"DELUSION IN THE CHURCH"
As I awoke one morning some scriptures came to mind and I wanted to share them with you. I think they may shed some light as to these ministries that are always wanting to receive and pass off anointing's.
2nd. Thessalonians Chapter Two - Says that there will come a time when men will fall away and I believe that he is speaking of a falling away from their First Love -- Jesus.
It goes on to say that because of this -- falling away -- God will send them a strong delusion -- because they loved not the "Truth" and the bible says that "Jesus" is also called "The Truth"
That Man of Sin -- or the Flesh of Man -- Then becomes the dominate man and of course he is very religious. We see in Revelation Chapter 11 the Two Witness's. I believe the Two Witness's are the "Spirit" and the "Truth" that became lost as "religion" took the place of the testimony and teaching of the Apostles.
They ( The Truth and The Spirit) Now lay dead in the street of the Great City (Spiritually Called Sodom) whom the Lord said it's real sin was Fullness of Bread, Idleness, and Not Taking Care of the poor and Needy -- Found in Ezekiel 16:49
In the church at Corinth they had the gifts in operation and came behind in none of them but they had no idea they were The Temple of God. They gloried in "Men" -- And measured themselves by "Men" -- Instead of Christ. They received unto themselves "False Apostles" who had their boast in the works of the flesh and not in power of God to deliver them and their inabilities to produce results apart from God.
We see much of this in the religious system today -- putting down the "Needy" for their "Lack of Faith" to receive the abundance of things of the world. Now when "The Spirit" and "The Truth" were done away they made merry and gave "Gifts" to one another - their own - Apostles, Prophets,Evangelists,Pastors and Teachers that would say things they wanted to hear tickling their ears with the doctrines of men reprobate as to the "Truth".
Paul in his writings spoke often of this that was to come. Notice in verse 10 of Revelation Chapter 11 it says "And they that dwell on the earth" -- they are earthly minded men and not heavenly minded as Paul said to "Set Your Affections On Things Above Where Christ Dwells and Not On The Things Of The Earth" fot the things of the earth shall pass away but the things above are eternal.
Paul said though the men of Corinth excelled in the operation of the gifts of The Spirit they remained carnalor earthly minded. Paul said there is a better way. We can be the Dwelling Place of God and walk in the Fullness of the Spirit when that which is perfect is come. For walking in that Realm ( of just the gifts) of God is in part -- and the knowledge is in part but when that which is perfect is come -- then that which is in part is done away..
The manifestation of the gifts is a revelation of the Hand of God. His Hand being that of Deliverance, Healing etc. But there is a far better way and that is walking as Jesus walked and being God's Temple which is the plan of God for the Believer. Now to be His Dwelling Place one must have the Love of the World and the Love of the Flesh purged from him. The description of what must be purged is what Jesus gave in the "Sermon On The Mount". Paul referred to it as "The Circumcision of the Flesh" not made with hands but by the Spirit of the Living God.
It is the forsaking of all that pertains to the flesh in order to follow the Lord. This forsaking is not done "Through The Flesh" or by some work of man for it is a work done In The Heart of Man that has it's outward appearance in the flesh. It cannot be done by the Will Of Man but only by the following of the Holy Spirit as he leads and empowers.
If we keep our minds and our hearts on the things above and our affections set on him (Jesus) and our trust in Him the Holy Spirit will do this work in our lives. If he comes and finds us tangled up in the affairs of this life -- "Our Affections On The Things Of This World" He will not perform this work of "Grace" at that time but will allow those very things our affections are set upon to become our adversary until we call out to him to deliver us.
For it is our end and his will that we inherit the Kingdom of Heaven where there is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and we enter in through the spirit where no flesh can go. It is also called the "New Jerusalem" that has vome down from heaven and is now among us and it can be walked in "NOW".
Remember the "Rich Man" who couldn't follow Jesus because of his attachment to those riches? Jesus said that it is impossible for man but with God all things are possible ---Meaning---That because that man wanted to follow Jesus in his heart --- God would make it possible.
I personally think that rich young ruler was Saul who later became the great Apostle Paul.. Saul was a was a member of the Tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin's mother "Rachel" was a type of the religious system for she hid her father's idols in her heart causing her death. She named her son "Benoni" or "Son of my Sorrow" as she died but Jacob who was now named by God Israel, said his name shall be called "Benjamin" or "Son of My Right Hand".
Saul was a "Son of God's Sorrow" being engulfed in the "Religious System" and was a Rich Ruler -- { Rich in Man's Doctrines and Traditions Taught by the Elders -- Not Only In Money} . He even later had those who believed on Jesus killed but by the Hand Of God went on to become the Apostle Paul a "Son Of God's Right Hand".
You see when Jesus told Saul that he would have to sell all to follow him --Saul's religious and carnal mind said -- this man's got to be a fraud because my doctrines don't teach me this and I should know. I'm a Jew and we are to rule the world and be a great nation. God wants me to be a "Mighty One" a Big Name --A Great Nation--To Have Great Wealth and Abundance --- Not to give all to the poor and become poor myself or just a servant.
Why God's destined me to greatness and so he began to hate this man that told him to "Forsake all to follow Him" -- And he became convinced that this man taught heresy. Most just don't know that the abundance of life is not found in things --But--"In Him". It's not that God doesn't allow us to have things but for the things not to have us and they do whether we know it or not until this work is done by his spirit in our heart.
We are to seek "First" The kingdom Of God and "His" Righteousness and all these things will be added to us -- not to heap on ourselves but to distribrute to those in need that there may be equality -- all needs being met.
Man whose heart has not been through this work of Grace cannot understand these things and does not want to hear them. Therefore he heaps unto himself teachers who say the things he wants to hear. God not only allows the delusion but sends it just like he sent the Quail in the wilderness to the end that he might bring them to himself. He allows the things to come to them but then become heavy burdens -- too much to carry until they have to come again to him to deliver them.
For as we attach ourselves to the things of the world those very things will envelope us and choke us of the revelation of him--of his love, causing us to become desolate and miserable in our souls, so that we will return unto him and allow him to care for us.
The "Gifts" are only in "Part" and not the whole, therefore one always feels the need for more and "Inadequate" because there really is "More" and a "Better Way".
Man's way is to try to get to himself more "ANOINTING" more "GIFTS" to satisfy his hunger for more of God. Blind to the way as being that of "Death" so that the same power that raised up Christ from the dead might raise him up too and that the way to be "Great" is to be a "Servant of All"
Though man thinks his way is "The Way" a time will come that God will raise up the "Spirit" and "Truth" in the minds of those he's prepared and they will stand on their feet to the amazement of those who have been making merry.
These men will dwell in the realm of "Heaven" as Paul said--I knew a man who was caught up unto the "Third Heaven" and heard unspeakable things. The minds of these men will be caught up to dwell in the heavenlies with God to bring the word and will of God to light on the earth.
They will be caught up in a cloud -- "The Glory of God" They will be filled with the Fullness of God for they sought after the "Spirit" and "Truth" of God.
They sought after God and His Fullness -- Not -- Just after the "Gifts" and "Material Riches" but the very "Giver Himself"
MLY