2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 
2Th 2:6  And now ye know WHAT WITHHOLDETH that he might be revealed in his time. 
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 
 
It is obvious in his epistle to the Thessalonians that the Apostle Paul has plainly explained to them about a “withholding force” that was actually preventing the man of sin, or the antichrist, from revealing himself to the world at some time in the past. The Apostle Paul plainly tells the Thessalonians that the “withholding force” was also currently preventing the man of sin from being revealed to the world.

 
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of INIQUITY doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 

 
INIQUITY: G458, anomia, an-om-ee'-ah
From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness: - iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

 
It is also important not to be confused by the pronoun “he” as translated in English Bibles. In the original Greek language, the restrainer can be someone or SOMETHING:

 
In the first part of verse 6, the restrainer is described in an impersonal way ... what is restraining. But then in verse 7 it is a person—He who now restrains. E. W. Rogers puts it clearly:
It is Something and Someone who wittingly, purposefully, and designedly holds it in check with the view to ensuring that the Man of Lawlessness is revealed in his own proper time. Believer’s Bible Commentary
 
 
If we can identify what is RESISTING the “withholding force”, it should be easy to identify the “withholding force” that is preventing the man of sin from revealing himself. The Apostle Paul tells the Thessalonians that the “withholding force” WILL be taken out of the way!

 
Throughout history there have been many theories about what entity or force which was holding back the man of sin. Most of the early Church Fathers believed that the “withholding force” was the Roman Empire. However, the Roman Empire has long since fallen; therefore, it is probably safe to say that Rome is not what the Apostle Paul was talking about.

 
Others have speculated that the Holy Spirit is the “withholding force” that prevents the appearance of the man of sin. However, it is clear from the scriptures that God’s Spirit is literally everywhere! Therefore, God’s Spirit cannot be taken out of the way.

 
Psa 139:7  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 
Psa 139:8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
 

Pre-tribulation rapture believers hope that it is the Church that is holding back the appearance of the man of sin. However, it is clear from scripture that the man of sin’s primary endeavor is the persecution of the Church during the great tribulation.

 
Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

 
I have come to believe that it is God’s LAW which is withholding the man of sin from being revealed to the world. The Apostle Paul made it clear in the Book of Romans that governments were instituted by God and given authority by God to enforce His LAW!

 
Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher POWERS (authority). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 
Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 
Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

 
POWERS: G1849, exousia, ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

 
All through history pseudo-antichrists have risen up and have attempted to rule simply according to their own wants and desires, ignoring the fundamental GOD GIVEN rights of their subjects and failing to acknowledge their responsibilities as enforcers of a “higher” authority and law. When these tyrants, dictators, and despots forget that there is a higher authority, they usually suffer a quick, inglorious, and shameful death.

 
If we read the American Standard Bible’s translation of 2 Thessalonians, it makes the “withholding force” much clearer:
 

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of LAWLESSNESS doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall be revealed the LAWLESS one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;

 
All governments, everywhere and throughout history, enact laws that are required to preserve a healthy and civil society. From the Code of Hammurabi, to the law of Moses, to the Roman law, and finally to the English common law, we see that government is instituted and supported by the people only when it protects the religious, civil, and property rights of the citizenry. The Apostle Paul mentions in the Book of Romans that although the gentile nations do not possess the law of Moses, the law of God was still operative in their conscience.

 
Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

 
However, the Apostle Paul tells us there is a MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS that is ceaselessly working to remove all restraints before the appearance of the LAWLESS ONE!

 
Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because they actually allowed the breaking of God’s law with their traditions.
 
Mat 15:1  Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 
Mat 15:2  Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 
Mat 15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 
Mat 15:4  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 
Mat 15:5  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 
Mat 15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 

 
We see over and over throughout history the MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS at work. Governments that once protected the life, liberty, and property of its citizens slowly overturn the natural law by enacting legislation that allows the murder, enslavement, and plunder of its citizens.

 
In Nazi Germany we see the MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS  at work when the Nuremberg Laws were enacted, which removed German citizenship from Jews and thereby allowed the government to steal Jew’s property, place Jews in concentration camps, and eventually it allowed the government to murder millions of Jews, Gypsies, political dissidents, the disabled, and other “undesirables”.

 
In the United States of America we also see the MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS at work. There was a time when the Ten Commandments were posted in classrooms, state and federal government buildings, and courts of law in every state of the Union. Through a series of Supreme Court cases beginning with Stone v. Graham 449 U.S. 39 (1980), the Ten Commandments have been removed from nearly every public building in the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States, the Executive Branch, and the Congress, want it plainly understood that there is no “higher law” than the laws of the United States. This movement all over the world to stop God and His law from restraining government power and authority is setting the groundwork for the arrival of the LAWLESS ONE and his lawless one world governmental system.

 
We see in the Old Testament where God condemns the rulers of Judah because they have ignored and overturned God’s law in order to gratify their own lust, greed, and sensuality.

 
Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 

 
Now we see the stage being set for the arrival of a world leader who will cast off every restraint, the LAWLESS ONE who will have a special contempt for the law of God and the innate dignity of mankind.

 
And then shall that Wicked be revealed - ὁ ἄνομος  ho anomos - “the wicked one,” referring to the “man of sin,” and called “the wicked one” because of the eminent depravity of the system of which he was to be the head; see the notes on 2Th_2:3.  Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible.

 
The man of sin will be easily identifiable because he will openly defy the laws of God. His only motivation will be to satisfy his own depraved lusts and desires. He will be a law unto himself, and he will exalt himself above everyone and everything:

 
2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 
I suspect that the APOSTASY, or falling away, is the Church and world governments casting off all restraint, and the LAWLESS ONE and his followers despise all fear of God and His final judgment.

 
2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

 
Jesus told us that when this LAWLESS ONE is in power it would be the most terrible time in the history of the world:

 
Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 

 
However, there appears to be a special blessing and reward for the overcoming saints who experience the great tribulation, but who do not succumb to evil and wickedness during the reign of the LAWLESS ONE.

 
Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 
Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

Mat 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
 
REPENT: G3340, metanoeō, met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
 
The main message of Jesus Christ during His ministry and especially for us today is REPENT! This should also be the main message of the Church. Unfortunately, this message does not appear to be mentioned in the pulpits much anymore. Perhaps that is the reason many people do not even know what it means!
 
I suspect that if you asked most people what the word REPENT means they will tell you it means to regret or feel sorry about past sins. Most people think asking God for forgiveness is REPENTING, but most people are wrong!
 
The Greek word for REPENT is “metanoeo” and it is actually a combination of two Greek words.
 
G3226: meta, met-ah'
A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment;
 
G3539, noieō, noy-eh'-o
From G3563; to exercise the mind (observe), that is, (figuratively) to comprehend, heed: - consider, perceive, think, understand.
 
REPENT, in the Greek, literally means to: CHANGE YOUR MIND or to CHANGE THE WAY YOU PERCEIVE, THINK, AND UNDERSTAND! More specifically, it means to begin perceiving, thinking, and understanding like God…and to STOP perceiving, thinking, and understanding like the world.
 
Isa 46:8  Remember ye these things, and groan: REPENT, ye that have gone astray, return in your heart;
Isa 46:9  and remember the former things that were of old: for I am God, and there is none other beside me,
Isa 46:10  telling beforehand the latter events before they come to pass, and they are accomplished together: and I said, all my counsel shall stand, and I will do all things that I have planned:
 
 
Jesus said to REPENT: “FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!” We are now nearly two-thousand years closer to the return of Jesus Christ. Shouldn’t we all be paying much more attention to REPENTANCE? Shouldn’t we open our hearts and minds to a new understanding of God’s plans for us and HIS world?
 
If we really want to understand true repentance, we must study the examples of real repentance in the Bible. True repentance isn’t just about regretting, or feeling sorry about, our past actions… true repentance is proactively finding out God’s specific plan for our life, and completely forgetting about our old worldly desires and plans. We should no longer be satisfied with fulfilling our own desires and ambitions. We should be diligently seeking to understand the heart of God, and then we should diligently pursue God’s specific desire and calling for our life. The Apostle Paul clearly defines his own repentance in his epistle to the Philippians:
 
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
 
The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee and he studied under Gamaliel, a rabbi that was famous and admired during the time of Jesus Christ. I suspect that the young Saul of Tarsus (Paul the Apostle) wanted to follow in Gamaliel’s footsteps and become a great rabbi and teacher of the law. However, when Saul crosses paths with the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, his goals and plans changed radically!
 
Paul’s letter to the Philippians was probably written close to the final years of his  Christian ministry and close to the end of his life. Paul mentions that he is ready to go to be with the Lord. Paul does not dwell on his accomplishments or his resume, he does not dwell on his worldly success as a Pharisee, nor does he dwell on his spiritual success as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Church of Philippia, we see an Apostle who has seen the risen Christ in all His glory, he has been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and been imprisoned for the gospel’s sake. However, Paul mainly writes about the Philippians and their fellowship with him, and he writes about their consistent and reliable support of him (specifically via their envoy Epaphroditus) and their support of Paul’s preaching of the gospel and his evangelism of the gentiles.
 
It is odd that Paul does not accept contributions from the comparably wealthy Corinthians but accepts the Philippians (Macedonians) liberal support for his ministry, while he also mentioned their deep poverty in 2 Corinthians 8:2.
 
2Co 8:1  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 
2Co 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
 
Why does the Apostle treat the Philippians with such respect? I suspect Paul treated the Philippians differently because they demonstrated a much higher level of spiritual maturity than their counterparts in ancient Corinth and they shared his heavenly vision. The Corinthians appeared to be focused on differences in theology, and different spiritual “gifts”, and their own individual worldly interests, while the Philippians appeared to have a much, much greater vision, which was shared by the Apostle Paul…namely the advancement of the Lord Jesus Christ’s heavenly agenda!
 
Php 2:19  If it is the Lord's will, I hope that I will be able to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be encouraged by news about you.
Php 2:20  He is the only one who shares my feelings and who really cares about you.
Php 2:21  Everyone else is concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ. Good News Bible
 
The Apostle Paul is nearing the end of his ministry on earth, and he is about to be put on trial for his life. To his dismay, he has discovered that the majority of “Christians” appear more interested in their own comfort, advancement, and individual worldly affairs than in the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people will gladly receive the promise of eternal life, and the gift of salvation and righteousness, but few want to share in the suffering and hardship that so often accompanies the preaching and spread of the “good news”.
 
We see over and over again in the Bible that the great men and women of God “radically” change their behavior, their outlook, and the whole direction of their lives, regardless of the consequences to their own plans, or even if it endangers their physical health and wellbeing. The great saints of God experienced radical repentance!
 
The Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual lightning bolt that changed his own life and how it changed the lives of all the saints before him. This vision will also radically change our own life, if we will let it.
 
Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 
Heb 11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 
Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 
 
Abraham left his home town and wandered as a stranger in a strange country because by faith he was looking for a HEAVENLY CITY, where the Most High God rules and reigns forever and ever. Paul tells us that Moses shared the same vision and left all the treasures of Egypt in order to obtain his vision.
 
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 
Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 
 
This vision of the New Jerusalem needs to be much stronger and clearer to the Church in these last days. As God’s vision of His City begins to crystalize in our thoughts and our imaginations, all of our worldly plans will begin to lose their luster and their hold on our lives. Satan’s temptations of worldly fame, wealth, and power become pale and worthless things.
 
Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 
 
The heavenly vision had such an impact on the saint of old, they were not only able to endure tremendous hardship, but they were able to accomplish miraculous victories over the enemies of God.
 
Heb 11:32  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 
Heb 11:33  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 
Heb 11:34  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 
Heb 11:35  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 
Heb 11:36  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 
Heb 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 
Heb 11:38  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 
Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 
 
I suspect that in the not too distant future, all the saints of God will need this same heavenly vision to endure the trials and sufferings that lie just ahead.
 
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 
 
It appears to me that we can only know the power of his resurrection by first knowing the fellowship of his sufferings. Therefore, we need to spend more and more time reading our Bibles, and meditating on the glory that awaits the Church of Jesus Christ at the final resurrection of the saints. We dare not take for granted that we will share in His heavenly glory if we refuse to share in His earthly sufferings for the elect’s sakes.
 
2Ti 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 
2Ti 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 
2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 
2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
 
OBEDIENCE: G5218, hupakoē, hoop-ak-o-ay'
From G5219; attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission: - obedience, (make) obedient, obey (-ing).
 
I believe Jesus Christ was God, is God, and will always be God. When we read in the Book of Genesis about the LORD God walking in the Garden of Eden…it was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
 
Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 
 
When we read about the LORD meeting with Abraham…it was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
 
Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 
Gen 18:2  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 
 
Invariably when people meet the LORD in person, they bow themselves toward the ground. Bowing towards the ground is always associated with worship, and “worship” was an act reserved by God to Himself!
 
WORSHIP: H7812, shâchâh, shaw-khaw'
A primitive root; to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): - bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, WORSHIP.
 
 
Mat 4:8  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 
Mat 4:9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 
Mat 4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt WORSHIP the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 
 
The New Testament forbids people from worshipping angels.
 
Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 
 
Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: WORSHIP God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 
 
On the other hand, the Bible COMMANDS the angels to worship the Son of God.
 
Heb 1:5  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 
Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God WORSHIP him. 
 
Jesus Christ commands our worship because He DESERVES to be worshipped! Jesus Christ commands our obedience because He DESERVES to be obeyed! Jesus Christ commands our love because He DESERVES to be loved! This is what separates Jesus Christ from Satan and the governments of the current Babylonian system. Jesus Christ (God) has presented us with unquestionable evidence of His love, His selflessness, and His WORTHINESS!
 
Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art WORTHY to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 
 
WORTHY: G514, axios, ax'-ee-os
Probably from G71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise): - due reward, meet, [un-] worthy.
 
Not only is Jesus worthy to be our High Priest and our King of kings, He has redeemed us with His own blood and made it possible for the saints of God to be worthy to be a nation of kings and priests!
 
People have the mistaken notion that suffering is the result of our sins. I guess the Bible does teach that the disobedience of Adam and Eve caused them to fall from grace; HOWEVER, if you read the Bible carefully, you will understand that there is NOT a direct link between our personal sin and our personal suffering.
 
As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches that the wicked seem to be running the world (and ruining the world), but the righteous suffer just as much or more than the wicked.
 
Job 9:22  This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. 
Job 9:23  If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. 
Job 9:24  The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? 
 
King David observed that the wicked were causing a lot of suffering, and then it seemed that they were getting away with all their wickedness.
 
Psa 10:2  The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 
Psa 10:3  For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 
Psa 10:4  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 
Psa 10:5  His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 
Psa 10:6  He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 
Psa 10:7  His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 
Psa 10:8  He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 
Psa 10:9  He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 
 
Like in the Book of Job, King David’s experience was leading him to believe that being righteous appeared to be less beneficial than being wicked.
 
Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 
Psa 73:4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 
Psa 73:5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 
Psa 73:6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 
Psa 73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 
Psa 73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 
Psa 73:9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 
 
However, David the Prophet King, like Job before him, received a direct revelation from God about the Last Days.
 
Psa 73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 
Psa 73:18  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 
Psa 73:19  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 
Psa 73:20  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 
Psa 73:21  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 
Psa 73:22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 
Psa 73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 
Psa 73:24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 
Psa 73:25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 
Psa 73:26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 
Psa 73:27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 
Psa 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. 
 
Worldly power and wealth is actually a snare to the wicked. Wealth may be able to help us to smooth over some of the temporal troubles that we encounter in this life, but when it comes to providing us with “eternal” salvation and security, the Bible says that worldly wealth is absolutely worthless.
 
Psa 49:6  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 
Psa 49:7  None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 
 
Only God can provide for both our temporal AND our “eternal” welfare.
 
1Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 
 
When we read the Bible, we can begin to glimpse a far higher purpose for suffering than just the normal consequences of our sin. Our temporary suffering in this life is preparing the saints of God to be WORTHY kings and priests during the future millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
 
2Ti 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 
2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 
2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
 
In the gospels we see that Jesus’ disciples were under the same mistaken notion that is still taught in churches today…that our suffering is the result of our personal sins.
 
Joh 9:1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 
Joh 9:2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 
Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 
 
Jesus quickly corrected His disciples. It is foolish to blame a person’s sin for their problem when they are “born” blind! However, when we read the rest of the story, we find out that after Jesus heals the blind man, the Pharisees then call the newly healed blind man a sinner, and they kick him out of the synagogue. This is a pretty typical reaction when people’s long held idiotic beliefs are exposed…they get angry!
 
Joh 9:35  Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 
Joh 9:36  He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 
Joh 9:37  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 
Joh 9:38  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 
 
Another mistaken notion is that rich people are blessed by God while poor people are under God’s curse. Jesus tried to correct this belief with the story of Lazarus.
 
Luk 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 
Luk 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 
Luk 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 
Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 
Luk 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 
Luk 16:25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 
 
Isn’t it interesting that the rich man is tormented in hell while the beggar is comforted in the bosom of Abraham? It appears that suffering on earth is rewarded while living in luxury is punished! Jesus comes straight out and tells us that it is nearly impossible for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God.
 
Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 
 
Isn’t it strange that the modern Church seems to be encouraging people to gather wealth and to avoid suffering while Jesus and His Apostles say just the opposite?
 
Jas 5:1  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 
Jas 5:2  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 
Jas 5:3  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 
 
The Bible plainly teaches that there is a reward for suffering with the people of God:
 
Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 
 
It appears that suffering and patience is linked with our faith and love. We see over and over again that the saints of God suffered trials and tribulations, circumstances that they would not have ordinarily chosen to experience, because God had a higher purpose for them. The same is true for all of us.
 
Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 
Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 
 
I believe that right now, and in the not too distant future, all of God’s saints will be going through trials and tribulation, but that does not mean that God does not love us. Although our suffering may not make sense to us now, I believe that eventually we will not only understand, but we will even be thankful for our trials and tribulations. We will joyfully bow down and worship our LORD and Savior because eventually He will be revealed in and through us.
 
Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

2Th 2:1  Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers,
2Th 2:2  That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come;
2 Th 2:3 Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith (APOSTASY), and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction,
2Th 2:4  Who puts himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, putting himself forward as God. Bible in Basic English.

 
Often times it is very difficult to observe or analyze something while we are in the middle of it, and that is why history is usually recorded after the fact. However, the Books of the Bible record history before the fact…the Bible calls this foretelling of history PROPHECY.

 
Jesus foretold of a time when every nation on earth would eventually hear the good news of the gospel.

 
Mat 24:14  And this good news of the kingdom will be given through all the world for a witness to all NATIONS; and then the end will come.

 
NATIONS: G1484, ethnos, eth'-nos
Probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

 
The Greek word ethnos is where we derive our English word ethnicity.

 
I remember when I was a teenager, I saw a world map with little red dots showing the location of all of the Assembly of God missionaries, and there was a big empty spot on the map with zero missionaries in the Middle East. I remember back then, and even today, the televangelist and missionaries were always saying, “Jesus can’t come back until the gospel is preached all over the world.”

 
I didn’t know then, and I have only recently realized, THE GOSPEL HAS ALREADY BEEN PREACHED TO ALL ETHNICITIES IN THE WORLD! I dare say that you would be hard pressed to find any nation in the world where the majority of adults have not heard about the death AND the resurrection of Jesus Christ AND of His Second Coming…that in a nutshell is the gospel. Whether people understand or believe the gospel is another matter!


What I did not realize back then was that over a thousand years ago all those Middle Eastern countries were majority Christian nations. Now it is illegal to preach the gospel in those Middle Eastern countries because they are APOSTATES. As a matter of fact, the good news of the kingdom has been witnessed to all nations long before anybody currently reading this article was ever born. https://joshuaproject.net/resources/maps

 
The Apostle Paul takes us a short time past Jesus’ prophecy of the end times, the Apostle Paul foretells that in the LAST DAYS after the whole world has heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news will be REJECTED, the Apostle calls this time period the “falling away” or the APOSTASY!

 
APOSTASY: G646, apostasia, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): - falling away, forsake.

 
First, let me make one thing clear, I do not believe everybody must believe exactly like I believe to be saved. Everybody has their own journey of faith, and I still have a long ways to go…most everybody does! I believe most of the major Church denominations teach the correct fundamental doctrines of the Church which are: 1) Jesus Christ is the physical incarnation of God (Jesus is LORD). 2) Jesus physically died for our sins. 3) Jesus physically rose from the dead on the third day. Therefore, people who belong to these Christian denominations, and really BELIEVE these basic Christian tenants of faith ARE SAVED!

 
Cults and false religions tend to attack one or more of these fundamental beliefs of Christianity. 1) They deny that Jesus Christ is the physical incarnation of God. 2) They deny Jesus Christ died for our sins. 3) They deny that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

 
If you notice, I emphasized the “physical” incarnation of Jesus Christ. The ancient Gnostics, and many modern cults, often deny that Jesus Christ was an actual physical man who died to save a physical world.

 
Most cults also teach that if you do not belong to their specific group or organization, you are on the fast track to hell. I believe the Bible actually teaches that MOST people will actually make it into heaven.

 
Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 
Rev 7:10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 

 
However, that being said, I also believe a vast number of people are going to end up in hell because of APOSTASY! They will hear the good news of Jesus Christ and they will emphatically reject Him as their personal savior.

 
Now I am going to talk about the three main reasons for the currently unfolding Last Days APOSTASY: A) Materialism, B) Secular Humanism, and C) False Religion.

 
MATERIALISM is specifically warned against in the The New Testament; however, it has progressively overtaken the modern Church. Modern televangelism preaches that wealth and ownership of material things is part of God’s blessing, and modern Christianity does not question this apostate teaching regardless of what Jesus or the Apostles may have said about the love of money.

 
Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 

 
What exactly was Jesus warning us about?

 
Money in and of itself is not evil, but the “love of money” is the ROOT OF ALL EVIL according to the Apostle Paul. Perhaps it would be wise to give this warning serious attention if we are concerned about our relationship with God.

 
1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

 
We know from the Bible, and from our own experience, that striving for wealth can crowd out our relationship with God, and with everybody and everything else for that matter.

 
How can we know whether we love money or not? Jesus made it pretty clear that if we “lay up” or “accumulate, stockpile, and hoard” money and things, our heart is in the wrong place!

 
Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 
Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 
Jesus specifically told His followers to seek the kingdom of God FIRST! We should all examine ourselves and determine whether or not God’s kingdom is our number one priority.

 
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

 
I dare say that most people spend far more time thinking about what they are going to eat for lunch, and what they are going to wear in the morning, than they ever do about the kingdom of God. Our society is awash in materialism. All of our time and energy is monopolized by striving to buy the nicest house we can afford, and to drive the shiniest car we can afford, and to wear the finest clothes we can afford. It takes revelation from God and a whole lot of His grace to escape the modern materialism rat race!

 
MATERIALISM in the Church is probably one of the main signs that we are in the last days. Listen to what the LORD tells the Church of Laodicea.

 
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 
The Laodicean Church is the last Church the LORD addresses in the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Revelation and many commentators believe Laodicea is an allegory of the Church in the last days.

 
3:20   In the closing verses, we have what Scofield calls “the place and attitude of Christ at the end of the church age.” He is outside the professing church, politely knocking and inviting individuals (no longer the mass of the people) to leave the apostate church in order to have fellowship with Him. Believer’s Bible Commentary.

 
SECULAR HUMANISM is the second belief system that has made the deepest inroads into our modern education system and it is warmly embraced by our pseudo-intellectual classes.

 
…in 1943, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, was reported as warning that the "Christian tradition... was in danger of being undermined by a 'Secular Humanism' which hoped to retain Christian values without Christian faith." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism

 
The main contention of secular humanists is that atheists and non-believers can retain high moral standards apart from and without a strong faith in God. In order for secular humanists to maintain this erroneous belief they have constantly lowered the bar of morality until even the worst reprobate can easily pass themselves off as a good citizen…as long as their conduct is done in private AND does not hurt anybody but themselves!

 
Secular humanists have targeted the children for a very long, long time and now have a stranglehold on the modern education system from earliest childhood education up and through the University system…including most modern “Christian Education”. Young people are encouraged to be open minded, and to be accepting of people’s beliefs whether or not the activities that they are involved in are condemned by the Bible.

 
Being open minded and accepting of sin is exactly why God condemned ancient Israel.

 
Isa 32:5  The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. 

 
SECULAR HUMANISM was the basis of the atheistic French revolution of the nineteenth century, and of the communist Russian and the communist Chinese revolutions in the twentieth century, these atheistic governments were responsible for the murder of millions of Christians, the destruction of countless churches, and the criminalization of owning Bibles or preaching the Word of God. Secular humanism is one of the oldest satanic doctrines, which tells foolish people they can live just fine without God.

 
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 
Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 
Frankly, if you have gone to public schools, you will have a very difficult time unlearning all the ungodly, atheistic, and demonic doctrines that you were taught while you were young and impressionable. I will go so far as to say that most of the problems our Christian faith is experiencing today is directly linked to the secular humanism that was taught in public (and religious) schools for the last fifty or sixty years.

 
Psa 14:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 

 
If you think I am just some poor ignorant hick that is jealous of the well-heeled and the well-educated, I can assure you that I have also had the unfortunate privilege of being demonically indoctrinated in the public school system and I have also attended several ivy covered bastions of higher (lower) learning. I can only thank God that His Holy Spirit is not done re-educating me with the Truth of His holy Word! The Devil first targets children before they are born with abortion, then if they escape being murdered in the womb, Satan determines to weave a web of lies, from which a child can never escape…in other words SECULAR HUMANISM AND APOSTASY!

 
FALSE RELIGION is the last hurdle every child must finally overcome if they are to escape the Devil’s landmines, traps, and snares.

 
1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

 
Universities are simply awash in materialism, atheism, and every kind of cult and false religion. If by some chance you finally walk down the aisle in a cap and gown, while you clutch a diploma to your breast, and you are still a strong believer in the LORD Jesus Christ, congratulations because you have overcome all the odds. Many young saints of God have fallen under the spell, and the siren call of academia’s ivory towers, and her ivy covered walls.

 
I suspect many, many young saints have wilted beneath the icy stares and bemused smiles of atheistic professors when they dared to question the truth of what they were being taught in these bastions of higher learning. However, if you want to achieve some worldly success, it is almost impossible to avoid these satanic strongholds. If you think I am questioning the value of going to public school and getting a University education… you may be right.

 
Satan is a spirit and I suspect that even he is amazed that so many people are dumb enough to believe everything that exists in the universe is an accident. Therefore, the Devil has prepared a plethora of false religions and false gods to suit everybody’s character or individual needs: There are peaceful religions and violent religions. There are religions for poor people and for rich people. There are religions for materialists and for spiritualists. Just pick a religion that suits you, don’t worry about whether it is the truth or whether it is a lie.

 
When secular humanism begins to make a young Christian question the truth of the gospel, there is a spiritual vacuum that needs to be filled. Therefore, they may begin to “experiment” with other belief systems. Perhaps they take some “yoga” classes at the University gym. Maybe they see a witches’ coven advertised at the student HUB, and decide to dabble a little in the “secret” arts. It really does not matter to Satan as long as they are led away from the truth of Jesus Christ.

 
In the end, they possess an advanced degree and a well-paying job, but they have stopped reading the Bible or attending Church. They buy a nice condo in the city and have a Porsche in the parking garage. Maybe they burn incense to a statue of Buddha in their living room, and tell themselves that all roads lead to God… after all isn’t that what Oprah says? In the end, they are well paid, well-educated, materialistic APOSTATES. Congratulations mom and dad, you have worked so hard to make sure your child was a success in the world, but too bad they are going to hell!

 
Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 
Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

 
APOSTASY is one of the very “last” signs of the Last Days according to the Apostle Paul. APOSTASY has a stranglehold on the world’s ruling class, there is nothing that can prevent a person from climbing the hierarchy of success in this world UNLESS they are a Bible believing Christian. This last days apostasy is preparing the world for the arrival of the final sign before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

 
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 
 
Now we are only waiting for the man of sin to be revealed, the son of perdition (the son of Satan), who demands to be worshipped as God by the whole world. I believe that all who have fallen into apostasy, whether through materialism, secularism, or false religion, WILL worship him and take his mark!

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh. 
 
SELF CONFIDENCE is the problem!
 
CONFIDENCE: G3982, peithō, pi'-tho
A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
 
If you attend any Church, nearly all sermons, teachings, or counsellings will deal with our sin, or our sin problem(s). I am going to say something really radical right now…SIN IS NOT OUR PROBLEM! I know the thought is popping into your head right now, “But I have a problem with this, or with that, or with some other thing. Isn’t the root of all our sickness, pain, and our every immoral action sin?”
 
The short answer is no, no, and NO!
 
SIN is simply the fruit of our real problem. The ROOT of our all our real problems is SELF CONFIDENCE.
 
The world will tell you that all you need is to build up your self-confidence and you will be well on your way to wealth, power, and success. Unfortunately, self-confidence may actually help you achieve “worldly” success, but worldly success is not a good measurement of “Godly” success. God measures our success by whether we are fruitful or not!
 
Gen 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be FRUITFUL, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 
 
Now many people have concluded that being fruitful means God wants people to have a lot of babies, and they are not necessarily wrong, but we know from both the Old and the New Testament that God wants us to produce “spiritual” fruits. Your character (and the character of your children) is what is most important to God, but we cannot produce character, only God can produce a Godly character!
 
Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
 
ONLY the Holy Spirit can produce the good and holy fruit of the Spirit!
 
Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 
 
Legalism, confidence in our flesh, or the works of the flesh, will prevent the Holy Spirit from producing spiritual fruit. Producing the fruit of the Spirit is an organic process. All through the Bible men are compared to trees…We can water our tree by MEDITATING (see my book: Speak, Hear, and Believe) on the Word of God, but God provides the increase. God can only provide the increase if we TRUST HIM!
 
1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 
1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 
 
We can see from the Bible, and we can also see from our own experience, that most people spend the lion’s share of their time and resources producing just the opposite of the SPIRITUAL fruit that God wants from us:
 
Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 
 
The WORKS OF THE FLESH receive all of our time and attention, and our spiritual fruits die on the vine because we do not highly esteem our spiritual life...the whole reason we plant an orchard is to produce fruit…producing the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is the whole reason we are here!
 
Nearly everybody in the world is spending all of their time and energy striving for a nice house, a nice car in the garage, money in the bank, and an ample retirement fund. Jesus specifically told us NOT to strive for “things”.
 
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
 
None of us have a very long time on this earth. Even if we lived to be a hundred years old, it is not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things. It seems that all of the world’s resources and power is directly aimed at taking our minds and our energy away from obtaining a SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST! What is a “Saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?”
 
Have you ever wondered whether you are really saved? I know I have sometimes doubted whether I am really saved…mainly because of that pesky sin problem. When we are unsaved, we can commit some of the grossest sin without it bothering our conscience very much. However, after our “salvation”, as we draw closer to Jesus Christ, when we commit what many would consider a minor infraction, we are caused a great deal of grief. Therefore, we all eventually arrive at the same state of perplexity as Paul the Apostle:
 
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 
 
Now I am going to tell you how YOU can KNOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED!
 
1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 
 
Our ETERNAL SALVATION is not about doing…our eternal salvation is about TRUSTING.
 
In order to KNOW that we have eternal salvation, we only need to TRUST in two things: 1) We must TRUST that Jesus Christ was who He said He was. 2) We must TRUST that He did what He said He would do…JESUS is our eternal salvation!

1. WHO IS JESUS?

 
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples and told them plainly who He was.
 
Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 
Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 
Joh 14:8  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 
Joh 14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 
Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 
Joh 14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 
 
If that is not plain enough, let’s find some scripture that is a little simpler to understand:
 
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 
 
Looking - With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for. Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ - So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one. John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes.
 
If that is not plain enough, perhaps the following scripture will further enlighten us:
 
Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 
Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 
Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 
 
Perhaps one more scripture verse will nail down the identity of Jesus Christ for good:
 
Joh 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 
Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
 
 
Therefore, the Apostle John recorded that Thomas called Jesus LORD and GOD. I doubt that John was recording this encounter between Thomas and Jesus to cause confusion or heresy. There is no doubt that the Apostle John also believed that Jesus was LORD and GOD. Also, the Apostle Paul confirmed that he believed that Jesus was the GREAT GOD and the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD.
 
Let me make it crystal clear: JESUS CHRIST WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE LORD AND GOD!

1. What did Jesus do?
   

 
Mat 26:27  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 
Mat 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 
 
Although Jesus did many mighty miracles during His ministry on earth, His main mission was to die for our sins.
 
1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 
1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
 
Jesus Christ, our LORD and GOD, has accomplished the mission that He set out to do:
 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 
 
We do not have to DO anything in order to be saved… we must simply TRUST THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS ALREADY SAVED US!
 
As we focus more and more on WHO Jesus Christ is, and WHAT He has done, we can TRUST that the Holy Spirit will transform us from glory to glory!
 
2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 
2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
Psa_125:1  A Song of degrees. They that TRUST in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 
Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 
 
We see in the Book of Genesis that sin caused a great rift between man and God.
 
Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 
Gen 3:9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 
Gen 3:10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 
 
The separation between God and man was 100% mankind’s fault. Suddenly, instead of sweet communion between mankind and God in the garden, Adam and Eve experienced FEAR when they were in the presence of God. Why?
 
God plainly told Adam that the penalty for eating forbidden fruit was DEATH!
 
Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely DIE. 
 
DIE: H4191, mûth, mooth
A primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively to kill: -  X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy (-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro [-mancer], X must needs, slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in [no] wise.
 
The fear of death has haunted every person who has ever lived since Adam foolishly ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. People throughout history have suffered unimaginable pain, humiliation, and degradation, but still they have gasped and fought for their very last breath.
 
However, God slowly but surely unveiled His plan to overcome death itself, and to finally heal the great rift that Adam and his descendant’s had created by their rebellion and sin. What a glorious plan, and what an equally glorious result!
 
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 
1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
 
When we read about the Sunday morning almost two thousand years ago, our fear evaporates and our imagination is seized by the hope of our own resurrection. Not only was Jesus alive, He was clothed in a powerful and glorious celestial body!
 
Jesus walked for several miles walking and talking with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. Jesus sat and ate with them after they arrived at their destination, and as soon as they recognized Him, Jesus disappeared. The two disciples hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the rest of the disciples and Jesus appeared in the midst of them. Jesus’ resurrected celestial body, and our resurrected celestial body, will not be bound by space or time.
 
You may be saying to yourself, “Interesting, but what does all this have to do with me now?”
 
When we read the Book of Acts, we see something very marvelous happening! It appears that the saints in the Book of Acts gathered together…and they never separate! They were having Church 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I have participated in a few “revivals” in my life, but nothing even close to the Book of Acts.
 
Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 
Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 
Act 4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 
 
I think it is difficult for us to even imagine what it was like when the Apostles were first preaching the gospel in Jerusalem. It appears that people were being converted to Christianity by the hundreds, and even by the thousands, every day.
 
Act 4:4  Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 
 
Not only were people being converted to Christianity, they began to share all of their worldly possessions with each other.
 
Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 
Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 
 
I do not believe the early Christians were attempting to start a new economic experiment. I believe they were experiencing something so radical, none of them wanted to miss it…They were experiencing a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
 
Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
 
The new Christians in Jerusalem were seeing astounding miracles, and they were experiencing the presence of the Holy Ghost, they were getting a small taste of the reign of Jesus Christ: the communal love, the communal joy, the communal peace, the communal faith, and they did not want to leave their new Christian community for even a moment. They began to eat together and pray together, they were each personally beginning to experience the Kingdom of God on earth, and is it any wonder that they did not want to leave?
 
However, it was not destined to last, there was persecution from without, disention from within, and eventually the members of the first Christian community began to scatter to the four winds. Although the Apostles strived mightily against the legalist and the false teachers, eventually as the Apostles and the early disciples were martyred, legalism began to make inroads into the doctrine of grace, the unity of the early Church was lost to sectarianism, and the power of the Holy Ghost was slowly quenched.
 
I believe there is an allegory concerning the Church in the ministry of Jesus Christ. When Jesus began His ministry, he commanded Peter to cast his nets into the waters. Peter caught so many fish that his nets began to break.
 
Luk 5:4  Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 
Luk 5:5  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 
Luk 5:6  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 
 
Jesus told Peter that he was going to become a fisher of men. Peter was indeed a fisher of men, the early Church spread rapidly over the known world while Peter was still alive. However, we can look around us today and see how far the Church has fallen away from the unity, power, and holiness of the early Church…the nets did indeed break.
 
After the resurrection, Jesus told Peter to cast in his nets into the sea again…this time the nets did not break.
 
Joh 21:4  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 
Joh 21:5  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 
Joh 21:6  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 
Joh 21:7  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 
Joh 21:8  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 
Joh 21:9  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 
Joh 21:10  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 
Joh 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 
 
In a parable, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven with a net cast into the sea full of fish.
 
Mat 13:47  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 
Mat 13:48  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 
Mat 13:49  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 
 
We can compare the two catches of fish, the first at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the last after His resurrection. In both instances, the disciples had fished all night without any luck, but after Jesus appears on the scene, suddenly their nets are supernaturally filled. This should inform us that all our strivings to save people are basically fruitless without the presence and wisdom of the LORD to guide us.
 
The first time, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, the boats began to sink and the nets began to break. The last time, the resurrected LORD is beckoning his disciples from the shore, and they bring in their nets supernaturally full of fish with no danger to their boats or their nets. I believe the first time represents the beginning of the spread of the gospel, but the last time represents the end time final harvest at the end of the world where nothing and no one is lost.
 
I believe the last great harvest of souls is very imminent! It will not occur because of our work or our striving to save souls in the darkness, it will occur because the LORD will be present with us, and He will supernaturally guide us in the morning of His new day. The key to the last days harvest will be our proximity to the LORD and our ability to hear His instructions.
 
The harvest is going to begin whether we are ready or not. However, when we begin to see the LORD working supernaturally through His servants, we MUST join ourselves with them in unity, and expect that God’s anointing will come upon us and upon our own ministry. We see that the people who resisted the servants of God usually did not have a good ending.
 
Psa 105:13  When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; 
Psa 105:14  He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 
Psa 105:15  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 
 
We also notice that time after time, the people who joined themselves with God’s anointed shared in their triumphs. We only need to read about Abraham and his trained servants, Gideon and his three-hundred, and King David and his mighty men.
 
As we all strive to reach the celestial shore, we need to listen intently for the LORD’s instruction, and pray for His blessing on our work here on earth or all our strivings will be in vain. We all need to get closer to Jesus!
 
Hos 6:1  Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 
Hos 6:2  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 
 

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
This message is the most FUNDAMENTAL teaching of the gospel; however, it is also the most misunderstood, and it is also the subject of many erroneous and false teachings by false shepherds.
If there is one thing that Jesus Christ and the Apostles plainly taught, it was that salvation is a FREE GIFT from God! There is absolutely nothing we can do to deserve salvation, or to earn salvation, or to pay for salvation.

Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the GIFT of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have GIVEN thee living water. 
 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his GRACE in his KINDNESS toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
 
As a matter of fact, if we attempt to deserve, or earn, or pay for our salvation, there is a very good chance that we are not saved! Why do I say that? Because it is by grace that we are saved through FAITH.
 
It is our BELIEF in the perfect 100% payment for our sins by the BLOOD OF JESUS that completely constitutes the salvation experience! If we are constantly questioning whether we are saved or not, it is because we do not truly understand the value of HIS BLOOD.
 
Let’s examine the perfect allegory of the blood of Jesus in the Old Testament. Just before the children of Israel left Egypt, God commanded that they apply the blood of a lamb to the lintel and the doorposts of their homes.
 
Exo 12:21  Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 
Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 
Exo 12:23  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 
 
Now let’s ask ourselves some questions… Were all the Israelites good, or righteous, or law abiding? They did not even have the law! Were all the Egyptians wicked, or evil, or law breakers? I suspect that there were probably a few Egyptians that we would not mind having for our next door neighbor.
 
The Bible specifically says that righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ upon them who BELIEVE and that ALL have sinned!
 
Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 
Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 
 
If we believe the Bible, and I do, then we must admit that the Israelites were sinners just like the Egyptians.  The ONLY difference between the two peoples was the BLOOD!
 
God did not tell the Israelites that they had to pay tithes and offerings, or to love their neighbor, or to do good works, or to fast and pray. All God asked them to do was to eat the lamb and APPLY THE BLOOD!
 
The difference between life and death is the BLOOD, the essence of salvation is the BLOOD…NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
 
If we feel guilty for things we have done…or not done, we need to APPLY THE BLOOD! So how do we apply the blood of Jesus today?
 
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 
 
If we sin, we will know it, because our conscience will bother us. First, and foremost, we need to remind ourselves of the total and absolute payment for all of our sins, and our perfect justification by faith in the BLOOD of Jesus Christ.
 
Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 
 
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 
 
Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 
Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the BLOOD of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 
Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
 
Satan’s main point of attack will always be to cast doubt on the perfect sacrifice, and the complete atonement of the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!
 
It does not matter what we have done in the past, or what we may do in the future…as long as we remember that our eternal salvation depends on NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
 
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS
 
  C             Am
What can wash away my sin?
 F              C         G C
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 C               Am
What can make me whole again?
 F              C        G  C
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
     C     
     Oh, precious is the flow,
      G                       C
     That makes me white as snow;
     C         Am
     No other fount I know,
      F              C        G  C
     Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
For my pardon this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the BLOOD of Jesus, 
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God; 
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 
 
Do not let anyone steal your hope and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. There is absolutely NOTHING we can add or subtract from what He has already accomplished, once and for all!
 
One last note…although we are completely and totally JUSTIFIED by the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, we also must be SANCTIFIED by the washing of the Word.
 
Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 
 
It is exceedingly easy to forget what Jesus Christ has done for us, and to eventually lose our perfect liberty in Him, if we are not continually spending time meditating on the Word of God, and if we are not being constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit of our perfect standing before God the Father.
 
Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

The biggest lie ever propagated by Satan and by other demonic spirits is the bodies we temporarily occupy belong to us…THEY DO NOT! Let me say that again. The body that you currently occupy DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU! One last time:
 
GOD IS THE OWNER OF EVERYONE’S BODY!!!
 
GOD IS THE OWNER OF EVERYTHING!!!
 
YOU CANNOT SELL YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL OR ANYONE ELSE!!!
 
1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
 
At our very best, we are priests allowed to dwell with God in His Holy Tabernacle. At the very least we are doorkeepers, stationed at the entrance to prevent demonic spirits from entering.
 
DOORKEEPER: H5605, sâphaph
BDB Definition:
1) (Hithpoel) to stand at or guard the threshold
 
Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
 
We are simply stewards for a very short time, and eventually we are going to be judged according to how well we conducted ourselves as stewards of God’s property.
 
UNCLEAN SPIRITS
 
The term “unclean spirit” apparently is a catch all term that refers to all demonic spirits.
 
UNCLEAN: G169, akathartos
ak-ath'-ar-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2508 (meaning cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specifically (demonic)): - foul, unclean.
 
Luk 8:27  And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
Luk 8:28  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
Luk 8:29  (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was DRIVEN [emphasis added] of the devil into the wilderness.)

DRIVEN: G1643, ἐλαύνω, elaunō, el-ow'-no
A prolonged form of a primary verb (obsolete except in certain tenses as an alternate of this) of uncertain affinity; to push (as wind, oars or daemoniacal power): - carry, drive, row.

Jas 3:4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are DRIVEN (G1643) of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jas 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
 
We see from this story of the demon possessed man, who lived in the tombs, that demons DROVE him to self-destructive behavior.

I believe ALL humans have experienced some form of compulsive self-destructive behavior, perhaps not as dramatic as the demon possessed man in the Book of Luke’s narrative, but to one extent or another. The influence of demonic spirits covers a wide spectrum of activity, anywhere from offering evil suggestions, to an overpowering compulsion to perform a destructive act.

In order to understand the spirit dimension, we must think of ourselves as spiritual ships being blown to and fro by winds (SPIRITS). Some of us our DRIVEN by a gentle breeze (The Holy Spirit), others of us are being DRIVEN by raging hurricanes (demonic spirits).

I can tell you from personal experience that I have felt compelled to do things that I did not want to do but which I felt DRIVEN to do. The Apostle Paul gives us a list of the “works of the flesh”.

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

If you are honest with yourself, I think you will admit that you have also felt DRIVEN to do things during your lifetime that you KNEW were destructive to yourself and to others.
Being DRIVEN is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on the identity of the spirit driving you. We see in the scriptures that Jesus was also DRIVEN but He was DRIVEN by the Spirit of God.

Mar 1:11  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mar 1:12  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

The SECRET OF VICTORY over the flesh is CHOOSING to be DRIVEN by the Spirit of God and NOT by “unclean spirits”.

One powerful secret is PRAYING IN TONGUES. I have found that if a destructive desire presents itself to me, whether it is a desire to eat something I know is bad for me (cookies, pie, cake and ice cream) or drink something I know is bad for me (alcohol, caffeine, sugary drinks) or do something I will regret (get angry at somebody) all I have to do is take a break and pray in tongues and the desire eventually leaves. The calm gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit SHALL overcome the raging hurricane of carnal desires.

Speaking in tongues appears like foolishness to the world, many times I have thought to myself, “Is this real?” However, many millions of people speak in tongues and as a result they have experienced a radical transformation in their lives. 
 
In the Old Testament, the High Priest took the incense from the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies and placed it in front of the Ark of the Covenant. We enter into the Holy of Holies by SPEAKING IN TONGUES!
 
My lifetime of experience brought me to only one conclusion…SPEAKING IN TONGUES WORKS! Over many years, my walk with the LORD was hot and cold with many backsliding experiences, like a rising and falling tide that continually changed depending on my circumstances; however, when I resolved to speak in tongues everyday a transformation began to take place. Speaking in tongues “transfigures” us because, like Moses, we are entering into the presence of the Most High God!
 
Speaking in tongues is not just something that should happen one time after you are baptized in the Holy Ghost. Speaking in tongues is not something you do once a year like the High Priest in the Old Testament. You MUST speak in tongues every day! You should enter into the Holy of Holies every day!
 
Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.   
 
Speaking in tongues is how you enter into God’s REST AND REFRESHING! How very sad that the Prophet Isaiah spoke the last sentence: YET THEY WOULD NOT HEAR! All the billions of people in the world, including many nominal Christians, are fighting, backbiting and murdering because they refuse to seek God’s answer. Certainly the saints of God desperately need to enter into His rest!
 
Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
 
The only thing stopping us from entering into God’s REST is unbelief. Maybe we tell ourselves that speaking in tongues is foolish, and perhaps it is foolish according to men’s wisdom:
 
1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
 
If we are wise in our own eyes, God will not accept us as sanctified vessels. We must be willing to be foolish in the sight of men if we want to know God intimately. King David loved God and he did not care what anybody else might think about him.
 
2Sa 6:20  Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
2Sa 6:21  And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
2Sa 6:22  And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
 
Stop worrying about what other people think about you and start worrying about what God thinks if you want to please Him and enter His rest. You might say, “Doesn’t the Bible ask, do all pray in tongues?” Obviously everybody does not pray in tongues but it is not because everybody should not pray in tongues. See what the Apostle Paul said:
 
1Co 14:5  I would that ye ALL (emphasis added) spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
 
Paul wrote that, “I would that ye ALL spake with tongues! I know Paul’s main subject was the gift of prophecy but prophecy is actually the next stage AFTER we begin speaking in tongues. Prophecy is part of the final stage of growth for a Christian.
If you want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of speaking in tongues, you simply need to ask God. God desires greatly that everyone receive His Holy Spirit so that He can have fellowship with you in spirit and in truth.
 
Luk 11:11  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luk 11:12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
 
I sought the baptism in the Holy Spirit for a long time. One day I went to a revival meeting at a charismatic church, and the man of God asked if anyone would like to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, I went up and He laid hands on me and prayed for me…nothing happened. I went back to my seat and I was praising God and thanking Him, but I was wondering, “How come I wasn’t baptized in the Holy Spirit?”
 
As I praised God …OUT LOUD…everyone else in the building was also praying and praising God, suddenly I started speaking in tongues…I was so happy! Everyone has a different story but if you do not receive the baptism right away keep knocking, keep asking, keep seeking, eventually God will baptize you in His Holy Spirit. You might also ask people who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit to pray with you.
 
No matter what problem you may be dealing with, whether your problem is over eating, or over drinking, or taking drugs, or practicing violence, or something worse, PRAYING IN TONGUES is the answer! You may not change overnight, but eventually you will change! Exchange the raging storms of this world for the calm, gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit.
 
Rom 12:1  Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
 
SPIRIT: G4151, pneuma
pnyoo'-mah
From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590.
 
God is a Spirit, His manifestation is similar to a current of air, He is invisible; However, We can experience Him through our transformational change in His presence. He is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. So the question is, How can God “manifest” or reveal Himself to His creation? Can a current of air hug somebody they love? Can a current of air shout with joy? Can a current of air smile and reach out to touch somebody who is hurting? God the Son has a celestial body, but it appears that His celestial body is limited to one physical place at a time. Therefore, God the Son needs more than one body. God the Son needs, and is going to have, millions and millions of “physical” bodies!
 
Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Heb 10:6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Heb 10:7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
 
God has a magnificent plan. He has created a beautiful complex world and universe and He has filled His creation with living sentient beings. One of these sentient beings, named Adam, would be His dwelling place…His “tabernacle”! Out of Adam, God created Eve, another “tabernacle”! Together, they would both “be fruitful and multiply” creating billions of other tabernacles, a living temple where His Holy Spirit could dwell and thereby allow Him to “physically” inhabit and REVEAL Himself to His beautiful creation in a multitude of places, in a multitude of beautiful bodies, all at once.
 
However, there was another spirit, a “ministering” spirit created by God to serve God and mankind, who decided to oppose God’s plan. This other spirit, later named Satan or “adversary”, also wanted to dwell in these tabernacles created by God, and Satan decided to “steal” God’s intended home(s). Satan understood that if he could take control of Adam, the first created body, he could thereby take control of God’s creation and inhabit it himself and become the “god of this world.”
 
Adam and his descendants were created to be the dwelling place of God and a “channel” for God’s Holy Spirit to experience, and express His love, for all of His creation. However, Adam was created by God to have a free will. God not only wanted to experience and inhabit His creation, God wanted to enjoy His creation WITH Adam and his descendants. God wanted above all to “fellowship” with Adam, and Eve, and all their progeny. God wanted to express His LOVE to and through His intended tabernacles.
 
When Adam sinned, he opened the door for OTHER spirits besides the Holy Spirit to take up residence in him and in his descendants.
 
We need to think of ourselves as water faucets, except instead of channeling hot and cold water, we have the capability to channel the “Holy Spirit” OR we can channel “unclean (demonic) spirits”.
 
Jas 3:10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:11  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jas 3:12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
 
A human being can either be a blessing or a curse depending upon which kind of spirit they allow to influence and control them.
 
People always ask, “How can God allow all the evil in the world?”
 
God does not allow all the evil into the world, each and every human being decides whether or not to allow evil into the world. We decide whether to channel the Holy Spirit or unclean spirits. All the evil in the world is not God’s fault, it is our fault for “deciding” to channel unclean spirits! Unclean spirits have forsaken their original purpose, to minister to God and mankind, and have determined among themselves that they are not going to serve mankind, but to rule over mankind.
 
Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
 
Unfortunately for us, because of the original sin by our forefather Adam, we are born “un-naturally” channeling unclean spirits. Therefore, in order for God to use us, we need to go through a cleansing process called SANCTIFICATION. A fountain cannot yield BOTH salt water and fresh water. If the fountain channeling salt water is not cleaned, it cannot channel fresh water. However, once we go through this “cleansing process”, we can channel fresh water, in other words, we can channel the HOLY SPIRIT. We need to be cleaned by fresh water (The Holy Spirit), WE CANNOT DO IT BY OURSELVES!
 
Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
 
Now I want to talk about the “cleansing process” because unless you seriously commit yourself to the process, you will never be a proper channel for the HOLY SPIRIT. This is the “true” definition of repentance!
 
Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
 
Let us take a closer look at the word REPENT in the Greek language because it is crucial to understand in order for you to begin the cleansing process.
REPENT: G3340, metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
 
The Greek word for repent, metanoeo, is actually created using two Greek words:
 

1. META: G3326, meta

met-ah'
A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment;
 

1. NOIEO: G3539, noieō

noy-eh'-o
From G3563; to exercise the mind (observe), that is, (figuratively) to comprehend, heed: - consider, perceive, think, understand.

Therefore, the proper English translation of REPENT is: ACCOMPANIMENT TO EXERCISE THE MIND.
First, we need to have a “revelation” that we are not what we were originally meant to be. You need to read the four (4) Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, carefully study Jesus Christ…He is what we are ALL meant to be!

Second, we need to take a hard look in the metaphorical mirror and ask, “Am I even remotely close to the man I read about in the four (4) Gospels?” If we are honest with our self and with each other, we will have to answer with a definite: NOT EVEN CLOSE!

What next?

1. We MUST acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and be baptized in HIS NAME. He is the ONLY WAY for each of us to be repaired (transformed), in order for us to fulfill our original purpose.
2. We absolutely MUST be baptized in the HOLY SPIRIT, with evidence of speaking in tongues! The HOLY SPIRIT cleanse us with the WORD OF GOD.
   

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.


Without the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT, you CANNOT even begin to be transformed into the JESUS CHRIST.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the person we MUST ACCOMPANY because it is He who is going to EXERCISE OUR MIND AND CLEANSE OUR TEMPLE (body)!

I do not care if you have studied at the most prestigious seminary in the world, and you had the greatest bible scholars as your professors because a human being is not capable or equipped to do what the HOLY SPIRIT can do, which is transform us into the image of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the express image of God. I will even dare say that bible scholars, who have not been baptized in the HOLY SPIRIT, will probably actively try to prevent your transformation (metamorphosis).

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

You will have people tell you all Christians possess this anointing from God when they are born again. I am here to tell you ONLY CHRISTIANS BAPTISED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE ACCESS TO THE ANOINTED TEACHER…THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the moment God’s Holy Spirit leaves our spirit and enters into our soul (intellect and emotions). The Holy Spirit MUST first enter into our soul before he can begin the teaching and transformation process required to make us clean vessels, anoint us and prepare us for use by God.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by SPEAKING IN TONGUES! Read the book of Acts, the first thing the Apostles would ask believers was “Have you received the Holy Ghost?

Act 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

Speaking in tongues is praying to God in a language that is not known to the person praying. In reality it is the Holy Spirit praying on behalf of the person and He is edifying that person. The Holy Spirit is building you into a proper temple for God’s habitation. That is why you can never pray in tongues too much!

1Co 14:2  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

EDIFICATION: G3619, oikodomē, oy-kod-om-ay'
Feminine (abstraction) of a compound of G3624 and the base of G1430; architecture, that is, (concretely) a structure; figuratively confirmation: - building, edify (-ication, -ing).
 
As we can see from studying the original Greek word (oikodome), God is building a structure. Each and every believer is being prepared by God to be a part of this structure. We are the living stones that God is using to build the City of the Great King…THE NEW JERUSALEM! We are talking about God’s master plan!
 
Prophecy is when a person speaks the Word of God and the Word is understandable to everyone. The Apostle Paul wrote that prophecy edifies (builds) the church. Therefore, it is even more important than speaking in tongues, but praying in tongues is still very, very important. If an individual Christian has not been edified properly by speaking in tongues in private, they will not be prepared to “fit” with God’s other living stones (saints) in a public assembly.

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

I heard a preacher on the radio say that if a Christian is not healed, it was not because they lacked faith. He said that God sometimes has a purpose for Christians to be sick. I am not sure which Bible he gets his doctrine from, but it is not the Bible I own and read.  If you are a Christian and you are sick, or crippled, or blind, or paralyzed, or have the plague, it is NOT God’s will for your life! 
 
Does God love us? If God wants to teach us a lesson by allowing us to have AIDS or cancer, He has a funny way of showing us His love.  I am sure that my earthly Dad would not give me cancer to teach me a lesson. 
 
Why would my heavenly Father give me cancer to teach me a lesson? We have an enemy who is constantly seeking to destroy us, he wants us sick, poor, and defeated, but he is called Satan NOT God!
 
If you are a Christian sitting in a wheel chair or confined to a bed and you are hoping that someday you will finally learn your lesson and God will send some man or woman of great faith to cure your paralyzed legs, I am afraid you are in for a long wait. Lack of faith in God’s Word is the only reason a Christian will remain sick!
 
According to “your” faith be it unto you.
Matthew 9:29
 
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
And he marvelled because of “their” unbelief.
Mark 6:5-6
 
If Jesus Christ Himself was prevented from doing a mighty work because of the people’s unbelief, how can Billy Graham, or Oral Roberts, or Benny Hinn do a mighty work in spite of a person’s unbelief? I am confident nobody will heal you, including God Himself, if you do not believe God’s Word.
 
Now people are going to say, “Mike, you are so cruel, you know people can’t help being blind or crippled or sickly.” But I say, “Oh yes they can!” Guess what, I have some good news for all the sick people in the world. There are two easy steps you can take to be healthy, to be wealthy, to be free, to be happy, and to be wise.
 
First step: Be converted!
 
Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be “converted”, and I should “heal” them.
Matthew 13:13-15
 
CONVERTED. 1994. Ep-ee-stref’-o; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally): - come (go) again, convert, (re-) turn (about, again).  (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984.)
 
You have to do the opposite of what you have been doing. You have to stop your rebellion against God and confess the LORD Jesus Christ and believe that God raised Him from the dead. 
 
Second step: Speak God’s Word to the problem.
 
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I “spoken”; we also believe, and therefore “speak”.
2 Corinthians 4:13
 
Instead of not believing and listening to God’s Word, you have to believe and begin speaking and hearing what God has to say about a situation. Do not listen to anybody who contradicts the Word of God. If you go to a church where the Preacher contradicts God’s Word, leave and find a church where the Word of God is preached. Instead of doubting God’s Word, you have to start believing and speaking God’s Word. 
 
When God was giving me revelation about memorizing and speaking his Word, one night I had a vivid dream. In my dream, I was in an office with about a dozen people and they were all sitting at desks reading a book and writing in notepads. I also had a book and notepad but I didn’t know what to do. I just sat looking around at everyone as one by one, each person finished writing in their notepads, closed their book and left the room.
 
Eventually, there was only one man left in the room with me and after he finally finished writing, he stood up and closed his book. Before he left, he said:  “Once you learn how to cipher, you only have to work two or three hours a day and you can take the rest of the day off.” I was thinking to myself, “I want to work two or three hours a day, I have to go to the library and find a book about ciphering,” then I woke up! I thought it was a strange dream and I didn’t understand it, but it was one of those vivid dreams that I believe are given by God and have special meaning, so I prayed for revelation and looked up cipher.
 
Cipher, 1. To express in secret writing.  2. To find out by ciphering; to solve by arithmetic; as, to cipher the cost.  3.  To make out; to interpret; to decipher. (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Simon and Schuster, 1979.)
 
Eventually, when I was talking about my dream to my brother and sister, the revelation came to me.
 
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in “parables” ?
Matthew 13:10
 
PARABLES - 3850. Par-ab-ol-ay’: a similitude (“parable”), i.e. (symbol) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), adage; - comparison, figure, parable, proverb. (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984.)
 
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more “abundance”: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even what he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:11-13
 
ABUNDANCE - 4052. Per-is-sooy’-o: to superabound (in quantity or quality) be in excess, be superfluous; also (translated) to cause to superabound or excel. – (make, more) abound, (have, have more), abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above). (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984.)
 
Why did Jesus speak in parables to the crowds and only explain the parables to his disciples when they were alone? 
 
I believe it was because his disciples put the Kingdom of God before everything else.  They left their work, their homes, their families, and everything else important to them in order to follow Jesus. The disciples made following Jesus Christ their primary occupation. That is the kind of person God is looking for, God is looking for the cream of the crop, God demands the very best. God demands His tithe of first fruits. The Apostle Paul explained it like this:
 
But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that “diligently” seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
 
DILIGENTLY - 1567. Ek-sat-teh’o:  to search out, i.e. (figuratively) investigate, crave, demand, (by Hebrew) worship: - enquire, seek after (carefully, diligently). (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984.)
 
God’s chosen are not people who call themselves Jews or people who call themselves Christians. God’s chosen people love God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind, and with all their strength. God wants people who love him as much as he loves them. God wants people who diligently seek Him in His Word, like Paul the Apostle:
 
 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11
 
The books in the Old and New Testament are similar to books of ciphers. Although the text has a plain and obvious meaning; the text also contains deep and hidden meaning. You cannot read it once and expect to know all the mysteries of God and the books of the Bible were never intended to be simple texts. God has made His Word to be like a hidden treasure. 
 
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46
 
The kingdom of God, the Word of God, is truly a great treasure. God will only give spiritual revelation to people who earnestly desire to know Him and His Word. God will show favor to those who Diligently seek Him! We must set our heart and our desire on spiritual things because we understand that Jesus Christ (the WORD OF GOD) is the author(ity) and finisher of our faith. Without God’s Word in our hearts and minds we are the same as most everyone else, blind men, lost and without hope.
 
We are like ships without an anchor, being cast about every time the winds change direction. However, with God’s living Word abiding in us, we are children of the light and children of the Most High.  Every obstacle and every opportunity will be made obvious to us. We are God’s children and He is our Father. We are under the authority of Jesus Christ and everything dealing with us and God is under our authority.
 
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 23:2
 
Are you a king? Are you God’s chosen? Are you a child of the Most High? Are you a god? 
 
If you are, then you will diligently search and meditate upon and memorize God’s Word.  If you are not, your Bible will probably sit gathering dust and you will continue being lost and blind and wandering in the wilderness. You will remain sick, poor, and foolish. If you do not spend time in God’s Word, I doubt that you were ever a Christian to begin with.  In which case, I hope somebody is interceding and praying for you! 
 
Why do I say that?
 
As newborn babes, desire the sincere mild of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
I Peter 2:2
 
Just as newborn babies desire their mother’s milk, a newborn Christian desires the Word of God. We naturally are hungry for the nourishment that will make us grow stronger and help us reach maturity. We do not need anybody to tell us to drink milk when we were babies. A newborn baby naturally desires milk. A person who is truly born again will naturally desire God’s Word. If a person says, “I don’t need to read the Bible, me and Jesus got it all worked out.” I tend to think they were never saved in the first place.
 
If a person says, I use to read the Bible, but now I don’t need to ‘cause I’ve got it all figured out.” I tend to think they are either dead or dying in the spirit. You cannot eat for a year and go without eating for a year and survive. You must eat on a regular basis and if you want your spirit to live and grow, you must imbibe in the Word of God on a regular (daily) basis.
 
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, AD-O-NOY’ appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am Almighty God  (EL SHAD-DAH’-EE); walk before (to face) me, and be thou perfect (Blameless).
Genesis 17:1
 
Abraham is our prime example of faith. Abraham had an intimate relationship with God, but he did not have nearly the revelation available to him, that we have available to us. However, Abraham did know a few very important things about God:
 
God appeared to Abraham:  God wasn’t some unknowable entity. God wanted and cultivated an intimate relationship with Abraham.
God was ALMIGHTY (EL SHAD-DAH-EE):  Abraham knew that if God said he was going to do something, God could and would do it. Nothing is impossible to God!
God wanted Abraham to walk before (to face) Him:  God expected something from Abraham. God was not a Genie in a bottle, Abraham did not expect God to serve his every whim and desire. God was not Abraham’s servant, Abraham knew and understood that he was God’s servant.
God told Abraham to be perfect! Uh Oh!
 
What was Abraham to do? 
 
Abraham was born in sin just like all of the descendants of Adam. Abraham probably felt just as helpless as any one of us when we start comparing our pitiful condition with the perfection of Almighty God. God wants us all to be perfect.
 
However, we do not claim to be perfect. We do not claim that mature Christians travel from mountain top to mountain top. We all go through the valley of darkness occasionally. We all face sickness, trials, and have difficulties just like everybody else in the world. However, there is a difference between a mature Christian and an immature Christian. A mature Christian always goes to God with their problems and troubles. The mature Christian always seeks to know the will of God in every situation they face. The mature Christian knows that God is always with them no matter what their circumstances may look like. He will never leave nor forsake us. The mature Christian knows that God will manage to use every situation to build them up, to give them revelation, and to increase their faith in Him. The mature Christian is confident that God will eventually save and deliver them out of ALL their troubles.
 
Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 
Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 
Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.