upgraded March 2, 2010
God gave the human body five senses to procure information for analysis and review by the brain. The Holy Word of God tastes, smells, looks, sounds, and feels the same throughout the Old and the New Testament. In our human ignorance, we sometimes read something in the Holy Word of God, whereby our lack of perception makes it appear that there is a contradiction. Know that it is a lack of our understanding. If a Holy Scripture is not in compliance with the total of all other Holy Scriptures, it is because of misinterpretation on the part of YOU or the translator.
Other than our five physical senses, the only other possible avenue for gaining information is through a spirit (YOU have heard of the "sixth-sense"). YOU as a human, have a sixth-sense, because YOU were created in God's image with a spirit. YOUR sixth-sense, is for YOUR spiritual communication, and is how YOU may communicate with the spirit world. It is how YOU may communicate with God. If YOU listen intently, YOU will actually be able to hear the voice of God.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Because of Adam's sin, all of Adam's descendants were born physically alive, but spiritually dead. Even the spiritually dead can hear the voice of God call to them.
John 5:25 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."
Angels are "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation"; consequently in addition to hearing the voice of God through YOUR sixth-sense, YOU are also able to hear the voices of "spirits", also known as angels.
Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
A good "spirit" may communicate with YOU through your sixth-sense for YOUR benefit, and impress YOU as an example; "Don't go down that dark alley."
Through YOUR sixth-sense, YOU may also communicate with evil "spirits" who are fallen angels, and are also known as demons. In their lawlessness, fallen angels have rebelled against their original designed purpose. Fallen angels are no longer trying, "to serve those who will inherit salvation" - Hebrews 1:14 printed above; fallen angels are now trying to devour and destroy whomever they can. An evil "spirit" may accuse YOU as in; "YOU are an awful person, because of all of the heinous things that YOU have done in YOUR life, God will never forgive YOU"; or "YOU are not a Christian, YOU might as well quit trying to be a Christian and live how YOU want to live." In other instances, an evil "spirit" may communicate with YOU through YOUR sixth-sense and direct YOU to; "Go throughout the house praising Satan and/or some demon." God precisely and exactly controls everything that Satan says and does, but God allows Satan to lie to YOU, because YOU are also able to hear the voice of God. The tempting and destructive voice of the devil is in contrast to the loving and supportive voice of God, if YOU will listen. All of the lies of the devil are exposed and refuted by the Truth of God if YOU will listen. YOU must choose whether YOU are going to listen to the Truth of God, or to the lies of Satan.
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NIV) Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Some people are deceived into thinking that they are hearing the voice of God, but the voice gives foolish, confused, or criminal commands. Consequently, YOU must always "test the spirits to see whether they are from God".
1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
If YOU judge all sixth-sense communications by the Holy Word of God, YOU can tell whether it is a good "spirit", or an evil "spirit" that is trying to communicate with YOU.
John 10:2-6 (NIV) "The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
A threshold is clearly crossed, and the "spirit" world is gaining better control of YOU, if YOU begin to act upon the commands of the spiritual voice such as, "Become a missionary and go feed the starving children in Calcutta;" or "YOU would be better off if YOU would kill YOURSELF, and/or someone else." The more righteous YOU become, the more compelling the voice of God will become to YOU.
John 10:27 (NIV) "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
The more wicked YOU become, the more compelling the voices of Satan and/or the demons will become to YOU. There have been occasions when a person became very involved with the "spirit" world by spending time in prayer, reading their Holy Bible, and seeking God, all while continuing in a life of sin. They had become very involved with the spiritual world, but they had not become holy. Then, in what appeared to be a surprising change, the spiritual person functioned insanely, and committed some heinous crime. The crime occurred because the deceived person was actually communicating with, and moving close to the "spirit" world; the deceived person was trying to please the "spirits" that they were communicating with, but the deceived person was not testing the "spirits" that they were communicating with by the Holy Word of God. So when a "spirit" commanded the deceived person as an example to; "kill someone because that someone is the antichrist", the deceived person did not judge the evil "spirit's" command by the Holy Word of God that states; "Thou shalt not kill" - Exodus 20:13. Because the deceived person did not, "test the spirits to see whether they are from God," - 1 John 4:1, the deceived person believed that the command was from God, or "an angel of light".
2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Consequently, because the deceived person did not, "test the spirits to see whether they are from God," - 1 John 4:1, the deceived person lost their ability to know right from wrong. The legal definition for insanity is the inability to know right from wrong. Consequently, the deceived and insane person, like Eve, was duped into sinning. Not every form of mental illness is a spiritual problem. There are chemical imbalances, genetic disorders, and physical damage causing mental problems. However, when a person interacts with the "spirit" world and appears to have a mental problem, it could very well be a reflection of the spiritual war referenced in Ephesians 6:10-18.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
One of the functions of the Holy Spirit of God is to dwell in, and counsel man. When Adam sinned, he was banished from the Garden of Eden and the physical presence of God (Genesis chapter 3). The Holy Spirit of God cannot dwell in an unholy being. Consequently, the Holy Spirit of God could not dwell in, or counsel a man until Jesus Christ came, and was Crucified as a Blood-Substitution-Sacrifice punishment for man's sin; thereby enabling man, through faith in Jesus Christ, to live a holy life. Because man lost his Counselor, man was steeped in spiritual ignorance:
Acts 17:30 (NIV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Following the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God was given to man on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit of God is now able to dwell in a person who is living a holy life, and consequently the Holy Spirit of God is able to counsel or guide that person. When founding YOUR faith on the Holy Word of God, and in those instances where YOU perceive a contradiction in the Holy Word of God, YOU must ask the Holy Spirit of God to lead YOU into all truth:
John 16:13 (NIV) "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
John 14:26 (NIV) "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Luke 11:9-13 (NIV) "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Ephesians 3:4-5 (NIV) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Luke 24:45 (NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
As YOU read and study this message and the Holy Word of God, I ask YOU to prayerfully consider these Holy Scriptures. Request the Holy Spirit of God to open YOUR heart to His truth.
Proverbs 2:6 (NIV) For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
Daniel 2:21b-22 (NIV) He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Daniel 10:12 (NIV) Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."
Amos 3:7 (NIV) Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
John 15:15 (NIV) "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV) Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
1 John 2:27 (NIV) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Many of the truths of the Holy Scriptures are visible only to those filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Matthew 11:25 (NIV) At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."
Daniel 12:10b (NIV) None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
From a theological position, there is little that a person learns while being separated from the Holy Spirit of God that is worth knowing.
Matthew 13:10-17 (NIV) The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" 11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
If YOU were to use a small candle to look into a deep cave, YOU might conclude that there was nothing inside; when in reality just outside of the reach of YOUR light, great treasures were stored that YOU simply could not see. The Holy Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit of Light.
1 John 1:5 (NIV) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
Only the Holy Spirit of Light can reveal the great truths of the Holy Scriptures. The world is blind to these truths.
Matthew 15:14 (NIV) "Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
Because the world cannot see these truths, their claim is that these truths do not exist.
"Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding." - Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld 1613-1680
The blindness of the world has permeated Judeo-Christian Organized Religion. The Laodicean Church referenced in Revelation 3:14 was an actual church in the city of Laodicea. Throughout the last 2,000 years of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion, there have been individual local churches that have reflected the basic attributes and character of one of the seven individual local churches referenced in Revelation 2:1 through Revelation 3:22. Additionally, Judeo-Christian Organized Religion as a world-wide whole, has reflected the attributes and character of one of the individual seven churches, during sequential dispensations across the last 2,000 years. The final church age, the one we are living in, is the Laodicean church age. One of the symptoms of this last Laodicean church age is blindness:
Revelation 3:17 (NIV) "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
I do not allege that any person who is filled with the Holy Spirit of God has perfect understanding. The "Born Again" Children of God can however, "See through a glass darkly." - I Corinthians 13:12
In the Lord God's cause and effect universe, physical adaptations are constantly occurring - what YOU don’t use, YOU lose. What YOU use - YOU develop. We can readily see this among athletes who develop their bodies, and scholars who develop their minds. Jesus Christ referenced this principal in the Holy Word of God.
Matthew 25:29 (NIV) "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
The Astyanax mexicanus is a species of fish that lives in caves where there is no light, off of the coast of Mexico. The eyes of the embryo start to degenerate soon after the egg begins to form, and the fish are born blind. On the surface, where there is light, the exact same species of fish develop normal vision.
Contrast the blind Astyanax mexicanus, to the creatures who have eyes covering them, referenced in Revelation 4:6-8, and Ezekiel 10:12.
Revelation 4:6-8 (NIV) Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Ezekiel 10:12 (NIV) Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels.
The creatures in Heaven, are created beings who have adapted physically, in order to comprehend more light. The creatures in Heaven have been in the presence of the Lord God their entire existence; and they constantly circle and stare at the Lord God, in order to see more of the Lord God. The creatures in Heaven have developed more eyes, in order for them to see the Lord God better. In their focus and worship, the creatures in Heaven constantly see new things about the Lord God that overwhelm them in His magnificence, and they cannot but cry out in awe:
Revelation 4:8 (NIV) "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
As the Astyanax mexicanus is born blind physically, so every human is born blind spiritually, but in humans it is because of a sin mutation.
Jesus Christ is the light.
John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
If YOU seek the Lord God (light) with all of YOUR heart, YOU will find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
When YOU find the Lord God, YOU will begin to develop spiritual eyesight in order for YOU to be able to comprehend the light.
Ephesians 1:17-19a (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Then YOU too will cry out in awe:
Revelation 4:8 (NIV) "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Moses wanted to see the Lord God; not for entertainment, curiosity or sensationalism, but that Moses might KNOW and worship the Lord God. To KNOW God is to worship Him. YOU must also seek the Lord God, in order for YOU to KNOW and worship Him.
Exodus 33:18-23 (NIV) Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."
If YOU do not continue to focus on the Lord God, like the blind Astyanax mexicanus fish, YOU will lose YOUR spiritual eyesight. If YOU do not seek the Lord God with all of YOUR heart, YOU will never be able to see.
Some blind, worldly, Laodicean "theologians" have alleged that there is only a single truth in any of the parables spoken by Jesus Christ. Their inability to see manifold spiritual truth has forced them to draw the conclusion that none is there.
"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea." - Francis Bacon 1561-1626
A rich panorama of truth can be extracted from everything that Jesus Christ said. One of the Holy Scriptures where this is very quickly and easily shown is:
Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Note that in the general grouping of the angels, sheep and goats referenced in verses 31 through 33, the Son of Man is only referenced as "He."
In verse 34, and verse 40, when "the sheep" are addressed exclusively, Jesus Christ is titled "The King" in both instances.
In verse 41, and verse 45, when "the goats" are addressed exclusively, Jesus Christ is titled only "He" in both instances.
To the sheep on His right, Jesus Christ is "The King," but to the goats on His left, Jesus Christ is only "He." Jesus Christ is not the king of the goats.
In verse 40, where Jesus Christ says "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,", "The King" references "the sheep" as His "brothers".
Hebrews 2:11 (NIV) Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
In verse 45, where Jesus Christ says "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these,", He does not reference the goats as His "brothers", because the goats are not brothers to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:48-50 (NIV) He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
In nature, goats are independent and attempt to defend themselves. In nature, sheep are dependent on the shepherd and will not defend themselves. The devil is a roaring lion trying to devour goats and sheep.
1 Peter 5:8b (NIV) Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
What chance does a goat have of defending itself against a lion? A goat has no chance at all of defending itself against a lion! What chance does a sheep have of defending itself against a lion? A sheep has no chance at all of defending itself against a lion! What chance does a shepherd have of defending his sheep against a lion?
1 Samuel 17:34-37a (NIV) But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 91:13 (NIV) You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd. The Shepherd moves His sheep into protective structure. The Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep.
John 10:1-16 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
The Shepherd will go after His sheep when they are lost.
Matthew 18:12-14 (NIV) "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
Jesus Christ's last thoughts were of His sheep.
John 21:15-17 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
There is a lie going forth from the devil stating that the Holy Spirit of God will be "taken out" of this world at some time prior to, or during the Seven Year "covenant" Period. The devil misconstrues 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 printed below to support his lie.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV) Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
The Holy Scripture phrase "taken out of the way" - 2 Thessalonians 2:7 printed above, implies that something is in the way. Who is in the way of what? In this case, the Holy Spirit of God has been in the way of, "the secret power of lawlessness" - 2 Thessalonians 2:7. The Holy Spirit of God has been restricting "the secret power of lawlessness." The Holy Spirit of God has been restricting some humans from becoming as sinful as their heart's desire them to be. The Holy Scripture does not state that the Holy Spirit of God will be taken out of the world, but that He will be "taken out of the way" of "the secret power of lawlessness". Only God the Father is able to move the Holy Spirit of God. At this point in time, God the Father is taking the Holy Spirit of God "out of the way" of "the secret power of lawlessness". At this point in time, humans are being allowed to become as sinful as their evil heart's desire them to be. That is why we have seen an exponential increase in sin in the recent days. God the Father is continuing to take the Holy Spirit of God "out of the way" of "the secret power of lawlessness", but the Holy Spirit of God still remains on the earth, within the members of the "Born Again" Children of God, who are here.
How do YOU know that the Holy Spirit of God will still be on the earth after He has been "taken out of the way" of "the secret power of lawlessness"?
Is it possible to come to Jesus Christ without the benefit of the Holy Spirit of God? John 6:44a, and John 3:5-6 printed below, and many other Holy Scriptures answer this question:
John 6:44a (NIV) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him,"
John 3:5-6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
If the Holy Spirit of God was removed from the earth, there would not be one single Jewish person, nor one single Gentile drawn to God and redeemed after the Holy Spirit of God's removal. Redemption would be impossible if the Holy Spirit of God was removed.
Will the Holy Spirit of God leave any "Born Again" Child of God who is living a Holy life? Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, and many other Holy Scriptures answer this question:
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Will there be "Born Again" Children of God who are still living on the earth when Jesus Christ returns? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and many other Holy Scriptures answer this question. If there were no "Born Again" Children of God still living here on the earth during the three and one-half year, "great tribulation" Period - (Matthew 24:21-22, Revelation 7:14), there would be no "Born Again" Children of God for Jesus Christ to return for.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) 13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
If there are "Born Again" Children of God still living on earth when Jesus Christ returns, the blessed Holy Spirit of God will be right here, dwelling within, counseling, and supporting the "Born Again" Children of God. Where there is a single "Born Again" Child of God, there YOU will find the blessed Holy Spirit of God.
Through the Holy Word of God, we have established the below listed facts:
1. No one can be drawn to God and redeemed without the benefit of the Holy Spirit of God.
2. The Holy Spirit of God will never leave a "Born Again" Child of God who is living a Holy life.
3. There are "Born Again" Children of God on earth when Jesus Christ returns.
Because of the above referenced established facts, YOU can know that the Holy Spirit of God will be on the earth through the entire Seven Year "covenant" Period, which includes and concludes in the three and one-half year, "great tribulation" Period - (Matthew 24:21-22, Revelation 7:14).
The Holy Spirit of God will be here through the entire "great tribulation" Period, as there will be "Born Again" Children of God here through the entire "great tribulation" Period, and the Holy Spirit of God has been given to the "Born Again" Children of God forever.
In the perfect order of God, everything in creation can be viewed as a mathematical formula, IF, YOU can formulate the equation, and identify and understand the variables. When God directed the Holy Spirit of God to place a restriction on the, "secret power of lawlessness", referenced in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 printed above; then in perfect mathematical order, God also placed a reciprocal restriction, by veiling some of the knowledge and understanding about certain aspects of righteousness and prophecy, even from the "Born Again" Children of God. The wicked people have never been able to understand about righteousness and prophecy (1 Corinthians 2:14), but even the "Born Again" Children of God's knowledge and understanding of certain aspects of righteousness and prophecy, has heretofore been veiled. At the time that God gave visions to Daniel, referenced in Daniel 12:1-12 printed below; and John the Revelator, referenced in Revelation 10:1-4 printed below; God sealed up the knowledge and understanding about certain aspects of those visions, even from Daniel, and even from the "Born Again" Children of God.
Daniel 12:1-12 (NIV) "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?" The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed." I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?" He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days."
Revelation 10:1-4 (NIV) Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down." Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
The fact that God has directed the Holy Spirit of God, to withdraw the Holy Spirit of God's restriction on lawlessness, is irrefutably evidenced by the exponential increase in sin that has occurred in the world within the last few months!
Mathew 24:12a,b (NIV) "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,"
The fact that God has directed the Holy Spirit of God, to withdraw the Holy Spirit of God's restriction on lawlessness, mathematically exposes the fact that God has also reciprocally directed the Holy Spirit of God, to withdraw the Holy Spirit of God's restriction on knowledge and understanding, of certain aspects of righteousness and prophecy, that have heretofore, been veiled even from the "Born Again" Children of God!
The fact that God has directed the Holy Spirit of God, to withdraw the Holy Spirit of God's restriction on knowledge and understanding, of certain aspects of righteousness and prophecy, that have heretofore, been veiled even from the "Born Again" Children of God; is clear proof that YOU are now in, "the time of the end", referenced in Daniel 12:1-12 printed above; and clear proof that "the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet", referenced in Revelation 10:1-4 printed above!
Godly creatures are currently in a struggle with sinful creatures.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
The Holy Spirit of God has been constantly restricting sinful creatures from the complete fulfillment of their sinful desires. In the case of Joseph, referenced in the Book of Genesis chapters 37-50, his brothers initially desired to murder him. They were exhibiting that they were the spiritual children of the devil, and that they had the same desire as their spiritual father the devil has.
John 8:44 (NIV) "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
John 10:10 (NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
The Holy Spirit of God restricted Joseph's brothers from murdering Joseph; but the Holy Spirit of God withdrew the Holy Spirit of God's restrictions on Joseph's brother's evil desires, to the extent that Joseph's brothers were allowed to sell Joseph into slavery. This was in order to accomplish God's plan for saving the Children of Israel during the seven year famine that was coming. Joseph was not harmed, he was only temporarily inconvenienced in order to save his family and nation.