Unveiling 666!

By Pastor Bill Taylor

A publication of My Father's House, inc. Volume 12/ Issue 7

If our gospel is veiled, it’s veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded. (2Cor4:3,4) The battle for souls is fought in men’s minds. The god of this world uses every device available to distract our minds away from God. He doesn’t want us to consider the important questions of good and evil, time and eternity, life and death, justice and judgment; for if men begin to think this way they’re likely to discover their need for God. So he offers various forms of entertainment; sports, TV, movies, the arts, as much as men desire and more! He fills their days with frivolous attractions and entrapments that repeat again and again, game after game, drama after drama, like a hamster on a wheel; endlessly going nowhere. In addition to entertainments, satan dominates men’s minds with necessities: What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? (Mt6:31) He assails men with fears, infatuates them with lusts, or captivates them with addictions, so they never feel they’ve enough, but must always pursue more and more; searching for security from an uncertain future by ever increasing wealth or finding temporary relief from carnal cravings by indulging in forbidden pleasures. Not stopping here, the enemy continues to overwhelm us with ever increasing complexities in our social responsibilities. Tax laws, criminal and civil laws, innumerable regulations concerning business and commerce grow increasingly burdensome so those who’d avail themselves of the “freedom” to prosper, seek justice, operate a business or even just file their taxes, find doing so may require days or weeks of arduous effort just to learn how to comply with the law. Even to “have a career” requires constant devotion to acquiring knowledge; for in the society of the end times, knowledge is privilege, and those who “know the ropes” of business and government obtain great commercial advantage over those who don’t.

I saw the beast rising out of the sea… And it was granted him to make war with the saints and overcome them! (Rev13:1,7a) The antichrist spirit conspires to make the acquiring of knowledge, and the devotion of one’s entire being; body, soul and spirit to temporal things, seem a necessity to success. No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Rev13:17) To earn a decent living, one must devote years to acquiring some specialty for which others will willingly pay. Even after 12+ years of classroom instruction, most “professionals” must continue studying the numerous new developments in their area of expertise lest they be left behind. If this weren’t enough, there are accidents, tragedies, illnesses and such; threats, rumors of wars, and all the unexpected interruptions and distractions which work together to keep men’s minds as close to the things of this world and as far away from God as possible. The gateway to the heart is the mind. What the heart desires the mind devises. And what the mind devises the body does. So to capture the mind is to capture the heart; to capture the heart is to possess the mind and to possess the mind is to control the body. This isn’t just satan’s strategy against the world, but it’s the same spirit that assails the church. Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters, saying “you’ll no longer give the people straw to make brick, but let them go and gather straw for themselves. And you’ll lay on them the same quota as before. You won’t diminish it.” (Ex5:6-8)

Satan fears people will have time to think about and find God, and the people of God will have time to get to know and serve God in the Spirit. So his desire is to keep men occupied with temporal things. Unfortunately, Christians aren’t just susceptible to the same influences that blind and captivate the world, but they’ve a whole new gamut of religious distractions designed to keep them from really knowing God. For the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Dan11:32) And this is eternal life that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ. (Jn17:3) How much attention are you giving to God and how much to the world? Are you involved in the “religious world” of bible trivia, church history and traditions, considering obscure theological questions while not actually getting to know God personally? You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you’ve eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you’re not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (Jn5:39,40) The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1Tim1:5) For the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom14:17) Godly knowledge produces good fruit and a life of abiding in Christ; knowing God not just knowing about God. True godly knowledge produces a love relationship with God and not prideful expertise. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. (1Cor8:1-3) The pursuit of “religious knowledge” can be as carnal and distracting from God’s true purposes as the pursuit of worldly knowledge. Of making many books there’s no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. (Eccl 12:12) Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what’s falsely called knowledge - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1Tim6:20,21)

Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it’s the number of a man: his number is 666. (Rev13:18) It’s a mistake to believe God’s telling us to find the name of the beast. Endless hours have been wasted in vain efforts to name him; it’s a distraction producing no good fruit. Instead of love from a pure heart it’s produced foolishness and strife. Instead of righteousness, peace and joy it’s produced discord and slander. Many world leaders, whom God instructs us to pray for that all men may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth, (1Tim2:4) have been falsely accused by an unchristlike church. God didn’t tell us to find the name of the beast, He told us to calculate his number. In fact, having all wisdom God calculated it for us. His number is 666. (Rev13:18) God’s purpose isn’t to name the antichrist; his name wouldn’t be helpful. The spirit of antichrist is already with us and has many names. Every spirit that doesn’t confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, isn’t of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you’ve heard was coming and is already in the world. (1Jn4:3) Each generation has its own antichrists. The spirit of antichrist comes with many names but the common characteristic of all is to refuse to acknowledge Christ abides in the body (flesh) of a believer. (Col 1:27) If antichrists pay Jesus lipservice, their behavior will confess they lie, for their actions deny Christ is in them. (Tit1:16) It’s not the name of the antichrist God wants us to recognize, but his nature. We must recognize and resist the antichrist spirit however he manifests and whatever his name may be.

Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast. (Rev13:18) On the sixth day God created man. So theologically six represents natural humanity; adamic man. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. (1Cor15:47,48) Man was created in the image of God, a triune being; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so man also is three in one; spirit, soul and body. As the Father originates all things the spirit of man is the origin of desires. When the bible speaks of a man’s “heart” it means his “spirit;” the most important part from which all motives flow. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Pr4:23) When natural man is “born again” he receives a new heart; Jesus comes into his innermost being. (Gal 3:27) From then on the born again man desires godly things in his spirit. His heart if followed will demonstrate Christ is in him.

The next part of man that must be dealt with is the soul. As the Father represents the “heart” of the Godhead, so Jesus is the mind and soul of God. What the Father desires, Jesus plans, organizes and disposes. The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do. (Jn5:19) For by Him (Jesus) all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16) In man, the soul includes the mind, will and emotions. The born again heart always desires all things to be brought into submission to God. This is accomplished by the renewing of the mind. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom12:2) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (Eph4:23) Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. (Jms1:21) As the mind is renewed it increasingly yields to the born again spirit which is in communion with Christ. Thus the mind, in submission to the spirit, will direct its attentions to the things of God and to accomplishing the will of God. What the spirit originates, the mind fulfills. When a mind is directed by the Spirit towards the things of God there’s an ever increasing cycle of faith and holiness; the more God you get, the more you want, and the more of God you want, the more you get. So as the born again man submits to the Spirit of Christ his mind is renewed. He then not only has Jesus in his heart (spirit) but now filling his mind and soul. This leaves the body to deal with. The body is earthy and prone to sin. But as the Spirit of Christ works through the born again believer and the renewed soul, the earthy body can be disciplined; its sinful passions “crucified” and brought into obedience to Christ. I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I’ve preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1Cor9:27) Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:24)

So true Christianity begins with the heart where God conquers our carnal desires by making us “new creations.” (2Cor5:17) The repentant believer is born again in heart. (1Pt1:22,23) With the help of his new heart, the disciple can now work his salvation out by renewing his mind. (Rom12:2) Finally the work of salvation culminates fully in the discipline of the body and the crucifixion of the fleshly passions. (Gal 5:24) The result of this is godly good works in the believer’s life; (Tit2:14) the body being the vehicle through which man’s works are manifested, even as the Holy Spirit is that part of the Godhead which performs the works of God. (Mt12:28) God’s purpose is to produce a sanctified or “spiritual” man. May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th5:23) This is the will of God, your sanctification. (1Th4:3) Accepting anything short of this is an evil heart of unbelief, (Heb3:12) which manifests as disobedience. And to whom did He swear they wouldn’t enter His rest but to those who didn’t obey? (Heb3:18) The mature Christian is sanctified completely. He’s filled with all the “fullness of God;” (Eph3:19) Christ in his spirit, in his soul, and in his body. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you’re complete in Him. (Col 2:9,10) This Spiritual Christian (there’s no other kind of true Christian) becomes eminently useful (fruitful) and a joy to God. He fulfills the will of God and thus becomes pleasing to all who are Godly. Following the Spirit, (with the mind of Christ – 1Cor2:16) he’s able to formulate such plans and operations as to fully accomplish God’s will for him. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12) All of which culminates in his disciplined body; working with his hands what’s good. (Eph4:28)

If you’ve obeyed God in receiving your sanctification, He’s able to dwell in you and be your God, and you His people. “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord, “don’t touch what’s unclean, and I’ll receive you. I’ll be a Father to you, and you’ll be My sons and daughters.” Therefore, having these promises, let’s cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2Cor6:16-18;7:1) Anything that doesn’t help us attain to holiness must be a vain distraction or ungodly spirit. For the scriptures clearly reveal God’s true desires and holy intentions for us: To Him who’s able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. (Jude24) Whoever’s been born of God doesn’t sin, for His seed remains in Him. (1Jn3:9) His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature. (2Pt1:3,4) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Jms1:27) So He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th3:13) Who’ll also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus. (1Cor1:8) Yet now He’s reconciled (you) in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. (Col 1:21,22) To be blameless means not just the absence of outward sin, but such obedience as to be above reproach for failing to perform any good which God may expect of you. (Jms4:17) The quintessential Spiritual man is Jesus and it’s Christ God desires to have formed in you. (Gal 4:19) Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph4:13) For whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. (Rom8:29) So how can we be certain it’s the real Christ who’s actually being formed in us? The Scriptures say: He’s the brightness of (God’s) glory and the express image of His person. (Heb1:3) He who’s seen Me has seen the Father. (Jn14:9) I don’t speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (Jn14:10) For I’ve come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (Jn6:38) The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do. (Jn5:19) The true essence of Christ is His total submission to the Father. Jesus is the God-man because He’s all man, yet His being is completely yielded to God. His Spirit, soul and body are fully united to the Father’s will. His heart belongs to the Father and intensely desires the Kingdom and glory of God. His every thought (soul) is directed toward bringing God’s Kingdom into manifestation. (Col 3:1,2) Christ’s body is disciplined, obedient, and fully committed to perform the Father’s will, even unto the sufferings of Gethsemane and death of the cross. This is the Christ God wants in you. Christ in you the hope of Glory. (Col 1:27b) Any other christ isn’t the real Christ. Any other goal in your Christianity isn’t unto salvation. Until you can truthfully say: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) And “It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) you aren’t really saved! Can you “believe” Christ is in you while you do your own things, living your own life and seeking your own pleasures? You can truthfully say, “It’s no longer I who lives but Christ,” only if Jesus has filled your being with the love of God (Eph3:17-19) and your entire purpose in life is to do the will of God; to glorify Christ and His Father. If this Holy pursuit isn’t in your mind and heart continually; seeking expression in your words and your works so you Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. (1Th5:16-18) And whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, (you) do all to the glory of God. (1Cor10:31) If it’s not so with you then Christ isn’t in you and you lie to say He is. And all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire. (Rev21:8)

A self-serving “christianity” is a mockery of Christ, for His very nature is total submission, joyful obedience and complete concentration on God. Anything less than this isn’t Christ. And if Christ isn’t in you, you’re disqualified. (2Cor13:5) This means you won’t inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus isn’t your Lord if you don’t do the things He commands. (Lk6:46) The Word of God is profoundly clear on this subject. No one is saved by merely believing Christ to be Savior. Christ is Savior but you can only be saved by believing Him to be Lord and making Him your Lord. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. (Rom10:9) If Jesus is your Lord then your faith in Him means you obey Him. Your obedience allows Him to guide you in paths of righteousness and thereby save you. (Ps23:3; 2Cor5:21;1Jn2:29) A pilot flying blind in a storm must have faith in his traffic controller. By obeying the voice of the controller even more than his own senses, he can be guided to safety. So your faith in Christ compels you to obey His voice. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. They’ll by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him. (Jn10:27,5) If you’ve a true faith in Christ you’ll obey His commands, which allows Him to save you by guiding you on the paths of salvation. So He’s Savior because He’s your Lord. To believe Jesus can save you while you resist Him, continuing in disobedience, following the spirit of the world, the lusts of your flesh and the desires of your mind, (Eph2:2,3) is a demonic form of presumption. Only if you make Jesus Lord and follow Him can He save you.

Christ’s Nature is godly: total obedience to God. So if God were to ask: Here’s wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the Christ. Wisdom would reply, “It’s the number of the Man-God, a perfectly Spiritual Man. His number is 333.” The number 3 signifies the triune Godhead. And the nature of Christ is to be the perfectly godly man; a triune being: godly in heart, in thought, and in works. He’s totally devoted to God in spirit, soul and body. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, (spirit) with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength (body). (Mk12:30) Thus we can recognize Christ by His nature, not just His name. For Christ has many names: Immanuel, Prince of Peace… And we must know the true Christ who dwells in the true believers however He comes. I’m crucified with Christ; it’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Gal 2:20) Do you love the Lord with all your heart and soul, mind and strength? (Mk12:30) Does the real Christ reign in you? Are you totally devoted to His interests? (2Cor5:15) If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (Lk9:23,24)

The Pharisees thought they’d know the Christ they saw in Moses, Isaiah or Jeremiah. But when He came as Jesus they didn’t recognize Him. Nor when He came in Peter, John, James, or Paul. Today most “christians” believe they’d recognize Jesus. But can you know Him when He comes with a different name and face? (Mk16:12) Do you know His Spirit? His character? Are you wiser than the pharisees and their followers who heard Jesus speak and saw His miracles but in the end chose the pomp and ceremony, the pride and the splendor of the temple made with hands? The most high doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. (Act7:48) Are you wiser than those who chose the favor of men over “fellowshipping in the sufferings of Christ?” (Phil 3:10) Or do you see yourself the “chiefest of sinners?” (1Tim1:15) Do you know you’re weak, foolish, easily deceived and in dire need of the Lord to guide you and save you? Are you seeking Him continually, obeying His every whisper; looking to Him for your wisdom, love and strength? (1Cor1:30) Can you walk softly, humbly following the true Spirit of Christ? Do you live in Him and for Him, yearning for total unity with Him always, more than anything else in this life? For if you seek Him with all your heart, you’ll find Him. (Jer29:13)

Now here’s wisdom. We know the number of Christ, the perfect God-man. And by discerning His character and Spirit, we can identify Him however He appears, whether in Spirit or person. We know He never seeks His own but is totally devoted to the Father. And every true Christian should be just like Him. (1Jn4:17) But by knowing Christ we can also identify the antichrist; the ungodly man, however he appears. For he may come to pastor a church, or to run for office in our local government. He may be directing a TV ministry requesting our support. He may want to govern our nation. Worse than these things, he may be trying to set up his kingdom in our very own heart; usurping God’s rightful place in our spirit, soul, and body. Yes, he may attempt to enter us as a deceiving religious spirit, a counterfeit Christ. Then “here’s wisdom.” Having gained an understanding in calculating the number of Christ, the totally Godly-man, as “333” then we can easily comprehend how God would “calculate the number of the beast.” He’s described as a king who’ll do according to his own will. (Dan11:36) While Christ does only the will of the Father. (Jn5:19;6:38) This king shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god. (Dan11:36) While Christ is meek and lowly in heart. (Mt11:29) The bible describes the beast as having seven heads (Rev13:1) Jesus has one HEAD, His Father in heaven. (1Cor11:3) The seven heads are Seven kings. Five have fallen. One is. And the other hasn’t come. (Rev17:10) These refer to the great world empires up to Rome and one yet to come. It’s not important to name these kingdoms, but know they represent godless men ruling in the iniquities that characterize human society. For there’s never been a world empire wholly purposed to serve God. Rather, each has pursued the vices of its predecessors, while adding the distinctive evils of its own time. Thus Egypt epitomized idolatry. Assyria added materialism to the sins of idol worship. Babylon was known for licentiousness; sensual excesses as well as idols and material riches. Persia found her new evils in sorcery, false sciences and astrologies; the worship of nature. Greece added the exaltation of human intellect and reason to these former sins. Rome combined all the iniquities of every previous empire with an adoration of organization, power, and a lust for world domination as never before seen. Each kingdom culminates in a greater display of humanistic corruptions and vices than the previous. So we may rightly apprehend that the kingdom of the beast represents the final fulfillment and totality of all the errors and depravities that characterize fallen mankind, brought to a head in one last grandiose but futile effort to establish man’s government totally independent of God.

The beast will use every device satan can muster to resist God and establish a kingdom separate from God’s. The character of his government will be independent, self-sufficient, self-centered, self-seeking, completely iniquitous, earthy, adamic, humanistic; man ruling and reigning with absolutely no desire to answer to a superior God; neither recognizing nor giving place to the Lordship of his Creator. The nature of the beast is human self-sufficiency, independence, self-confidence, lust and selfishness at its fullest; the godless heart seeking only its own glory; the godless soul trusting totally in its own abilities and directing every thought of the mind, every atom of the emotions, and every intention of the will towards the advancements of its purely selfish interests. Finally the fleshly body, seeking its pleasures from every source and method available. The triune being of this man is completely possessed with selfish concerns. Theologically, the number of man is six. And when a man’s body, soul and spirit are totally given to his human or selfish nature, his number is 666. This doesn’t mean the beast can’t appear to “do good,” for every world loving politician has learned to please people to attain support. And numerous “religious leaders” know how to “scratch the ears” of their followers. (2Tim4:3) But it does mean the motive behind everything this man does, even the apparent good, will be for purposes of his own: personal glory, success and pleasure. Such a man may be handsome, athletic and well educated. For what’s highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Lk16:15) But that which is highly esteemed by men is useful to the beast’s advancement. He’ll be active in popular causes; particularly those that provide him publicity and contacts with people who can advance his career. He’ll seem religious, for he’s not against using any god, church, philosophy or organization that can help him achieve his goals. But he’ll never submit to God as his Lord. Rather, he seeks a god who’ll serve him! A god whose laws or principals can be used to forward his personal goals. He’ll regard neither the God of his fathers nor any god; for he’ll exalt himself above them all. But in their place he’ll honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers didn’t know with gold and silver, precious stones and pleasant things. (Dan11:37,38) But concerning the true God, he’ll speak blasphemies against the God of gods. (Dan11:36) He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. (Rev13:6) So he’ll speak evil of the true God and true believers who worship God as man’s Master; who believe you must repent, humble yourself and submit unto a holy God to be saved; who believe salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ who commands you must lose your life to save it, forsake all and deny yourself to follow Him. This kind of God is of no interest to our 666 man. After all, he’s a man in control; a success oriented man. That kind of god is for the weak, the foolish, the helpless and failures in this life. The 666 man doesn’t have time to consider issues of eternity. There’s too much for him to do here and now. Have you ever met anyone like this beast? Does he remind you of your neighbor, your boss, your spouse, your pastor, your father, mother, etc.? Does he remind you of yourself? For he is your self; the unborn-again self; the “old man;” the adamic nature!

Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? (Ps2:1) The beast isn’t a hateful enslaving dictator, but the very man a rebellious and godless people desire to lead them in a government that won’t bother them with the moral restrictions of a holy God. He comes to fulfill the hopes of a self-seeking, iniquitous, earthy, and humanistic population. In Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, he describes the final government before God’s Kingdom: The toes were partly of iron and partly of clay… and as you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they’ll mingle with the seed of men. (Dan2:42,43) This kingdom is a mixture, an agreement of the people with their leadership in favor of themselves and against God. Thus the final manifestation of the beast appears when the world’s masses are ready for and desiring such a leader. They’ll expect the beast to grant them deliverance from God’s judgments, provide them with worldly prosperity, and insure their freedom to pursue their carnal pleasures. Much false “christianity” offers just such a promise. Before the final one, there’ll be many lesser manifestations of the beast, both in spirit and person. He’ll always be received by similarly self-oriented people. Any groups, organizations or “churches” who “seek their own rather than the things of God” will be easy prey.

The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and His anointed, saying, “Let’s break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps2:2,3) The final manifestation of these kings is the ten horns of Revelation. (13:1;17:12) They’re rulers, who on behalf of their peoples are looking for a super leader to save them from the impending judgments of a God whom they refuse to obey. They want a “savior” to open a way of temporal salvation so they can continue to pursue their sinful ways. Obviously, before satan can put antichrist in charge of the world’s governments, he must have already put his spirit into the hearts of the people. When a person is filled with the spirit of antichrist, he’ll gladly receive “a man after his own heart.” And this is the pertinent issue – satan’s plot to subvert the hearts of not just the world, but God’s church herself. His strategy is deception and distraction; blinding his victims to the really important issues and preventing them from taking proper defensive action. In the church, just as in contemporary warfare, an effective ploy is to make the enemy think you’re attacking from a different direction than you really are. This diverts his forces from the place they’re needed and makes it easier to infiltrate his strongholds. In satan’s warfare, he often tries to distract the church with fears of prophetic events which haven’t yet manifested and will never come in quite the way most people expect.

Who opposes and exalts himself above all that’s called God or that’s worshiped, so he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself he is God. (2Th2:4) False prophets have told us to beware of an antichrist who’ll enter the temple in Jerusalem – a temple that doesn’t even exist! But they’re watching the wrong temple! The true temple is under attack now. The only real temple of God in the world today is the one composed of the saints; Don’t you know you’re the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Cor3:16) Don’t you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1Cor6:19) For you are the temple of the living God. (2Cor6:16) While deceived and distracted “christians” are worrying about a non-existent temple, the spirit of antichrist is invading the real temple comprised of the hearts and souls of true believers. In what should be the holy places in their minds foolish “christians” are allowing satan to set up worldly idols, selfish ambitions, and carnal desires to which they daily bow the knee. They think they’re worshipping Christ, but they actually serve the “god of this world.” (1Jn2:15) They make their offerings to a god who says nothing of “self-denial” “bearing your cross,” or any of the causes espoused by the true Christ. Rather they pray to a god who doesn’t bother them with such things as repentance, self sacrifice and holiness. So whose spirit actually reigns in the hearts of these “saints” who call themselves “christians” while they live for themselves? Antichrist is sitting as God in the temple of God, showing himself he is God. (2Th2:4)

It’s not surprising the beast believes himself to be God, when he sits in the place of God in the pulpits of so many “churches” and in the hearts of so many “christians” who pray to him, make vows to him, and share their worldly dreams with him. “Christian” athletes devote years of effort to attaining a “crown that perishes” and when something goes well publicly “thank” “god!” And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they (unbelievers) do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we (saints) for an imperishable crown. (1Cor9:25) It’s not our Christ they thank. “Christian” movie stars give lip service to a Jesus they don’t really know, lauding Him for their successes, while their lives and films savor of the world’s sensuality. It’s not the real Christ they serve. There’s no self-denial, no bearing of the cross. There’s no laying down of one’s life, no holiness, no purity, no humility! Such “christians” are seeking the very things the world seeks, and gaining the very things the world wants. It’s antichrist in the temple. While so many have been watching for him in Jerusalem, he’s reigning in America. By deceiving the hearts and minds of many pastors, he’s taken leadership in their “churches.” He’s the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place. (Mt24:15) Jesus said, “whoever reads, let him understand” but few have understood. While the church studied “Jewish fables” satan entered PTL and made it desolate. He filled the holy place with abominations; self-centered, worldly, pleasure seeking, Disney world “christians” who’d make any true saint ashamed that such people could call themselves Christ’s. And though the beast’s season at PTL ended, there are other ministries where the antichrist still reigns. Jesus prophesied the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. When His disciples commented on Herod’s grand building program, He said, “Not one stone shall be left upon another.” (Mt24:2) Jesus knew the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. (Act7:48) God’s never impressed with man’s buildings. Buildings may serve a purpose: As using the world, but not abusing it. (1Cor7:31) But too often when men build for “God’s glory,” Inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house, (Heb3:3) they end up glorifying themselves.

In the year 70AD the Roman armies under Emperor Vespasian destroyed the temple fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy. Previous to this in the siege of Jerusalem the daily sacrifice ceased, fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy. After sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who’s to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. Then he’ll confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he’ll bring an end to sacrifice and offering. (Dan9:26,27a) Jesus never prophesied the man-made temple would be rebuilt. God’s true temple is made without hands. For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb11:10) It’s the place in which Christ is a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Heb3:6) Only that which is built by God can bring glory to God. Nowhere in the bible does it say man will rebuild the Jerusalem temple, but rather, We have such a High Priest, who’s seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. (Heb8:1b,2) But Christ came as High Priest of good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. (Heb9:11) Now what’s becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Heb8:13) Because the man-made temple was made obsolete by Christ, it did vanish away. And it won’t be rebuilt by God. For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Gal 2:18)  But contemporary “churches” are flooded with speculations of carnal minds trying to explain spiritual things without knowing the Spirit or the wisdom of God. Curious minds want answers and if they can’t find them in God, they’ll make up their own. Hence worldly “churches” are filled with an abundance of superstitions and “christian” fables. The time will come when they won’t endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they’ve itching ears, they’ll heap up for themselves teachers, turn their ears away from the Truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2Tim4:3,4) But reject profane and old wives’ fables. (1Tim4:7) Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the Truth. (Tit1:13,14) Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. (1Tim1:4,5) If speculating in the stock market is sin, then speculating about bible prophecy is also sin. For whatever isn’t from faith is sin. (Rom14:23) The purpose of God’s written Word, including bible prophecies, is to produce love from pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith. Speculations lead to disputes not godly edification which is in faith. For knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. (1Cor8:1) Most “prophecy teachers” today are heretical Baptists and what they “teach” isn’t of God, but misinterpretations of the scriptures inspired by spirits from hell. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it’s no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2Cor11:13-15) Millions of so called “christians” are being led astray by “prophetic fables” that have no pertinence to true Spirituality or godliness. They’ve given themselves over to religious vanities which produce no good fruit; no love, joy, peace or faith, but are merely a kind of “fortune telling” practiced by “church” gypsies! Those who delight in attending these “christian carnivals” become puffed up in a pride that comes from ungodly knowledge, (1Cor8:1) while their conversations exhibit nothing of the weightier matters of holiness, faith and love. (Mt23:23) Are your religious activities producing Christ in you or are you really involved in studies of nonsense disguised as godly knowledge? Are you getting to know God or just getting to know religious trivia? Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth. (2Tim3:7) Is your approach to biblical things a desire to know God better or just a desire to know? For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. (Act17:21) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You’ve sent. (Jn17:3)

Jesus reveals one purpose for godly prophecy when He says, “These things I’ve spoken that you shouldn’t stumble.” (Jn16:1) He’s not showing us how to avoid tribulations but rather that we wouldn’t think God has abandoned us when we encounter them. He wants us to know such things are foreordained and God will be with us through them. It’s whether we’re in the Spirit or the flesh concerning biblical studies that determines if they’ll be helpful to us. If we come in Christ, looking for more of God we’ll receive more of Him and our faith will be increased. If we come for other reasons; seeking entertainment, intellectual pride, or to satisfy our carnal curiosity, we’ll find something other than Truth. Much of the interest in end time prophecy is an attempt by unspiritual “christians” to find salvation in knowledge rather than faith. Men who don’t have faith may trust their “wits” instead. Some feel that by knowing the future they can avoid the calamities to come. But apart from a true relationship with Christ this is a vain hope. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Ps127:1b) It was clearly prophesied the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; (Mic5:2) however, the only visitors who came to see the Christ Child were “Wise Men” led by a star (Mt2:1-9) and shepherds instructed by angels. (Lk2:8-16) The chief priests and scribes, whose lives were supposedly devoted to understanding God’s Word, weren’t present. When asked of Herod where the Christ would be born, they answered “Bethlehem” but didn’t think it worth making the short journey to “behold Him.” Their expertise in the scriptures had nothing to do with a love for God. It was just their way of making a living. So those who were considered the foremost “experts” in interpreting prophecy missed completely the greatest prophetic event of the age – the incarnation of Christ. Even worse they entered into a conspiracy with Herod to try to “outwit God,” using God’s Word to kill the Christ Child. (Mt2:4-6,16) How many so called “christians” are trying to “outwit God” today? Are they trying to escape God’s judgments by substituting their knowledge of prophetic events for a true faith and intimate acquaintance with God in Christ?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hos4:6) is a commonly heard scripture in many “churches,” but what kind of knowledge do they lack? Many “end time prophecy ministries” use this as a “catchall” to justify their speculations on current events. But it’s not a lack of knowing end time “news,” but a lack of knowing God that causes people to perish. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You’ve sent. (Jn17:3) Much interest in prophecy including personal prophecy in the “churches” is inordinate. It doesn’t stem from a love for God or desire to help His people. With “ministers” it’s often rooted in selfish ambition; a desire to promote one’s career. In the lay people there’s often an affinity for the sensational; an ungodly desire to know the future – the same spirit that causes unbelievers to be fascinated with Nostradamus, astrology, Edgar Cayce, psychics and fortune tellers. Such people are eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… (Gen2:17) Any interest not motivated by godly love is vain. Though I’ve the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I’ve all faith so I could remove mountains, but have not love, I’m nothing. (1Cor13:2)        

Jesus commands us not to worry about the future. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Mt6:34) Battles must be fought in the present. We can’t be victorious in the future unless we’re victorious in the now. The real issue is are you serving God now, following the Spirit now, overcoming now? If you allow future concerns to destroy your opportunities to serve God today, you’ve been outwitted by the enemy, and have already lost. You can only deal with tomorrow’s problems after successfully overcoming today’s. God in His wisdom has so structured things that we’re never required to deal with more than one day at a time. It’s only necessary for us to take each problem as it comes; facing each concern in its order. Fight the enemy who’s after you today and forget about the one behind him until his turn comes. Jashobeam, one of David’s mighty men, killed three hundred enemies in one battle. How? He trusted God and killed the nearest enemy, taking each one at a time. When he was done three hundred were dead. (1Chr11:11) This is the secret every successful soldier and athlete understands: don’t be distracted by the future. Face the present. Catch the runner who has the ball now. There’ll be time to catch the next one on the next play. All God requires of you is faith in Christ to overcome today’s doubts, fears, and problems. Moment by moment, with God’s help, you’ll overcome all and follow Jesus.

When we study bible history it mustn’t be to laud yesterday’s saints or condemn history’s sinners as though there’s any merit in this. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for such thinking: You say, “If we’d lived in the days of our fathers we’d not have partaken with them in the blood of the prophets.” Therefore you’re witnesses against yourselves that you’re sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up then the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some you’ll kill and crucify, and some you’ll scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. (Mt23:30-35) There’s no merit in honoring past heroes. God’s interested in how you respond to His present ones. If we’re Spirit-led we read the bible for insights into our sinful nature and God’s righteousness, that we may apply the lessons of history to present circumstances and overcome our carnal weaknesses and the spiritual adversaries of today. I’m no better than David. If he could fall, I could. So recognizing my own weakness in David’s failure, I pray to God to keep me near that I might avoid making David’s mistakes.

I don’t want you to be unaware all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea, all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God wasn’t well pleased for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples to the intent that we shouldn’t lust after evil things as they also lusted. Or become idolaters as were some of them. As it’s written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality as some of them did and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain as some of them complained and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples and were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1Cor10:1-12) Every failure of the ancients is a weakness to which the present day “christian” is prone. If we don’t recognize those weaknesses and seek God’s help in dealing with them, we’ll repeat the mistakes of the past. Bible prophecy is history in advance. It must be read the way we read other bible stories for moral instruction; not as a fortune teller’s map to escape tomorrow’s problems. (2Tim3:16) To treat it as such is to disobey Christ, who says, “don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Mt6:34) Rather, we should be looking to the future for insights into the present so we don’t make the mistakes future generations will make. We have one enemy. He may manifest in different ways; then as a king; now as a deceiving prophet; later as a false friend. But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You’re an offense to Me, for you aren’t mindful of the things of God but the things of men.” (Mt16:23) It’s always the same enemy; satan. He’s the one the Israelites faced in the unfriendly Pharoah. He’s the same enemy the saints will face in Revelations as the beast and the false prophet. He’s the one we face today as harlot Babylon. He has seven heads which appear as different kingdoms in different times, but he’s the same devil. (Rev17:7-10) He’s also the enemy we encounter today as the spirit of antichrist. (1Jn2:18) So by looking at satan’s devices, both past and future, we can learn to thwart his present attacks. We can then be victorious in doing God’s will and glorifying God right now. For the only season we know for certain is available for us to serve God rightly is the present. Also, as we see God’s power working in future events; defeating the wiles of the enemy and bringing His holy will to pass, we can know this same almighty God is working powerfully on our behalf today. For it’s God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13) We don’t study bible prophecy for knowledge of the future, but for knowledge of God Himself, for we aren’t saved by knowing future events. We’re saved by knowing Christ and being led by God’s Spirit who says, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Is30:21) Our faith is in God, who’s given us a way to live righteous and holy before Him in Christ right now; bearing good fruit unto God’s glory; who’ll render to each one according to his deeds. (Rom2:6) We don’t trust in our imperfect interpretations of future events to save us. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. (1Cor13:9) It’s faith in God that saves.

Ahab received a word from Elijah about his death. “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, (Jezereel) dogs shall lick your blood.” (1Kng21:19) Later when Ahab wants to go to war with Syria he calls 400 false “prophets” to advise him. They all say “go and prosper.” But one true prophet says, “The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all your prophets and has declared disaster against you.” (1Kng22:23) Micaiah prophesies Ahab’s death at Ramoth Gilead. Josephus explains Ahab’s thinking. Ahab knew Elijah is a true prophet; Elijah’s a miracle worker. Micaiah however, did no miracles. He’s a “speaking” prophet. Yet Elijah prophesied the dogs would lick Ahab’s blood in Jezereel. Now, Ahab’s a very ungodly man, but he took Elijah’s words seriously enough to fast over them. When Ahab heard those words he tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his body, fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. (1Kng21:27) After hearing that prophecy Ahab no doubt made every effort to avoid Jezereel. Believing he’d be killed there, he tried to use this knowledge to avoid his death. So Ahab considers, “Elijah’s a true prophet and Elijah says Jezereel is the place I’ll die. Micaiah says Ramoth Gilead. Ramoth Gilead is a day’s journey from Jezereel; and Elijah is certainly a true prophet.” So Ahab believes he’ll be safe in Ramoth Gilead. “Micaiah has to be mistaken.” But both prophecies are fulfilled. Ahab dies at Ramoth Gilead, but his chariot is washed of his blood at the pool of Jezereel. (1Kng2:29-38) So it will happen with all who try to use God’s Word to outwit God. (Pr21:30) God will keep those who look to Him in faith, but destroy those who trust in false gods; even those who trust in their own faulty understandings of prophecies. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Pr3:5)

There’s an inordinate interest in end time prophecy in people who refuse to come to God and live by faith, but prefer to trust in their own wits and knowledge of God’s Word. There are whole movements in christianity today claiming to be “word people” who twist and misapply God’s Word to suit their own purposes. You can’t really trust God’s Word unless you know what He meant when He spoke it. You have to know God’s heart; His Spirit. You must love Him and desire to please Him. If anyone wills to do His will, he’ll know concerning the doctrine, whether it’s from God or whether I speak on My own. (Jn7:17) If you love God and want to do His will, the Holy Spirit will give you grace to understand God’s Word. Ahab believed in God, but he didn’t love God or desire to serve Him. So it is with many today. They believe God exists, but don’t diligently seek Him. (Heb11:6) They try to use the Word to serve themselves; trusting in some scriptures which they think promise them salvation. But they don’t have or want the personal intimacy with Christ which produces a godly life. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you aren’t willing to come to Me that you may have life. (Jn5:39,40) If your knowledge of the Word isn’t making you holy, faithful, more in love with God and conformed to Jesus, then your learning is vain. Your knowledge has become a snare and a distraction. Such wisdom is human and carnal. My speech and preaching weren’t with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. (1Cor2:4) When God’s Word comes rightly it comes in the power to produce a godly life; to form Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) You can’t substitute anything for God; not even the bible. If the Word doesn’t lead you to Christ it may become an idol in itself which will destroy you. The Pharisees knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but they weren’t present at His birth. Later when Jesus walked among them, they rejected Him thinking He was from Nazareth. Search and look, (they said) “No prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” (Jn7:52) Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Hasn’t the Scripture said the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem?” (Jn7:41,42) The Pharisees thought those who believed in Jesus didn’t know the scriptures. This crowd that doesn’t know the law is accursed. (Jn7:49) But it was the Pharisees who were accursed. Their table had become a snare. (Ps69:22) The scriptures themselves were their stumbling block. Because they tried to use God’s Word for their own purposes and not to serve God, God let them trip over their own expertise. They fell into hell on the naked wings of their own paltry wisdom. God tells us enough in prophecy that after the event comes to pass we can see it was Him. He never tells us so much that we can deal with the future apart from Him. There’s always enough He doesn’t tell to guarantee we’ll stumble if we try to use His Word for our own purposes without His Spirit. Real Christians read their bibles to gain strength and faith for today, not for tomorrow. Give us this day our daily bread. (Mt6:11) Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2Cor6:2) If you know Christ, you know His grace is sufficient for today. And if we abide in Him, we can be sure He’ll be our sufficiency for tomorrow. Thus we can face the future with confidence and joy, knowing Christ is our ever-present sufficiency.

I once knew a young Christian from Ivory Coast, Africa. This humble believer was the most teachable disciple I’ve ever encountered. She took the Word of God in like a sponge, and almost immediately it would become her Spiritual reality. She received the baptism in the Holy Spirit in a prayer meeting when we weren’t even praying for the baptism. It was a sovereign work of God. This young lady, who’s since returned to Africa, may never read any end time prophecy books. She’ll probably never come to any conclusions as to whether the “catching up of the saints” will be “pre-trib” or “post-trib.” She’s likely never heard the arguments concerning the rapture and whether or not the saints will go through the tribulation. To her spiritual ears they’d only be “idle talk, and giving heed to fables.” (1Tim1:4,6) But when Jesus appears I’m sure she’ll be ready. When the last trumpet sounds and we who remain meet Jesus in the clouds, she’ll be there. (1Th4:17) She won’t be saved by her knowledge of bible prophecy, nor an inordinate curiosity for knowing the future; for she has no such affections. Her passion is for Christ Himself. And she’ll be saved because she knows Him, she knows His Spirit and because the Spirit guides her daily into the Truth she needs each day. In her obedience to the Spirit, she’s ready to meet the Lord right now. And as she continues to obey with her heart fully set on the Lord, she’ll remain ready. If she must endure tribulations, and she’s had her share, she’ll face them in the faith and patience of Christ. And if she meets Jesus in death or life, in the jungles or the city, it will make no difference; her heart is fully alive to Him now, wherever she is. This is the Christianity God desires for all of us.

Some years ago, the “churches” were shaken by a book claiming Jesus would come in the fall of that year: “88 Reasons Jesus Will Come in 1988.” The author gave many “scriptural proofs” to support his claims, but he didn’t know the Holy Spirit. And though he was sincere, he was very wrong. His reasoning’s were mere human wisdom. There are numerous “christians” like him. Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. (1Tim1:7) When God opens up His mysteries, it isn’t to computer experts, seminary professors, and mathematicians. Where’s the wise? Where’s the scribe? Where’s the disputer of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1Cor1:20) When God reveals His mysteries it’s always to a chosen vessel; a praying, fasting, humble believer whose heart yearns to know God more. But the way the “88 reasons” book affected the “churches” was an uncomely unveiling of their spiritual nakedness. Many so called “believers” were openly shaken, like the five foolish virgins, scurrying about, trying to borrow some oil for their empty lamps knowing they were unprepared for Christ’s coming. (Mt25:8) The things Jesus commands do now. This is the season when the Spirit’s oil is available. Soon the doors will close. The five foolish virgins were left behind because they were doing the wrong things at the wrong time. They’re like the Israelites who stayed in the desert when God told them to go into Canaan, but went into Canaan when God told them to stay in the desert. (Num14:40) The Lord wasn’t with them, for they weren’t with the Lord. They’re trying to do today what they failed to do yesterday, while again they disobey God’s instructions for today. When you’re led by the Spirit, there’s peace. You don’t go from panic to panic but from faith to faith. “Christianity” that’s anxious, nervous and troubled isn’t real. It’s a counterfeit. “Believers” who think they’ll escape the antichrist by their human wisdom have already been taken captive by him. For he’s the spirit of a false christ; a distracting religion that draws men’s hearts away from the true. You’ll keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. (Is26:3) When your study of end time prophecy causes you to become excited, upset, fearful; if it engenders sectarian arguments, then you’re already captured by the spirit of the beast. You’re bearing his fruit for a tree is known by its fruit and you’re producing; hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies. (Gal 5:20) And you won’t inherit God’s Kingdom. (v21)

Those who can’t resist the spirit of antichrist now, won’t resist the beast to come. If you can’t say no to the spirit of sin today, you won’t say no to the man of sin tomorrow. Your heart is already his. You’re just waiting for his appearance. When he appears, if you’re of his spirit, he’ll be all you wanted in a pastor, a president, a savior. He’ll offer you the kind of church you’ve dreamed of. He’ll say the things you like to hear. He’ll promise you success, salvation, and prosperity here on earth where the flesh wants it. He’ll offer salvation on your terms; no repentance or self-denial, no bearing the cross. Carnal christians will love the beast when he appears. He’s like them; adamic, earthly, sensual; in love with the world and the things of the world. They’ll flock to him. And he’s already appeared, again and again, wherever carnal congregations come together. Millions of so called “christians” have already received him joyfully.

Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. He never prophesied it would be rebuilt. But the New Testament tells us a new temple is being built. You also as living stones, are being built up a Spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1Pt2:5) You’re no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Eph2:19-22) For you’re the temple of the living God. (2Cor6:16) The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed when God had no further use for it. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. (Heb8:7) In that He says, “A new covenant,” He’s made the first obsolete. Now what’s becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Heb8:13) The temple in Jerusalem was faulty. It outlived its usefulness. God’s building a new temple; the body of Christ: the church of the living God. If the Jews decide to rebuild their temple it’s of little consequence, it won’t be God’s temple. God will never again live in a temple made of hands. The temple of Ezekiel 40-48 is an allegory of the Church. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (Jn7:38;Ezek47) The references to God’s temple in Revelation likewise give allusion to the Church; God’s heavenly tabernacle made without hands. Even the tabernacle of Moses was a type and shadow of the born again believer. The outer court portrays the body, where self is sacrificed daily on the altar and the flesh is washed in the water of the Word. The Holy place is the soul where the lamp of the Spirit and the showbread of the Word bring forth the Holy altar’s incense of prayer and worship. And the Holy of Holies is the place where the law and the testimony of God reside. And where God Himself dwells in the heart of the believer; a heart cleansed by the High Priest, Christ, who sanctified us with His own blood. For Christ has become a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. (Heb8:2) Now you’d have to be very silly to believe that after God has gone thru all the trouble of building a temple from “living stones,” He’s going back to dwell in a dead-stone temple. It won’t be so! Neither is satan’s antichrist waiting to sit as god in the dead-stone temple built by man, but rather he’s already trying to sit as God in the true temple, the hearts of the believers. (2Th2:4) Much of the “church” has been distracted with concerns about the antichrist entering a temple that doesn’t exist, while all the while satan has been playing god in the actual temple of the “believers” with his unholy end time doctrines of prosperity christainity and self-serving humanistic theologies.

He offers “believers” the kingdoms of this world and many have bowed the knee. The devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I’ll give You if You’ll fall down and worship me.” (Mt4:8,9) Jesus overcame satan’s temptations, but too many haven’t. They’ve compromised, following the ways of this world and seeking the world’s rewards. But those who really know Jesus won’t be so deceived. (Jn10:27) Jesus overcame satan’s temptation then, and if you abide in Him, He’ll overcome satan for you now. But there are many who claim to be Christ’s who don’t know Him. They aren’t all Israel who are of Israel. (Rom9:6) Satan has seated himself in the hearts of numerous church leaders and their followers. PTL fell to the beast after a season of self-seeking pseudo-christainity, but many pulpits and religious organizations still resound with similar heresies. Virtually all the “church” has been polluted by the abomination that makes desolate; (Mk13:14) the spirit of human carnality using “religion” to serve self; flesh ruling and reigning where God ought to be. God is good and in His mercies He’ll meet a sincere supplicant at the point of a temporal need. He wants to demonstrate His love and show Himself strong on behalf of those who trust Him. But He’s calling His people away from this world into an intimate and all consuming passion for Christ. Don’t love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father isn’t in him. (1Jn2:15) If the love of the Father isn’t in you, Christ isn’t in you. And if you think God will let you use His Holy name to fulfill your worldly lusts, you’re already captive to the beast.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Act3:19) Receive a new heart by faith in Christ. Set your love on Him; not self. Before a “666” is branded on your forehead dooming you to hell forever; REPENT! One of satan’s favorite weapons is distraction. He likes to keep the lost occupied with selfish and temporal things so they have no time for the issues of eternity. But he attacks the church with deceptions. Those who know God exist are offered a counterfeit god. The world openly serves self, but the church is offered an imitation christ who lets you pretend to serve God while you secretly serve self. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Jms1:27) If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Lk9:23) The battle for the heart is fought in the mind. Get the mind’s attention and you may capture the heart. Satan’s plan is to distract you away from God. Cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mk4:19) Selfish interests crowd God out of your life resulting in fruitlessness and damnation. Fruitless lives bear the mark of the beast. The hearts are hard and uncaring; giving God no useful place in them. Charles Finney the great revivalist, says revivals aren’t miracles for miracles supersede natural law. There’s no need to suspend a natural law to have revival. Revival is simply men’s attentions turning away from other things toward God. Now God can foment revival by pouring out His Spirit, thus turning our affections towards Him and we should pray for Him to do so. But revival can still come by an act of our will. If you’ll repent, turn your attentions away from worldly distractions and set your affections on God, you’ll have a personal revival. True believers are experiencing revival now, where their hearts are filled with an inexpressible love for Christ that makes serving Him a constant joy. If you don’t know that love, repent! Nevertheless I’ve this against you; you’ve left your first love. Remember therefore from where you’ve fallen; repent and do the first works, or I’ll come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place. (Rev2:4,5) Give your heart completely to Jesus. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and with all your mind. (Lk10:27) Stop asking God to do your things and do His. Let your prayer be Lord, what do You want me to do? (Act9:6) If you’ll overcome satan’s distractions, and set your affections on Christ, you’ll find immediate revival. If your family turns their attentions to God, they’ll have revival. If your church turns their attentions away from religious programs and back to God, they’ll have revival.

True Christianity is a battle fought in the mind. The saint must overcome everything that hinders his unity with Christ. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you’re complete in Him, who’s the head of all principality and power. (Col 2:8-10) Only those who overcome will enter God’s Kingdom. But by faith in Christ you can overcome. For He who’s in you is greater than he who’s in the world. (1Jn4:4) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To him who overcomes I’ll give to eat from the tree of life.” (Rev2:7) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (false christs) Amen. (1Jn5:21)

The Glory of His Grace is offered free of charge. However, tax-deductible contributions can be made to “My Father’s House” and are much appreciated.
Write to:

My father’s House, inc.
a Spirit filled Church of prayer, evangelism and discipleship!
 

113 Martin St. Indian Harbour Beach, FL, USA 32937

(This address is for correspondence only, if you wish to attend services at “My Father’s House” write in advance for information.)

 Our books are also available on our web site at:
www.gloryofhisgrace.org

Up

Copyright © 2006 My Father's House Incorporated