The Plank in My Eye - My Personal Testimony

When I first came to know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I couldn’t stop talking about him (the first love of the new believer) even though I knew absolutely nothing about him of the Bible. I felt that I was now ready to cut loose and change the world. I was a late bloomer and only gave my life to Jesus in May 1988 two weeks after my 36th birthday.

I had at last found what was missing in my life and my life now had purpose and something to work towards. This is true of course, but I was so lacking in wisdom and guidance that I immediately set off on the wrong track – little realising that I need to do things the right way – His way!

This of course, is all very good and well, but yes of course there has to be a but, besides setting off on the wrong track, I made another big mistake at the same time. I was so busy trying to change others and pointing out their faults, that I neither knew nor even dreamt that God wanted to deal with me first! Ignorance is bliss – but no excuse!

You can imagine the kind of havoc I wreaked on those around me! Within a noticeably short space of time, I became the greatest finder of other people’s mistakes you could ever meet and from the base of complete ignorance of all things spiritual. I was a judgmental finger pointer extraordinaire! Needless to say, I didn’t go down too well with most people including my family!

My wife doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and in my ignorance that’s what I had become – a fool! I’m so glad she loves me with the love of the Lord! After causing the umpteenth argument in only a few months of being saved, I couldn’t understand why nobody was listening to me and why people went out of their way to avoid me. At this stage humility was definitely not one of my strong points.

Proverbs 18:2 (AMP)

A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,

But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

No prizes for guessing who it was that finally shook me out of my personal crusade to change others and brought me down to earth with a crash. That’s right, Jacqui, my wife! Praise God for Jacqui. She lovingly sat me down and showed me this scripture:

Matthew 7:1-3 (AMP)

“Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. 2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye?

That’s right God set me aside and drew me to salvation in Christ Jesus so that He could deal with me; refine me in the fire and get rid of the dross that bubbled out of me; so that He could send me out to do the good works that He had predestined me to do in the power of the Holy Spirit and to glorify His name!

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Well, I knew nothing of this! I had never been ‘churched’ before as I had grown up in a home void of God and where the name of the Lord was extensively used only as a curse word. I didn’t have a clue about anything spiritual and had even less a clue of what was in the Bible. I hadn’t even started having a quiet time!

I mistakenly thought that because I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and saviour I had suddenly, overnight become a spiritual giant. I didn’t realise that Christianity is a road that I had to walk on in total submission to God – a road to maturity that will never end! Not only did I have to give my life to Jesus, but I also had to surrender my will too him as well. I needed to follow these immortal words from my Lord himself.

Luke 22:42 (NIV)

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

I thought that because I was now saved and born-again that was it, free access through the pearly gates, job done. All I needed to do now was show other people what they were doing wrong.

I never knew that God now wanted me to change and build a personal relationship with him and be led for the rest of my life by His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of Jesus! I had no idea that there was a path to Christian maturity that I needed to follow every day and that God had a plan for my life that I needed to consult him about!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (AMP)

11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

So, after my initial disastrous start at the beginning of my Christian walk, I learned a lesson that I will always carry with me - if I want to walk in maturity as a Christian, I need to allow the Holy Spirit to work on me and to change me so that I can be more and more conformed to Christ’s image. I have to work on the plank in my own I before I can even have a hope of helping my brother remove the speck of sawdust in his eye!

For me getting rid of the plank in my eye has been a long and oft time painful process and one that even today I have to keep my eye on so to speak. Remaining non judgmental is something I have to consciously work on as I work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12c-13 (AMP)

continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to ulfil your purpose] for His good pleasure.

In the above verses from Philippians the Apostle Paul had the perfect formula for getting rid of the plank in my eye.

Work out your salvation by:

Cultivating it – tend it with regular doses of the Word and being obedient to it and water it with the continued infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Bring it to full effect by putting the Word into practice in my daily life.

Actively pursue spiritual maturity by humbling myself under God’s mighty hand.

Regularly evaluate myself using the Word as my plumbline and best practice standards, and above all be obedient to all it says and teaches!

• Recognise and give thanks to the Lord that it is only in his strength that I can progress to maturity and fulfil His purpose in my life.

• Actively pursue fellowship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit – live life in the Spirit as Jesus did.

• Ensure that my actions and speech always bring glory to Jesus and are always compliant with the Word!

• Build others up in Christ Jesus. Don’t gossip. If I can’t say anything to build up, then shut up – I’m talking about gossip here! God’s correction is designed to build up not break down!

Over the years of my Christian walk the Lord has taught me many lessons and, thanks be to Jesus, he is still teaching me and will continue to do so – this I know for sure.

At the time of my salvation, I considered myself to be a self-made man. I had a good job. I was well paid. I had a good position. I had a wonderful wife and family. I had done it all.

Yep! You are right I was the original “I”-specialist! I was so “I” orientated that I missed the plank in my eye! And along with the “I” specialist syndrome I carried a huge dose of self-pride!

Of course, God couldn’t leave me this way if I was going to be of any use to him as a true Christian. I’m so glad that Jacqui showed me Matthew 7:1-3. It wasn’t easy for her as I’ve mentioned I carried a huge dose of pride that was easily offended at first but the more the Holy Spirit worked on it the better I became. Thanks be to Jesus who gives me victory!

The answer to pride and stubbornness is:

1 Peter 5:6-11 (AMP)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. 11 To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.

After 34 years of walking this road I still slip but I have learned as well to be quick to repent and to say sorry.

The Christian walk carries many challenges with it. My wife and I have suffered much but the Lord brought us through the death of our eldest son who was killed in a hit and run motor accident when he was thirty one. The Lord brought me through a heart attack when I was just fifty one. We lost everything we had when our business collapsed with misappropriation of funds by our Christian business partners.

Thanks be to God; the Lord has brought us through these times and has restored everything the locust had eaten. Our God supplies all or needs!

Was it easy? No. Did I question God? Yes.

But these scriptures brought such comfort to us in all those times and still does to this day!

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (AMP)

57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

Do problems still come our way? For sure, the world we live in hasn’t changed! But now I know that when I pour contempt on all my pride and humbly kneel before Him and rely on His strength, he draws me through to victory!

John 3:30 (NLT)

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

God turns all things to His good purpose when we humbly come before Him with true repentant hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to change us!

Romans 8:28 (AMP)

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Let me leave you with these words from King David, a man after God’s own heart!

Psalm 34:12-13 (NIV)

12 Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from telling lies.

Prayer:
Lord, I pray that you would help me to humble myself under your mighty hand and that my spirit would remain teachable and compliant to your Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you would help me to put the needs of others before my own and always seek to build others up in their faith and not break them down. I pray that you would put a guard on my tongue so that I will speak no evil that I may bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Witchcraft Has Infiltrated Today's Church

 

In this article we are going to have a look at the many subtle ways in which ‘witchcraft’ (and all occult practices) has infiltrated today’s Church and as always, let our reference point be the Bible, the infallible Word of God. The written Jesus!

Let’s start by defining the word witchcraft from modern day dictionaries and then have a look at this from the reference source of all Christian belief, the Bible.

Definition of witchcraft from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft

1a: the use of sorcery or magic

b: communication with the devil or with a familiar (spirit) – brackets are mine.

2: an irresistible influence or fascination

3a: rituals and practices that incorporate belief in magic and that are associated especially with neo-pagan traditions and religions (such as Wicca and Yoga)

b: a tradition or religion that involves the practice of witchcraft

The use of the word witchcraft or divination in the Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew word ‘qesem’ – pronounced ‘kehsem’ which, strangely enough, means: witchcraft or divination (the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers).

Let’s have a look at a scripture from the Old Testament that expresses God’s abhorrence of witchcraft perfectly.

2 Chronicles 33:6 (NIV)

He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.

The above verse is referring to the evil practices of Manasseh, one of the Kings of Judah. Here we see that witchcraft is never manifest alone, it is always accompanied by a number of other evil practices – evil keeps evil company! The end result of this was that Manasseh aroused the anger of God who brought disaster upon him and Judah. Evil practices lead others into the same evil and away from God!

Witchcraft is a powerful corrupter of good character! Bad company corrupts good character.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

So, from what we’ve just looked at, I think that we can safely say that God takes the sin of witchcraft and its associated family of evil very seriously, in fact so seriously that God describes it as detestable to him.

Deuteronomy 18:10-14 (AMP)

10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire [as a sacrifice], one who uses divination and fortune-telling, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead]. 12 For everyone who does these things is utterly repulsive to the Lord; and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God. 14 For these nations which you shall dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners and fortune-tellers, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.

So, when we look at these Old Testament scriptures, we see that God has very strong feelings about anybody and any nation that follows occultic practices in any way and he deals with them severely.

1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,

and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king.”

In the above verse the prophet Samuel is addressing King Saul as he had rebelled against God’s instruction in not destroying the Amalekites completely. God sees our disobedience of His Word as rebellion and says that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft. When we reject the teachings of the Bible (God’s Word) we are in rebellion – we set ourselves against God. 

When we rebel against God, not only do we invoke His wrath, but we also open the door to welcome Satan into our souls, as many of the Kings of Israel and Judah did; and more recently as Judas Iscariot did when he sold Jesus out for money!

When we rebel against God, we betray Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

Luke 22:1-6 (NIV)

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

John 13:2 (AMP)

It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,

Now, let’s have a look at what the New Testament teaches about witchcraft. Paul gives us a very strong warning in the book of Galatians. Here he gives a list of what is called ‘acts of the flesh’ and if anyone indulges in them, they will not enter heaven.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

And in Revelation, Jesus himself gives the strongest warning of all to those who indulge in evil practices in any shape or form.

Revelation 21:8 (NIV)

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

And for good measure let’s have a look at the same verse from the Amplified Bible.

Revelation 21:8 (AMP)

But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

In the above verse we see witchcraft and other occult practices go hand in hand with murderers, liars and idol worshippers and those that practice them have one ultimate fate – they got to hell along with Satan! Eternal separation from God!

Witchcraft is from the devil and anyone who practices it will not enter into Heaven. It is an abomination to God! When you start dabbling in witchcraft you open yourself up to demons and demonic influences which will indeed harm you.

When we examine what we have just read and take a step back, we see this picture emerge. Right from mans fall at Eden, his heart is naturally drawn to evil.

Genesis 6:5-6 (AMP)

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. 6 The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart.

Genesis 6:11-12 (AMP)

11 The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 12 God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.

From the above verses we can see how sin, from Adam onward, had increased over the earth and had infected mankind to the extent that God had to put an end to man by bringing the flood except for one righteous man, Noah, only he and his family escaped the penalty for sin – death!

Now, unfortunately, even after the flood the trend for man to perpetuate evil continued – the influence of Satan working through man continued and is even more evident in the times we are living in right now. Man is probably just as corrupt now as he was right up until the time of the flood, if not even more so. Jesus mentioned this fact himself when he was telling us about the signs of the end times.

Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT)

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

In the above verses we see that Jesus knew that the corruption of man would continue and worsen and warns the future Church to look out for the signs of His return!

Jesus knew that the world would continue in its evil ways as we’ve already read earlier in this article what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:19-21.

Jesus himself also warns us about succumbing to evil practices in His prophetic word to the Church that his angel brought to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Let’s take a look at the scriptures and take note of His warning, particularly about witchcraft and other occult practices, and let ourselves be changed and strengthened by the washing of the Word!

Here I think it is well worth it for us to read again this verse that I have already quoted above.

Revelation 21:8 (AMP)

But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire Iand brimstone, which is the second death.”

Here we see that these same practices that man performed before the flood were continued after the flood and are still being performed in an even greater measure today and have even infiltrated the Church in various cunningly subtle ways.

Right now, you are probably asking yourself how? Let’s have a look.

We have already established that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Here’s the scripture again for good measure:

1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,

and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king.”

It is now time for us to examine the word ‘rebellion’ in the above verse.

Rebellion in this verse is translated form the Hebrew word ‘meri – pronounced mer-ee.’ It’s root word source in Hebrew is ‘marah’ and it’s expanded meaning is bitterness and most rebellious.

In the verse above we see that King Saul rebelled against God’s Word, he was disobedient and consulted with occult mediums and was thus rejected by God because any rebellion against God and His Word is evil. Rebellion and disobedience lead us straight into the devil’s playground and we open the door for him to enter in to our lives and wreak havoc.

Proverbs 17:11

Evildoers foster rebellion against God;

the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Now, getting back to today’s Church, and here I’m referring to the Church as individual believers (including myself) and in its corporate state, various congregations in various Towns and Cities across the world.

What has happened in the Church say, over the last seventy years or so. What type of ‘movements’ have emerged.

The Prosperity Movement and other such deceptions

Generally speaking, and in a nutshell this movement preaches, “Come to God, give your life to Jesus and you will gain wealth and your troubles will be over.” This movement came to prominence from the 1950’s and, by far, is still the most prevalent to this day because of its appearance of Christianity. 

It encompasses many of the so called ‘mega’ churches and focuses on creating wealth through various ministries and preaches a false doctrine of wordly wealth.

In many of the,se mega Churches lead pastors have gleaned $millions to splash on themselves with lavish and very often lascivious lifestyles and have led many unsuspecting people astray.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God has nothing against money or Christians becoming money rich, but he does have a problem when the sole motivation in our Christian walk is money and when we accumulate that money by deceiving and manipulating others to give you theirs! God will supply all your needs even when you don’t have money.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:24 (AMP)

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

1 Timothy 6:10 (AMP)

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

2 Timothy 3:2-6 (AMP)

2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

These false teachings are always accompanied by their brothers and sisters like New Age teachings, Yoga practices, Wicca, so called Christian Dream Interpretation and many more. All of them are deceptions and lies designed by the evil one to infiltrate the Church. They all subtly lead the unwise believer astray and all of them are contrary to the Word of God, the Bible. Most of them will take money from you.

When we deviate from preaching the Word of God, we are being disobedient, and when we disobey God we are in rebellion and we open ourselves up to demonic infiltration. The Bible (the Word of God) teaches that God sees rebellion as sinful as witchcraft (see 1 Samuel 15:23 above). It is through false teaching that witchcraft and its associated occult practices has infiltrated today’s Church. It is impossible for anyone to call themselves a born-again Christian and preach, teach, prophesy and practice what is contrary to the Word of God!

Dream interpreters will sell you cards that will help you interpret your dreams thus negating your need to ask God for yourself. These cards are akin to tarot cards and are just another form of witchcraft. They will tell you what different colours and animals mean in your dreams and what seeing different persons mean – this is all rubbish. 

None of this is found in the Bible! If you feel you need to know what your dream means, go to God and Him alone! Most dreams that people have are merely a sign that one’s mind is not completely at rest – nothing more and nothing less! Does God give us dreams, yes, He does but he will also give their meaning to you as well.

The only time in the Bible where God gave somebody else the interpretation of a another’s dream was to Daniel for Nebuchadnezzar and to Joseph for the wine taster the baker and for Pharaoh, all of whom where unbelievers and thus not walking in the Spirit. All the interpretations were designed to turn the eyes of the pagan world to God’s sovereignty over all the earth and to show them to that God will bring his people into positions of power in Christ Jesus for the purpose of saving His people!

There are no good witches – Wicca is from the devil, just study your Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit.

Do not even associate with things that stem from false religions. Many Christians believe that it is OK to do Yoga stretch exercises and leave out the pagan spirituality of Yoga. No, you can’t Church – what does light have to do with darkness. Yoga is the evangelistic arm of Hinduism, just look at how it has been embraced by an unbelieving world!.

2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Many deceived people say that you can still be a Christian and practice witchcraft, which is false. It’s so sad that now there is witchcraft in the church and so-called men of God are allowing this to happen. Even today’s worship in song has become entertainment cloned on the way the world does things and has been turned into a multi-million dollar money making industry!

Church don’t come with fancy words, programmes and concerts! I have nothing against praise and worship in our celebrations of Christ – but let it be to lead us into God’s presence and not just to entertain and tickle our flesh! Just preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

The Church needs to repent from bringing worldly practices into our services and for allowing error to be preached from the pulpit! And for allowing ourselves to be aligned with occult practices, false teachers, false prophets and false doctrines! Anything that is contrary to the Word of God is a false doctrine!

1 Corinthians 2:2 (AMP)

For I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].

Wake up you foolish Church for who has bewitched you? False prophets and teachers who preach on how to gain worldly wealth, wealth that feeds the flesh instead of how to store up treasure in heaven, the treasure that feeds the spirit!

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Prayer:
O Lord, protect me from evil, I pray, and keep me on the path of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Lord, do not let me be led astray by the lies of Satan through false teachers, preachers, prophets and doctrines. Let your Word be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Lead my feet through the narrow gate and help me to keep on the narrow path. Give me wisdom, Lord. I pray and a discerning spirit that I my test every spirit to see what is good and pleasing to you that I may be led by your Holy Spirit and bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen.

In many of today's traditional, mainline Churches like Roman Catholic and Anglican, the Bible is no longer preached but man-made liturgies and traditions are followed which are contrary to the Word of God and those that follow them and adhere to them are in rebellion to God and are thus perpetrators of witchcraft and occult practices. 

They teach that man is able to forgive sin when the Bible clearly teaches that there is on one way to receive forgiveness of sin and that is through the name of Jesus and there is only one way to pray to the Father and that is in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:11-12 (AMP)

11 This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father

In the name of Jesus I pray that you would teach me your ways and keep me from doing evil. Lord, let me not be led astray by the teachings and traditional church practices created by man. Keep me ever rooted in Your Word and lead me by your Holy Spirit that I may keep on the path of Your will for my life that I may bring glory to Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Last update: 13 February 2023

The Authority of the Believer

Authority! What does this word mean? Just what exactly is the authority the believer has and where does it come from!

Authority: is the right to command and control other people.….collinsdictionary.com

“Authority: the moral or legal right or ability to control.”….dictionary.cambridge.org

The above are two modern day dictionary meanings of the word ‘authority.’

Now, from our Biblical perspective, let’s have a look at the word authority from this scripture verse.

Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

In the verse above the Greek word for ‘authority’ is 'exousia' and its expanded English meaning is: power (of a spiritual nature), authority and weight – (Strongs 1849). It is a moral authority and influence over someone or something.

In this verse Jesus is telling us that the authority he carries over heaven and earth has been given to him by the Father. He carries all authority over everything and everyone including Satan and his followers and including the elements of the earth.

Now, dear reader, bear in mind these words that came from heaven, the very throne room of God, especially the words ‘listen to him’ and let’s be fully obedient to this.

Luke 9:35 (NIV)

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Now, where do we as Christians (the Church) fit in to God’s authority plan for us in Christ Jesus? Hear the Word of God!

Luke 10:19 (NIV)

I (Jesus) have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Similar verses occur in Mark’s gospel as well – Mk 3:15; 6:7.

In the verse above Jesus tells us that he has delegated some of His authority to us so that we can trample on ‘snakes and scorpions’ and to me this is an allegorical reference to Satan and his demonic followers. And not only are we able to trample on them but we will also be able to overcome all Satan’s power as well, and we will not be harmed if we belong to Jesus and we are led by the Holy Spirit!

We are overcomers of this world in Christ Jesus!

1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

My question now, dear readers, is: Why isn’t the Church today doing this? And a wrong answer would be: “Because it was only for the disciples at that time.”

The Bible addresses the Church throughout the ages. It is a living word because Jesus is the Word and became flesh to walk among us and to sacrifice His life for our salvation and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!

John 1:14 (NIV

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

So, because of this we carry that same authority to this very hour. Why aren’t we using it? All we have to do is submit ourselves to God and resist the devil.

James 4:7 (AMP)

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

So, are you fully submitted to God? Is every area of your life submitted to him? If you are holding anything back from Him, I suggest that your release it right now, especially if it is unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment towards anybody!

Are you dressed in the full armour of God and are you living your life in the Spirit?

Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Ephesians 4:10-12 (NIV)

10 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.

Church! Let’s get ourselves dressed in the full armour of God, fully immerse ourselves in the Holy Spirit and be obedient to His Word in every way! This way we will be a formidable army and will be overcomers in Christ Jesus! We carry the full authority of the Lord with us wherever we go!

Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood (see Eph 4:12 above) so if there is somebody you know or many somebodies who are rubbing you up the wrong way, be aware that the true enemy is Satan, and he could very well be using them to upset your peace and entice you into sin! 

As a believer you need to always be aware of this. Know that your enemy is Satan, not your neighbour, and he uses people for evil – this is why Jesus says this:

Matthew 5:43-45

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Many Christians have adopted a worldly view of things – and here I mean worldly as opposed to the Kingdom of God of which we (believers) are citizens. Many Christians do not realize the spiritual implication behind what is going on in their lives. 

As born-again Christians we are in the world but not of the world. Those that do not live life in the Spirit (read Romans 8), think most everything they encounter on a daily basis is either physical or natural. But in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit – we are supernatural beings!

The truth is, there is a battle raging every single day in the spiritual realm. That battle is for your heart, your mind and your very life and also the hearts and minds and lives of every other person on earth. God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to influence people and draw them toward righteousness and toward Himself, to live consistent with Him so that His blessings can be manifest in their lives.

Satan, on the other hand, is waging all-out war trying to steal the hearts and minds of people away from God. He wants to fill their hearts with his lies and corruption. And honestly, although most Christians recognize this to a degree, I don’t think they fully realize how intense the warfare really is and how much their spiritual inaction only assists the Devil! The Devil’s best friend is not an active sinner but and inactive Christian!

When we attribute much of what is happening to circumstances and therefore passively accept what comes our way. We are actually just ignoring the intense battle that is being waged against us by Satan for our lives. Satan is a liar, a thief and a murderer - he is the father of lies!

John 10:10 (AMP)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

1 John 1:8 (NIV)

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (AMP)

8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]

The choices you make, the things you say, the actions you take or don't take, and what you believe about what is happening around you determines whether God or Satan dominates in your life. Satan cannot control you outside of your will. For those who are in Christ Jesus he cannot do anything without your cooperation and consent. Christians need to be living their lives in the Spirit, not in the flesh. But you need to recognize that you are in a daily battle.

To live your life in the flesh is not pleasing to God!

Romans 8:5 (NKJV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Many people choose not to believe that we are in a spiritual battle, but whether they believe it or not, the fact of the matter is that the battle is taking place daily. Your unwillingness to engage in battle doesn’t mean that the battle isn’t raging; it just means you’re going to lose. 

But once you realize the battle is real, you can then learn to recognize what is going on and take the proper action to improve your situation in Christ Jesus. You can resist the devil and he will flee as long as you are fully submitted to God.

Church, take up the authority you have in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit and fight the good fight, resist the Devil with all your God-given might through Christ Jesus!

James 4:7-10 (AMP)

7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us further of our supernatural battle against evil.

Ephesians 6:10-15 (NKJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

These verses refer to Satan’s demonic powers and how we can combat him by putting on the whole armour of God. There’s a chain of command, and an authority structure in Satan’s kingdom. These verses list the different levels. Notice that it says you are not wrestling against flesh and blood. Much that goes on in your life is not just circumstance, much of it is demonic activity and influence.

Ephesians 6:14-18 (NKJV)

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

It is not the person sitting next to you at work, it’s not your neighbour, and it’s certainly not your husband or your wife or any other human being that’s the problem. 

Anyone who is not spiritually aware can be influenced and inspired and used of Satan to come against you. If you were to recognize that, it would make a huge difference in the way you respond to them and the way you can overcome the situation in Christ Jesus. Our spiritual battle in this world requires us to be living life in the Spirit so that evil can be discerned by the believer and effectively resisted.

The fact of the matter is that people are being influenced and controlled and used by the devil—they really are. This needs to be said because a lot of Christians don’t believe it. Jesus himself gave us fair warning about the amount of demonic activity there is in the world and how it affects all of us, it even brings sickness!

Mark 16:17-18 (NIV)

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Matthew 17:15-18 (NIV)

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Matthew 17:19-20a (NIV)

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith.

Jesus wouldn’t tell us to cast out demons if they were not a real threat and they didn’t exist – they are a threat and they do exist. Just look at the world around you. The evil that men do is controlled by Satanic influence! We, as the Church and as individual believers, need to have faith! We need to put our faith into action and emulate Jesus. We can do this for He has given us the authority to do so. Faith without action is dead and without faith it is impossible to please God!

James 2:14-17 (AMP)

14 What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] 15 If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? 17 So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Dear reader, I would strongly recommend that you read the entire chapters of James 2 and Hebrews 11.

A lot of people honestly think I’m is a little over the top. They think they don’t need to respond to people in a spiritual way. But I can guarantee you that there are times when Satan is speaking directly to you through people. He is using people to get at you. Whether you recognize it or not, this goes on much more than you know. You are in a spiritual war.

You won’t believe how many church leaders I have heard say, “You can’t look for demons behind every tree”, as I’ve watched their eyes glaze over with unbelief.

Deliverance, these days, does not form part of many Church’s ministry! These days Church leaders are afraid to confront the Devil head on because of unbelief and fear, fear of upsetting their congregations – fear of man! This renders their Church’s life ineffective in many ways and stunts personal spiritual growth in their congregation and stunts Kingdom growth in their sphere of influence.

One of the first things Jesus said to his disciples and close followers when he delegated his authority to them was, “Cast out demons and heal the sick.” This still applies to today’s Church because if you look around you and see what’s going on, you will see the world is still an evil place with people doing evil things and sickness of all kinds growing exponentially. 

Sin has increased over the years not decreased. Why do you think this is – more and more demonic activity and the Devil enticing man to sin! Where does the evil that men do come from? Certainly not from God! A demon behind every tree seems quite feasible from where I stand!

Matthew 10:8 (NIV)

7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

There is a supernatural war waging today for your heart and mind and your very life and the lives of your loved ones. In fact, for some of you right now, the devil is trying to oppose the words you are reading right now. He wants to discredit them and cause you to ignore or reject them. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is bearing witness in your heart and trying to get you to open up and receive these words. It’s spiritual warfare!

Satan wants your mind, read my blog of the same title on the link below:

https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/01/satan-wants-your-mind.html

To win in this war, you must know who you are in Christ Jesus and the authority you have as a believer. You have the power and authority to do it, and now is the time to use it as the days are evil and are just getting worse.

Don’t be afraid to use the authority Christ has given you for he has promised that nothing will harm you (see Luke 10:19 above) but do make sure that you are living life in the Spirit and be led by Him alone – the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Only by living life in the Spirit will we be able to bring glory to Jesus!

Romans 8:8-9 (NIV)

8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
In Jesus’ name I declare your majesty and your sovereignty over my life. I thank you, Lord, that you are my Saviour and that apart from you I can do nothing. I pray, Lord, that today you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and protect me and my family from the evil one. Help me, O Lord, to fearlessly take up the authority you have given me through your word and to take my place in your army as a spiritual warrior. Increase my measure of faith I pray. O Lord, that I may imitate you in all things as the Apostle Paul did. Not to my glory Lord, but to yours. Help me Lord to reach the lost to cast out demons and heal the sick in the power of the Holy Spirit and let me bring glory to your name. Amen.

All glory, honour and praise belongs to Jesus!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no excuse for you not reading and studying the Bible for yourself My word is flawed, the Bible is not!

Last update: 22 January 2024

The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Rapture

The Rapture, End Times and the second coming of Jesus, these terms have always held me in a certain state of wondrous mystery and even a little trepidation, especially in my early walk with the Lord.

What does it all mean?

What’s it all about?

What’s going to happen to the Church?

What’s going to happen to my family and I?

Will we (the Church) go through the tribulation?

These are some of the questions that have buzzed through my mind from time to time. Fortunately for us the Bible has the answer to all our questions. The Holy Spirit reveals all things to us and reminds us of what the scriptures say. But we do need to know the Bible for ourselves, please read and study as often as you can!

Ok so what is the purpose and function of the Holy Spirit in the Rapture?

Let’s start off with one of my favourite passages of scripture from the Old Testament and scripture that I regularly pray into being and scripture that we all know so well:

Joel 2:28-32 (NIV)

28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.

29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

32 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said,even among the survivors

whom the Lord calls..

This passage of scripture was also quoted by the Apostle Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21.

I also believe that God will pour out his Spirit like this in the last days to prepare His Church for the rapture, when those that belong to Him and that are still alive here upon earth will be taken up into the clouds as Jesus comes with a loud trumpet blast. Come, Lord Jesus! Come! Preparing us for the rapture is one of most important functions of the Holy Spirit in the ‘End Times’.

Now is the time (today) for the Church to stand up in faith and fully embrace the Holy Spirit in all his fullness. It is time for each and every believer to immerse himself in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is time for each and every believer to eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit especially the gift of prophecy so that we can build up and edify each other to do the works that God has predestined us to do. Now is the time for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in us and through us to a dying world!

It is time for each and every believer to walk in the Spirit every minute of every day and allow him to take complete control of our lives so that the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in us and through us at all times.

It is time for healings and the casting out of demons, miracles, signs and wonders, to follow us everywhere we go! It is time for the Church to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and win the lost to salvation in Christ Jesus – IT IS TIME FOR THE LAST AND GREATEST HOLY SPIRIT REVIVAL so that the Church will be cleansed and ready for the coming of the Lord, whether He comes now, next week, next year or in the next 100 years. This will only be done through Spirit filled believers moving in His power and His strength! This will glorify the name of Jesus!

Now is the time for the army of God to be mobilised and to put on the full armour of God and ward off the attack of the enemy in these turbulent times!

It is time for the Church to be ready and waiting for the trumpet blast and the coming of the Lord in the sky at any time.

Church! Keep your lamps burning and never let them go out! It is time for all born again believers to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit and live in a state of permanent revival.

Ephesians 5 :18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Let’s take heed of the mystery that Paul tells us about in 1 Corinthians and be ready for the final trumpet blast of the Lord:

1 Corinthians 15:51-56 (NIV)

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Rapture - the time when we will hear the trumpet blast of the Lord and we will see him coming on the clouds. The dead in Christ will rise first and then we will be caught up in the clouds with him. The Holy Spirit will complete his work in us and then Jesus returns for us at the Rapture. Our earthly bodies will be changed in the twinkling of an eye to our resurrection (glorified) bodies by the power of the Holy Spirit. Resurrection bodies will also be given to the dead that rise in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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 word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter by Jesus and the Greek word for comforter is ‘paraklétos’ and has the expanded meaning of counsellor, helper, encourager and advocate. This expanded meaning of the Holy Spirit along with the many spiritual names he has in the Bible like, power of God, fire of God, creative power etcetera, builds for us a picture of strength and comfort that every believer must tap into every day, let alone in the last days.

We can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us. How does he strengthen us? By the power of his Holy Spirit of course, that is why the Lord sent the Comforter to us. We can all tap into the full power of God in Christ Jesus and all we have to do is appropriate it in belief and walk in faith as Abraham did, as Paul did and as Jesus himself did!

It was the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and it is the Holy Spirit that will do the same for his followers at the Lord’s Rapture for those who have fallen asleep. Paul wrote about this in the book of Romans.

Romans 8:11 (NIV)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Prophecies of the Rapture from the New Testament
In John 14 we see Jesus talking to the disciples just be before he is arrested, and he is telling them that he has to go away to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house – which to me speaks of heaven as that is where God dwells. The Lord then goes on to say to the disciples that because he is preparing a place for them in heaven it stands to reason that he will come back to fetch them – this to me speaks of the Rapture. What do you think?

John 14:2-4 (NIV

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Now it appears that the disciples seemed to have some trouble in understanding what the Lord meant as Thomas in verse 5 says, “Lord we don’t know where you are going so how can we get there?”

John 14:5 (NIV)

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus’ response to Thomas and the disciples is that they know that the only way to the Father is through him.

John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

This response still doesn’t seem to clear things up for the disciples as Philip asks, in verse 8, the Lord to show them the Father.

John 14:8 (NIV)

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Now this statement from Philip seems to exasperate the Lord just a little bit as he says in verse 9 words to this effect, “Philip, I’ve been with you for all this time and you still don’t know me?” He then goes on to tell them the things that he has told them many times before over the past three years. But strangely enough he doesn’t explain any further about the place he is preparing for them and coming back for them to take them there!

One other thing of significance that he does say though in verse 26 is that the Holy Spirit, when the Father sends him to them, will teach them many things and that he will remind them of everything he (Jesus) has taught them and everything he has said to them.

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, 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.

It is not until a few years after the Lord’s ascension into heaven that we get a fuller picture of what the Rapture will entail. We get this enlightenment through the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonian Church.

Let’s have a look at the scripture in 1 Thessalonians 4 again, shall we?

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 (NIV)

14 For 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 word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

So, in the above verses Paul gives us a pretty clear picture of what will happen when the Lord comes for his Church, most commonly known as the Rapture. Let’s put the happenings down in bullet point form:

• The dead in Christ shall rise first, including Jesus’ twelve disciples.

• Then the Church, the ones that are alive on earth at the time, will be taken to meet the Lord in the air.

• He also tells us to encourage one another with these words.

Preparing our incorruptible bodies, resurrecting the dead and transporting us to meet the Lord in the clouds, is all the work of the Holy Spirit. This is confirmed by Paul himself in the book of Philippians.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

In the above verses Paul reveals to us that at the Rapture our earthly bodies will be transformed by the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit into our heavenly bodies to be caught up with Jesus in the clouds ready to go with him into heaven – see John 14:2-4 again, where Jesus tells the disciples that he is returning to the Father in heaven and that his Father’s house (heaven) has many mansions and that he is preparing a place for us – his Church, when he comes for us at the Rapture.

Now there are different schools of thought about the Rapture brought about by many learned Bible Scholars over the centuries, right through to today. There are different answers put forward to the questions:

• Does the Rapture and the second coming of Jesus take place at the same time?

• Will born again believers that are alive at the time have to go through the Tribulation or will they be Raptured before?

• Will the Rapture take place before the Tribulation, halfway through or at the end?

As I’ve said before, I’m no bible scholar, I’m just a born again believer that loves Jesus and wants everything that He intends me to have and serve Him on the path that the Father has willed for my life.

Personally, from my understanding of scripture, I believe the rapture will take place before the tribulation. Why on earth would our Heavenly Father want His children to suffer through the tribulation! The tribulation is a judgement of God for those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour at the point of the Church’s rapture.

Matthew 24:40-42 (NIV)

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come

What I want to encourage my readers to do is to live life in the Spirit as Paul encourages us to do in Romans 8 and be ready right now to be Raptured.

Are you ready? Are you walking in the Spirit? Are you living your life on the path that the Father has predestined for you right now? Are you ready for the Rapture?

Remember your life is all about Jesus!

We belong to Him!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father
I pray that you will fill me with your Holy Spirit and keep on filling me. I pray that in the power of your Holy Spirit that you would help me to walk on the path that is your will for my life. I pray that you would show me and help me to do the works that you have predestined me to do before I was born. Help me, O Lord, to live life in the Spirit always that I may bring glory to your name, the name of Jesus. Bless me. O Lord, that I may be a blessing to others. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Acts 4:12 (NIV)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Hell Is A Real Place!

Over my many years of being a born-again Christian I have heard many people preaching and teaching about Heaven but not very many preaching and teaching on Hell. In fact, I can’t even remember when I last heard anybody preach on Hell! I wonder why that is?

I suspect it’s probably because most congregants only want to hear about nice things and Hell is certainly not a nice place to be! When Christians talk about God’s love its always about his loving kindness and the fact that Jesus died for our sins because of his great love for us. And this is all good and very true!

But there is another side to God’s love that is also not much talked and preached about, and that is God’s discipline. I believe that when we talk about God’s love it is imperative that we talk about every aspect of God’s love equally and discipline is a characteristic of His love that we all need to heed as well as embrace. We all like sheep have gone astray and even in my walk as a born-again Christian I still need to tow the line and walk in integrity and in the truth of his Word! Amen?

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."

Proverbs 3:12 (NIV)

because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

So, in the two verses above we are told that God disciplines his children, those he loves. Now something many of us seem to forget is that only those of us who are born-again, those who have confessed their sins, have repented of them, and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, can be called God’s children.

John 1:12 (NIV)

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

From this we see that once we are saved (born-again) we become God’s children and he disciplines us in his great love, grace and mercy. Those who are not saved he does not discipline as they are not called his children and they carry on sinning without any advocacy (anyone to defend them) through Jesus as we who are born-again do! Because of their rebellion against God, they dig their own grave, so to speak!

1 John 2:1 (NIV)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

The Greek word for advocate in the above verse is ‘parakletos’ and this is how Strong’s concordance describes it: “3875 paráklētos (from 3844 /pará, "from close-beside" and 2564 /kaléō, "make a call") – properly, a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because they are close enough to the situation. Paráklētos ("advocate, advisor-helper") is the regular term in New Testament times of an attorney (lawyer) – i.e. someone that stands up in court to defend another. 

After reading the above explanation of the word ‘advocate’ you should have guessed by now that we are talking about the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Jesus! Jesus – the Righteous One.

Romans 8:9 (NIV)

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Those who are yet unsaved do not belong to Christ and anyone who does not belong to Christ belongs to the Devil! The sins of the children of God, past, present and future sins, are covered by the blood of the lamb. So, although God so loves the World, only those that are fully repentant from the heart and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will enter the Kingdom of God. 

Everybody else consigns themselves to Hell as, even though their sin has been covered by the blood of Jesus and no matter how ‘good’ they perceive themselves to be, they have not accepted the gift of salvation by rejecting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour! No sin can enter heaven, heaven is a place reserved for the righteous in Christ Jesus!

God wants everyone to be saved but the freewill choice to accept salvation in Christ Jesus lies solely with man! We chose Heaven or Hell!

Having cleared that up, let’s get back to our topic of ‘Hell is a real place.’

Revelation 20:10 (NIV)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

What does Jesus tell us about Hell?

In the parable of the sheep and goats – Matthew 25:31-46 - Jesus tells us that we will all face judgement but those of us who have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour (the sheep – repentant sinners) will go to Heaven and those that do not know Jesus (the goats – unrepentant sinner) will go to Hell.

Matthew 25:41 (NIV – brackets are mine)

“Then he will say to those on his left (the goats), ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:46 (NIV – brackets are mine)

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment (the goats), but the righteous to eternal life (the sheep).”

Jesus speaks of Hell, so we had better believe that it is a real place just as Heaven is, as everything that was created was created through Jesus and for Jesus. Jesus is our everything!

Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hell is a place of eternal suffering and separation from God (spiritual death) and was created by God through Jesus for the devil and all his followers both human and angelic. It is a place of weeping and sorrow!

Matthew 13:40-43 (AMP)

40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

Hell, or the lake of fire, will also be the destination for those who reject Christ – Satan and all who follow him.

2 Peter 2:4-10b (AMP)

4 For if God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but threw them into hell and sent them to pits of gloom to be kept [there] for judgment; 5 and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men 8 (for that just man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by what he saw and heard of their lawless acts), 9 then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority.

Those who are disobedient to the teachings and commands in the Bible and reject Jesus will go to Hell! This is a fact, for if you are not for God then you are against him just as Satan is, there is no grey areas in Christianity. 

Many people today perceive themselves to be ‘good people’ and they probably are good people and do good things, but unless they are born-again, have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, they will not go to heaven. Their good works are like filthy rags in God’s eyes because they have rejected Jesus! It is only by accepting Jesus that we receive our righteousness - our right standing and reconciliation with God!

Matthew 12:30 (NIV)

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)

All of us have become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all shrivel up like a leaf,

and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

All of us have sinned that is why we need a Saviour. God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be our saviour He is the only one through whom we have salvation and can be thus reconciled with God! 

If we don’t accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, our sin remains upon us and we thus consign ourselves to Hell, everlasting separation from God our creator.

Romans 3:23-26

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The Bible tells us that we will all stand before God and face judgement for the things we have done, good and bad. Judgement day is not a trial it is a day of sentencing!

2 Cor 5:10 (AMP)

For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the] judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour from the heart and are not just paying lip service (the lukewarm), spend eternity in Heaven and those that reject Jesus will spend eternity in Hell.

Rev 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

God has shown His love for man by sending His Son to die for their sins -- to take our punishment -- so that we can go to heaven. The judgment of hell is for those who refuse to accept God's love and forgiveness through Christ Jesus.

God is a God of holiness and justice as well as a God of love. These moral attributes are complementary, not contradictory. When the laws of God are disobeyed there must be a judgement. God's laws demand that sin must be paid for. God can still love someone, but He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. This is the reason that Jesus Christ came to earth, to die for the sins of the world - without the shedding of blood their can be no forgiveness - Jesus shed His blood for us so that we can be forgiven for our sins!

Prayer: 

Dear Heavenly Father

I thank you that you sent your son to die for my sins and that his blood covers me with salvation - Jesus is my Saviour! Thank you Jesus that through your sacrifice for me on the Cross at Calvary, I receive eternal life and reconciliation with God. Thank you Lord that you have saved me from eternal damnation in Hell! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus – the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no excuse for not reading and studying the Bible for yourself! My words are flawed - the Word of God is not!

Last updated: 4 December 2023.