PREPARE ME A HOLY PEOPLE
Brother Nathanael is Greek Orthodox. He converted from a Jew to a Christian. Being raised Russian Orthodox I know a little about the faith. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus that are persecuted around the world are of this old Christian Faith. There are Coptic, Syrian, Armenian, Ethiopian and many more. To the evangelical Christian his religious attire, customs, tradition may seem strange. After my conversion from Russian Orthodox to a born again Christian ( 40 yrs. ago ) I have some observations that may help the typical evangelical. Let us remember that we are not the only true Christians or right Christians. Personally I believe that any man of any Nation that fears God and works righteousness is accepted in Him. Our Lord is not a respecter of persons. So please be wise on your judgments, thinking evangelicals got it all. The apostasy in the church has run for many centuries. The falling away has culminated in the evangelic times and seasons. The Lord judges on the basis of man's heart. The apostle Paul was a 1st century Christian Jew, a Pharisee in his past life. His ways would also seem strange to many today. Listen to Brother Nathanael, for as a once religious Jew he is in a unique position to pull back the curtain of Zionism masquerading as Judaism. May our Lord Jesus Christ give you His wisdom, His mind through His Holy Spirit. His servant, Peter
Vision / Mission
Pre-tribulation Rapture ?
Much has been taught about a pre-trib rapture of the church. Let us see whether the scriptures warrant such a doctrine.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.... For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... But ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should over take you as a thief.... For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ... 1 Thes. 4:16-5:10
Dear saints, let us examine these scriptures. When do the dead in Christ rise ?
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jn. 5:28,29 Here we have two resurrections.
Rev. 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them : and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The first resurrection means just that; the 1st. numerically. Words do have meaning.
It is strange that after the supposed pre-trib rapture there are multitudes saved. Why did they not believe before the rapture?
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall give them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thes.2:9-12
Let's take a good look at this. In 2Thes.1 the saints are being persecuted. Paul writes unto them telling them that through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom of God. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angles, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe( because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. This could only be the 2nd coming.
Many teach that there is nothing to take place, the Lord can appear any moment. However, scripture shows that there are several events to take place:
1) The dead in Christ must rise first. 1 Thes. 4:16. When do the dead in Christ rise ? Jn.6:39,40
2) At the last trump. 1 Cor. 15:52. This is the final trump (Greek).
3) There must be a falling away first. Some have changed this into a departure, i.e. church, body of Christ raptured. It clearly means a departure from the faith ; or apostasy 2Thes. 2:3 .
4) The man of sin be revealed (anti-christ).
5) Exalts himself as God and is worshiped . 2Thes.2:3 ; Rev. 13:4.
6) He sits in the temple of God .Rev. 13:2b.
7) He blasphemes God, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven; overcomes the saints, rules the world. Rev. 13:6,7
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [ 2Thes.2:3 ] shall not come, except there come a falling away 1st..... What day is this ? ... the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him...[ 2Thes2:1 ]
When? And to you who are troubled rest with us, ( Paul includes himself ) when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:....
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints... ( because our testimony among you was believed in that day.) 2 Thes.1:7-10.
The key to understanding the text is the apostasy. It is usually taught that the pre-trib rapture takes away the church; therefore the restrainer is gone.
This now means the spotless, blameless bride is not keeping back lawlessness anymore, she vanished !!??. However, by my observation, the church i.e. His body is not so holy.( I speak as an American in a culture of relative ease). The church has lost much of its salt and has conformed herself to the world. She is not capable of holding back iniquity. In fact some Christians may vote for the man of sin himself! So then, if the church is not restraining the anti-christ, then what is? The answer is it is the church, but not in power of holiness, but of apostasy. Thus, the falling away first must occur; then the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition(doom).2Thes.2:3
Now here is understanding ; between the falling away of the church { Rev.12;7-13 }and the appearance of the man of sin; there is war in heaven. Satan is cast down to the earth.
This is what holds back the Antichrist.
Satan's BASE OF OPERATIONS IN THE HEAVENS IS FINISHED.THE DRAGON MUST ENTER THE MAN OF SIN. THEN THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY WILL COME TO IT'S fullness IN THE INCARNATION OF THE FALSE MESSIAH; THE INSTEAD (ANTI) OF CHRIST. JN.17:12; LK.22:3;JN.6:70
And now you know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2Thes.2:6
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he ( SATAN ) who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2Thes.2:7
The anti-christ finds himself cast down to the earth no more to have access to the Lord to accuse us. His wrath (Satan's, not Gods' wrath) persecutes the woman that brought forth the MAN CHILD (The Lord Jesus Christ) Rev.12:1-12
AND THEN SHALL THAT WICKED (ONE ) BE REVEALED... EVEN HIM, WHOSE COMING IS AFTER THE WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS; 2THES.2:8
His servant, Chaplain Peter
Dispensational Theology The culprit behind much of the confusion in reading the Bible is wrongly dividing the word of God. By setting up unnatural dispensational ages, much harm has been done to God's word . The law was dispensed by Moses, grace dispensed by the Apostle Paul. This is true. However, when did LAW end and GRACE begin? Does GRACE end at the coming of Christ to set up the KINGDOM ?
There are different schools of thought. The Scholfield Bible did much to popularize DISPENSATIONALISM. From about the 4th century till around the mid 1850's the 1,000 yr. KINGDOM reign of Christ was thought to be symbolic by many. Then a man named John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren brought back the literal interpretation of the KINGDOM. Along with this came another supposed truth , the PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE. Why does the recovery of one truth facilitate the need of the other ?This is where FALSE DISPENSATIONAL DOCTRINE DESTROYS the true meaning of God's word We must believe God's word to let the Holy Ghost illuminate our minds. Man made doctrines will not stand to the real intent of God's word. So let us go to the word of God.
There are two main covenants; the old and the new. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah....I will put my law in their inward parts and will write it in their hearts;....for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jer.31:31-34
The New Covenant that the Body of Christ is under is Israel's New Covenant. This is important. The Lord Jesus is the sacrifice for whosoever. In Romans 11 there is only one (1) olive tree. The olive tree is Israel; the branches of Israel symbolize the 12 tribes. We Gentiles as a wild olive tree are grafted in. How did we get in? because of their unbelief Israel was broken off so the gospel went out to the Gentiles.
And they also,( Israel ) if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. R0m. 11:23
Therefore both Jew and Gentile are in one body in Christ . The Mystery Paul writes about is the Body of Christ being a new and separate creation with its position in the heavens and Israel's on the earth
Chaplain Peter
Things to think on
Now let us think ! I would like to put some HOLY GHOST COMMON SENSE TO THE THINGS WRITTEN SO FAR. The Lord is not the author of confusion. If there is a pre-tribulation rapture, why is it not clearly set forth? For instance; You will not be here because there is a resurrection for the church before the great tribulation. Instead everything written can be applied to the 2nd coming. In Rev.4:1; John could say that a resurrection took place. Instead he says that a door was opened and he was caught up to heaven. Paul had the same experience in 2 Cor.12. Did the church get raptured ? Revelation starts with the 7 churches, if we have vanished, why then at the end of the the book the Lord says he sent his angel to testify these things unto the churches ? Rev.22:16
Beloved saints, if this is confusing to you it is because it is not of our Lord. Have you ever read a letter addressed to you, but it's not for you ? This is the logic behind the pre-trib resurrection. All kinds of scriptural gymnastics are required to get another resurrection, another gospel. Be careful beloveth, there is a dire warning at the completion of the Bible. Rev.22:16-19
When you add pre- trib rapture + mammon gospel = APOSTATE CHURCH. Saints, this is serious. please consider the implications. Have you applied for your NO SUFFER Exemption ? Hurry up, you might be left behind !
Much has been made about missing the rapture and being left behind. Two are in the field, rapture takes place, one left behind for judgement, the other caught up to glory.
And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank,...until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;...But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed...and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it...Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord ?... Wheresoever the body is thither (there) will the eagles be gathered together.
Luke 17:26-37
Dear saints, let us examine carefully. Noah was saved from the flood, Lot from Sodom. The wrath of God came upon the inhabitants because of their rebellion. Noah escaping in the ark, Lot escaping into the mountains. Lot's wife looked back longing for her mammonized lifestyle and was turned into a pillar of salt. Many teach that these two are a type of pre-trib rapture saints, not appointed to wrath.
However, Noah and Lot went through tribulation, not out of it. They are still waiting for the resurrection on the LAST DAY. They will be raised before any one alive will be changed. 1 Cor. 15:51,52. Let us look at a parallel passage in Matt. 24:15-39
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes....
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened....
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other....
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Notice in vs. 29; Immediately after the tribulation of those days: vs.31; And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
This is not written to Israel after the pre- trib rapture, this is to all of us for it is the future "great tribulation". This is what the apostle Paul writes in 1Thess.4:16-18; 1Cor.15:51,52. The problem arises when the saints don't know their appointment!
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1Thess.5:9-11
We are the elect of God chosen to salvation: 2Thess.2:13,14 This includes all that are called from Adam onward. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Rom.9:22-24
Therefore beloved of the Lord whether we are alive at the time of His coming (a wake) or already dead (a sleep) , we will be resurrected. The dead in Christ rise 1st, then we which remain alive and faithful will be caught up (raptured). It makes no difference whether we are alive during the reign of the anti-christ in the great tribulation or have died. We are appointed to glory what ever time period of history we find ourselves in; FOR WE ARE THE ELECT OF GOD NOT APPOINTED UNTO WRATH!
In Rev.7:3; four angels are told not to hurt the earth, sea nor trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.... and there were sealed an 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel.... After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes.... And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes ? .... These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev.7:3-14
The Pre- trib rapture takes place. ?? 2Thess. 2:7. Then all of a sudden the left behind crowd are saved in great multitudes, they are now faithful unto death. Is this what the scripture teaches ?
Even him, whose coming is after the work of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved. And for this cause God will send them a strong delusion , that they should believe a lie ; That they all might be damned who believed not the truth , but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Thess. 2:8-12
Dearly beloved , The church is taken out of the way by falling away from the faith : APOSTASY. Nobody went nowhere. This ushers in the man of sin ( anti-christ ). Saints are murdered , turned over by God to the beast power. Rev.13:7 . Therefore John sees them coming out of great tribulation in white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb .
Our Lord receives glory when we standfast , faithful to Him even in the face of death . This is the history of the persecuted church , not flying out of here to avoid danger !
My prayer is that the church would take part of one of the greatest awakenings ever and not be deceived ; Who concerning the truth have erred , saying that the resurrection is past already ; and overthrow the faith of some. Those in error in Pauls' time taught the rapture took place and they were
Left behind . 2Tim.2:15-18
His servant , Chaplain Peter
To the faithful in Christ Jesus, please take the time to watch this video it will be well worth it. I first heard this man's testimony in the 1990's. This is truly a wake up call to saints in America.
Apostasy
What are the main ingredients in apostasy?
I think that it is a frame of mind ; a DOCTRINAL STRONGHOLD. The Apostle Paul knew about this. After his conversion in Acts 9 he had some life changing decisions to make. Under house arrest in Rome Paul was offered his own TV show on the Jewish Circumcision Hour ! A book tour was set up to tour the Roman Empire, and a reality show called "The Prisoner of Jesus" where Paul appears chained to a Roman soldier in the luxury of Caesar's Palace.
As Paul meditated, prayed and fasted on all these offers, the Holy Ghost took Paul to an underground location. Here the Apostle saw multitudes of saints living in the catacombs under the city of Rome. Paul asked one of the saints, "What is this place, why are you living here"? The persecution against us is great. We cannot live above ground, if caught we will be forced to deny our Lord Jesus Christ. We only go above to get food, supplies and preach the gospel. Many of us have suffered tortures and martyrdom. Here we can worship freely, disciple our new brothers and sisters in Christ. Then we go up to the city to be witnesses for our Lord.
The Apostle Paul was shocked. "But I was offered many great shows and money. You can't preach without money. Everything costs". Then one of the saints approached Paul "Dear brother, I perceive you are in great danger. A DOCTRINAL STRONGHOLD HAS TAKEN HOLD OF YOUR MIND. Who did you study under"? "I studied under the greatest doctor of the Law; Pharisee Moneyberger".
This was the problem. The Apostle was deceived by one the leading schools of Phariseedical thought! Even though he was a leader in the church, he never denounced the old doctrine: if your blessed by God you are supposed to be rich.
Then the Holy Ghost reminded Paul of how he was saved on the road to Damascus. How the Lord Jesus sent Ananias to him and said,
Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts9:15,16
Then the Holy Ghost showed him all the suffering, struggles, persecutions he had already endured:....in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in death's oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered a shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of by my own country men, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea , in perils among false brethren ; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2Cor.11:23-28.
Also the Holy Ghost brought back to his memory all his letters to the churches admonishing them to look always to God and not to money. How the Lord always provided everything for him and his companions. Paul saw many a saint destroy their lives through covetousness. Then he remembered the sweet fellowship with the Lord Jesus in all the sufferings.
Paul then fell on his face before God and the saints crying with a loud voice " Forgive me Lord, in a moment of weakness I was deceived." Confessing his sin before God and men he was instantly cleansed and given back a sound mind. The Apostle refused the TV shows and book tours. Shortly thereafter he was beheaded.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY
[ WELL ALMOST ]
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Christ and Mammon
The above article may be amusing, but deadly serious. Today's church is in the same danger and must cry out to the Lord in repentance. Is it possible to serve both money and God ? It is amazing to see so much deception in the minds of God's people. Everywhere we go there are machines, stores, people who are trying to separate us from our earnings. I see many scratching their lottery tickets hoping to hit it big. Even the saints are playing. One church in Chicago I visited was told to buy lottery tickets. This way if anyone won their tithes would increase. The rational was " why should the unbelievers be the only one's getting rich!" This is a very sad affair in the church. It is carnal, worldly, of the flesh. It is a stink in God's nostrils. This is an affront and shame in the church of God. While the church in many parts of the world are persecuted for their witness, we are playing God's heavenly lottery. All you have to do is sow a seed and soon you will be rich! Sowing means to plant your money into some ministry and God will bless it, multiply and sanctify it! Years ago I watched as reverend IKE expounded on this great mystery: "Give us this day our daily bread, you all know what BREAD is, it's money." I also saw him on a TV show glittering with gold. When confronted about his lifestyle when many of his sowers were on welfare, he said "it supposed to be that way." He was a true pioneer, a trail blazer in today's modern scam ; how to fleece the sheep!
Dear saints, I know this sounds a bit hard, but very necessary. If this ruffles your feathers, good. I pray it will bring many to their senses; HOLY GHOST COMMON SENSE . The name it, claim it, prosperity club is about to hit the skids. The Lord loves his saints to much to let them continue in this fantasy of mammon, luxury and ease. This may be a shock to some, but God's main purpose in salvation is to be conformed into the image of Christ. When the prosperity club saints make mammon, easy living, and as little suffering as possible the main theme of their salvation, they are also taking on an image; the BEAST. This is the spirit anti-christ. The spirit of LAWLESSNESS. The purpose of the enemy is to destroy the church. He has successfully infiltrated the church. It is my hope and prayer that the church would grasp : That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him : The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Eph.1:16-18
The literal meaning of "the riches of His glory" is "His glorious wealth". This glorious wealth is in US, for we are his inheritance! The apostle prays that we would understand this great truth. So beloveth, what do we have that our Lord has an inheritance in us? Do you really believe that when we die God inherits our MAMMON!? The inheritance the Lord has in us is: According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Eph.3:11 God has securely deposited in His saints a great treasure. This treasure cannot be measured in worldly riches for it is an eternal treasure. In the parables of the kingdom of God we can clearly see this concept :He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty. Matt.13:22,23
Here is the key to understanding: the WORD OF GOD IS THE SEED SOWN. The purpose of giving money to a ministry is to sow the word of God, not to make you rich in mammon, but in good works. The main focus of our salvation must be to carry out God's eternal purpose in the earth.
Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times ( eternity future ) He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and in earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the council of His will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph.1:9-12
We have a great inheritance in Christ. We work it out in fear and trembling before a holy God. Then we give Him back the inheritance He gave us. How much you give back to God depends on how much you yield yourself to Him to be conformed to his very image. Sow little, reap little, sow much, reap much.
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh....For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction which but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor.4:10-18
The Lord Jesus put it this way: And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matt. 10:38,39
The cross of our Savior was not made of ease and luxury, but of grief and sorrow. How in the world do you get a lifestyle of mammon from our Lord's life or any sincere followers. It takes a lot of wrangling and twisting of scripture, mixed with some filthy lucre and much covetousness. The worst part is many saints buy into this deception. By taking scripture out of context of God's purpose for us under grace, the prosperity crowd makes it look like worldly riches is a given. The whole focus is on what's in it for me. If I sow more , I'll get more . Some how we got the idea that God wants us 1st class. Along with this kind of thinking comes how do I fulfill my destiny, God's plan for my life. My brothers and sisters in Christ, do you not see the self centered mind set in all this. Yes, the Lord has a plan for your life, your destiny. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (mature), throughly furnished ( matured) unto all good works. 2Tim.3:14-17 Please note the words mature and matured. Saints, a three year old thinks it's all about them! The apostle Paul shows us how to follow Christ;
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first ( foremost ) Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering , for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. 1Tim.1:14-17
Paul makes it clear that the way the Lord Jesus is to be followed is the pattern set down in the apostle Paul's life and doctrine. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud knowing nothing...Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1Tim.6:3-5
Can anything be plainer? The apostle did not make this hard or mysterious. Plainly stated; mammon is not godliness. The apostle Paul taught the the same doctrine that our Lord taught on godliness. If Christians would follow Gods' command on withdrawing thyself from those who preach this mammon gospel, many churches would close down! The false profits who make $merchandise$ of their flock would be out of business. That's a good thing. Let us take a look at some wholesome words of our Lord. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come take up the cross and follow me. Mark 10:21 The cross is the crucifiction of our flesh. Without this, there can be no resurrected life. We must die to self before we can live to God in the Spirit. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life I live now in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal.2:20 The lifestyle of the rich and famous is not for serious believers. In the mammon gospel preachers thrive on the ignorance and carnality of the Saints. Their doctrine is a mixture of truth and lies. This is exactly what the devil did in the garden of Eden. Was not Abraham rich, Job and many others ? Do we not inherit the blessings of Abraham which includes financial wealth ?
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record,yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave them their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2Cor. 8:3-5
There was a famine in Jerusalem. Paul sought to bring relief from the churches. Here he commends the churches in Macedonia that in their great financial poverty that they sacrificed what little they had for others. Here is the lesson: Love little, give little. Love much, give much.
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the
people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in
much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
... And He called unto his disciples, and saith unto them, .... that
this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which cast into the
treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her
want ( lack ) did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark13:42-44 The
truth of the matter; poor people (in general) give much more than those
not in want. The rich gave large sums, percentage wise however it was
very little . If a millionaire gives fifty thousand dollars, this is a small part of his wealth and feels no pain, because there is no sacrificial giving. The poor saint gives away much of his living to help others. His
lifestyle is one of sacrifice. Our Lord gives us His wisdom in this
story. This is why many cannot be trusted with riches until they first
give themselves, their lives unto the Lord. After
giving oneself unto the Lord, we learn that the true riches is to help
others. Mammon then appears for what it is: a cheap cover up to keep
oneself MAMMONIZED ! Those who deceive, deceive themselves. The Lord did
not save us to live it up in this wicked world. 1Jn.5:19
So what will it be saints; His riches which cannot be calculated in money; or the mammonized gospel of greed, deception and death.
Will you die in your sins proclaiming this lie? I pray not. Those who are born rich and others who made their fortune , can be a blessing from God. The curse comes when we are in love with money .
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred (seduced) from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou , O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life.... Charge them that are rich in this world, That they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches,... That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute(voluntarily), willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life . 1Tim.6:9-19
The rich young ruler could not give up his possessions and follow the Lord, because he was very rich. His mammonized lifestyle was to much to part with. He wanted to know what he lacked in his walk with God. He kept the commandments from his youth up, but sensed something was missing. The Lord Jesus loved him and told him what to do. Alas, it was just to much to give it all up, pick up the cross and follow Jesus. One day we will stand before the Lord. What will your foundation be? You can comfort yourself with mammon in this world or give it up for a good foundation in eternity . May the LORD help all of us to seek His Kingdom that you may lay hold of eternal life, and trust Him to supply our everyday needs. He is worthy of honour, respect, obedience.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound : every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strenghtheneth me.... Not that I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.... But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
His servant, Chaplain Peter
To my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
What is the main theme of scripture? Is it to get rich? I want you to think on something; The riches of His glorious wealth.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;...
Eph.1:7 It is in this glorious wealth that we must set our gaze upon. For the measuring rod of His wealth is not, nor can be measured in temporal life. If the Lord should bless us, either by healing, deliverance from evil vices, or financial blessings, it must be viewed from the eternal blessings. Eph.1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Eph.1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Dear saints, let us keep the main thing the main thing, Lest we bind ourselves to a curse. Temporary riches of this world are fleeting. Please remember your true inheritance :
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
GODSPEED, His servant ,Peter