self) deceit, however, there are many people who do live like that.
Not sure what you mean by this statement Cherie, but since you mention my name, I believe I'm to respond.
I've not seen anywhere on this blog where anyone has suggested or asked you to "debate" God's Word. I don't believe this is what one with His Spirit is to do with the Word. We are to only discuss and have dialogue about His Word, but we are nowhere admonished to "debate" His Word. There is only one Truth. That Truth is His Word. All else would be "opinion". Opinions don't matter to the Lord.
Shannon
It seems there are so many different flavors of Christianity today; it truly runs the gammut (sp?) And here's the rub, almost all of these people within all these different flavors, if you will, are truly sincere and believe they are on the "right path," with no concern as to whether it is on the narrow road or broad road. Brannon Howse wrote an excellent book called The Trojan Horse, and this Trojan Horse has been placed in the church. We have been attacked from within. IMHO church pastors and preachers have failed us and the blame of "spiritual treason" should be placed on their shoulders. Yes, pastoring a church is a HUGE responsibility! Woe to all of those pastors and preachers who have watered down the Word of God and have introduced some flavor of apostasy into their church when they give an accounting to the Almighty God (if they even get the chance). Many, many, many of them have fallen for the liberal agenda. And where did they learn this from, at their "Christian" college campuses throughout the 1940s, 50's, and it reared its ugly head in the 1960's. The rest is history so to speak. So here we are, 2013, and we are surprised by all the evil in the world. Rarely can I tell the difference between a Christian and a worldly person anymore. Truly, the road is narrow.
Cherie,
Off track from the main topic I wanted nevertheless to interact with two things you wrote above. You said someone wrote that America was Babylon?
And you wrote some about "prophecy".
I wanted to share something about that, America being Babylon, basis an undercover sting operation conducted by the FBI investigating and capturing thieves caught in the act breaking into trailers left just off the interstates.
What the FBI with local law enforcement did was set up dummy trailers full of stuff that could easily be carted off by thieves. They had the trailers rigged with cameras with false walls behind items with agents behind the walls ready to spring out from behind to effect the arrests of these thieves caught in the act of stealing along with other agents lying in wait just outside and near out of view of the thieves. As I watched the program I noticed a phenomenon no matter where the sting happened to take place, whether off an interstate in NY or CHICAGO or MEMPHIS or DENVER or LOS ANGELES. The reaction of the thief was exactly the same! Their mannerisms and their reactions were always the same. If you did not know the places were different and the people were too you would have thought it was the same person breaking into the back of each of the trailers!
What I came away with watching the program was there is a spirit behind the persons who choose to be a thief. It's a larger than life personality behind these people.
Now how does that speak to the idea that United States is that referenced Babylon written about in the book of the Revelation? Well I have had the privilege of traveling to about 30 countries on all continents. One thing I have noticed about the "world" and what she has to offer in the major cities and towns I've visited is there is a clear and distinct similar personality. My conclusion is then that "Babylon" is the world in toto and not just one country.
Now as for prophecy. We read this from the book of Hebrews:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1, 2 ESV)
Also you might recall another Scripture:
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10 ESV)
Today if it is indeed a prophecy you'll know by the content of the message. If it isn't about Jesus Christ I'd be cautious acting on it or allowing it to influence you or yours in any material way?
Well said, Michael.
The God of the holy Bible is a God of clarity. The root of Babylon means confusion. In my opinion wherever deep-seated spiritual confusion reigns Satan and or his army of unclean evil spirits have been actively involved.
Some examples of deep-seated spiritual confusion are the worship of Allah of the Koran and all the other false gods that people worldwide mistakenly worship.
And just as pride goes before a fall so too will all those who defiantly refuse to trust and obey God's voice, the unique God of the holy Bible.
Hi Michael, Anonymous,
Thank you for your post, and I can understand a bit more, but my question remains unanswered. Michael, you quoted Scripture regarding God speaking to us through His Son. Yes, He does, and Jesus did just that when John saw Him and described how He looked. Jesus also told us about the end times. My question is, is the happenings that occur in Revelation, Daniel, and Matthew 24 an actual occurrence, or is it Spiritual? Discernment to me means more that being able to tell the difference between good and evil, it also is used to understand God's Word. Jesus spoke in parables, but He also spoke of actual occurrences, like His death on the cross.
God's Word is truth, so why would the events described in the Bible be Spiritual only? Trying to understand and discern what I hear and what the Bible says and so far
it lines up with Scripture about a temple in Jerusalem, etc. Iraq is being rebuilt, and they have an abundance of oil reserves. American is pending millions if not billions helping that country rebuild. Why would it not become the economic capital of the world one day. I also understand a spirit of Babylon. But I truly believe in a literal interpretation of God's Word using the Old Testament as a source for many things, but adhering to what the Gospel is in the New Testament.
Sometimes there is too much discussion which takes away from the simplicity of the Gospel. Jesus said His burden is light, but with so much false teaching, debates, and peoples belief it can be overwhelming to a believer. I am going to the source, God. I am going to seek the Lord like Daniel did for the knowledge I need to understand all this. No one seems to want to tell me about this, and I have asked many times. So I am guessing no one really knows. So I go to the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
Also, I do NOT believe that there is any more prophecy than what the Word of God has already stated. So if anyone gives a prophecy, I don't believe it is from the Lord.
God Bless you both.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Well, Cherie,
I gave you my interpretation of Babylon. I don't see the Babylon in Revelation as the same one in the Old Testament. I do see both however.
Let me go at this with the idea of spiritual work and physical fruit of that work for a moment?
Hopefully you'll grasp what I am going to point out showing you how the one shows up in the other, ok?
You recall these verses:
Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."
Mat 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
Mat 12:26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Mat 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Mat 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Mat 12:29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
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cont'd:
Mar 3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "by the prince of demons he casts out the demons."
Mar 3:23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mar 3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mar 3:25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Mar 3:26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.
Mar 3:27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Mar 3:28 "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,
Mar 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--
...
Luk 11:14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
Luk 11:15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,"
Luk 11:16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.
Luk 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.
Luk 11:18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Luk 11:19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Luk 11:20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luk 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
Luk 11:22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
Luk 11:23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Now each of these records, from Matthew's Gospel, Mark's and Luke's have a bit of a variation. That's not what I want to focus on.
Rather what I want to focus on and do is pin down the very first time we see the "fruit" of the work of the stronger man/Jesus after He attacked the strong man/Satan in the New Testament.
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Remember these verses?
Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Mat 4:3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Mat 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
Mat 4:6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Mat 4:9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"
Mat 4:11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
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Mar 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mar 1:10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mar 1:11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Mar 1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
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cont'd:
Luk 4:1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
Luk 4:2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
Luk 4:3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."
Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
Luk 4:5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,
Luk 4:6 and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.
Luk 4:7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours."
Luk 4:8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"
Luk 4:9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,
Luk 4:10 for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,'
Luk 4:11 and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Luk 4:12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Luk 4:13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.
Luk 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Again, we see the same incident recorded by each of these Gospel writers but there is a slight difference in record.
That's not what I am wanting to point out. What I want to note and point out to you is the "fruit" of the effects of what the Lord did at that time to Satan in the wilderness.
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cont'd:
We can see it clearly by these verses, especially keen and clear, the fruit or affect and effect upon humanity after Christ kick the living daylights out of the Devil in the wilderness.
Consider these verses:
Mat 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Mat 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Mat 4:20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Mat 4:21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
Mat 4:22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Mat 4:23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Mat 4:24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
Mat 4:25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Now let me ask you one question in relationship to these verses:
Mat 12:29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.
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Mar 3:27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
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Luk 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
Luk 11:22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
In each record Jesus does something to Satan.
He binds him and then plunders his "house".
Do you see what follows those words in Matthew 4 where Jesus and Satan have it out somewhere in the "heavenlies"/wilderness?
After Jesus kicks the daylights out of Satan Jesus immediately starts calling "men" under the influence of Satan out of Satan's "world" and into a discipleship program with Him "in the world"!
He also begins healing all kinds of diseases and many people begin following Him, turning to the Lord and turning away from the Devil's influence.
Now does that mean Satan is bound up in chains in a dark bottomless pit somewhere in the "heavenlies" right now?
No, what these verses demonstate is "Who" is in charge and the "permission" He grants Satan and his angels in the world until such time as these evil spirits are all cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet and Death and Hades and all those whose names are not found written in the Lamb's book of Life are thrown in their respective times!
Now I would like to make one final point about this peculiar verse from Luke:
Luk 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
Luk 11:22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
I believe that "armor" Jesus took from Satan that day is the "Law of Righteousness". Satan cannot come to Christ and argue to Him your failing to keep the Law of Righeousness. That' a moot argument now!
The Scripture clearly teaches that no one has been able to keep the Law of Righteousness perfectly except one blameless Lamb:
Rev 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"
Rev 5:3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
Rev 5:4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
Rev 5:6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Rev 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
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finished:
No longer do I live according to the Law of Righteousness but because of it.
Rom 3:31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Now it is no longer me living to God according to the Law of Righteousness but it is now Christ in His perfection living through me to God as my Savior and you and everyone Whom the Lord calls to Himself through the Gospel of the Kingdom!
Now we get a foretaste of that Kingdom of Heaven that "is" as we too sojourn through this world devils filled!
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it "is" in Heaven!
Only through Christ can this happen and it can happen all at the same time in every "nation" through everyone who has been baptized into Christ Who now Lives everliving making intercession for us! It is this prayer of Christ that moots the charges the devil he makes to God about us and our shortcomings!
Oh what a Great and Mighty God the Lord is, Our Shepherd, Our King and Lord, the Prince of Peace and Our Husband!
Wow, Michael, you are on a roll today!
Well that may be true brother, but I have to say and observe you have been on one for quite awhile now.
Just one request!
Don't stop! :)
Another AMEN!
Brother Michael,
Please forgive my stupidity. I read your post, but re-read it just now. I didn't know you were writing it to me (to my attention, but to everyone as well), you know what I mean, LOL.
Thank you for your diligence in explaining things for me. Blessed by your comments and I can say with thanksgiving, I get it.
Such a blessing to have brothers in Christ like you and Pastor Rick. Very humbled right now. The children of God are truly special; loving the world as Jesus does, but loving one another more.
May God continue you in His Wisdom and Word, keep you humble, and bless you and your family.
Was having a bad day, thank you for helping me obtain His peace through His Word. Very timely.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
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