Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.


SLUMBER: G2659, katanuxis, kat-an'-oox-is
From G2660; a prickling (sensation, as of the limbs asleep), that is, (by implication [perhaps by some confusion with G3506 or even with G3571]) stupor (lethargy): - slumber.


If the word sounds and looks slightly familiar it is because our English word “catatonic” is derived from this Greek word, which was originally a medical description of a syndrome experienced by schizophrenics expressed by muscular rigidity and mental stupor, sometimes alternating with great excitement and confusion.  

 
If you find yourself continually spending hours of time “vegetating” in front of the television/computer or you just cannot seem to find time to pray and read your bible, you may be under the influence of the spirit of SLUMBER. The spirit of SLUMBER is in direct opposition to God’s WISDOM.

 
The most obvious example of the spirit of slumber in dramatic action is when a hypnotist puts a subject “under” and then gives them “suggestions”, which the subject then follows with a blank stare, even if the hypnotic suggestions seems to be physically impossible.

 
I believe if you ever willingly went to a hypnotist to “help” you stop smoking, drinking, overeating, etc., you probably unknowingly opened yourself up to the demonic spirit of SLUMBER and you may need to cast this demonic spirit out. Simply command SLUMBER to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Then ask God to give you His Wisdom.

 
Isa 29:10  For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Isa 29:11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:


DEEP SLEEP: H8639, tardêmâh, tar-day-maw'
From H7290; a lethargy or (by implication) trance: - deep sleep.


Other examples of the spirit of SLUMBER are people who have put themselves under the authority of a cult.

CULT: 1) a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure, object, or belief.
 

1. a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.
2. a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.
   

I believe cultic behavior is only possible if you suspend your own critical reasoning facilities and follow the wrong course of action regardless of any and all negative consequences. I have always found it fascinating that a mountain of evidence can be presented to some people and they simply shut down. They smile and nod their heads then continue in the same wrong direction and continue believing the same wrong ideas.


I have noticed this cultic behavior by atheists, who like to blame religion for all the ills of the world, but when you mention that atheistic communist governments have murdered tens of millions of their own citizens in the last hundred years, they simply shut down.


I have noticed this cultic behavior by “patriots”, who call themselves Christian then blindly join the military, or another government agency, and then commit all kinds of atrocities because they “love” their country. When you mention the fact that various government employees have confessed to starting bogus wars, torturing people, experimenting on citizens without their knowledge, and being involved in all kinds of illegal and immoral activity, all under the orders and authority of their superiors, these people seem to simply shut down.


I have mainly noticed this cultic behavior in “Christians” who blindly follow people and doctrines that are expressly contradicted by the Word of God. If “Christians” would read the Word of God and BELIEVE, there is no telling how God could mightily use them for the spreading of the Gospel.


WISDOM: G4678, sophia
Thayer Definition: 1) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.
 
Luk 21:14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luk 21:15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
 
Wisdom is simply the perfect answer for every question, problem, or circumstance. It is an answer provided directly by God; therefore, it will always provide the perfect solution…if we will listen.


There is an interesting character in the Old Testament named Ahithophel. This is what the Bible said about him:

2Sa 16:23  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.  


Apparently Ahithophel possessed the spirit of wisdom and King David recognized that his counsel was the same as if God Himself was giving him advice. Unfortunately for Ahithophel, he decided to conspire with Absalom against King David. It appears that Bathsheba was Ahithophel’s granddaughter and when King David committed adultery with her, it turned Ahithophel against the King.


2Sa 11:3  And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2Sa 23:34  Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,


We see that King David’s sin of adultery came back to haunt him in more ways than one. Not only did King David lose his son, but he also lost his wisest counsellor, and he nearly lost his kingdom.


When we knowingly reject God’s wisdom, He will allow the spirit of SLUMBER to take its place. I remember when three Jehovah Witnesses came to my door and I told them I was a Pentecostal. One of the ladies told me she once attended a Pentecostal Church and decided to become a Jehovah Witness because they “helped her understand the Bible”! She could have knocked me over with a feather.


Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.


I do not know what you can do for somebody if they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, then turn their back on the heavenly gift and then join a cult. I read one blogger, who claimed he spoke with tongues, but stopped because he decided it was crazy, and then joined a Baptist Church.

Although, I admit there are a lot of legalistic Pentecostal Churches and people, most Baptists take legalism to a whole new level. They remind me of the Apostle Paul’s censure of the Galatians.


Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


I may have offended some people, but the Lord willing, perhaps somebody will read this and ask themselves, “Could there be more to being a Christian than simply attending Church on Sunday, listening to some windbag for a couple of hours, and then living like the rest of the world for the next six days of the week?”


You can join a Church, and play Christian all you want, but it will not deliver you from the bondage of the world system. As a matter of fact, I think it would be better to stay home and watch football or play golf rather than go to some legalistic Church…legalism is the worst kind of bondage.


Legalism is the bondage the Jewish people have suffered under for the last two-thousand years. Only the physical return of Jesus Christ will deliver them…and then only the few who remain after the great tribulation.


If you want to be a REAL Christian, if you want REAL RIGHTEOUSNESS, if you want REAL HOLINESS, if you want REAL WISDOM then you need to ASK GOD!


Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.


ALL THE REALLY GOOD STUFF…the fruits of the spirit, and the gifts of the spirit are FREE! That is why they are called GIFTS! They are also REAL … I don’t care what anybody says. I do not care if they have multiple PhD’s or a doctor of divinity. I do not care if they have written multiple books, or have a radio show, or have a television show that reaches millions. All WE need to do is BELIEVE and TRUST GOD!


You don’t need to stop sinning in order to get close to God, you NEED to get close to God in order to stop sinning!


Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Act 19:13  Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Act 19:14  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Act 19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Act 19:16  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


EVIL: G4190, ponēros, pon-ay-ros'
From a derivative of G4192; hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from G4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively calamitous; also (passively) ill, that is, diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, that is, derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: - bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also G4191.


We see that the man possessed by the EVIL spirit violently attacked the sons of Sceva and prevailed against them. The key to identifying an EVIL spirit is VIOLENCE. I suspect if you have ever been a member of the military or the police, or more importantly dealt with a lot of violence while you were growing up, you have interacted with evil spirits more often than not. I believe the EVIL spirit is a counterfeit of the gift of MIRACLES.


MIRACLES: G1411, dunamis, doo'-nam-is
From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous POWER (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), POWER, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.


It does not specifically mention this spirit in the story of the demoniacs that were living in the tombs, but there were obviously some evil spirits involved in the “legion” of demons that possessed the demoniacs because of their superhuman feats of strength.


Mar 5:2  And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mar 5:3  Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mar 5:4  Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mar 5:5  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.


It is interesting that all the people in the region around the tombs avoided these two demoniacs but Jesus goes directly to them…and delivers them.


 Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power (DUNAMIS), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
All Christians have access to power. Many of us simply have a lack of faith.
Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability (POWER); and straightway took his journey.


You are probably familiar with the story of the talents. Jesus talks about a man travelling into a far country (Jesus is the man in the parable). He gives each of His servants “talents” according to their POWER (dunamis).


TALENT: 2. Talent, among the Hebrews, was also a gold coin, the same with a shekel of gold; called also stater, and weighing only four drachmas.

 
But the Hebrew talent of silver, called cicar, was equivalent to three thousand shekels, or one hundred and thirteen pounds, ten ounces and a fraction, troy weight.


It reminds me of the prophecy of Moses prior to the children of Israel entering the Promised Land.
Deu 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee POWER to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.


The word POWER in Deuteronomy 8:18 is translated DUNAMIS in the Greek Septuagent.


POWER: H3581, kôach, ko'-akh
From an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard: - ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power (-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
 
We see that God gives us DUNAMIS (power) to get wealth. It is no coincidence that the Christian Protestant nations are also the wealthiest. The Protestants started out with the least amount of hierarchy and provided the most freedom for each person to pursue their own dreams, desires, and happiness.


Hierarchies are set up by Satan to steal our wealth, keep us in bondage, and most importantly, to drain our God given DUNAMIS!


You will notice that when Jacob was working for his uncle Laban, God blessed Laban. When Joseph was Potiphar’s slave, God blessed Potiphar.


Gen 39:5  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.


Once you realize that God has given you the blessing of DUNAMIS, and you recognize it flowing in and through you, you can enjoy supernatural health and strength, and you will also understand that you do not need to participate in the Babylonian hierarchical system.


All Christians should have DUNAMIS but also I believe some people have the “gift” of DUNAMIS. You may recognize the type of person: they usually never miss work because of illness, they seem to have boundless energy, and are “naturally” fit. According to the Bible, dunamis can be imparted to other people.


Luk 6:19  And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue (DUNAMIS) out of him, and healed them all.


Like any other “gift of the Holy Spirit”, you must allow the spirit to flow. We were originally created to be channels for the Holy Spirit to bless God’s creation, but if we allow it, demonic spirits will quench the flow of the spirit.


1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit.


QUENCH: G4570, sbennumi, sben'-noo-mee
A prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to extinguish (literally or figuratively): - go out, quench.


The Apostle Paul was speaking about the gift of prophecy but I believe we can quench any gift of the spirit. The Holy Spirit is often likened to wind, water, oil, and FIRE! This Greek word “sbennumi” is also used by Jesus in the Parable of the virgins.


Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out (QUENCHED).


Like I have said in previous articles, when the Holy Spirit moves in and through us, often times other people, influenced by demonic forces, will oppose the move. Pastors and minister will quickly get people alone and quote the following verse:


1Co 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.


Babylonian church leaders often interpret this verse to mean, “NO MOVE OF THE SPIRIT IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.” Of course if you do not get the hint, you will be asked to leave “their” church.


The Apostle Paul said that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Therefore, after we face censure or persecution, we curtail or even totally QUENCH the fire of the Holy Spirit. This is a very dangerous situation to be in, as illustrated by the parable of the five foolish virgins.


The Apostle Paul gives us some pointers on how to keep the FIRE burning.


1Th 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1Th 5:16  Rejoice evermore.
1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit.
1Th 5:20  Despise not prophesyings.
1Th 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Live in peace with everyone.
2. Rejoice and be cheerful…remember your name is written in heaven.
3. Bring ALL your problems to God.
4. Be thankful no matter what your circumstances…all troubles will eventually pass.
5. Do not quench the Holy Spirit in yourself OR in anybody else.
6. Do not take the gifts of the spirit for granted ESPECIALLY PROPHECY!
7. Weigh everything, cling to the good, and cast off anything that is not profitable.
8. Avoid anything that could be considered EVIL (poneros).
9. God can keep you blameless in spirit, soul, AND BODY … if you rely on HIM!
   

If you suspect that you or someone else is being controlled by an EVIL (violent) spirit, command it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. The only way to eliminate its influence completely is to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit and then begin operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The more time we spend with God, and the more revelation we receive from Him, the more fruits of the Holy Spirit will be produced in our lives.


2Pe 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Act 16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.


DIVINATION: G4436, Puthōn, poo'-thone
From Πυθώ Puthō (the name of the region where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located); a Python, that is, (by analogy with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying): - divination.

Thayer Definition:
1) in Greek mythology the name of the Pythian serpent or dragon that dwelt in the region of Pytho at the foot of Parnassus in Phocis, and was said to have guarded the oracle at Delphi and been slain by Apollo
2) a spirit of divination


We see that the spirit of DIVINATION is basically a counterfeit of the gift of Prophecy. The Bible has several names for divination including: witchcraft, sorcery, enchantments, wizards, observer of times (astrology), idolatry (devil worship), but the overall definition of all these words is simply a description of a person who courts and interacts with familiar (demonic) spirits.


Witchcraft is a major sin and was a great snare to Israel and was also the main reason God finally drove them from the land just like He drove out the Canaanites before them.


If you, or your ancestors, have ever practiced the occult arts including: reading tarot cards, casting lots (gambling, consulting the I Ching), using mind altering drugs, playing with a Ouija board, practicing witchcraft, soothsaying, worshipping pagan gods, practicing any religion besides Christianity, practicing astrology, palm reading, consulting fortune tellers, etc., etc., etc., there is probably a good chance you have interacted with the spirit of divination.


There are many signs that this spirit is influencing your life but I would like to mention the BIG signs. First, we see from the story of the damsel in the Book of Acts that she brought her masters GREAT GAIN. The influence of this spirit appears to go hand in hand with the LOVE OF MONEY! If you have a single minded obsession with acquiring wealth for yourself, this is a good sign that the spirit of divination is controlling you. If you read anything about the wealthy, you understand that they have a peculiar “knack” for predicting future events.


It is interesting that the Apostle Paul commands the spirit of DIVINATION to leave when he is grieved by this young girl following him and his associates for several days. I believe the reason the Holy Spirit, through Paul, used this tactic is two-fold. First, she was a slave girl. Therefore, she was practicing soothsaying against her will. Second, the Bible says the girl was a DAMSEL.


DAMSEL: G3814, paidiskē, pahee-dis'-kay
Feminine diminutive of G3816; a girl, that is, (specifically) a female slave or servant: - bondmaid (-woman), damsel, maid (-en).


It appears this girl was very young, perhaps even a child. Yes, children can be possessed by demonic spirits. I believe she was inculcated with this demonic spirit, probably at Delphi against her will. If you read about Central Intelligence Agency programs such as MK-ULTRA, you will find that people inspired by Satan are still inculcating children with demonic spirits. Not all the people who work for intelligence agencies understand that they are Satanic organizations but ALL the top echelon of these secretive organizations practice some form of witchcraft.


Make no mistake, any person who belongs to the higher echelons of a SECRET society is interacting with demonic powers and is a practicing sorcerer.


OCCULT', a. [L. occultus, occulo; ob and celo, to conceal.]
 
Hidden from the eye or understanding; invisible; secret; unknown; undiscovered; undetected; as the occult qualities of matter.
 
The occult sciences are magic, necromancy, &c.
 
Occult lines, in geometry, are such as are drawn with the compasses or a pencil, and are scarcely visible.


If you have read my past articles about the Babylonian system, perhaps you remember I said that the City of Babylon was governed and ruled by sorcerers. Our current worldwide Babylonian system is also governed and ruled by sorcerers, and that is why there is such a huge amount of time and resources devoted to acquiring (stealing) wealth.


It is also why the cult of crony capitalism, free trade, and central banking, have blanketed the world. If you look deeply into the background of many of the world’s leaders in government, entertainment, media, business, education, AND religion, you will find that many of them are deeply involved in the occult…many since early childhood.


Many religious people who pass themselves off as prophets of God are actually being motivated and controlled by spirits of divination. When somebody talks more about money than Jesus Christ, it is a good indicator of who and what they love more. Just because somebody seems to be able to forecast the future does NOT mean they are a true prophet of God! Remember that Jesus said we would know them by their fruits.


When the Apostle Paul encounters this young girl possessed by the spirit of DIVINATION, he simply commands the demon to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. However, when he encounters an adult Jewish sorcerer, named Barjesus, Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to curse the man.


Act 13:9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.


Barjesus was an adult man, free, and Jewish; therefore, he should have been well aware that he was in direct rebellion against God by practicing sorcery.


This brings us to the second BIG indicator of the spirit of divination’s presence… REBELLION.  Our best illustration of the gift of prophecy versus the spirit of witchcraft is the story of King Saul and King David in the Old Testament.


King Saul started off NOT wanting to be king of Israel, which is a good thing. When God commanded the Prophet Samuel to anoint Saul king of Israel, like King David after him, he was anointed with God’s Holy Spirit as evidenced by the gift of PROPHECY.


1Sa 10:10  And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1Sa 10:11  And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
1Sa 10:12  And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?


The life of Saul should serve as a warning to all people who God has baptized with His Holy Spirit. We need to constantly strive to be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s instruction and leading. We dare not lean on our own understanding. Apparently, after many years as King of Israel, the power and position began to go to King Saul’s head. On several occasions, King Saul actually ignored or did the opposite of what God told him to do. Therefore, God by an act of His sovereign will, removed His Holy Spirit and it was replaced by an EVIL spirit.


1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.


I am afraid this is a common occurrence throughout the Bible and throughout history. Men start out full of the Holy Spirit, the power of God is working mightily through them, and they are obviously anointed to preach the gospel. Then somewhere and somehow they get turned around and they begin spending all their time and God’s resources building massive projects or accumulating wealth for themselves and their families.


Obviously this is a process that does not happen overnight, but steadily, step by step, eventually rebellion leads us to the same place where King Saul ended up, the Holy Spirit leaves and the intentional decision to continually rebel against God takes us to a very dark place.


1Sa 28:6  And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
1Sa 28:7  Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.


When the Holy Spirit leaves, eventually everything good leaves with Him, and all God’s blessings are replaced by continuous and unremittent evil.


1Sa 16:14  But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.


When God took the kingdom of Israel from Saul, Saul sought to keep it with all of his might, he continued to rebel against God until he eventually died by his own hand. How much differently King David handled being rebuked by God.


Although David was anointed King by Samuel, he did not seek to grasp the position for himself, neither did he try to hold onto the position when he believed God had taken it away. King David understood, like Job before him, that everything is God’s and it is His to give or take away as He sees fit.


Job 1:20  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
Job 1:21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:22  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.


This is true meekness, when we can bless God no matter what our circumstances because we understand God knows the end from the beginning, while we are limited in our knowledge and in our ability.
There is nothing wrong with seeking the gifts of God, but we must understand that with the gifts we carry a heavy responsibility. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul told us that we should all seek the gift of prophecy.


1Co 14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
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.
1Co 14:5  I would that ye all 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.


While the gift of tongues edifies us, the gift of prophecy edifies the Church. I believe that King David may have been the greatest prophet in the Old Testament. Nearly all the New Testament writers refer back to the prophetic messages contained in the Psalms.


PSALM: H4210, mizmôr, miz-more'
From H2167; properly instrumental music; by implication a poem set to notes: - psalm.
In the Old Testament, the gift of prophecy is associated with MUSIC.


1Ch 25:3  Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.


Many of the prophets in the Old Testament have their prophetic songs recorded including: The song of Moses, the song of Miriam, the song of Deborah, the songs of David, and of course the Song of Songs by Solomon. When King Jehoshaphat asked the Prophet Elisha to inquire of the Lord, the Prophet requested a minstrel to play music.


 2Ki 3:15  But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.


If you have been drawn to music all of your life, there is a good chance that you were meant to be a prophet of God. It is frankly amazing how many famous secular musicians and singers began performing in the Church. I do not believe it is only coincidental. I believe they were anointed by God and later exchanged it for fame, fortune, and unfortunately for them… the spirit of DIVINATION.


1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Exo 19:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
Exo 19:11  And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Exo 19:12  And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:
Exo 19:13  There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
Exo 19:14  And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
Exo 19:15  And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.
Exo 19:16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
Exo 19:17  And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
Exo 19:18  And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Exo 19:19  And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
Exo 19:20  And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
Exo 19:21  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.


This coming Sunday, June 12, 2016, the Jews will be celebrating the Feast of Shavuot. On the sixth (6th) day, in the Jewish month of Sivan, seven weeks after the Exodus, the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, and actually spoke the ten commandments to the children of Israel prior to Moses receiving them written on stone tablets. This feast day is one of the three holy days that God commanded the Nation of Israel to remember and celebrate every year. The feast is called Shavuot by the Jews, which literally means feast of Weeks, because it occurs the fiftieth day after the end of seven weeks after the Exodus. The Church calls it Pentecost because it is the fiftieth (50) day after the Feast of Passover.


The children of Israel were nearly scared to death by the appearance of the Lord.


Exo 20:18  And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
Exo 20:19  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.


If you have read my book, “Christian Exodus Out of Babylon”, you know that I believe this feast is actually a dress rehearsal of the arrival of the Lord on Pentecost of 2030. I believe many people will be scared to death upon His next physical appearance.


Rev 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?


It is interesting that Moses did not tell the children of Israel anything when they first arrived at Mount Sinai on the first (1st) of Sivan, but he waited until the third (3rd) of Sivan before he told them to prepare for the Lord’s arrival on the THIRD DAY. So God actually arrives on the 6th day of Sivan.


Then the Bible tells us that in the MORNING of the THIRD DAY, the Lord descended upon the Mount.


In the second book of Peter, he tells the Saints that a thousand years are as a day and a day is as a thousand years with the Lord. This is why I believe the beginning of the THIRD DAY will begin in 2030 A.D., which compares the resurrection of the Church with the resurrection of our Lord early on the THIRD DAY.


2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.


Also, there is an interesting ancient book most people are not familiar with, called the Epistle of Barnabus, that explains after six thousand years from creation, the Lord will return just before a thousand years of rest, which compares the seven days of the creation week with 6,000 years of history finally ending in the thousand year Sabbatical reign of Jesus Christ over the whole earth.


Barnabas 15:3
Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And
God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the
seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it.
Barnabas 15:4
Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He
meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all
things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years;
and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of
the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six
days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end.
Barnabas 15:5
And He rested on the seventh day. this He meaneth; when His Son
shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall
judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the
stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html



Many students of prophecy, myself included, believe this is an accurate portrayal of God’s template for His dealings with mankind.


It appears that the Bible has divided God’s timetable into ages of two-thousand years. The first age of 2,000 years is from the creation of Adam and Eve to when Abraham almost offers Isaac as a blood sacrifice on Mount Moriah; the second 2,000 years is from Abraham and Isaac to the actual sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Golgotha; the third 2,000 years is from the crucifixion of our Lord up to His final arrival on the Mount of Olives; then the Messiah establishes His throne on Mount Zion and begins His millennial reign of 1,000 years over the whole earth, which adds up to 7,000 years, or a Week of the Lord.


Any BELIEVER with a Bible and a calculator should be able to figure out that we do not have that much time left. I can understand how an unbeliever might be blissfully unaware, but I see many Christians making ten year plans, twenty year plans, and even thirty year plans. I guess because of the pretribulation lie, many Christians do not actually believe they need to be prepared physically, mentally, or most importantly, spiritually.


I tell people that I believe Jesus Christ is going to come back in 2030 A.D. and most of the time they are not even curious. They either want to change the topic or they make a quick exit. If they do listen to how I arrived at that specific date, they still have a look of disbelief and they will say, “No man knows the day or hour.”


Most people are so brainwashed by their church (cult), they will not even bother looking up the scriptures or doing a little research. I am starting to believe most people, including many Christians, actually do not want Jesus to come back? If you happen to believe what I have written about a specific date for the return of Jesus Christ, or think it might be a possibility, I must warn you from experience, do not expect many people to welcome the subject if you decide to bring it up.


Mat 21:34  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36  Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Mat 21:37  But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38  But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.


This parable is about Jesus Christ, but I believe it also refers to “the sons of God” who will be revealed at the end of this age. God will send His sons into the world to collect His fruits. You will notice that it is almost harvest time in the parable and the householder wanted to receive His fruits, but the people that He left in charge of His property decide to seize the inheritance of the “son” by murdering Him.


Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.


This is one of the main reasons why I believe the sons of God must go through tribulation. Persecution PROVES that you are a son of God. If you were not a son of God, the world would not need to persecute and murder you.


Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.


The physical return of Jesus Christ and the overthrow of the Babylonian system is good news for some people but it is terrible news for a lot of people. Many people have so much invested in the Babylonian system, they will get angry at you for even talking about its final destruction. People might even get violent, but if you have read the Books of the Bible, you know this is a very likely response to the good news.


1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Luk 13:10  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
Luk 13:11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
Luk 13:12  And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
Luk 13:13  And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.


INFIRMITY: G769, astheneia, as-then'-i-ah
From G772; feebleness (of body or mind); by implication malady; moral frailty: - disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.


I do not believe that every time I stub my toe that it is a demonic attack. However, I do believe that the influence of spiritual forces in our physical trials and tribulations is a lot more common than most people think. I wrote last week that I believed spirits were literally swirling around us all the time…that includes demonic and angelic spirits.


A giant, hard to miss, clue that you are being attacked by a demonic spirit is LENGTH OF TIME! We see this woman in the Book of Luke had a spirit of INFIRMITY for EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS! This is a very, very, long time to be suffering from any illness.


Let me give you an example. Suppose you stub your toe. We expect it will hurt for a little while, but we also EXPECT that it should stop hurting in a day or two just from past experience of stubbing our toes. As an interesting side note, Bob Marley, the great reggae singer, and author of “I Shot the Sheriff; No Woman, No Cry; Babylon System; and Jammin’”, died from a cancer that started in his toe.


Frankly, the first thing I do when I feel sick or when I am injured is say, “I command the spirit of INFIRMITY to leave in the name of Jesus Christ!”  Why not? It can’t hurt and if there is some demonic enemy at work behind the scenes, it must leave.


Second, I quote the following Bible verse: Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD MEMORIZE THIS VERSE.)


I doubt that naming and claiming a jet or Rolls Royce is correct theology but I absolutely believe we can name and claim healing by the stripes of Jesus Christ. All the promises of Jesus Christ are for His Church and we MUST believe and claim them if we are His children.


Third, I take communion. The main reason to take communion is to meditate on the COMPLETE work of Jesus Christ on the cross. His payment is TOTALLY sufficient for all of our sins and for all of our ancestor’s sins. There is no reason that we need to suffer the penalty of sin any more. The penalty of sin is separation from God, sickness, and eventually physical death.


1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


However, believing Christians have been completely ransomed from the consequences of sickness and death. I believe many people reading this will never experience death.
When I take communion, I simply take some “original Triscuits” (unleavened bread) and a small amount of grape juice (wine). Why? Jesus taught His disciples and His Church that communion is a necessary act of remembrance.


Unleavened bread represents the pure, and absolutely perfect, sacrifice for our sins…past, present, and future. We MUST NOT ADD anything to what Jesus Christ has already done. We do not need to have the right haircut, or right clothes, or right manners, or right relatives, or even perfect doctrine, to receive God’s FREE salvation and grace. We simply need to BELIEVE that God has provided a perfect and complete sacrifice.


1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.


Grape juice (wine) represents the blood of the Lamb of God that was sacrificed for OUR sins. Satan, the angel of death, and demonic powers, have no legal right to accuse us before God ever again. Jesus Christ has taken all of OUR punishment…our debts are more than paid in full. Demonic power MUST PASSOVER us when we remember that Christ paid for our sins and we boldly declare we are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ!


Now I am going to say something that may be considered controversial. INFIRMITY is sin. Let me attempt to explain myself. First, let’s get a correct definition of sin.


SIN: G264, hamartanō, ham-ar-tan'-o,
Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin: - for your faults, offend, sin, trespass.


Sin simply means to MISS THE MARK! I know the Babylonian Church likes to beat people up over sin, but in actuality EVERYBODY misses the mark…EVERYBODY SINS! However, the more you fellowship with Jesus Christ, and the closer you get to Jesus Christ, the less you will miss the mark (the less you will sin) because Jesus Christ IS THE MARK! There is an interesting story in the Gospels that may help me illustrate something about sin (missing the mark).


Joh 5:13  And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
Joh 5:14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Joh 5:15  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.


Jesus had healed this man while he lay by the pool of Bethesda. The Book of John said that he had an INFIRMITY for thirty eight (38) years. It is really a testament to the man’s faith that he continued to hope to be cured after so many years. How many other people have given up hope after a much shorter period of time? Jesus told the man something that has confused me for a long time.


Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.


Let me do my own translation using the Strong Concordance definition:


Miss the mark no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.


Was Jesus saying that the man’s infirmity was because of his sin (missing the mark)? I believe Jesus was saying exactly that, but I also know I need to give a better explanation.


When I think of a “MARK”, I think of a target and somebody trying to shoot an arrow at a bulls eye. However, a better description might be a target that somebody is trying to hit with a guided missile. The missile may need adjustments depending on the wind, or depending on bad calculations (information), or because there is an enemy trying to stop the missile from getting to the target.


I have always been against legalism. Call me arrogant, but I knew that if I had a problem with sin, then everybody else probably had a problem with sin. Anybody who was browbeating me about my sins probably had plenty of sin of their own…just better hidden. I did not want to be a hypocrite; therefore, I leaned towards being a hedonistic Christian.


Ecc 2:10  And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Ecc 2:11  Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.


I believe if you are raised from childhood in a charismatic environment, you are exposed to spiritual influences and tend to shy away from hypocrisy. You recognize your own failures with a clarity that is intense and painful. You are caught in a trap that Paul the Apostle described so well in chapter 7 of the Book of Romans.


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?


I am going to tell you how to escape from the trap. Are you ready?


1Co 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.


Here is the Young’s literal translation:

(YLT)  All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful to me, but I--I will not be under authority by any;


ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL TO ME….BUT….ALL THINGS ARE NOT PROFITABLE….I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANY!


When you STOP telling yourself to touch not; taste not; handle not; you are immediately set free from the temptation…it’s difficult I know: Our flesh always wants to glory in the law and the strength of the flesh.
 
 Col 2:20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?


Once you can honestly say to yourself I can eat this food, or take this drug, or drink this drink with the umbrella, or wear this red jump suit, etc., etc., etc., and God will still love me, God is not going to punish me, I will not go to hell…then you are free indeed!

However, it is obvious that even though all things are lawful, we can still be brought into bondage if we do not make wise decisions.


Therefore, we need to ask ourself, “Will this food, drug, drink, or red jump suit interfere with, or take the place of, my fellowship with God?” Is this person, place, or thing PROFITABLE to my relationship with God? Will my actions and decisions lead to bondage?


We can then begin to make rational and GODLY choices.


I never say never, BUT I do say, “By the power of His might, I am going to avoid these certain people, places, and things.” Jesus Christ set me free…so why would I put myself back under bondage to anyone or anything?


When I say there are certain people I try to avoid, I do not mean drug dealers, prostitutes, or gangsters…I am mainly trying to avoid doctors, lawyers, and religious “leaders” who are trying to put me back under bondage to the Babylonian system.


By the way, I do not drink alcohol, take drugs (except an ibuprofen every blue moon), or worst of all, wear a red jump suit! Hopefully the Lord will deliver me from my occasional reliance on ibuprofen someday.


Perhaps I can give a rather benign example in my own life. When I was younger, I liked to watch “horror” movies. However, I noticed that I began to have nightmares whenever I would watch a horror movie. I came to realize that either I would have to give up horror movies or give up having a good night’s sleep. I chose to make an adjustment in my life and stop watching horror movies.


Let me give you another example in my life. When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time with doctors, and worrying about whether I had enough “medication” for the month, or worrying whether I had forgotten to take my medication. My life basically revolved around my medical problem. I was definitely under bondage to INFIRMITY! Doctors told me that I would need to take medication for the rest of my life. Eventually, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit and was completely cured of my infirmity. Thank God, I put more trust in the Word of God than the negative prognosis of doctors.


I believe we ALL have at least one demonic spirit that we will have to deal with from time to time throughout our lifetime. We all have a specific demonic adversary or what the Apostle Paul called a “thorn in the flesh” to keep us reliant on God. I think I could read through the Bible and identify the specific demonic spirit that each saint dealt with during their lifetime.

You can either rely on God, and overcome your demon by faith in His Word, or you can rely on your own strength and be overcome. Let me try and paraphrase what Jesus was saying to the lame man by the pool of Bethesda.


You have been delivered from the spirit of infirmity, but if you do not flee evil and rely completely on God to protect you, there are a lot worse demonic powers out there that can put you under even worse bondage.


We need to be constantly vigilant that we do not allow demonic spirits to gain a foothold in our lives after Jesus Christ has set us free. There may be activities that may seem very benign at first but God will later make it clear that we need to “adjust” our behavior in order to avoid bondage.


Mat 12:43  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Mat 12:45  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

 
Last week I said that if you had difficulty with FEAR than there was a high likelihood  that you probably had the gift of FAITH…or should probably be operating in that gift. I believe that if you have difficulty with INFIRMITY throughout your life than there is also a likelihood that you should be operating in the gift of HEALING.
 
Oral Roberts nearly died of tuberculosis when he was seventeen and later started one of the world’s most famous faith healing ministries.
 
Another famous faith healer, Smith Wigglesworth, also had an interesting healing story when he was a young pastor. Let us read the story in his own words:

All night I was praying, pleading for deliverance, but none came. My wife was sure it was my home call and sent for a physician. He said that there was no possible chance for me-my body was too weak. Having had the appendicitis for six months, my whole system was drained, and, because of that, he thought that it was too late for an operation. He left my wife in a state of broken-heartedness.
After he left, there came to our door a young man and an old lady. I knew that she was a woman of real prayer. They came upstairs to my room. This young man jumped on the bed and commanded the evil spirit to come out of me. He shouted, “Come out, you devil; I command you to come out in the name of Jesus!” There was no chance for an argument, or for me to tell him that I would never believe that there was a devil inside of me. The thing had to go in the name of Jesus, and it went, and I was instantly healed.

http://www.smithwigglesworth.com/sermons/eif2.htm


Hopefully, I have made you consider the possibility that there might be demonic spirits that can and will afflict you…even if you are a mature Christians. Also, hopefully, mature Christians will begin to recognize these demonic influences and start dealing with them like the Bible tells us how to deal with them.


Next week, the Lord willing, I am going to write about the spirit of divination vs. the gift of prophecy.


Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Pro 8:10  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Pro 8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

People who know the Word of God are impressive. Although Jesus healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, and raised the dead, many people in the New Testament remarked upon His impressive knowledge of the Old Testament when He verbally jousted with the Pharisees and Sadducees.


Joh 7:14  Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
Joh 7:15  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Joh 7:16  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.


The world is always amazed when somebody has an in depth knowledge about a subject without some type of formal training. However, the real breakthroughs in different fields of thought are often times from the most unexpected sources.


In 1905, an “assistant examiner” at the Bern Patent Office, named Albert Einstein, published a paper on special relativity that completely revolutionized the field of physics.


In 1908, two “bicycle repairmen”, named Orville and Wilbur Wright, flew an airplane over Le Mans, France, and completely revolutionized the field of transportation.


In 1976, a “computer geek”, named Steve Wozniak, built and programmed a personal computer in his apartment, and completely revolutionized…EVERYTHING!


I believe a REVOLUTION in the spirit is going to take place in the lives of common, ordinary, everyday people meditating on the Word of God and seeking the mind of Christ for themselves.
In 2000, a guy named Rick Meyers, created a computer program for studying the Word of God called “e-sword”. One of the most achingly, soul shaking epistles that has ever been written is by Paul the Apostle to the Colossians:


Col 1:9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;


We understand from these two verses that knowledge of God and fruitfulness have a direct relationship in the spirit. The more your knowledge of God increases, the more you will be fruitful in every good work. It is our fellowship with God, and our knowledge of Him, that transforms us into His image.


E-sword gives us access to the original Hebrew and Greek Word of God. It gives us the best translations of the Bible in multiple languages. It puts the thoughts of the greatest Bible scholars and saints at our fingertips. It also allows you to take notes, do word studies, find Bible verses, and helps you clarify different theological ideas by examining what the Word of God says in different Biblical books over hundreds and even thousands of years.


If you love the Word of God, you will LOVE e-sword. I strongly encourage all Christians to use this helpful tool.


http://www.e-sword.net/


I have created a short video to help you get started. There are also many helpful videos on youtube.com showing how to navigate through the e-sword program.


Dan 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.