COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY

1. COUNSEL is born of WISDOM and approved by her FRUITS, “Ye shall KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every GOOD TREE bringeth forth GOOD FRUIT; but a CORRUPT TREE bringeth forth EVIL FRUIT” [Matthew 7:16-17] No farmer desires EVIL FRUIT, likewise God, after He created this world planted man and confirmed it was VERY GOOD, in expectation of GOOD FRUIT, “And God saw EVERY THING that he had made, and, behold, it was VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day” [Genesis 1:31] God COUNSELLED Adam how to bring forth GOOD FRUIT and Adam obviously heeded Godly COUNSEL for a while and all was well until UNGODLY COUNSEL crept in, “But while MEN SLEPT, his ENEMY came and SOWED TARES among the wheat, and went his way” [Matthew 13:25] The present world is configured in the COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, howbeit in Christ we have God’s COUNSEL to reclaim Paradise, “BLESSED is the man that WALKETH not in the COUNSEL of the UNGODLY, nor STANDETH in the WAY of SINNERS, nor SITTETH in the SEAT of the SCORNFUL. … 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” [Psalms 1:1-3] 

2. COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY is a SNARE, a present peril for those who WALK in the WAY of TRUTH. The UNGODLY is Satan and his COUNSEL is canonization of SELF above the WORD of God, illustrated by the error of Eve, “And when the woman SAW that the tree was GOOD FOR FOOD, and that it was pleasant to the EYES, and a tree to be DESIRED to make one WISE, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and HE DID EAT” [Genesis 3:6] COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY is the craft of the WICKED ONE to undermine Christ’s pattern for His Church, placing what men deem RIGHT over what is TRUE. Brethren, it is the COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY to replace God’s ordained government of the Church, the five-fold ministry with Nicolaitan heresy of General Overseer, “And he gave some, APOSTLES; and some, PROPHETS; and some, EVANGELISTS; and some, PASTORS and TEACHERS; For the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, for the work of the ministry, for the EDIFYING of the BODY OF CHRIST: Till we all come in the UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN, unto the measure of the stature of the FULNESS OF CHRIST [Ephesians 4:11-13] Wheresoever the heavenly pattern is faulted, there is a form of godliness but no FULNESS; there is learning, none is made PERFECT but “EVER LEARNING, and NEVER ABLE TO COME to the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH” [2 Timothy 3:7]

3. COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY is the spirit of DISOBEDIENCE, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the COURSE OF THIS WORLD, according to the prince of the power of the air, the SPIRIT that now worketh in the children of DISOBEDIENCE” [Ephesians 2:2] It is REBELLION against the revealed WORD, repackaged in pedestals of earthly glory to bridge the gap between the Church and the world in one BROAD WAY, as it is written: “… BROAD is the WAY, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY WHICH GO IN THEREAT:  Because strait is the gate, and NARROW is the WAY, which leadeth unto life, and FEW THAT BE THAT FIND IT” [Matthew 7:13-14] BROAD WAY is a form of godliness where men STAND to worship at the altar of NEEDS, FAITH is measured by possessions and INIQUITY discounted with monetary offerings; these are the same things SINNERS do. Every time we allow fleshly passions to override the WILL of God, we are no longer WALKING but STANDING IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, “This I say then, WALK IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” [Galatians 5:16-17] Let us be vigilant, daily renewing our MINDS in Christ  to discern the COUNSEL of God for the present that we should not be entangled in the WAY OF SINNERS, “… And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [Romans 12:1-2] 

4. COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY is a fashion of Christianity unregulated by compass of PROPHECY and understandably so; PROPHECY portends the end of the UNGODLY, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the DEVIL IS COME down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a SHORT TIME” [Revelation 12:12] SHORT TIME of the UNGODLY and his COUNSEL is fast running out and there are SCOFFERS on every window; spellbinders in cassocks, putting the people to sleep with mantras of peace and prosperity, as it is written: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the LAST DAYS SCOFFERS, WALKING IN THEIR OWN LUSTS, And saying, Where is the PROMISE OF HIS COMING? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” [2 Peter 33-4] Let no man deceive you, the LAST DAYS are here. I charge you to be vigilant, putting aside all entreaties of UNGODLINESS, watching and praying not to be caught naked and unprepared at the appearance of Christ, “Wherefore LAY ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS and SUPERFLUITY of NAUGHTINESS, and RECEIVE with meekness the ENGRAFTED WORD, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye DOERS of the WORD, and NOT HEARERS ONLY, deceiving your own selves” [James 1:21-22] Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, if you have not done so, amen.

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

1. SINFUL man is as fish out of water, dead to purpose and so were we when God “… DROVE OUT the MAN; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden CHERUBIMS and a FLAMING SWORD which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of LIFE” [Genesis 3:24] We were cut off from the source of All Goodness until God reached out in Jesus Christ and restored to us KEYS of the Kingdom of Heaven [2 Corinthians 5:19] Jesus DIED on the Cross for our SIN, ROSE on the third day and opened for us the EVERLASTING DOORS, saying: “LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O ye GATES; and be ye LIFT UP, ye EVERLASTING DOORS; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this KING of GLORY? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD MIGHTY in BATTLE” [Psalms 24:7] The KEYS were foreshadowed in David, as a SIGN and PRECEPT to us who shall exercise His Dominion in the last days, “… These things saith he that is HOLY, he that is TRUE, he that hath the KEY of David, he that OPENETH, and NO MAN SHUTETH; and SHUTETH, and NO MAN OPENETH” [Revelation 3:7] If David had the KEY, we have the KEYS by sure PROMISE,  “And I will give unto thee the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: and whatsoever thou shalt BIND ON EARTH shall be BOUND IN HEAVEN and whatsoever thou shalt LOOSE ON EARTH shall be LOOSED IN HEAVEN” [Matthew 16:19]

2. FAITH is the KEY of reconciliation with God, “But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM 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] FAITH is not a CREED or CONFESSION but sure TESTIMONY of who God says He is and His NAME, “But as many as RECEIVED HIM, to them gave he power to become the SONS OF GOD, even to them that BELIEVE IN HIS NAME” [ John 1:12] We are SONS because we RECEIVED the SON as the WORD which was in the beginning with God and IS GOD, was made FLESH and in Him was the fulness of the GODHEAD, “Beware lest any man SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY and VAIN DECEIT, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLETH all the FULNESS of the GODHEAD bodily” [Colossians 2:8-9] FAITH is putting aside PHILOSOPHY, VAIN CREEDS and TRADITIONS to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Those who believe, not doubting who He says He is are ONE with Him. Christ in us and we in Him is our KEY into God’s Presence [John 15:7-8] In Christ we have the KEY not to fulfil selfish ambitions but to OPEN DOORS of the Kingdom for others and work His WORK, “… He that BELIEVETH ON ME, the WORKS that I do shall he do also; and GREATER WORKS than these SHALL HE DO; because I go unto my Father” [John 14:12]

3. FAITH reconciles us with God, HOPE turns the KEY to access His SECRET PLACE, “He that dwelleth in the SECRET PLACE of the MOST HIGH shall ABIDE UNDER the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; IN HIM WILL I TRUST” [Psalms 91:1-2] HOPE is not wishful thinking but a relationship built on TRUST between God and men whose eyes are forever on Him, “I have SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME: because he is AT MY RIGHT HAND, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory REJOICETH: my flesh also shall REST IN HOPE” [Psalms 16:8-9] HOPE nurtured by TRUST in God bridge time divides between expectation and reality and we are never in lack whose HOPE are in the limitless vaults of Heaven, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE that ye RECEIVE them, and YE SHALL HAVE THEM” [Mark 11:24] HOPE is not given, it is cultivated by diligently waiting on the Lord in TRIALS and AFFLICTIONS to nourish TRUST. If we faint not, HOPE takes us deeper and deeper in the SECRET PLACE, “But they that WAIT UPON THE LORD shall RENEW their STRENGTH; they shall MOUNT up with WINGS as eagles; they shall RUN, and NOT BE WEARY; and they shall WALK, and not FAINT” [Isaiah 40:31] HOPE driven by TRUST in the Lord is unstoppable in delivering what we may ever ask or imagine, “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” [Romans 5:5]

4. HOPE brings us into His SECRET PLACE, CHARITY is the KEY to ETERNAL RELEVANCE in Jesus Christ, “In whom ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the WORD OF TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that HOLY SPIRIT of PROMISE” [Ephesians 1:13] CHARITY is God’s manner of LOVE, demonstrated in Jesus Christ; the standard and SEAL of God’s approval. We may approach God by FAITH and access heavenly treasures by building TRUST in HOPE, yet are we not certified for heavenly inheritance without CHARITY, “… And though I have the gift of PROPHECY, and understand all MYSTERIES, and all KNOWLEDGE; and though I have all FAITH, so that I could remove mountains, and HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM NOTHING. …” [1 Corinthians 13:2] CHARITY ensure God’s resources are applied according to His WILL and in pursuance of His PURPOSE. CHARITY is not what we do with GIFTS and CALLINGS of God but why we do it, “CHARITY NEVER FAILETH.: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” [1 Corinthians 13:8] As we look forward to the appearance of the Lord, examine your FAITH whether it be in Christ, set your compass in HOPE and your MIND in CHARITY mode, “And now abideth FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, these three; but the GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY” [1 Corinthians 13:13]

BRIDE AND THE BEAST

1. We are the BRIDE, Jesus Christ is the BRIDEGROOM, “He that hath the BRIDE is the BRIDEGROOM: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the BRIDEGROOM’S VOICE: this my joy therefore is fulfilled” [John 3:29] There must of necessity be a BRIDEGROOM before there is a BRIDE, so it was in the beginning; God formed Adam first, Eve later and presented her to him [1 Timothy 2:13] In like manner, God was in Jesus Christ to RECONCILE and present us to Himself, “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING the WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” [2 Corinthians 5:19] Listen carefully, before Adam “KNEW” his wife, the SERPENT crept in and defiled her with SIN; let us be careful not to be polluted before our marriage is consummated, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the SERPENT BEGUILED EVE through his SUBTILITY, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” [2 Corinthians 11:3] BEAST was in the SERPENT, the ever-changing apparition of Satan invested with his power and demands worship, “And they WORSHIPPED the DRAGON which gave POWER unto the BEAST: and they WORSHIPPED the BEAST, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” [Revelation 13:4]

2. BRIDE is the SPIRITUAL BODY of Christ on earth, “For as the BODY IS ONE, and hath MANY MEMBERS, and all the members of that one body, BEING MANY, are ONE BODY: so also is Christ” [1 Corinthians 12:12] As members of a man’s body act in concert to his will, so do we to abide in His LOVE, “If ye KEEP MY COMMANDMENT, ye shall ABIDE IN MY LOVE; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love” [John 15:10] BRIDE is not a denomination or ecumenical group but a distinct fellowship of SAINTS joined in one BODY by the Holy Ghost, unlimited by distance, race or status, “For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” [1 Corinthians 12:13] We are one BODY yet individual MEMBERS with mandate of chastity in a world overrun by the “HARLOT”, “… the GREAT WHORE that sitteth upon many waters:… With whom the kings of the earth have committed Jesus Christ is fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made DRUNK with the WINE of her FORNICATION” [Revelation 17:1-2] The HARLOT is BABYLON, seat of spiritual wickedness riding the BEAST to reign over kingdoms of this world. Those who fight over affairs of kingdoms of this world yield their bodies to the HARLOT “Know ye not that YOUR BODIES ARE THE MEMBERS OF CHRIST? shall I then take the MEMBERS OF CHRIST, and make them the MEMBERS OF AN HARLOT? God forbid” [1 Corinthians 6:15]

3. BEAST is the presence of Satan on earth, “And the BEAST which I saw was like unto a LEOPARD, and his feet were as the feet of a BEAR, and his mouth as the mouth of a LION: and the DRAGON GAVE HIM HIS POWER, and his SEAT, and great AUTHORITY” [Revelation 13:2] LEOPARD and POWER illustrate naked FORCE to intimidate and or kill the BRIDE, as did “… Cain, WHO WAS OF THAT WICKED ONE, and SLEW HIS BROTHER. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were EVIL, and his brother's RIGHTEOUS” [1 John 3:12] BEAR and SEAT signify satanic control of GOVERNMENT and ECONOMY of this world and favours those who worship him, “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;  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt FALL DOWN and WORSHIP ME” [Matthew 4:8-9] LION and AUTHORITY represent overbearing influence of FALSE RELIGION through time, to draw men down to perdition, “Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your ADVERSARY the DEVIL, as a roaring LION, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom RESIST STEDFAST in the FAITH, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” [1 Peter 5:8-9] Brethren, we are the BRIDE yet the marriage is not consummated until we have fought the GOOD FIGHT and by FAITH slain the BEAST. I charge you, therefore, “FIGHT the GOOD FIGHT of FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” [1 Timothy 6:12]

4. Jesus bruised the BEAST, “And I saw one of his heads as it were WOUNDED to death; and his deadly WOUND WAS HEALED: and all the WORLD WONDERED after the BEAST” [Revelation 13:3] Satan was busted in heavenly places and “HEALING” is the “SHORT TIME” he has left to trouble the earth, “… for the DEVIL IS COME DOWN unto you, having great WRATH, because he knoweth that he hath but a SHORT TIME” [Revelation 12:12] This time, the resources of the BEAST are invested in a MAN to duel with the BRIDE, “Even HIM, WHOSE COMING is after the WORKING of SATAN with all POWER and SIGNS and LYING WONDERS” [2 Thessalonians 2:9] The MAN is here or very close by, busy behind the scene to seduce some with affairs of this life and intimidate others to compromise their FAITH with sexual sin, greed, politics, hatred, false reports, needless strife in affairs of this world, “No man that warreth ENTANGLETH himself with the AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” [2 Timothy 2:4]Beloved, FIGHT the GOOD FIGHT of FAITH and FIGHT to the end to take your place at the MARRIAGE SUPPER of the LAMB, “… Blessed are they which are called unto the MARRIAGE SUPPER of the Lamb. … ” [Revelation 19:6-9]

JUDGMENT BEGINS IN THE CHURCH

1. God is impartial, He JUDGES His own first, that His RIGHTEOUSNESS should be impeccable.  “… Of a truth I perceive that GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS: …” [Acts 10:34-35] God brought Israel out of Egypt, made a COVENANT with them and walked them through the wilderness  “And did all drink the same SPIRITUAL DRINK: for they drank of that SPIRITUAL ROCK that followed them: and that ROCK WAS CHRIST” [1 Corinthians 10:4] He led them to enforce His JUDGMENT on the Canaanites and inherit the Promised Land but He first JUDGED, “But with many of them GOD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED: for they were OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. Now these things were our EXAMPLES, to the intent we should NOT LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS, as they also lusted” [1 Corinthians 10:5-6] We are the Israel of God in Jesus Christ, established in HOPE of what God has prepared for them that LOVE him [1 Corinthians 2:9] We also are JUDGED by God with the same SEVERITY, “Behold therefore the GOODNESS and SEVERITY of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” [Romans 11:22]  Be not deceived, JUDGMENT has commenced in the Church, “For the TIME IS COME that JUDGMENT must BEGIN at the HOUSE OF GOD: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” [1 Peter 4:17]

2. JUDGMENT has commenced in the household of God, the first to appear are STEWARDS who abused His TALENTS and His sanction is swift, “TAKE therefore the TALENT FROM HIM, and give it unto him which hath ten talents” [Matthew 25:28] God SEES what know man may behold; He found many GUILTY who traded with His NAME for selfish GAIN, retrieved His SPIRIT and turned them over to LYING SPIRITS “Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a LYING SPIRIT IN THE MOUTH OF ALL THESE THY PROPHETS, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee” [1 Kings 22:23] Men who were once esteemed as mouthpiece of God are now clothed in opprobrium and demystified by pronouncements which fail to come to pass. Many who once reflected the glory of TRUTH are backslidden into corruption as a dog to his vomit, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The DOG IS TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” [2 Peter 2:21-22] Surely, God is merciful, because they did not REPENT but justify themselves in accolades of men and rituals of religion, He released them from restraint, “… God gave them over to a REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, ...” [Romans 1:28] How are the mighty fallen [2 Samuel 1:27]

3. God has weighed this generation in the balance and found not a few GUILTY who make brisk business with His NAME, selling platitudes of FALSE PROSPERITY and those who buy from them, “And for this cause God shall send them STRONG DELUSION, that they should BELIEVE A LIE: That they all might be DAMNED WHO BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but had PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” [2 Thessalonians 2:11-12] STRONG DELUSION is the reason PULPITS are overtaken by DECEPTION and PEWS overwhelmed with SELF-DECEPTION. Our Churches are grown very rich in earthly goods but impoverished in heavenly treasures and say, “… 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” [Revelation 3:17] Those who equate PROSPERITY with MATERIAL GAIN suffer from STRONG DELUSION, pollute the Church with heresy and lead many astray with “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such WITHDRAW THYSELF. But GODLINESS with CONTENTMENT is GREAT GAIN” [1 Timothy 6:5-6] The growing army of heretical Preachers and fanatical followers is JUDGMENT, separating WHEAT from CHAFF, “For there must be also HERESIES among you, that they WHICH ARE APPROVED MAY BE MADE MANIFEST among you” [1 Corinthians 11:19] God’s sentence of STRONG DELUSION had been long in coming, it is here and His JUDGMENT is final. 

4. JUDGMENT is given to gather TARES“… GATHER YE TOGETHER FIRST TARES, and BIND them IN BUNDLES TO BURN them: but gather the WHEAT into my BARN” [Matthew 11:30] TARES, children of DISOBEDIENCE, are gathered first that the OBEDIENT might be made manifest, “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” [Ephesians 5:27] TARES are “FALLING AWAY” into ECUMENICAL BUNDLES in fulfilment of prophecy and cue for the appearance of the MAN OF SIN, “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” [2 Thessalonians 2:3] Ongoing alignment and realignment of TARES and diverse religions in one global INTER-FAITH ASSEMBLY is  prelude to global worship of the EVIL ONE, as it is written:: “… and all the WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST. … And they WORSHIPPED the DRAGON which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” [Revelation 133-:4] Beloved, let not your heart be troubled or distracted by "THESE THINGS ", we shall be translated before the DRAGON is enthroned on earth. Hold tight to the TRUTH and LOOK UP, “And when THESE THINGS begin to COME TO PASS, then LOOK UP, and lift up your heads; for your REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH” [Luke 21:28]

MANY ARE CALLED, FEW CHOSEN

1. CALLING of God is the triumph of MERCY over JUDGMENT according to PURPOSE of SALVATION in the NAME of Jesus Christ, as it is written: “… I will proclaim the NAME of the LORD before thee; and will be GRACIOUS TO WHOM I WILL BE GRACIOUS, and will shew MERCY ON WHOM I WILL SHEW MERCY” [Exodus 33:19] MERCY came first, to grant reprieve from SIN through CALLING, “And the LORD God CALLED unto Adam, and said unto him, WHERE ART THOU?  And he said, I HEARD THY VOICE in the garden, and I was AFRAID, because I was NAKED; and I HID myself” [Genesis 3:9-10] HEARING of the CALLING of God removed the covering of DECEPTION, reducing Adam to SORROW for his beggarly condition and of REPENTANCE obtained MERCY. GRACE came later, the blood of an animal was shed as token of the SALVATION that should come via the BLOOD of Jesus Christ. God made COATS of skins to conceal their nakedness, symbolizing COVERING of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Jesus Christ, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make COATS OF SKINS, and CLOTHED THEM” [Genesis 3:21] Some were CALLED by MERCY and MANY  in latter times by GRACE but FEW shall be CHOSEN, “For MANY ARE CALLED, but FEW ARE CHOSEN” [Matthew 22:14]

2. God, who in ancient times CALLED men through His PROPHETS, “… Hath in these LAST DAYS SPOKEN UNTO US BY HIS SON, … [Hebrews 1:1-2] The SON is the FATHER revealed in the frame of man, ‘To wit, that GOD was in CHRIST, RECONCILING the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them …” [2 Corinthians 5:19] We are RECONCILED and ADOPTED into the FAMILY of God as CHILDREN by the GOSPEL preached in the NAME of Jesus Christ, “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” [Romans 8:17] We are enabled to SEE the INHERITANCE prepared for us, yet have not the full possession being CHILDREN and not yet SONS “Now I say, That the HEIR, AS LONG AS HE is a CHILD, DIFFERETH NOTHING from a SERVANT, though he be lord of all” [Galatians 4:1] Our CALLING is of CHILDREN, we must need pass through the furnace of OBEDIENCE to be forged in the likeness of the Jesus Christ to become SONS; “Though he were a SON, yet LEARNED HE OBEDIENCE by the things which HE SUFFERED; And being MADE PERFECT, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” [Hebrews 5:8-9] Though, MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ENDURE to be made PERFECT in fellowship of His SUFFERING, “But he that shall ENDURE TO THE END, the same SHALL BE SAVED” [Matthew 24:13]

3.Our CALLING is of SOLDIERS of Christ, “Thou therefore ENDURE HARDNESS, as a GOOD SOLDIER of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth ENTANGLETH HIMSELF with the AFFAIRS of this LIFE; that he may please him who hath CHOSEN him to be a SOLDIER” [2 Timothy 2:3-4] As long as we are in this body, we are in Christ’s BOOT CAMP, our FAITH daily TRIED as by FIRE. If any draws back, he is rejected, “Now the JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH: but if any MAN DRAW BACK, my soul shall have NO PLEASURE IN HIM” [Hebrews 10:38] Listen carefully, of the 32,000 men mustered by Gideon, only 300 men made through BOOT CAMP, “… Whosoever is FEARFUL and AFRAID, LET HIM RETURN and DEPART early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand” [Judges 7:3] FEAR is the aroma of hidden SIN; when a man conceals his SIN, he repudiates the basic condition for MERCY, “He that COVERETH HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER: but whoso CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH shall have MERCY” [Proverbs 28:13] Those who were free of hidden SIN, were led to a stream to be PROVED of SELF, “ … Every one that LAPPETH of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that BOWETH down upon his knees to drink.  And the NUMBER OF THEM THAT LAPPED, putting their hand to their mouth, were THREE HUNDRED MEN: … “ [Judges 7:5-6] Ten thousand men, made it to the steam only 300 found the NARROW WAY; they “LAPPED” to demonstrate restraint over fleshly appetite, “Because strait is the gate, and NARROW IS THE WAY, which LEADETH UNTO LIFE, and FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT” [Matthew 7:14]

4. Our CALLING is INVITATION to the MARRIAGE SUPPER of the LAMB, “And he saith unto me, Write, BLESSED are they which are CALLED unto the MARRIAGE SUPPER of the LAMB. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” [Revelation 19:9] MANY RECEIVE the INVITATION but FEW CHOSEN; the WAY is strewn with AFFLICTIONS and sundry TEMPTATIONS. Beloved, recall how God brought Israel out of Egypt to inherit the Promised Land but “… with many of them GOD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED: for they were OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. … Now all these things HAPPENED UNTO THEM FOR ENSAMPLES: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ENDS OF THE WORLD ARE COME” [1 Corinthians 10:5-11] The “ENDS OF THE WORLD” is so close, let us WATCH and PRAY not to be caught unawares, “… not walking in CRAFTINESS, nor HANDLING the WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY; but by MANIFESTATION OF THE TRUTH commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” [2 Corinthians 4:2] The Lord will come as a “THIEF in the NIGHT to separate SONS from MANY CHILDREN, “Then shall two be in the field; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and the OTHER LEFT. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, and THE OTHER LEFT. WATCH therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” [Matthew 24:40-42] 
Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, amen


CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

1. The FAITH we received in Jesus Christ was bought at a huge PRICE; the MEDIATOR of our PEACE gave His LIFE as RANSOM for ours, “For there is one God, and one MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time” [1 Timothy 2:5-6] Faithful men and women ran the gauntlet of cruel persecution and death to pass the TRUTH to us, “And others had trial of CRUEL MOCKING and SCOURGINGS, yea, moreover of BONDS and IMPRISONMENT: 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” [Hebrews 11:36-37] The FAITH passed to us is the GOOD NEWS of God manifest in Jesus Christ with POWER to translate the worst offender from perdition to everlasting life, “For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATION to EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” [Romans 1:16] We have this glorious FAITH in fragile earthly bodies and an unrelenting ADVERSARY, it is therefore “… needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH which was once delivered unto the saints” [Jude 1:3]

2. We CONTEND FOR THE FAITH, not against men, governments or religious organizations, “Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your ADVERSARY the DEVIL, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” [1 Peter 5:8] Let us be SOBER and VIGILANT not to fight as one chasing shadows, looking through the EYES of God to SEE through the devices of the ENEMY. Our ADVERSARY is a spiritual personality working through elements of nature and men to promote DISOBEDIENCE, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the SPIRIT that now WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE” [Ephesians 2:2] CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE are not FOES but VICTIMS of Satan’s cruel afflictions, “Whom RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” [1 Peter 6:9] Those who will WITHSTAND the ADVERSARY in the FAITH, must be firmly established in the FAITH and anchored on the ROCK OF AGES, the revelation of God manifest in Jesus Christ, “That your FAITH SHOULD NOT STAND in the WISDOM of MEN, but in the POWER OF GOD” [1 Corinthians 2:4-5] POWER of God is the WORD made FLESH dwelling in us and we do not FIGHT as men, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the WEAPONS of our WARFARE re not CARNAL, but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD to the PULLING DOWN OF STRONG HOLDS;)” [2 Corinthians 10:3-4]

3. Our WARFARE is against satanic STRONGHOLDS to set captives of the mighty free, “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” [Ephesians 6:12] We CONTEND for SOULS with the authority of the WORD of God, preaching Jesus Christ, the WORD made flesh. The GOSPEL cuts through webs of false religion and human wisdom, disabling the lying devices of rulers of DARKNESS to separate SIN and the SINNER,  “For the WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, and POWERFUL, and SHARPER than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the DIVING ASUNDER of SOUL and SPIRIT, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” [Hebrews 4:12] We take the battle to those who handle the WORD of God deceitfully and propagate damnable imaginations in the name of “revelation”. Brethren, let us with pure conscience CONTEND against every shade of knowledge and or doctrine contrary to PRESENT TRUTH, “Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every HIGH THING that exalteth itself against the KNOWLEDGE of God, and bringing into captivity every THOUGHT to the OBEDIENCE of Christ’ [2 Corinthians 10:5] And this we must do without offence or respect of persons but with clarity of purpose set the TRUTH in order; precept upon precept and line upon line that all glory should be to God, ”For it is GOD which WORKETH IN YOU both to WILL and to DO of his GOOD PLEASURE” [Philippians 2:13]

4. We are as SOLDIERS enlisted to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH and “No man that warreth ENTANGLETH himself with the AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE; that he may PLEASE HIM who hath CHOSEN HIM TO BE A SOLDIER” [2 Timothy 2:4] Let us deal with the FEARS and DOUBTS within, putting away all selfish aspirations and the rat race which drown men in diverse LUSTS. Our victory is in Him who died for us, daily WAITING on Him to renew our strength and replenish our armoury “… they that WAIT UPON THE LORD shall RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall RUN, NOT BE WEARY; and they shall WALK, and NOT FAINT” [Isaiah 40:31] I charge you as fellow SOLDIER to STAND in the POWER of the Lord always, the EVIL DAY spoken in Scriptures is here, a time of unprecedented instabilities and distress, “Wherefore take unto you the whole ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to STAND” [Ephesians 6:13] The battle has been long but it is not over until we hear the TRUMPET calling us to join the Lord in clouds of glory, until then, CONTEND FOR THE FAITH, “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, lay hold on ETERNAL LIFE, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” [1 Timothy 6:12] Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today, if you have not done so.

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST

1. BAPTISM by complete immersion in water symbolizes conformity with DEATH of Christ and He being raised from the DEAD, we also are BORN AGAIN, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD shall also QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” [Romans 8:11] We are BORN AGAIN members of God’s family, fitted by BAPTISM into the BODY of Christ. We are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, members of ONE BODY, no longer to live for ourselves but in Him and for Him [1 Corinthians 12:13] Israel in the wilderness was ONE BODY, “And were all BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES in the cloud and in the sea; … And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM: and that ROCK WAS CHRIST” [1 Corinthians 10:1-4] BAPTISM of John came much later to gather the harvest of Israel in ONE BODY and Apollos was “BAPTIZED” “… and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, KNOWING only the BAPTISM OF JOHN” [Acts 18:25] Moses and John were “SHADOWS” of Christ, men who stood in the gap till the fulness of God was manifest in Jesus Christ and now revealed in us, “For ye are all the CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST” [Galatians 3:26-27]

2. We are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST by divine arrangement, “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” [2 Corinthians 5:19] We are reconciled by revelation not by cogitation, it is a MYSTERY; God revealing himself to us in Jesus Christ by preaching of the GOSPEL, “Which NONE OF THE PRINCES of this WORLD KNEW: for had they known it, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED the LORD OF GLORY” [1 Corinthians 2:8] Wherever the GOSPEL is preached, God is present in Jesus Christ, searching all hearts for a man whose heart is open to HEAR beyond HEARING of the ear, “Behold, I STAND AT THE DOOR, and KNOCK: if any man HEAR MY VOICE, and OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN to him, and will SUP WITH HIM, and HE WITH ME” [Revelation 3:20] When we open our hearts to the preaching of Christ, our INNER EARS are furnished with GRACE to HEAR and RECEIVE the WORD of TRUTH by FAITH, “So then FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD” [Romans 10:17] GRACE is tugging at your heart, REPENT and BELIEVE in the NAME of Jesus Christ to be reconciled with God. As many as come to God through Jesus Christ are BAPTIZED into His BODY by FAITH. Go ahead, confirm your FAITH with complete immersion in water, “But when they BELIEVED Philip PREACHING the things concerning the KINGDOM of God, and the NAME of Jesus Christ, they were BAPTIZED, both men and women” [Acts 8:12]

3. We are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST to take His place in the world, “For even hereunto were ye CALLED: because CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS” [1 Peter 2:21-23] Jesus indeed SUFFERED in the FLESH, DIED and ROSE the third day and we are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST to fulfil pattern of His SUFFERINGS, “That I may know him, and the POWER of HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP of HIS SUFFERINGS, being made CONFORMABLE unto HIS DEATH” [Philippians 3:10] Brethren, we are not called to suffer for indolence or wilful disobedience to constituted authority but in TRIALS and steadfast resistance to SIN, “MORTIFY therefore your members which are upon the earth; FORNICATION, UNCLEANESS, INORDINATE AFFECTION, EVIL CONCUPISCENCE, and COVETOUSNESS, which is IDOLATRY” [Colossians 3:5] We are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST and DEAD to the FLESH though there be breathe in our nostrils, no longer to live after selfish ambitions but in His WILL, “I am CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH of the SON of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” [Galatians 2:20] We are tempted, reviled and persecuted for not partaking in pleasures of SIN, yet daily refreshed in HOPE of His imminent appearance, “If we SUFFER, WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM if we deny him, he also will deny us“ [2 Timothy 2:12]

4. We are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST by His ANOINTING, “Now HE WHICH STABLISHETH US WITH YOU IN CHRIST, and hath ANOINTED US, is God; Who hath also SEALED US, and given the EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT in our hearts” [2 Corinthians 1:21-22] ANOINTING is the TRUTH in us, the INCORRUPTIBLE SEED sowed in our heart when we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and abides forever, “Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but OF INCORRUPTIBLE, by the WORD OF GOD, which LIVETH and ABIDETH FOR EVER” [1Peter 1:23] INCORRUPTIBLE SEED is God manifest in Jesus Christ, the ANOINTED ONE; if any man denies the FATHER in the SON he has no part in Christ. Of such are some who seem to begin well but inevitably fail to finish well, “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” [1 John 2:27] We are inseparable from Christ by His ANOINTING, SEALED in us by BAPTISM of the HOLY GHOST, that we should not be deceived by the DECEIVER but established in God till the appearance of Christ when we shall be revealed in the glory of SONS of God,  “Beloved, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is” [1 John 3:2]

CHURCH IN CRISIS

1. Church is God’s EMBASSY on earth, built on the ROCK and “… they drank of that SPIRITUAL ROCK that followed them: and THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST” [1 Corinthians 10:4] Israel in the wilderness knew Him not but to us He is revealed as Christ, “… Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. … for FLESH and BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED IT unto thee, BUT MY FATHER which is in heaven. … thou art PETER, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:17-18] Peter means LIVING STONE hewn from the ROCK, the same are we who are sanctified by revelation of God manifest in Jesus Christ, “Ye also, as LIVELY STONES, are built up a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, an holy priesthood, to offer up SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” [1 Peter 2:5] We are as dead as stones to this world but alive in Jesus Christ and He in us, that we should walk in the SPIRIT and not after the FLESH, “For the FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” [Galatians 5:17] CHURCH IN CRISIS is the trauma of a generation caught in perplexing contradictions of FLESH against the SPIRIT, “Are ye so foolish? HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH?” [Galatians 3:3]

2. CHURCH IN CRISIS is manifest in apparent inability of present Church structures to subjugate the world, “Now I say, That the HEIR, as long AS HE IS A CHILD, DIFFERETH NOTHING FROM A SERVANT, though he be lord of all” [Galatians 4:1] Church is the HEIR ordained to prepare the way and reign as JOINT-HEIRS with Christ but is presently not better than a servant. Authority of the Church is the ANOINTING of the WORD which we have replaced with doctrines of SELF MOTIVATION, “Is not MY WORD LIKE AS A FIRE? saith the LORD; and like a HAMMER that BREAKETH THE ROCK in pieces?” [Jeremiah 23:29] WORD of God as FIRE consumes dross of FLESH in us and as HAMMER destroy satanic stronghold The entry of the word transforms SINNERS into SAINTS in the image of Christ. CHURCH is in CRISIS, our pulpits no longer turn SINNERS to SAINTS because we  work with CARNAL tools, “(For the WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the OBEDIENCE of Christ” [2 Corinthians 10:4-5] We no longer cast down IMAGINATIONS contrary to the MIND of Christ; we entice with a cocktail of mind games, men who are “EVER LEARNING, and NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH” [2 Timothy 3:7]

3. CHURCH IN CRISIS is the unwarranted confusion of a generation that dumped POWER for INFLUENCE, “Having a FORM OF GODLINESS, but DENYING THE POWER thereof: from such turn away” [2 Timothy 3:5] The Church is the arm of God and the WORD His battle axe to pull down strongholds of SIN and deliver captives of the mighty, “… Even the CAPTIVES of the MIGHTY shall be taken away, and the PREY of the TERRIBLE SHALL BE DELIVERED: for I WILL CONTEND WITH HIM THAT CONTENDETH WITH THEE, and I will save thy children” [Isaiah 49:25] The “TERRIBLE ONE” is Satan, his CAPTIVES are SINNERS; instead of warring with the WORD, our battle axe, we flaunt a beggarly mix of social, economic and management programs to make proselytes of SINNERS, “… HYPOCRITES! for ye compass sea and land to make ONE PROSELYTE, and when he is made, ye make him TWOFOLD MORE THE CHILD OF HELL than yourselves” [Matthew 23:15] SINNERS are forged into SAINTS in demonstration of the POWER of God, not by pulpits filled with INFLUENCERS who preach LIBERTY in Christ but themselves are slaves to corruption, “While they PROMISE THEM LIBERTY, they themselves are the SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in BONDAGE” [2 Peter 2:19] CHURCH IN CRISIS boils down to LIFE and DEATH, every church-goer desires to go to heaven but only those who are weaned of the FLESH have their part in ENDLESS LIFE, “For he that SOWETH TO HIS FLESH shall of the flesh REAP CORRUPTION; but he that SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT shall of the Spirit REAP LIFE EVERLASTING” [Galatians 6:8]

4. We are the CHURCH IN CRISIS, who have replaced OBEDIENCE with SACRIFICE, “… Behold, to OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken than the fat of rams” [1 Samuel 15:22] I bear witness of the labour of sacrifices of brethren; unending offerings, long hours in prayer and fastings, camp meetings, vigils and many more yet the TRUTH is not manifest in us. We envy, fight, backbite and the BODY is broken into many factions because we rejected the SIMPLICITY of OBEDIENCE “… I fear, lest by any means, as the SERPENT BEGUILLED Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ” [2 Corinthians 11:3] Take note, athletes do not receive medals for training, in the same manner our sacrifices in spiritual exercises are good but have no REWARD until we bring the FLESH in OBEDIENCE to Christ. Let every man resolve the CRISIS within himself, putting away all ”… the hidden things of DISHONESTY, not walking in CRAFTINESS, nor HANDLING the WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY; but by MANIFESTATION OF THE TRUTH commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” [2 Corinthians 4:2] Beloved, CRISIS within and global instabilities without tell us the appearance of Christ is imminent, “… let us LAT ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, and the SIN which doth so easily beset us, and let us RUN WITH PATIENCE the race that is set before us” [Hebrews 12:1]