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Chapter Seven
The reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
The test for prophets and their prophecies
Satan's Attempts to Corrupt God's Revivals.
All moves of the Holy Spirit have been accompanied by great efforts on the part of Satan to sidetrack and destroy the work of God. Satan corrupted the religious system of Israel by placing worldly and corrupt religious leaders in charge of Israel's religion. Our Lord said that in His time the Temple had become controlled by men who had determined to make themselves rich out of God's work, and had made the house of prayer a den of robbers. Mt.21v12-16. Both our Lord and Stephen were martyred for their opposition to this corruption; and they said that Israel's leaders had resisted the Holy Spirit and murdered the prophets of God. Mt.23v13-39. Acts.7v51-53. Satan's first aim is to get carnal, unspiritual, power loving, and money hungry men put in charge of God's revivals. In the Old Testament we see a continual conflict between the genuine prophets of God, who prophesied against religious and political corruption, and the false prophets, who backed up corrupt religious and political power structures. Selling the soul to the denominational store has been a fact of Church History.
The Motives of False Prophets and False Teachers are Usually Clear to Discerning Christians.
False prophets have been hired by promises of prestige, security, and financial reward.
Balaam. Numb.22v14-20. 24v11-13. 2Pet.2v1-15. Jezebel's prophets ate at her table. 1Kings.18v19. Tobiah and Sanballat hired Shemaiah, Noadiah, and other prophets to oppose Nehemiah, but without success. Neh.6v10-14.
False prophets usually seek popularity, and prophesy what people want to hear.
Ahab's henchmen tried to bully Micaiah into prophesying the same as the false prophets of Ahab, who with one voice prophesied of Ahab's victory in battle over the Syrians, but Micaiah refused to do this, and prophesied the death of Ahab, and events proved that he was correct. 1Kings.22v6-38. 2Chron.18v1-34. Jeremiah said, “The prophets prophesy falsely and the people love to have it so.” Jer.5v31. Jesus said true prophets are almost always hated, reproached, and cast out; and He pronounced a woe upon those, who, like Israel's false prophets, were applauded by everybody. Lk.6v22-27. If people are determined to be wicked, God will send them a strong delusion to deceive them, to expose the evil hearts of those who do not believe the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Thes.2v11,12.
False prophets and teachers often seek a following of disciples.
Paul warned the Ephesian Church about ambitious false teachers, but they did not heed this warning, and like many other churches, they succumbed to them for a while. Acts.20v28-31. In 2Tim.1v15., Paul said, “All those who are in Asia are turned way from me.” Many Christian leaders today resist God-appointed ministries, and are like the power loving Diotrephes, who would not even allow the beloved apostle John into his church. 3Jn.v9-12. God will personally search out and deal with such wickedness on judgement day. Lk.11v46-54.
Mature spiritual Christians can easily discern a servant of Satan, or a Christian with false doctrines and false revelations. However, in Eph.4v14-16., Paul warns us that baby Christians can be easily blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine, and be deceived by crafty false teachers, who with “unscrupulous cunning,” “panourgia,” methodically deceive, “methodian,” the unwary, by throwing loaded dice, “en tei kubeia.”). 2Cor.11v1-15. Gal.3v1-3. We read in Heb.5v10 to 6v12., that people who have been Christians for a long time can still be spiritual babes in doctrine and experience; this has grave spiritual dangers, and there is a real need to go on to maturity, or deception by false prophets is a real possibility. Heb.6v1. Satan's most severe attacks against the Church have occurred, when he has come as an angel of light, with a Bible under his arm and a text in his mouth, as when he tried to tempt and corrupt the Lord Jesus. Mt.4v6. Satan's attack on the early Church through false prophets and teachers, who came as angels of light, was more successful than his attacks by persecution. Acts.20v28-32. Paul warns us in 2Cor.11v13-15., that Satan ministers can look like apostles and angels of light, but these deceitful workers are under Gods curse for their false Gospel. 2Cor.11v3,4,13-15. Gal.1v6-10. Jesus said that religious people, who are under the influence of Satan, will kill God's children and think that they do God a service. Jn.8v37-44,59. 16v1-3.
The Attack From Counterfeit Occult Manifestations Outside of the Church.
Jesus warns us that many will be deceived by the evil occult manifestations that will occur through false prophets during the closing days of this age, so we need to take heed to His warnings. Mt.24v4,5,11-13,23-27. Lk.21v8,36. 2Thes.2v9-12. 1Tim.4v1-5. 2Pet.2v1-3. 3v2-5. Rev.13v13. etc. There will be a great deal of false prophecy in the last days, and some of the false prophets will have great supernatural power from Satan to back their claims. The alarming increase in evil occult manifestations is a sure proof that we are in the last days.
N.B. God Restrains Satan's Activities and Overrules with His Providential Love.
In 2Thes.2v6., “that which restrains,” is “to katechon,” the neuter article is used here because it is speaking of the power of God, the Greek word for “spirit” is neuter. However, in v7, “He who restrains,” “ho katechon,” the masculine article “ho” is used, to show that God personally overrules all history, and restrains the evil plans of Satan and wicked men.
False prophecy can arise from the human mind as well as from Satan, and it can produce spiritually crippling doctrine, soul-destroying heresy, and moral corruption, so let us obey Paul's command to scrutinise and prove prophetic revelations. Ezek.13v2,3. 2Pet.2v1-22. Jude.v3,4. 1Thes.5v20,21. The following tests will help to guard us from being deceived.
The Test of Conformity to Scripture.
Any revelation that adds to, or contradicts the Scriptures, is false; if people do not speak according to God's Word, then they have no light in them. Is.8v18-20. All the truth for this age is revealed in the Scriptures.1Cor.3v10,11. Eph.2v20. 3v5. Rev.22v18,19. In 2Thes.2v1-8., Paul warns us not to believe any prophecies, which say that Christ has returned until Antichrist has been manifested. Paul concludes in v8, “And then shall that Wicked One (“ho anomos,” “the Lawless One”), be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall bring to naught, destroy, and annihilate (“katargeo”), with the majestic radiant splendour (“epiphaneia,” “brightness”) of His personal presence; (“parousias”). Is.11v4.
The Test of Recognition of Christ's Deity and Humanity.
People who recognise the true humanity of Jesus are of God, those who deny His true humanity are not of God.
The apostle John writes in IJn.4v2,3., v2. “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, v3. and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” John states that those who deny the real humanity of Christ, are “not of God” and have the spirit of Antichrist. The Cerinthian Gnostics said the spirit Christ took over the man Jesus. The Docetic Gnostics said Jesus was a spirit being and not human. They were a real threat to the Church, and their false doctrines still plague the Church today, for some Christians say that Jesus was physically different in His makeup and blood to us. This is a satanic lie, for we read in Heb.2v17., “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. It is an amazing fact that God the Word became flesh. Is.7v14. Jn.1v14. Rom.1v3,4. Rom.8v1-4.
Christ’s conquest over His humanity was glorious and real, and the Scriptures regarding Christ’s humanity will be recognised and accepted by those who are inspired by God. True Christians also recognise the absolute deity of Jesus mentioned in Is.7v14. 9v6. Micah.5v2. Is.44v6. 48v12. with Rev.1v8,17. 2v8. 22v13. etc. The confession of Jesus being our atoning Saviour, the Lord our righteousness, is equally as important. Is.53. Jer.23v6. 33v15,16. etc. The evil spirits that energise occultists and false teachers, force them to deny these vital and precious truths about Jesus, that we rejoice in. It is sad that some Christians, who oppose the gifts of the Holy Spirit, fail to accept this Scripture, and say that Pentecostal Christians who believe in Christ’s absolute Deity, true humanity, and atoning precious blood, are “Not of God,” when this Scripture in Jn,4v1-6., says that we are.
A Warning Against Doctrinal Division and Heresy.
Many years ago, some Christians made a doctrine about water baptism in the name of Jesus a reason for division; they insisted that Christians should be re-baptised in the name of Jesus, and should separate from other Christians who did not believe the same about baptism as themselves. This is terribly wrong, the name of Jesus should unite Christians, not divide them. I feel that this insistence on separation from Christians, who did not accept their teaching on water baptism, was probably an excuse for personal kingdom building. In baptism it is the confession of faith of the person being baptised that is of vital importance, not the baptismal formula of the person baptising them. Indeed, is there a baptismal formula other than a request for a confession of sin and faith in Jesus? In Mt.3v6. and Mk.1v5., we read that the people being baptised were “confessing their sins.” In Acts.8v35-39., the Ethiopian eunuch was baptised after making the simple confession of faith, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
In Mt.28v18-20., the apostles are told to baptise in the NAME of the Father, son and Spirit; and we see the early Church baptising in the NAME of Jesus. Acts.2v38. 8v16. 10v48. 19v5. and 22v16. The Greek word for “name,” is “onoma,” and it is used in the New Testament in the same way that it was used in the Septuagint and papyri, for someone acting with the delegated power and authority of the person's name they used; as with our police, when they say, “I arrest you in the name of the Queen.” Disciples were to baptise with the authority of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Mt.10v41. Acts.3v6,16. 4v7,17,18,30. 5v28,40. 16v18. 19v13. Our recognition of this delegated authority does not in any way lessen our appreciation of the spiritual and mystical union with the Trinity implied in baptism. Robertson says that “eis” should be translated as “in” in Mt.28v19., whereas, Vincent feels that “into” is the best translation. It is interesting to note that Peter uses “en,” “in,” in Acts.10v48., and uses “epi,” “upon,” in Acts.2v38.. It is tragic to see Christians being re-baptised in the name of Jesus, because they have been taught that the baptismal formula of the Trinity, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” spoken over them in baptism, was not correct. However, is not “the Son,” the Lord Jesus? Does anything have to be said, if baptism is done in His name? Is Mt.28v19. to be ignored, and without authority? To save Christians from controversy with those who have a strong baptismal axe to grind, I say at baptism, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, the Lord Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit.” Let us remember that baptism is intended to unite Christians, not divide them. 1Cor.12v13. 1v10-17. 3v1-16.
The Means by which Satan Corrupts and Replaces Truth by Counterfeit Doctrine.
By symbolic interpretation of literal truth, and by ridiculous typology. Jer.28v10-17.
By redefining and replacing the Christian fundamental truths. Gal.1v6-9.
By taking away from the Scriptures, or by adding “new revelations” to the Scriptures. Gal.1v8,9. Rev.22v18,19.
By taking Scripture texts out of their context. Mt.4v5-7. Lk.4v9-13.
By superimposing a twisted interpretation on the Scriptures. 2Pet.3v15,16.
By rejecting and distorting the original Scriptures. 2Tim.3v5-16.
By making void God's truth with men's traditions. Mt.15v1-9. Mk.7v1-13.
By making experience the basis of truth, instead of the Scriptures. Acts.20v25-32.
By accepting the authority and doctrine of spiritual “superiors” without question. Acts.17v10,11. 18v4-6.
By force and fear. Jn.9v21,22,34. Acts.8v3,4. 9v1,2,13. 12v1-25. 1Tim.1v11-17.
By lying wonders. Deut.13v1-5. Mt.24v23-25. 2Thes.2v8-12.
Satan even attacked our Lord with a perversion of Scripture truth, so let us be watchful and never feel that it cannot happen to us. It is sad to say that some Christians still justify their practice and doctrine with the statement; “You will never understand this doctrine by studying the Scriptures; it comes by revelation, and out of our experience.” Such an attitude is extremely dangerous and scripturally totally untenable. We should reject out of hand any “new revelation,” or “new practice,” that does not have its foundation in the Word of God. We have all the truth that we need for this age clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Eph.2v20. 3v5. 1Cor.3v10,11. 1Jn.4v1-5. Rev.22v18,19. Is.8v19,20.
The Test of Spiritual Witness and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The anointing on the prophet.
There will always be an anointing of the Holy Spirit on revelations from God, and on important matters, this can be very great. This anointing is not to be confused with oratory, noise or emotion. A spiritual and mature Christian will discern an anointing, or lack of anointing without any difficulty; or discern whether it is evil or good. Ezek.3v22. 8v1. 1Jn.2v26,27.
The confirmation and witness by other prophets and personal revelations.
Even on matters of relatively small importance, the other prophets in a church will have the witness to the truth of a prophetic utterance. Important revelations will always be confirmed by independent revelations from other prophets, even as the Old Testament prophets confirmed each others words; for example, Amos and Hosea; Isaiah and Micah; Haggai and Zechariah. Important decisions should not be made on one unconfirmed prophetic utterance; for God will confirm important prophecies in a variety of ways, and through proven ministries. Every revelation will be confirmed by the spiritual witness in other prophets. 1Cor.14v29. Never act on any prophetic revelation until God has confirmed His word to you personally, directly and clearly; do not take other people's word for it. However, when many good Christian people tell us the same thing, we should prayerfully consider their words, for it is often God speaking to us through them.
The Test of Spiritual Profitability. 1Cor.12v7.
Revelation from God is profitable, and edifies, exhorts and comforts the people of God. It exalts God, and recognises and extols the essential divinity, true humanity, and redeeming blood of Christ. 1Jn.4v1-5. Ps.68v18. with Eph.4v8-11.
The Test of Spiritual Gentleness.
A gentleness of spirit will always characterise the genuine prophet of God. Hos.11v1-8. Mt.11v28-30. 1Thes.1v6-8,11,12. James.3v13-18. The prophets, were very strong in their denunciations of religious hypocrites, but were kindness itself to the genuine people of God. Mt.3v7-12. 23v1-39. Lk.12v32. The prophets rebuked sin with great power, but they gave great promises to the restored. God never leaves anyone in a hole without a way out. Rev.3v15-22. The attitude of Jesus is perfectly loving towards His people, prophecy will nearly always be full of mercy, comfort, tenderness and gentleness. Ps.18v35. 51v17. 55v22. 56v8,9. 59v16,17. 62v1,2. 103v1-17. 146v5-10. Jn.15v9. 17v23. If you are feeling discouraged, prayerfully read these Scriptures aloud, and always remember that God is wholly on your side when you love Him. Rom.8v31-39. God went to great pains to correct the bitterness of spirit in the prophet Jonah. Jonah.4v1-11.
The Test of Spiritual Fearlessness and Longsuffering.
Fearlessness and longsuffering do go together. The revelations of genuine prophets are sure to bring opposition, but they will patiently suffer anything that comes to them, as a result of doing the will of God. James.5v10. Only prophets with a great prophetic ministry will be called upon to suffer like some of the Old Testament prophets; however, every Christian who takes a stand for truth will face some opposition, and suffer for their faith. 1King.18v25-41. 22v6-28. 2Chron.16v10. Mt.5v11,12. 23v29-39. Lk.6v22-26. Mk.6v1-29. Gal.4v16. 2Pet.1v20,21. with 2v1. Acts.14v21,22. Rev.11v3-12. False prophets seldom get into trouble for their message, they usually only say nice things to the careless sinful worldling, and appeal to the desire for earthly comfort and blessing. Jer.6v14. 8v11. Mt.24v24. Lk.6v22-26. 2Tim.4v1-4.
N.B. Do not judge prophets by outward appearance.
Some of God's holiest and greatest prophets had a very unkempt appearance and eccentric characteristics, which would certainly offend many people today. God does not judge people by outside appearance, but by inner holiness. Elijah certainly had no attractive outward appearance or ministerial veneer; he was dressed in a leather animal skin. 2Kings.1v8. Amos was also a farmer, who prophesied with quaint rough language. Amos.1v1. John Baptist had a garment made out of camel’s hair. Mt.3v4. Lk.7v24-27. In contrast, some bad people can look very good on the outside, even the prophet Samuel thought that Eliab was God's choice until God showed Samuel his heart. 1Sam.16v6-13. N.B. v7.
The Test of Godly Character and Spiritual Purity.
In Mt.7v1-5., Jesus warns us against carping criticism and unjust judgement of others. However, in Mt.7v15-29., Jesus tells us that it is absolutely essential to exercise true judgement, to avoid being deceived by false prophets, who can make themselves look like sheep, when inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Jesus informs us that both genuine and false prophets are known by the fruits of their lives and doctrines; these will show the value of their revelations. The integrity of God's prophets is in sharp contrast to the bad living false prophets of Is.28v7. Jer.23v9-40. and 29v21-23. etc. Contrast Daniel’s integrity with Balaam the Sorcerer’s greed, evil life and end. Dan.1v4,8,17. 10v11,19. Numb.31v8,16. When prophets backslide and prophesy lies for financial gain and worldly influence, like Shemaiah, Noadiah and the other prophets, who were hired to prophesy lies to and against Nehemiah, their evil motivations and bad lives soon become obvious to all discerning children of God. Neh.6v10-14.
Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord!” is right with God.
The, "I never knew you," of Mt.7v23.
We read in Mt.7v21-24., v21. “Not everyone who keeps on saying to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who keeps on doing the will of My Father in heaven. v22. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and in Your Name perform many miracles? v23. And then I will declare in a public announcement to them, 'I never came to know you experimentally; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! v24. Therefore whoever habitually hears these sayings of Mine, and habitually does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rocky cliff.”
The New American Standard and New King James, both translate Mt.7v23., “And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Jesus says that He will fully and plainly tell them, “homologeso” 3670, “I never knew you.” Our Lord uses “ergazomenoi,” the present participle of “ergazomai,” “to work, to practice,” to show that these miracle workers have lived a life of continual evil and lawlessness. Jesus says that these people have rejected the will and way of God, and have lived a present tense continuous evil life. This is the key to the understanding of this verse. Compare 1Jn.3v9. and 1Jn.5v18., which tells us that a true Christian lives a present tense continuous victorious life over evil.
Our Lord reveals that on judgement day many will falsely claim that Jesus is their Lord, and that they have done many wonderful works in His name. Jesus says that they will be told to depart from Him, because He has never known them. “Depart from me.” What terrible words! “Depart,” is “apochoreite,” the present active imperative, of “apochoreo,” “to depart, to go away.” “Known” is “egnon,” the aorist active indicative of “ginosko,” which speaks of an experimental knowledge and relationship. Jesus is speaking of an experimental knowledge and living relationship with Himself. Our Lord states that He had never, at any point of time, been in this kind of relationship with them. In my previous editions, I said that “I never knew you,” seemed to rule out bad and apostate Christians, because these people profess to have known Jesus at some point of time in the past. However, I now think that this is incorrect, because Mt.24v44-51. 25v1-13. and John’s first epistle, say that an evil life excludes fellowship with Jesus, and show that, “I never knew you,” can apply to Christians. We will later study these Scriptures in detail.
It is true that, “I never knew you,” certainly includes unconverted preachers who live bad lives, and occultists and Spiritualists, and unrepentant Jewish occultists, all of whom either invoke the names of God in prayer, or use God’s Names in their magic circles. Satan deceives these people into thinking that they have been working for God, when they have been actually serving and invoking the powers of darkness. Simon the sorcerer professed to be a Christian, but he was still, “in the gall of bitterness, and in the bondage of iniquity.” Acts.8v13,20-24. Jesus warns us that it is only as we do the will of God and obey His truth that we build on rock, if we fail to obey and live by the truth of God, we build on sand. Mt.7v21-29. Walking and talking with Jesus, and obeying Him, is the prime essential, and the supreme joy of the Christian.
The apostle John also uses “egno,” the aorist active indicative of “ginosko,” “experimental relationship and knowledge,” when he states in 1Jn.4v8., “He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is love.” Experimental knowledge of God comes through love, not intellectual knowledge. Paul said our Christian work could be burned up, but we could be “saved; yet so as by fire.” 1Cor.3v10-15. There will be a great difference between Christians, and their rewards, at the judgement. 1Cor.15v41,42.
Our Lord does not recognise Christians who do not walk in love.
The beloved apostle John writes in 1Jn.2v4-11. “He who says, "I know Him experientially," and does not habitually keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth does not exist in him. v5. But whoever habitually keeps His word with attentive care, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we have an experiential knowledge that we are in Him. v6. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. v7. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. v8. Again, a new commandment (new in quality) I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true (genuine) light is already shining. v9. He who says that he is in the light, and is habitually hating his brother, is in darkness until now. v10. He who is habitually loving his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. v11. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
John also states in 1Jn.3v4-11,14-16. “Everyone who habitually doeth sin, also habitually doeth lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and sin does not exist in Him. v6. Everyone who constantly abides in Him does not habitually sin. Everyone who constantly sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. v7.Little children, let no one deceive you and lead you astray. He who habitually practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. v8. The one who is habitually keeping on doing sin (lives an evil life) is of the devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy and bring to naught (“luo” 3089, to loosen, annul, overthrow, demolish, destroy etc. See Heb.2v14. “destroy,” “katargeo” 2673, to render powerless, to abolish, to terminate, etc.) the works of the devil. v9. Everyone who has been born out of God does not habitually sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot habitually go on sinning, because he has been born out of God. v10. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Everyone who does not habitually practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not habitually love his brother. v11. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. v14. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. v15. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. v16. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
John states in 1Jn.1v6., “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” John writes in 1Jn.3v4., “Whoever doeth sin (“hamartia” 266) also doeth lawlessness (“anomia” 458), and sin is lawlessness. “Doeth” the present active participle, “poion”, is used to describe the habit and life of sin. In 1Jn.2v29., “poion” is used to speak of a Christian habitually living a righteous life. Fellowship with God the Father and Jesus demands love and purity of life.
We read in 1Jn.3v9., “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (NKJ) “His seed,” is “sperma” 4690, “autou” 846. God's seed, "the divine principle of life" (Vincent).
In 1Jn.3v9., “does not sin,” the linear present active indicative, “poiei” 4160, it is used to show that a true child of God is not dominated by continual sin. Scholars say that the phrase, “and he cannot sin,” is a faulty translation of, “kai” 2532, “ou” 3756, “dunatai” 1410, “hamartanein” 264; for, to the English mind, it gives the idea, "and he cannot commit sin." But the present active infinitive “hamartanein” 264, can only mean, "and he cannot go on sinning," i.e., he cannot live a life of continual sin.
We read in 1Jn.3v6., that the one who “keeps on abiding”, the linear present “menon,” “does not keep on sinning,” “hamartanei” 264. This is in sharp contrast to the unrepentant sinner in 1Jn.3v6. where the linear present participle and “hamartanon” 264, speak of, "the one who keeps on sinning," and speaks of a life of continual sin, not single occasional acts of sin, which would require the aorist tenses, for which there is forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. 1Jn.1v7-9. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. v8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. v9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” See Rom.6v1,2,15., and contrast the present continuous, “shall we continue in sin;” with the aorist in Rom.6v15., “shall we commit a sin.”
This same thought is repeated in 1Jn.5v18., “We know (“oidamen” 1492) that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (NKJ) “Does not sin,” is “ouch” 3756, “hamartanei” 264, again the continuous present active indicative, "does not keep on sinning," i.e. “does not live a life of sin.” There are two variant readings of ”he who has been born of God, one has the Christian taking care to keep himself from sin, the other reading has Jesus keeping the Christian from sin, “He that was begotten of God,” referring to Christ. Both readings state truth. The Evil One, “Ho Poneros,” cannot grasp a born again pure and obedient child of God. “Touch” is “haptetai” 680, the present middle indicative of “hapto” 681, which means, to grasp, or lay hold of, to cling to; and it is only used by John in 1Jn.5v18. and Jn.20v17., where it is used to describe how Mary grasped and clung to her risen Lord. “Hapto” does not speak of just a touch, which would be indicated by “thiggano” 2345. (Both words are used in Col.2v21.) John states in 1Jn.5v18., that the Devil cannot grasp, possess, or snatch from God, those who truly believe in and follow Jesus. See Jn.10v27-30.
God is love, and love is the distinguishing feature of a true Christian, and a genuine prophet.
We also read in 1Jn.4v7,8,16. v7. “Beloved, let us be habitually loving one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and experimentally knows God. v8. He who does not habitually love, does not know God, for God is love. v16. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”
The scandal of extortionate demands for money in the name of God.
Christians awake and beware! There are many wolves loose in the Church, who by their plausible appeals, and a twisted and dishonest exposition of the Scriptures, are extorting money from Christians in the name of God. Some causes, which they put forward, seem to be almost essential, until you compare them with the practice and example of Jesus and His early Church. Some preachers have such huge financial needs, through putting into operation every idea that comes into their minds, that they cannot minister to small Christian groups. Their financial needs direct them, not God, and some extort money from Christians to finance their organisations. Their insatiable demand for finances has hindered ministry to the poor, and has depleted the finances of good churches, and other worthy causes. It is very sad that some who have had genuine ministries have ignored our Lord’s command, “Freely you have received, freely give,” Mt.10v8., and have become financial wolves, and the resulting deterioration of their characters and ministries has become obvious to all discerning Christians.
Jesus said the Scribes and Pharisees were full of extortion (“harpage,” robbery) and unbridled greed, and pronounced repeated woes upon them. Mt.23v14,25,27,28. Woe to those who follow their example, for Jesus warned that judgement and Hell await religious robbers who make merchandise of people in God's name. Jn.2v16. Mt.21v12,13. 23v4,14,23,33. The name of God and the Gospel are blasphemed among worldly people by such financial extortion and wickedness. Rom.2v4. Jesus said people can work miracles, but if they live an evil life and consistently practice iniquity, He will bear legal witness against them on judgement day, and publicly proclaim (“homologeso,” see Mt.10v32.), “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” “Knew,” is “egnon,” the aorist of “ginosko,” to know by experience and relationship, so Jesus was saying, “I never at any point of time have been in any relationship with you, or recognised or approved you as my servants.” Mt.7v21-23. To use God's gifts and twist God’s Word, to dishonestly fleece people of their money is a very serious sin. Jesus warns us that we have to do God's will and obey His Word, and bear genuine fruits of character to stand on the day of judgement. These fruits include the weightier matters of the Law, which are, judgement, mercy, faith, love of people and God. Mt.7v16,21,24. 23v23. Lk.11v39-44.
We should not be surprised that there are ravenous wolves in God's Church, for our Lord, Paul and Peter have warned us about them. Mt.7v15-20. Acts.20v28-30. In 2Pet.2v1-3,15-17., Peter warns us that there are plausible false prophets and teachers in the Church, “who motivated by covetousness and greed for money; will, with forged words and cunning false arguments, exploit and make merchandise of you: for whom their long pronounced sentence and judgement does not linger, and their destruction is awake and ready to seize them.-to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”
The UBS Translator Handbook Series translates 2Pet.2v3. “Because these false teachers want a lot of money, they will take advantage of you by telling you made-up stories. For a long time now, God their Judge and Destroyer has been ready and wide awake to punish them.” They follow the evil example of Balaam in 2Pet.2v15., whose greed for gain drove him to attempt to morally corrupt the Israelites. In 2Tim.4v10., Paul states, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” (NKJ)
Another telling translation reads, “In their greed these teachers will tell you anything to get hold of your money. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping, and is waiting to devour them.”
Note well. In 2Pet.2v1-3., “apoleia” 684, which means “destruction,” occurs three times. Divine judgement and destruction is hurrying on its way, and will soon overtake these evil doers.
We read in Ezek.18v24., “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.” (NKJ) God says that He will not remember the former righteous acts of an apostate believer.
In 1Pet.5v1-4., Peter exhorts Christian leaders, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint, but willingly, not from the motive of fondness for dishonest gain, but eagerly and willingly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Some methods of extorting money from Christians are positively evil. Peter's warning about correct financial motivation in Christian service needs to be heeded.
Unreasonable demands for money usually spring out of personal kingdom building.
Some Christians have been put under extreme financial pressure because their leaders have had big plans for building and expansion, and have claimed divine inspiration for these plans. These leaders feel that to have influence, they have to imitate the building programmes of other denominations. They forget that our Lord, His apostles, and Paul, never built any church buildings, they used the synagogues of their day, and other hired buildings.
In Acts.20v33-35., Paul said that he had never coveted other people's gold or silver; indeed, coveting and using other people's money and resources to put our plans into operation is a sin. God hated the grievous yoke and servitude that Solomon put on his subjects with his harsh levies, and his cruel decree that they should work one month out of three for him. 2Chron.10v4. God also hates the pressure that is put upon Christians through excessive building plans; the real motives for these building plans will be manifested on judgement day. How often people claim that they are building for the glory of God, when, in reality, they are only building a kingdom for themselves, and a monument to their pride.
Our Lord was very angry with Israel's religious leaders, because they devoured widow's houses, neglected the poor, and turned God's Temple into a “den of robbers,” and He warned them that they were bound for Hell because of it. Mt.21v12,13. 23v13-39. N.B. v14,33. Lk.20v46,47. In Deut.14v28,29.16v11-14. 24v19-22. and 26v12-14., we read that God gave the Law on tithing to Moses out of a concern for the poor, we read that the tithe was not only for the Levite, but also for “the stranger and the fatherless and the widow.” Even before the Law Job practiced this. Job.31v16-22. Our Lord castigated the Jews for their arrogant pride and self-deception over their tithing, and pointed out that it availed them nothing when they omitted and neglected the weightier matters of the Law, judgement, mercy, faith, and love of God. The judgement and mercy mentioned here is undoubtedly the ministry to the poor mentioned in the Scriptures. Mt.23v23. Lk.11v39-44. 14v12-14. James.1v27.
We read in Acts.20v28-31., that Paul warned the Ephesians with tears for three years, that after his departure fierce wolves in would enter in and ferociously attack the flock, but, unfortunately, they did not heed his warnings. False teachers appear to have succeeded in turning all the churches in Asia against Paul. 2Tim.1v15. Paul also warned the Ephesians that some from among them would want a personal following, and would draw disciples after themselves. A great deal of church evangelism, denominational enlargement, and disruptive local church division, is tainted with this doubtful motivation of kingdom building. Two people can preach exactly the same truth, but with totally different motives, one can preach to build a kingdom for men, or themselves; another can preach out of love for God, purely to bless people and build God's kingdom.
Jesus knew that most of the people who believed in Him were not trustworthy.
We read in John.2v23., “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed, in His name when they saw the signs which He did.”(NKJ) “Believed,” is “episteusan” 4100. Then we read in Jn.2v24., "But Jesus himself kept on refusing (negative imperfect) to trust (“episteuen” 4100) Himself to them." “Pisteuo” 4100, “to believe or trust,” is used to describe the people’s trust in Jesus, and His lack of trust in them, because He knew their hearts, and their unreliability. But, (“de” 1161) there was Nicodemus, a Pharisee who Jesus opened His heart to. Jn.3v1. In Acts.8v13., Simon Magus "believed," (“episteusen” 4100) and was baptized, but was unrepentant. It seems he merely believed to obtain the power that Philip had.
Paul was deeply concerned at the lack of experience of God of some of the Corinthian Christians.
Paul states in 1Cor.15v34. “Awake (“eknepsate” 1594, only here in the New Testament. It means to awake from a drunken stupor) to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” “No knowledge of God,” is “agnosian” 56, “Theou” 2316, it only occurs here and in Rom10v3., where it speaks of the wilful ignorance of unbelieving Jews, and in 1Pet.2v15., of the wilful ignorance of unbelievers in general. The noun “agnosia” 56, is derived from the noun “gnosis” 1108, with the negative; both are derived from the verb “ginosko,” which speaks of a real knowledge and relationship. “Agnosia” 56, signifies "ignorance" as directly opposite to “gnosis,” "knowledge" obtained by observation and experience. Scholars say that the Greek of, “some do not have the knowledge of God,” is very emphatic, and that it is stronger than, “are ignorant of God,” it is an habitual wilful ignorance, positive error, not merely negative, they are believers and yet they do not acknowledge God. (In 2Cor.7v11., Paul commends the Corinthians for their repentance and zeal in putting their lives right before God.
N.B. THE HUGE DANGER OF WRONG TEACHING ABOUT THE TIMING OF OUR LORD’S SECOND COMING.
The, "I know you not," of Mt.25v12. “Ouk” 3756, “oida” 1492, “humas” 5209. Read Mt.24v44 to 25v13.
We read in Mt.24v45-51. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? v46.Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. v47. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. v48. But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' v49. and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, v50. the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, v51. and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. See Mt.25v41., "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
In Mt.24.v45-51., our Lord is speaking of Christian leaders who are directed to give “food in due season” to the Church of God, that is, teaching appropriate for the time, for the close of the age. The good servant does his work well. The evil servant does badly, because he fails to prepare himself and others for his Lord’s coming. His expectation of the timing of his Lord’s coming is completely wrong, he feels that the Lord is delaying His coming, and this results in himself and others being ill equipped for events prior to Christ’s return. The evil servant loses faith when his Lord appears to delay His coming, and as a result starts to live a bad life. The evil servant does not question and reject his own doctrine; he blames God, and says that God has changed His mind, “My Lord delays His coming.” Jesus is here warning us about the effects that the pretribulation rapture theory will have on many Christians, when our Lord does not come before the great tribulation. These apostates are “cut asunder” and their portion is appointed with the hypocrites, and there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In Mt.25., our Lord changes the picture to one of ten virgins, however, He is still speaking of the failure to adequately prepare for His return. The result is again rejection by Christ. In a parallel passage in Lk.13v25-28., people are said to have gone out and in with Him on familiar terms. Jesus says that the five foolish virgins will be told by the bridegroom, “I know you not.” Mt.25v12. “Know,” is “oida,” 1492, the “defective perfect with present meaning;” (Rienecker) The foolish virgins could be influenced by the teaching of the evil servant of Mt.24v48-51., and believe that Jesus has delayed His coming, for Lord says, “THEN shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins. Mt.25v1. These foolish virgins are not spiritually or doctrinally prepared for the great tribulation. and “fall away.” Lk.8v13. Woe to the teachers who cause this!
The Test of Fulfilled Prediction.
If there is a prediction given by a prophet, it will be fulfilled. Deut.18v20-22. Jer.28v1-17. Is.44v7. 46v9,10. However, remember that some prophecies can have a time lag of months or years, and even genuine revelations from God can be very trying in this respect. Ps.105v17-19. Joseph went into slavery and prison before his revelations were fulfilled, and a great many years passed by before they were fulfilled. Blessing promised by God may not come to pass because of sin. The Lord told Joshua that he was not going to fulfil His promise until Achan's sin was put right. Joshua.7v1-26. Repentance can also stay a definite prophecy of judgement. Jonah.3v7-10. When predictions or signs come to pass from satanic sources, it will be clearly seen as from an evil source, for they will lead away from God and Scripture truth. Deut.13v1-5. Rev.13v12-15. 2Thes.2v8-12.
MANKIND'S SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY HAS OPENED THEM TO SATANIC DECEPTION.
Mankind has suppressed the truth about God because of their love for evil. Rom.1v18.
Paul states that mankind has wilfully chosen to “hold down” the truth about God. “Hold down,” is “katechonton,” the present participle of “katecho,” “to hold down fast and firmly, to restrain, to suppress, to hinder.” They permanently and continuously suppress the truth. “Truth” is “aletheia,” which is derived from the negative “a,” and “letho,” or “lanthano,” “to conceal.” The truth about God has been revealed, but as A.T. Robertson says, “Truth is out in the open, but wicked men, so to speak, put it in a box and sit on the lid and 'hold it down in unrighteousness.' Their evil deeds conceal the open truth from men.”
Mankind's intellectual dishonesty and resistance to God have led to a foolish darkened mind.
The intellectual but foolish, worthless mind.
Mankind has resisted God, and even hated God. In Rom.1v21,22. Paul writes of fallen mankind, “they became vain, futile and worthless in their reasoning, and their undiscerning senseless hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” “Vain,” is “emataiothesan,” the aorist passive of “mataioo,” “to render vain, worthless, and futile.” The passive gives the sense of, “to be given over to worthlessness, to think about worthless things, to be foolish.” This produces a distorted set of values that corrupts the whole of society.
The darkened, damaged, foolish mind.
Paul tells us that because of a love for evil, mankind has been intellectually dishonest, and their minds have become darkened (“eskotisthe,” the first aorist passive of “skotizo,” “to darken”) and undiscerning; (“asunetos,” a verbal adjective derived from “suniemi,” “to put together,” and the negative “a”). They cannot put two and two together and make four on spiritual issues; and are without spiritual insight. Through rejection of God, mankind has damaged their minds and have lost the ability to correctly weigh the facts, or put together the evidence about God. Men arrogantly and continually claim and profess their wisdom, “phaskontes,” the present active participle of “phasko,” “to claim, to affirm, to assert.” However, the most intelligent of men become fools and morons when they deny the existence of God. “Fools,” is “emoranthesan,” the aorist passive of “moraino,” “to be a fool,” from “moros,” “a fool.”
N.B. Men have wilfully exchanged light for darkness and God for idols.
Paul writes that people have exchanged the glory of the incorruptible (“apthartos”) God for their own corruptible (“phthartos”) man-made idols, and have given themselves over to persistent sensual idolatry, he states, “Therefore God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity.” “Gave them up,” is “paredoken,” the aorist of “paradidomai,” “to deliver over, to hand over.” God handed them over to lust, “epithumia,” and uncleanness, “akatharsia:” men welcome these as friends, but they are really the most terrible enemies of mankind, and they bring about their eternal damnation. Lust for money and power is the worst kind of lust; covetousness is idolatry. Col.3v5. The tax collectors and harlots were in far less spiritual danger than the covetous and power hungry religious leaders of Israel. Mt.21v32. Lk.16v14,15. People rejected Christ's ministry, because they loved darkness more than the light. Jn.3v19-21. They desired to be dominated by the works of the flesh. Gal.5v19-21.
Even the minds of Christ's apostles were darkened by sin and false tradition.
Christ’s apostles found it difficult to accept some of the truths and prophecies that Jesus told them; for they had a damaged spiritual insight as a result of their past sins, and the brainwashing “leaven” they had received from the religious teachers of Israel. Mt.16v6-12. Mk.8v15-21,31-33. Jesus told His apostles in Jn.16v12., that there were still many things, which He was unable to tell them, because they could not bear it. Even after our Lord’s resurrection, His apostles still wanted Him to restore Israel’s kingdom. Acts.1v6. They were loathe to part with their cherished traditions, and in AD 58 persuaded Paul to take part in temple rituals to show that he was a good Jew and kept the law. Acts.21v22-24. Paul obliged, even though God had revealed to Paul that the Church age had replaced Judaism and the Law. Eph.3v1-11. The result of this expediency was disastrous.
Paul tells us that people who are bound by unscriptural traditions and heretical doctrines are “perverted and sin and are self-condemned.” Titus.3v10,11. (“Heretic,” is the adjective “hairetikon,” from “hairesis,” a choosing of a sect, party, or opinion; it is used of the Sadducees in Acts.5v17., the Pharisees in Acts.15v5. and 26v5; and of Christians in Acts.24v5,14. 28v22..) “Perverted,” is “exestraptai,” the perfect passive indicative of “ekstrepho,” to turn inside out, to twist, to pervert; the perfect shows a twisted abiding state of soul. “Sin,” is the present active indicative “hamartanei,” and shows a life of continual sin.
The journey from darkness into light and truth.
Sin has put mankind into gross darkness and destroyed their spiritual insight. By repentance and faith in Jesus, people come into the light, and start the journey to full light and truth. This journey has been rendered more difficult by the false prophets that Satan has sent into the Church; and by prayerless false teachers who have formulated doctrine out of their experience and out of a mind dominated by men's ideas and the old flesh life. There is an evil spiritual power behind heresy, the powers of darkness try to close people's minds to God, and hold them captive in fortresses of satanic lies. 2Cor.4v4. 1Tim.4v1-3.
The Divine guarantee of truth for sincere seekers.
However, in spite of all these obstacles Jesus has guaranteed that those who want the truth, and follow Him, will surely find it. Jn.1v4-9. 3v19-21. 8v12. 9v5. 12v35,36,46. 14v6. 1Jn.1v5,6. 2v9,11. If we are willing to do God's will we shall have God's truth revealed to us, as our Lord said in Jn.7v16,17., “If anyone is desiring to be doing His will, he shall know experientially concerning the teaching, whether it is out of God as a source or whether I am speaking from myself as a source.” Wuest.
WHY DO SOME CHRISTIANS GIVE FALSE PROPHECIES?
Through ignorance and stupidity.
There is a difference between evil false prophets and ignorant and stupid prophets. However, false prophecies can gravely disappoint and disillusion people who are looking for an answer to their problems. Sometimes Christians desire to encourage the person who has come to them for prayer, and foolishly feel that if they prophesy something, that this will obligate God to fulfil the thing that they have prophesied. They look upon “prophesying in faith,” as a means of forcing God to do what they desire. Others prophesy in hope, and hope that God will stand by their declaration, and the thing prophesied will happen. This can be done with a genuine concern for the person that comes to them for help, and with real desire to help them. However, this is a total distortion of the truth about prophecy, and can do much harm.
Through rebellion and stubbornness.
We see in Ps.68v18., that God even gives His gifts to rebels. However, rebellious and stubborn people can produce false prophecy; and this can be as serious a sin as idolatry and witchcraft. 1Sam.15v22,23. False revelation can occur through a bias to evil in unstable souls, and do much harm; and Paul and Peter warn us that it can result in dangerous doctrinal error, and moral depravity. 2Tim.2v16-18. 3v5-10. 2Pet.2v1-3. Jude.v8-25. Jezebel in Rev.2v20-25. False revelation can also arise from stupidity and ignorance of God’s Word and spiritual gifts. We have to cast down every thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God. 2Cor.10v4,5.
Through false prophecy arising from human desire.
People can prophesy out of their mind and their strong desires, and then hope that God will make it so. False prophecy can arise from human ideas arising from the dominance of the carnal mind, as well as from evil angelic inspiration. Jer.23v16. Ezek.13v2,3. The false prophets who opposed Jeremiah, were motivated by a nationalistic spirit and their own strong desires for victory over the Babylonians; they prophesied out of their own hearts, and said that their own and the people's desires were the word of God. This is the reason why the modern doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church has been so widely accepted. Many Christians today, like the Jews of Jeremiah's day, prefer a false hope to the unpleasant truth that many Christians are going to suffer and die for the Lord in the great tribulation, in the countries that are under Antichrist's control. Rev.6v9-11,15-17. 7v9,14. 11v7-12,18. 12v4,11,13,17. 13v7,10,15. 14v9-13. 15v2,3. 16v6,15. 17v6. 18v24. 20v4-6.
Through insisting on an instant answer from God.
Some people, who come for guidance and prayer, often want an immediate answer from God, and some preachers feel that they must accommodate these people and so they prophesy beyond what they have received. Sometimes people are not willing to wait for God's guidance, and are not willing to receive it when it arrives. The people earnestly asked Jeremiah to seek God if they should go down to Egypt, and said that they would do what Jeremiah told them. Jeremiah prayed for ten days to get God’s guidance for the people, and told them that death awaited them in Egypt, but it was not what they wanted to hear, and they rejected it, they went to Egypt and were killed just as God warned that they would be. Jer.42v1-7,16. 43v2. We read in James.5v14-18.; that prolonged persevering prayer is often necessary to bring healing to some people. Instant answers are often not possible.
Through trying to encourage bad living Christians who are under Divine discipline.
Some people, like Israel, may be under discipline for bad living, so God cannot encourage them under these circumstances. In Jer.15v1-6., God said that he would not even listen to the intercessions of Moses and Samuel on the behalf of the Jews; and that the sword, famine, captivity and death were coming upon them, because their lives were so evil. Jer.15v1-6. Paul tells us that Christians can also be under discipline, because of careless and bad living. 1Cor.11v28-32. God disciplines those He loves in order to improve their character. Heb.12v12-15. Repentance and reconsecration are necessary before sinful Christians can have communications restored with Heaven.
Through insisting on saying why good Christians are under a Divine trial.
At the time of Job's trial, it was impossible to find out why he was being tried, or to release Job from his great trial until it was over. Job was not under attack because of a lack of faith, but rather because of His great love for God and remarkable faith. God proved that Satan was a liar, when he said that Job served God because God had made him prosperous. The trials Job endured proved that he loved God for His character, goodness and truth. God proved the validity of His Divine principles to the whole of Heaven through the response of Job to his terrible trials. In such circumstances as these, an impenetrable spiritual veil is drawn over the person concerned. Those who imitate Job's three friends and insist on trying to get to the cause of people’s problem, and contend that their imagined reasons are the answer, will find that most of what they say is wrong and untrue, and God will correct them for it. Job.1v1-22. 2v1-13. 42v7-10. It is a privilege and a delight to know the great souls who have passed through such terrible trials, and have kept their integrity and love for God; they grow even greater and sweeter in God. Our Lord Jesus is the greatest victor of all; He overcame Satan in every area of personality, under every circumstance and trial of life, and under the greatest opposition. Praise His holy Name!
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