What Do You Love

“All those that hate me love death” . God is so just that He gives to everyone that which he loves. If you love His Son Jesus, you will receive the salvation He has provided for you. If you love that which is against God, you will receive death, hell and the grave.

The full verse represented above is: “But whoever fails to find (who miss me , sins against me) me harms himself (Wrongeth his own soul); all who hate me love death (all hating me have loved death )." “Wrongeth his own soul - It is not Satan, it is not sin, properly speaking, that hurts him; it is himself. If he received the teaching of God, sin would have no dominion over him; if he resisted the devil, the devil would flee from him. Love death - They do it in effect, if not in fact, for as they love sin, that leads to death, so they may be justly said to love death, the wages of sin. He that works in this case, works for wages; and he must love the wages, seeing he labors so hard in the work”.

God is love. He is the author of all creation, including you. He also created Lucifer: not as Satan, but as an angel of light. Because God told Lucifer to serve man, Lucifer rebelled (much in the same way we do today) because he felt he was superior to man, and was created before man. The poor little fellows self esteem was injured. Satan wants to be worshiped by man, as those who know the truth (and don’t ignore it) worship God. Satan is the author of lies, confusion, deception, blasphemy, lawlessness, counterfeit miracles, counterfeit signs and wonders, theft, murder and destruction. He is the one who “roams through the earth and goes back and forth in it’ looking for anything he can find, to present to God, that would show us in a bad light. In other words he is the accuser of man, before God.

What does God say about His grace, His love and His salvation? “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the Lord, who is my refuge— then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation’.”

If you don’t believe in God and His salvation through Jesus, why do you want to keep on living? Is it simply that you don’t want to start your stint in Hell with all its fire and brimstone? Is it that you can’t believe God loves you and therefore you reject Him? God says He loves you and He weeps whenever a soul is lost to the wiles of Satan.

“All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Jesus said: "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts.” “All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” We are distracted daily by the things of this world; this is in addition to being tempted by the evil one.

How do we know that God loves us? How do we know that God only wants the best for us? Because God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but rather to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him, and receives Him as Lord and Savior, is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Therein lies the choice. If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” . God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Because of us, Christ was tortured, beaten and hung on a cross. He did this because He loved you enough to save you from what you deserve. Isn’t it about time you loved Him enough to say thank you? Now is the time to evaluate your life. Now is the time for salvation. What is it you love, if not Christ?

Rick Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

Heaven

           While studying the Bible, Everyman’s Talmud, Bible concordances and the internet, I find the general consensuses, in Judaism and Christianity, is that there are seven levels of Heaven. I present a lot of information here that is new to most of us, and confusing to many. A lot of this information is somewhat repetitious.  This is not done for emphasis, but to be conclusive. Suffice it to say; if you have a personal relationship with Jesus, and He is your Savior, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  That is the only Heaven I am interested in getting to. 

Shamayim (שאמאיים) is the Hebrew word for Heaven or Heavens.  In Rabbinical literature the Shamayim contains the following levels -

Vilon (וילון), first, contains the physical world. Gabriel is the angel in charge.

Raki'a (רקיע), second, ‘It is the home of sinners who are waiting for Judgment Day. Some of the fallen angels are held here’[1].  Raphael is the angel in charge.   

Shehaqim (שחקים), third, the angel ‘Baradiel is in charge of the third heaven. The southern half of this heaven contains the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. 300 angels of light protect them. The northern half of the third heaven could not be more different, as it contains Hell. Not surprisingly, some of the fallen angels are held here’[2].

Zebul (זבול), forth, contains the temple and alter of God.  Michael is the angel in charge.

Ma'on (מעון), fifth, ‘most sources say that Zadkiel rules the fifth heaven. (Some accounts give this task to Sandalphon.) Some of the fallen angels are held here (as well as in the second and third heavens).’[3]

Machon (מכון), sixth, ‘Zebul rules the sixth heaven at night and Sabath rules during the daytime hours. All the celestial records are kept here, and choirs of angels endlessly study them.’[4]

Araboth (ערבות), seventh, God, the throne, the Seraphim, and Cherubim are here. The Archangel Cassiel has been put in charge here.

          ‘There are at least three different Shamayim or "heavens" in the bible: 1) The atmosphere where birds fly and clouds wander above the earth; 2) The heaven where the celestial bodies wander (wandering stars = planets) and stars reside; 3) The heaven where God and "the hosts of heaven" reside.’[5]

“Christians, Jews and Muslims all believe in heaven. Apocalyptic accounts of heaven range from one heaven to ten, but most agree on seven[6], probably because of the seven visible planets. The tradition of seven heavens probably originated in Mesopotamia 7,000 years ago.

FIRST HEAVEN: The first heaven contains the physical world. It is ruled by Gabriel, and is home to all the angels connected with the natural phenomena of the universe

SECOND HEAVEN: The second heaven is ruled by Raphael. It is the home of sinners who are waiting for Judgment Day. Some of the fallen angels are held here.

THIRD HEAVEN: Baradiel is in charge of the third heaven. The southern half of this heaven contains the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. 300 angels of light protect them. The northern half of the third heaven could not be more different, as it contains Hell. Not surprisingly, some of the fallen angels are held here.

FOURTH HEAVEN: The fourth heaven is ruled by Michael. It contains the Holy Temple and the Altar of God.

FIFTH HEAVEN: Most sources say that Zadkiel rules the fifth heaven. (Some accounts give this task to Sandalphon.) Some of the fallen angels are held here (as well as in the second and third heavens).

SIXTH HEAVEN: Zebul rules the sixth heaven at night and Sabath rules during the daytime hours. All the celestial records are kept here, and choirs of angels endlessly study them.

SEVENTH HEAVEN: Archangel Cassiel rules the seventh heaven. God, the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones live here.” [7]

 “According to Jewish teachings in the Talmud, the universe is made of seven heavens (Shamayim) as below^:

1.     Vilon (וילון), Also see (Isa 40:22)also called "arafel" see Even-Shushan dictionary

2.     Raki'a (רקיע), Also see (Gen 1:17)

3.     Shehaqim (שחקים), See (Ps 78:23, Midr. Teh. to Ps. xix. 7)

4.     Zebul (זבול), See (Isa 63:15, I Kings 8:13)

5.     Ma'on (מעון), See (Deut 26:15, Ps 42:9)

6.     Machon (מכון), See (1 Kings 7:30, Deut 28:12)

7.     Araboth (ערבות), the seventh Heaven where ofanim, the seraphim, and the hayyoth and the throne of the Lord are located.”[8]

“The Jewish Merkavah and Heichalot literature was devoted to discussing the details of these heavens, sometimes in connection with traditions relating to Enoch, such as the Third Book of Enoch.^” 

"It is the place of Gahanna or Hell, 'a land of draught and of the shadow of death' (Jer. ii, 1). It is mystically referred to in the words, 'and darkness was upon the face of the deep' (Gen. i, 2), alluding to Zia, the abode of Hell and of the Angel of death, and is so called because the faces of those who are banished there become blackened on account of their wicked lives when on earth. The earth of Nesia is that the inhabitants of which become oblivious of the past; whereas, in that of Bohu, the faculty of memory is vivid and active."

Said Rabbi Hiya: "The word Bohu denotes the earth, Gia, whilst the words, 'and the spirit of Alhim moved upon the face of the waters,' designate that of Thebel, which is nourished and sustained by the spirit of Alhim, as is also Aretzs, our own abode of earthly existence, which is circumscribed and surrounded by seven spheres analogous to those of the celestial world, all of them being under the domination and control of their particular lords and guardians. The seven spheres of the celestial world are prototypes of those that surround our world and are inhabited by angelic beings that sing the praises of the Holy One, and use their own individual forms of worship. Their rank and order are indicated by the sphere they occupy.

"The first of these higher or celestial spheres and nearest to the earth, is altogether void of light and is the abode of angels who are like tempestuous winds, never seen, but felt, and are always invisible as they are void of light and darkness and undistinguished by any color. They are wholly without self-consciousness and without form or shape. Its chief and ruler is an angel named Tahariel, who has under him seventy subordinates. Their motion is manifested by the glittering of fiery sparks, the appearance and disappearance of which constitute day and night.”[9]

"The second celestial sphere is distinguished from the first by the possession of a modicum of light, and is inhabited by angels appointed to watch over humanity and guide it into the path of uprightness whenever there is danger of its falling into error and wrong doing. When righteousness prevails in the world, they are filled with joy and delight. Their chief and ruler is called Qadmiel. When Israel commences its worship of the Holy One, they then manifest and make themselves visible in forms of intense brightness, and three times daily they bless and hallow the divine name. When they observe Israel studying and meditating on the law or secret doctrine, they ascend on high before the Holy One, who takes account of what they have seen and heard.

"The third celestial sphere is pervaded and filled with fire and flames. In it the fiery river Nahar dinur takes its rise and flows into Gehenna, overwhelming and engulphing in its course those mortals whose lives on earth were given up and addicted to evil and wrongdoing. Over these are placed destroying and tormenting angels, also accusing angels who, however, have no power or influence over Israel when it repents and does what is just and right. The abode of their chief is on the left side of this sphere in which darkness prevails, as it is written, 'and darkness was upon the face of the waters.' It is also the abode of Samael, the angel of darkness, the great transgressor.

"The Fourth celestial region is splendidly luminous, being the abode of angelic beings of great honor and dignity who, unlike those of the first sphere, begin and finish their worship of the Holy One without interruption. They are not subject to any change or declension, being angels of mercy and compassion of whom scripture speaks 'Who maketh his angels as the wind, and his messengers as flames of fire' (Ps. civ. 4). Their great mission work is on the plane of human existence and are invisible save in visions of the night, or on extraordinary occasions according to the degree of intelligence of those to whom they manifest themselves. Their great chief is named Padiel by whose orders they hold the key and open the gates of mercy through which pass the prayers and supplications of those who sincerely repent and live the Higher and Diviner life.

"The Fifth celestial sphere is one of still greater and more intense light. Therein are angels, some of them ruling over fire, others over water, and are messengers either of mercy or judgment, and as such become manifested as heralds of light or darkness. Their worship of the Holy One takes place at midnight. They are under the control of a chief named Qadashiel. When at midnight the north wind begins to blow, the Holy One, blessed be He, enters the garden of Eden and holds converse with the righteous. Then begin they their service of praise which resounds throughout the whole of this sphere and lasts during the night until daybreak and the sun appears. At that moment these angels join in a grand and glorious song of thanksgiving that peals also from all the hosts of heaven, from angels and archangels, seraphim, cherubim, above and below all uniting in the ascription of blessing and honor, glory and power to Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts that liveth forever and ever; as it is written, 'When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy' (Job. xxxviii. 7). This their great anthem ceases not until Israel begins its song of praise.

"The Sixth celestial Sphere is nearer to the Kingdom of heaven. In it are seas covered with ships, also rivers and lakes abounding in fish. Its denizens are under the rule of presidents, the chief of whom is named Uriel, who enter on their official duties at certain fixed times. When the time arrives for the ships to go south, Michael is their ruler; and when they go north, Gabriel assumes authority and direction; as these two archangels occupy the right and left sides of the Mercaba, or celestial chariot. When, however, the ships go eastward, Raphael rules, and Uriel when they sail westward.

"The Seventh Celestial Sphere is the highest and accessible only to souls of the greatest purity and thus qualified to enter into its joys and delights. None other are found there. In it are laid up treasures of peace, blessings and benefits.

"All these seven spheres are inhabited and filled with beings like in their form to man, who cease not to worship and give thanks to the holy One. None of them, however, are so conversant with the glory of the Holy One as the inhabitants of the sphere of Thebel, who are perfectly pure in body, mind and soul. In the seventh celestial sphere there are those who have attained to the highest degree of holiness as in the seventh sphere belonging to earth below, are found the just with purified bodies. Moreover, above and beyond all these spheres there are seven others the existence of which is a subject of faith and not of experience, and in each of them are spiritual beings of the highest order.

"The first of these mysterious spheres is inhabited by a lofty angel named Rachmiel, who has the charge over those who have forsaken idolatry to become worshippers of the Holy One. By him they are prepared to look in the Luminous Mirror, or Beatific Vision.

"In the second higher sphere dwells Ahinael, who receives under his care all who died ere being initiated in the secret doctrine, and instructs them in its teachings.

"The third is that where abides Adrahinael, a spirit under whose care and guardianship are those who in earth life had resolved to change their evil habits, but being suddenly overtaken by death, were unable to do as they had willed. Such souls find themselves cast first into Gehenna, out of which, however, they are taken by this spirit and prepared for the enjoyment of the divine light emanating from their Lord and Creator, the Holy One. The joys of such souls are inferior to those of others. They are known as 'children of the flesh,' and of them it is written, 'From one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord' (Is. lxvi. 23).

"The fourth of the spheres is inhabited by a spirit named Gadrihael, presiding over all those who were slain by idolaters. His office is to guide them unto the palace of the king clothed in robes of purple, in which their names are inwoven and where they abide until the day when the Holy One shall avenge their sufferings, as it is written: 'Hs shall judge amongst the heathen. He shall fill the places with dead bodies and shall wound the heads of many' (Ps. cx. G.).

"Adiriel is the presiding spirit in the fifth higher sphere and is in charge of those souls who through their lifelong penitence, attained to a high degree of holiness and purity in which they surpass all others, even as their abode excels all others in grandeur and glory.

"All the aforenamed presidents are under the rule and authority of the archangel Michael, captain of the myriad hosts of heaven, whose office it, is to fill with joy and delight the souls of the faithful and true servants of the Lord, by causing them to view and behold the light, clear as crystal, that marks the course of the river of the water of life flowing into the world to come."[10],[11]

          We, who believe in Christ, know that ‘God’s in His Heaven and all is right with the world’.  “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”[12]

Heaven is a wonderful place

Full of glory and grace

I wanna see my Saviors face

Cause Heaven is a wonderful place

I wanna go there.[13]

---

[1] http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/14994

[2] http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/14994

[3] http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/14994

[4] http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/14994

[5] Wikipedia

 

[7] http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/14994

[8] Wikipedia

[9] Page 182, Everyman’s Talmud

[10] Pages 182 to 184, Everyman’s Talmud

[11] Sacred-texts.com

[12] Romans 8:28

[13] Author is Joanne Marxhausen

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

The Importance Of Fearing The Lord

The fear of the Lord is honor and respect for Him. Fearing the Lord becomes more evident in our lives as we submit to His will with the understanding that He alone is worthy of our trust. Trusting Him means that we place Him first, and understand that living our lives in a way that submits our will to Him is the only path that truly sets us free from the law of sin and death, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is true liberty and freedom. True morality can only have a chance of existing when a people put their trust in the one true living God. The breakdown in relationships within the family, countries, and the world can be directly linked to the decline and deterioration of our fear of the Lord. Putting the will of man before the will of God can only result in decay, disaster, and chaos.

Through Moses, God revealed that fearing the Lord was one of the most important pillars of true faith and redemption. Listen to and hear the voice of the Lord in the following scriptures: “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever. … Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: you shall not turn to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all thy ways which the Lord thy God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and it may be well with you ….” (Deut. 5:29, 32, 33) Just take a moment to stop and consider the difference that would be made in your life, family, and world at large if only we would view the leadership of God in our lives as the most precious and valuable treasure that we would ever hope to secure. I don’t mean in a legalistic way of living by a bunch of do’s and don’ts, but rather as a guide, or owner’s manual as I like to view the Bible, that urges us to give no place to the devil, but stay on the straight and narrow path, allowing God to protect us from dangers that lurk and wait to ensnare us at any given moment.

Maybe you didn’t have the chance to experience the protection and love of a truly loving and caring earthly father. Gladly, I can honestly say that I was very blessed in that manner. I don’t leave my mama out in that influential realm. I view my parents as that one protective unit that God joined together to watch over, teach and raise their children. At the same time, I don’t mean to portray them as perfect people either, for they were flawed just as we all are. However, I can say that I was raised with a healthy respect for their authority. Thus, I had a pretty good example on earth that demonstrated the importance of that fear, or respect, as a real and insulating covering that protected me from so many of the dangers and evils so prevalent in the world around me. The times that brought me smack dab into the presence of harm and hurt were the times that I stepped out from under the protection of doing what I was taught to be right. So it is with our heavenly Father.

Look at how He so jealously yearns to watch over and care for us. Listen to His words once again as He says, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever.” Can’t you just hear the love and longing in His voice as He urges His children to listen and follow all that He tells them, desiring to keep them from harm, and provide a shelter of safety to them that they may experience the good life that He would purpose for them to live? God wants to be our safe haven and hiding place in times of trouble. (Psalm 32: 7)

As Christians, we honor our heavenly Father when we take the time daily to renew our minds. By studying His Word we allow the Holy Spirit to exchange or transform our thoughts and ways for the higher thoughts and ways of God. I like the think of it as the process of letting God be my teacher thereby filtering and purifying all that goes in or out. As a mom, I have to go through the refrigerator to throw out the garbage and replace it with new and nourishing items. Additionally, I also have to be leery of what others might try to place or leave in there. Similarly, it exemplifies the dangers of listening to the ways of the world as they try to creep in and transplant its version of truth, endeavoring to replace the truth and wisdom of God. True wisdom is from God. “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov.2: 1 – 6)

Christians perfection is not found in the expectation of becoming flawless, but rather the willingness to change to be more like Jesus each day until we see Him face to face. Christian life involves not just a rebirth, but a daily renewing of your mind by exchanging your thoughts for the thoughts of God as revealed in His Word. As Christians we are admonished “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”(Romans 12:2, 3) We are not to be led by our flesh, or carnal and worldly ways, but according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8: 5-11) God wants us to seek to know Him and be more like him through the power of His Holy Spirit who He has sent to indwell each believer.

No wonder there is a clash of spirits between those who seek to be led by worldly wisdom and those who seek to be led by the one true living God. How are we to distinguish between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”(I John 4: 1-4) Therefore, we should not be surprised when those holding a worldly, or non-biblical points of view, find it difficult to understand our way of thinking. God has already forewarned us as to why they can not ‘hear’ us. “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (I John 4: 5, 6)

Fearing the Lord brings us in line with His holiness as we learn to submit ourselves to His Word and Spirit. What a difference it can make in one’s marriage and family if all are taught to love God first and have no other gods (idols or false gods) before Him. I know without a doubt that the love between my husband and I has been made stronger and more glorious because we have endeavored to exalt Him first in our lives. When we have failed to do so, we have contributed to our own demise, and suffered the consequences of walking in error against God’s will. We tried to bring our children up in the nurture and admonish of the Lord, and pray that the seeds that were planted will bring forth good and lasting fruit in their lives. I urge you to read Deut. 6. O that the fear of the Lord, respecting and honoring Him in all our ways, would transform each of us daily that we would truly walk in the reality of loving the Lord, who then teaches us how to walk in love towards other, while also teaching us to resist the ways of the flesh and the world. Love the Lord our God, and He promises He will never leave or forsake us.

Ginger Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

Rebellion

All too often, present day pastors shrink from preaching the full measure of God’s Word, preferring to speak only about the portions of the Word that would be less confrontational and less likely to stir up feelings of uneasiness or even conviction of sin in our lives. This results in creating a weak body of Christ that seeks to be fed only that which contributes to a “feel good,” or “I’m okay, you’re okay” attitude. Conversely, when I was little, I can remember sermons that made clear the reality of suffering in Hell for eternity for those who reject Christ and choose to continually and willingly disobey God. God’s love was preached, but also His wrath and judgment was also taught. There must be a proportional and balanced understanding of both of these attributes of God’s nature if we are to be truly equipped with the kind of faith that will “endure to the end, even unto death.” We are truly representative of the Laodicean Church of the latter days as described in the Book of Revelations, desiring to hear only those things that
“tickle our ears.” No wonder we have become a body of believers that lacks the power to live lives that visibly give evidence of the holiness and righteousness of the Christ that we profess to believe in and follow. Yet we can not blame this lack of light and salt in our lives entirely upon our pastors, for we are held responsible for our own lack of commitment to study the word of God for ourselves in order to become that ‘workman that need not be ashamed.”

A couple of weeks ago, I felt blessed to receive a teaching by John Hagee that did not shrink from giving a more balanced view of what God truly requires and desires of us if we truly seek to know His will and do that which is pleasing in His sight. I took notes and also added some of my own thoughts and reflections that I now to seek to share with the reader, in hopes that it will help bring light and understanding to others. Even more importantly, I pray that it will inspire others to delve more into the Word of God to draw closer to Him. The following are the notes I took from the sermon:

[I Samuel 15: 23- “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry.” Rebellion is the rejection of the righteous authority of God. Who is the stubborn person? That person is one who will not change his mind or his ways even when the word of God has shed light upon that which is wrong. Why, because then one’s own opinions, or intellectual concepts, have become more valid than the word and wisdom of God, thus making one’s own opinions idols in one’s life. If I choose to hold my own opinions and thoughts in higher regard than my regard for the truth of the word of God, I am then in the state of idolatry to myself. This is intellectual idolatry.

The cardinal mark of a rebel is one who continually finds fault with God’s authority. The Christian is to strive to willingly subject himself (mind, body, and spirit) totally to the will of God. We are to willingly serve God and submit to Him, seeking to be led by the authority of the word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. To subject ourselves to authority of anything or anyone else is to walk in rebellion against God.
We are reminded to acknowledge and equate rebellion as being equal to the sin of witchcraft. Witchcraft is practicing or exerting intimidation and manipulation for the purpose of dominating or controlling another.]

My own further thought upon Pastor Hagee’s sermon led me to read and study further the proper order of the church as described in the Bible which teaches that God has delegated the teaching of His word to His body on Earth via others like preachers, teachers, and various other leaders, but always with the realization that we are never to walk blindly without discernment provided by His word and His Holy Spirit. For example, Pastor Hagee warned against such things as persons who seek to tell others that they must always go to a particular leader before making any decisions, etc. This is not proper delegation of God’s authority, but lies instead within the realm of witchcraft.

We are warned not to receive any other gospel than the gospel of the Biblical Christ and gospel. There are those that seek to water-down, distort, and pervert the word of God and change the Christ into just a prophet, or good teacher, or good man rather than the one and only Son of God. Today there are numerous other gospels being preached, and the Jesus of the Bible is being changed so much that the biblical Jesus is not even known by many who profess to follow Him. Rebellion, witchcraft, deception can only exist in our lives in the measure that is often allowed by ourselves as we refuse to study and subject ourselves to the Lordship of the one true and living God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If it were not possible for believers to be deceived, He would not have told us “Be not deceived.”

God is not a tyrant; neither did he create us to be mindless robots. We can choose to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, accepting His righteous authority over our lives, or we can choose to walk in rebellion exalting ourselves to the position of god in our life. God or Self,
the choice is one or the other. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon (wealth, property, earthly treasure). Mathew 6: 24.

Ginger Rahn

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>