Keeping the LORD's Feasts*

The feasts of our discussion today are not identified in scripture as "Jewish" feasts, or as church feasts. They are repeatedly called the LORD's feasts. The LORD called them "My feasts" (Lev. 23:2). The prophet Zechariah wrote that in what we understand to be the Millennial Reign of Messiah (Jesus) from Jerusalem, it will be required of all the nations on earth to come to Jerusalem yearly for the Feast of Tabernacles. If a nation refuses to come, there will be no rain given upon that nation (Zech. 14:16-21). Jesus already fulfilled, in their type, the spring feasts of the LORD, Passover, Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentacost). We also believe, therefore, that He will fulfill the fall feasts of the LORD in their type. The three fall feasts of the LORD are Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. All of the feasts are described in Leviticus 23, which we will see. The times of the feasts are appointed specifically by God, and God gave the means by which time is appointed in Gen. 1:14: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." The Hebrew word used for "seasons" in this verse is moed, which means "congregation, feast, season, appointed meeting, appointed time, assembly, appointed place". The Hebrew root word for "seasons" in this verse is yaad, which means "appoint, assign, especially of acquiring or designating as wife, to espouse". This should be especially important to believers in Christ who understand that we are called "The Bride of Christ", and we are called to prepare and participate in the marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8). Unfortunately, some have taken this verse from Genesis and created a counterfeit of the truth called horoscopes. The month of Elul, leading up to the beginning of the fall feasts, is dedicated to repentance, reconciliation with those whom we have offended, and the care of the needy. The shofar (trumpet) is sounded on each day of that month of preparation. Leviticus described the fall feasts of the LORD, which will begin in just a few days from now, this way: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:23-25). On Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets, the shofars are sounded. It is the only feast that begins on the new moon, the first day of the month. No man knows the exact day or hour when the new moon will appear, so there are those who are appointed to watch for it. Paul wrote to the Church regarding the importance of the trumpet blast: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep...For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord..." (1 Thess. 4:13-18). As Jesus described the day of His coming, He said that no man knows the day or the hour (Mt. 24:36). The same applies, as noted above, to beginning of the Feast of Trumpets. Paul continued in Ch. 5 of 1 Thessalonians that this day is not to overtake us, the children of light, although that day of His coming, "like a thief in the night", will be a surprise to others. There is to be a difference between the children of light and those in darkness in this regard. Again Paul referred to the sounding of "the last trump: "...for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory...The sting of death is sin...But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:51-58). It was with the sound of a trumpet that John was also told "Come up hither...", and was brought up alive into heaven to receive the revelation of the Lord (Rev. 4:1-2). The Feast of Trumpets reminds us and prophesies to us of the moment, called The Rapture, when we will meet the Lord in the air. We are to be diligent and prepared for this event that will come suddenly. The second of the LORD's fall feasts is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement: "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement for you before the LORD your God. And whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people...it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings...ye shall afflict your souls...in the ninth day...at even, from even unto even, ye shall celebrate your sabbath." (Lev. 23:27-32). The Day of Atonement is a day of repentance in the face of the atonement for sin provided by God for His people, even as we know this Atonement was fulfilled not by the blood of animals, but the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. Those who refuse to participate in the Atonement, as stated in the Leviticus verses, will die. We know that the wages or consequences of sin is death unless we partake of the Atonement. The third fall feast of the LORD is the Feast of Tabernacles: "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:34). The desciption of this feast includes a sabbath rest for the first and eighth days of this feast. No servile work is to be done on those days. On each day of the feast, an offering by fire is to be made unto the LORD. A booth made of tree branches is built for use by the family during the seven days of Tabernacles. Being in the booth, or sukkah, not only meant to bring to remembrance the booths the Israelites dwelt in while in the wilderness, but it is also compared to the shutting in of a bride and groom, particularly the Messiah, Jesus, and His Bride. Isaiah also wrote of a period of shutting in: "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isa. 26:19-21). In these verses, being shut in the chamber or tabernacle provides covering during God's judgment. All of the feasts of the LORD work in our lives as they depict the sacrifice of Jesus, and His prophetic plans for His Body, His Bride: "...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." (Eph. 5:25-26). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/29/21 message to the church. To contact, for prayer requests, to support the ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. Look for us also on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

The Shemitah: Judgment or Restoration*

Scripture gives us a choice - to receive the blessing, honor God's commandments, accept His Word, or reject it. The LORD told us that there are blessings and cursings, life and death, to choose between. Adam and Eve had a choice, and they chose to disobey the commandment of God, and we have sin and death as a result. It is the same with the LORD's commandment regarding the Shemitah. The Shemitah is described in Leviticus 25: "And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard..." (Lev. 25:1-4). In the seventh year, the land would remain unplanted, and no harvesting would be done. This sabbath year would be for the owner, his sevants and any traveller or stranger who might be staying with them. The sabbath year would also apply to any animals owned. The LORD promised that as the Israelites prepared to observe the Shemitah in the seventh year: "Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years." (v. 21). The children of Israel would not suffer lack for their obedience to let the land have a sabbath unto the LORD in the seventh year. There is no record of Israel or the Jewish people keeping the Shemitah seventh year sabbath for the land. There was a similar special sabbath year called the Jubilee year, which was to be oberserved every fiftieth year as well (v. 8-9). A Jubilee year would begin on the Day of Atonement of the fiftieth year (v. 9). In the Jubilee year, liberty is to be proclaimed throughout the land, and every man's possession shall be returned or restored unto him (v. 13). In giving commands regarding the speacial sabbath years, the LORD said that His people should not take usury or increase from their brothers, "but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee." (v. 36-37). Not only do we not observe the Shemitah and Jubilee, but the whole system of debt in America is based upon usury and increase. Considering this, will we see the restoration that comes from obeying the commandments of God or judgment for disobeying them? The LORD commanded that the Israelites should not compel a poor brother into being a bondservant or slave, but a hired servant until the year of Jubilee, when all is restored to him (v. 39-41). For over two hundred years, we kept people as bondservants or slaves in our country. There were no Shemitah or Jubilee years of liberty and restoration for them. We ignore the sabbaths whether in days, or years, even though Jesus told us that the sabbath was made for man, for his benefit, as an opportunity to enter into the LORD's holy rest. The prophet Joel prophesied about a complete devestation of the land, where all trees and crops shriveled and dried up like had never been seen previously. What little was left on the land had been eaten by locusts. No offerings could be brought to the house of the LORD, because there was nothing available to bring. The land had ceased to prosper. Could this attack upon the land be the result of a failure to give the land a sabbath rest unto the LORD in the form of the Shemitah, as He commanded Israel to do? Joel revealed what the people must do: "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." (Joel 1:14-15). Again Joel said, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand..." (Joel 2:1). The day of the LORD is described as a day of darkness, devouring fire, pain, earthquakes, and the withdrawal of light from the stars, sun, and moon (v. 2-10), "...for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible, who can abide it?" The LORD called His people to repentance: "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting and weeping, and with mourning: and rent your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him..." (Joel 2:12-14). Again, the LORD by His prophet called for the blowing of trumpets, and for all of the people to gather together without exception to weep and fast in sanctification. As a result, the LORD will be jealous for His land, and pity His people (v.18). Joel then began to prophesy a restoration to the land and the beasts, gladness and rejoicing, and praises to God (v. 21-27). Rain and crops would be plentiful. Not only would the land be restored as a result of the repentance of God's people, but the LORD also promised a great outpouring of His Spirit on all flesh, wonders to be shown in the heavens and the earth, and deliverance of His remnant in Zion and Jerusalem (v. 23-32). The LORD always has a remnant in the earth. The prophet Zephaniah also delivered the Word of the LORD to His people: "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger." (Zeph. 2:1-3). Do we think that failure to obey God's Word, including His Word regarding Shemitah and Jubilee, is without consequence today? The following events, being just some that occurred in Shemitah years, would tell us otherwise: 1916-17: the Stock Market collapses; some empires of the European nations collapse. 1930-31: 86% of stocks are wiped out. 1937-38: 50% of stocks are wiped out. 1944-45: the Nazi Third Reich ends, the British Empire collapses, America rises in power. 1972-73: 48% of stocks fall causing a recession, the U.S. legalizes abortion, and America suffers a loss in Vietnam. Skipping ahead to 2000-2001: the World Trade Center Towers collapse in an attack, and a financial crisis. 2007-2008: 50% of stocks are wiped out, and a global recession ensues. This would lead us to conclude that when the command of the LORD is not kept, a curse follows. This is confirmed in Deuteronomy. In Deut. 28, many different kinds of blessings are promised if God's people are obedient to His voice, and commandments: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine (meaning "cattle, oxen; to learn, to teach, to utter"), and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store..." (Deut. 28:1-5). The description of all of the blessings continues from there for those who do all His commandments. However, there are corresponding curses for those who do not do His commandments: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store..." (Deut. 28:15-17). The curses continue as direct opposites to the blessings that are promised for the obedient observance to God's commands, which would include the periodic sabbath rest of the land unto the LORD of the Shemitah, and the appointed liberation of the Jubilee years. How can we turn the curses or judgment of disobedience into blessing and restoration? Joel and Zephaniah, and also Daniel (see Dan. 9:2-23) gave us the answer: all of God's people gathering together to pray, fast, repent, and to turn back to the LORD with all of their hearts. Second Chronicles 7:13-14 confirms this yet again: "If I should shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." The coming Shemitah (7th) year, is appointed to begin next month, in this year 2021. The next Jubilee (50th) year is scheduled soon also. These two special years in God's commandments can bring either judgment or restoration for our land based upon the obedience or repentance of the people of God. Which shall it be for our nation? *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/22/21 message to the church. You can contact us at P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR at Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. Look for us also on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com. We welcome your prayer requests, praise reports, and your support for this ministry.

It's THAT Time!*

The Body of Christ is separated and divided. We are seeing things come to pass that were not understood when they were written by the prophets: Daniel was told to "shut up the words and seal the book even to the time of the end" (Dan. 12:4). The fact that we can understand the visions and prophecies of Daniel tells us that we are in "the time of the end". Those prophecies are now unsealed to us. Jesus scolded the people of Israel for not being able to discern the times. He told the parable of the watching servants: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching..." (Lk. 12:35-37). Jesus told those who were listening to Him to have their loins girded. We know that our loins are to be girded with truth. Jesus was again telling His listeners to have their lights burning. So we also are to have the light of the truth, the light of salvation, the light of Christ in us and our works of faith well seen before men, and not hidden under a bushel. Jesus went on to say that the attitude of the servants, even in the wordly situation of His parable, indicates how seriously they take their lord's return. Even if the lord doesn't come until later than expected (v. 38), they are still fully prepared to receive him. How much more should this be the case in the Body of Christ? Jesus said, "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (v. 40). To any who have been faithful and wise to watch for, and be prepared for His return, Jesus said: "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing...he will make him ruler over all that he hath." (v. 41-44). However, those servants who know the lord's will, but wrongly feel confident that their lord's return is delayed, acting unfaithfully as a result, will be be punished and treated as an unbeliever. The punishment will be in proportion to the knowledge of the servant: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..." (v. 45-48). This is a warning that should make all of us to be sober and pay attention. Jesus also said, "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?...Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" (v. 49-51). Jesus then described how households and families would be divided regarding Him. Considering these things, the people should understand what these signs point to, and not pretend to be ignorant of them: "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" (v. 52-56). All of these "signs" are being described as part of the parable of the wise and faithful servants who watch, and are prepared for their Lord's return. As we see physical and spiritual fires all over the earth, and divisions within households, and the Body of Christ, are we discerning this time? Are we always expecting and prepared for the Lord's return? Luke 21 tells us the conditions, or signs, that would be present as the return of the Lord draws near. Not only do disturbing, even frightening natural events play a large role, including those that we are seeing now, but Jerusalem and Israel point to that time of His return as well. Jesus tells us that even as the fig tree (treated in scripture as a symbol of Jerusalem/Israel) ripening tells us that summer is coming, the prophesied events concerning Jerusalem, which we have seen come to pass in this generation, should tell us what is soon ahead (v. 24-32). He said, "Take heed to yourselves (not being caught up in the self-indulgences and cares of this life),...and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (v. 34-36). Revelation 19 also tells us that the Bride of the Lamb has made herself ready for her marriage. There are even those in the Church who do not think the Lord will return. They do not think that the Lord will act or judge anytime soon. The prophet Zephaniah describes the Lord's response to that attitude: "And it shall come to pass at tht time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees (thickened or curdled on the dregs of their wine): that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." (Zeph. 1:12). However, the prophet wrote: "Hold thy peace at the presence of the LORD God: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests." (v. 7). Beause of the sacrifice He has prepared, which is His own death, He will punish princes who are dressed in foreign or strange apparel (opposite of the apparel of the Son and Heir). He will punish those who have filled their masters' houses with violence and deceit. Those who have been merchants, relying on their silver, having built houses and vineyards for their own pleasure, will experience the day of the LORD as a day of darkness, distress and death (v. 8-17). Silver and gold will be of no help. The day of the LORD's coming is promised, as Jesus said. Not believing it won't prevent it. The prophet Malachi also wrote about the sudden coming of the LORD to His temple, and asks, "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's sope." (Mal. 3:1-2, see also Lk. 21:36 above). The Lord will be doing a purifying work on His priests when He comes, in order to establish righteousness (v. 3). A refiner knows when he has successfully refined gold or silver. It is when he sees his face reflected on the surface. The Lord as the Refiner, is looking for His reflection on each of us as well. He will be coming near to us in judgment, witnessing against the sorcerers (to whisper, practice witchcraft), adulterers, false swearers, and those among us who have oppressed the poor and vulnerable (v. 5-6). "For I am the LORD, I change not..." (v. 6). Righteousness and wickedness in the LORD's eyes do not change based upon a new era, or the changed customs of society. The LORD's standard is His Word, His truth, not the opinions of men. In Revelation, the sealed judgments reserved for the last days are unsealed by the Lamb of God, who is enthroned, worshipped in heaven, and worthy to loose the judgments. The judgments which are unsealed in these last days in Rev. 6 are often referred to in part as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse". As those spiritual horses ride forth across the earth, they represent a destroying, conquering power, even the Antichrist, death and a sword that takes peace from the earth, famine and economic collapse, death by the sword, hunger, and beasts (Rev. 6:1-8). These judgments are forbidden to hurt the oil and the wine, however. Aren't we seeing these things already loosed in the earth? Those who have been persecuted, martyred for their faith in Christ, will cry out to the Lord to judge, as the Lord delays only long enough to allow other martyrs to join their number. We are seeing an increase in the persecution of believers around the world. A great earthquake will shake not only the earth, but the stars in the heavens. Heaven will depart like a rolled up scroll, stars will fall out of the sky, and every mountain and island will be moved out of their places (Rev. 6:9-14). The terror will be so great that all of the great, rich and powerful will cry out to the rocks to fall on them, so they are hidden "from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (v. 12-17). Luke 21, Malachi 3, and Revelation 6 all ask the same question: "Who shall be able to stand at His coming?" Based upon all that we are seeing, I believe that it's THAT time. It's time for God's people to make a change, time to have our lamps lit, time, like the wise and faithful servant, to be alert and prepared for our Master's sudden return, at a moment when we least expect it. *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/15/21 message to the church. To contact us: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, Tx, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com.

Where Are The Ducks?*

When a hunter wants to draw ducks to a body of water, he will set out decoys. The decoys are used to draw ducks so they can be slaughtered for food. We have a saying that "if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck!". However, there are those who look like ducks, but they are, in fact, decoys. Jesus told the parable of the unjust judge who, because of the troubling pleas from a widow to receive justice against her adversary, gives in and agrees to avenge the widow against her adversary (Lk. 18:1-6). Using this parable, Jesus said, "And shall not God avenge his own elect who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (v. 7-8). Jesus pointed out that there will be a challenge to faith in the earth, even within the elect of God. Most believers understand the importance of faith in our walk, but do we really understand how completely we will have to be walking in faith? Our faith will be constantly challenged. Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit spoke distinctly that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron." (1 Tim. 4:1-2). Paul wrote that some of the false doctrines will include the forbidding of marriage, and the abstaining from certain meats. However, all of our food is from God, and to be received with thanks, having been sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. This is known to those who believe and know the truth (v.4-5). Paul told Timothy to be nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, which he has already attained, and minister the same to others. Decoys bring the doctrines of devils before the Body of Christ to compromise their faith, and lead them into slaughter as a result. Jesus also said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits...Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast forth into the fire...Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Abd then I will profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me ye that work iniquity." (Mt. 7:15-23). The wolves look like the sheep from the outside. They act like the sheep, doing works in the name of Jesus, but their motivation is to get close to the sheep to devour them. They are like the duck decoys mentioned above. Peter wrote to the church that we should humble ourselves "under the mighty hand of God. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Pet. 5:6-8). Faith begins by humbly placing ourselves under the care of God. The adversary is described as a roaring lion. Only old, toothless lions roar as they hunt. The devil has become toothless because of the oercoming work of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection from death. Yet those who do not walk in faith in God, can easily fall victim to this adversary. John wrote that we should not believe every spirit, but must "test" the spirits. He said that many false prophets have gone out in the world. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. Those spirits that do not make this confession are of the antichrist, whose spirit is already in the world. We have been given the Holy Spirit in us, who is greater than the spirit of the world (1 John 4:1-4). If you have accepted Christ, you must rely on the Holy Spirit in you. The thief comes to kill, rob, and destroy, but Jesus came to give abundant life. There are also decoys that come dressed in religious titles and robes. There were seven sons of the Jewish chief of priests, named Sceva (meaning "mind reader"). The sons of Sceva would travel around performing exorcisms. They would cast out demons "by Jesus whom Paul preaches". On this occasion, the evil spirit that possessed a man answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The seven sons were battered and stripped by the man possessed of the evil spirit. Many hearing this account of what happened to the seven sons of Sceva then believed in Jesus after seeing what happened to these counterfeit believers, these decoys (Acts 19:13-19). In contrast, the apostle Paul, an authentic servant of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, could send out handkerchiefs from his body, and people would be healed of sicknesses, and delivered from evil spirits (Acts 19:12). As a ministry, and believers by faith in Christ, we have sent out many prayer cloths over the years to those who have been sick, and we have heard many resulting testimonies of miracles. Another example from scripture resulted in the formation of a decoy state religion. Israel was a divided kingdom, north and south. The king of the northern kingdom, Jeroboam, was afraid that his people would go to Jerusalem to worship, and would then be reconciled to the king of the southern kingdom, Judah, who was Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, of the house of David. So Jeroboam created a religion to be practiced by his people. He made two golden calves and placed them in Bethel (meaning "House of God"), and Dan (meaning "judge, govern"), with altars for sacrifices to these two idols. We can see that counterfeits were established even in a place meaning "the house of God". This became a sin for the people. Jeroboam even established a counterfeit priesthood, chosen not from the Levites, as the Word of God required, but from the lowest people. Jeroboam instituted his own feasts that would occur at the same time as the Feasts of the LORD in Jerusalem, so his people would not go to Jerusalem, as commanded by God. A prophet of God from Judah came to the decoy altar at Bethel while Jeroboam was there to burn incense. This prophet cried out against that altar the prophetic word of the LORD regarding a king who would be born from the house of David, named Josiah. This future king, Josiah, would burn the false priests upon this same altar of Jeroboam. As a sign, that altar was rent, and its ashes were scattered, and Jeroboam's hand, with which he had threatened the prophet, was dried up (1 Kings 12-13). Politicians who try to establish a religious-like attachment of the people to themselves is seen to this day, and many believers have put their faith in these spiritual decoys that rise from both sides of political doctrine. What can we do to wake up the Church? Fires, tornadoes, pestilences have too many people looking to politicians and legislative bills for answers and relief. We don't have time to play this dangerous game. Jesus said that except these days be shortened, no flesh will be saved (Mt. 24:22). When I see Him, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." With my words, and my walk, I want to share the saving truth of the Gospel. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/8/21 message to the church. To contact us: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

This Week in America*

Watching the leadership of this nation this past week has been very disturbing. Congress, whose members' salaries range from $174,000.00/yr. - $193,000.00/yr plus "perks", left for a seven week break, without renewing the moratorium on eviction, which had been enacted during the COVID crisis. This was a very harsh thing for them to do. While the members of Congress have the comfort of their uninterrupted incomes from the taxpayers, many in this nation cannot pay their rent because of the adverse effects of COVID on the economy. There is a quote that is attributed to Ben Franklin that offers the thought that a nation will only last until its representatives could vote themselves the people's money to do with as they wish. Alexis de Tocqueville, on his vistit to America from France, said that America was great because America was good, but if America ceased to be good, it would also cease to be great. How does the recent inaction of Congress in this financial crisis on behalf of those who have been impoverished by COVID, contrast with the Word of God? The book of wisdom says, "That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the souls of those that spoiled them." (Prov. 22:21-23). First, the verses above proclaim that God's Word is the Word of truth, and we should know this with a certainty, especially as we answer others. The afflicted spoken about above coming to the gates of the city to plead their cases, were looking for justice, not further oppression. If the poor and afflicted are oppressed further, God would spoil the souls of the oppressors. God especially watches out for these poor people, who are not able to help themselves. The prophet Amos wrote the Word of the LORD concerning those who mistreat God's vulnerable people "...which oppress the poor, which crush the needy..." (Amos 4:1). The LORD swore by His holiness to take the oppressors away with hooks, and their prosperity with fishhooks (v. 2). Also because their offerings were being brought to God "with leaven", meaning with sin, the LORD said He would remove their food from them, and dry up their rain, leaving no water to drink. They would search for water and find none. Even after those hardships, the people still did not seek the LORD: "...yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD." (v. 6-8). Increasing hardships, including pestilence, were brought upon the land and its inhabitants, even as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, but they still did not return to God (v.9-11). Finally the LORD said to Israel: "Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: And because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel." (v. 12). Our nation needs to know the seriousness of His Word regarding the poor who need help, yet receive more hardship instead. As Amos said above, how we treat those who are poor and afflicted impacts many other parts of our lives. The prophet Zechariah wrote: "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassion every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart." (Zech. 7:9-10). The oppression of the poor, afflicted, and easily victimized in a nation negatively affects the justice found in that nation. The LORD said further that the people did not listen to the words of His prophets, so He would not listen to them. He scattered His people into many other nations, because they had made their hearts like stone in order to refuse His Word (v. 11-14). Jesus taught that the most important commandment of God, equal to the commandment to love God with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, is the commandment "Love thy neighbor as thyself." The apostle James wrote that the Church of Jesus should not mix partiality with their faith. As Proverbs told us above, the Lord pleads the case of the poor. James wrote: "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor...So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (James 2:1-6, 12-13). The injustice and partiality towards others, with which we mix our faith in Christ, will be judged. The prophet Malachi warned that the LORD would suddenly come to His temple. However, His people would be unprepared for His coming. Malachi asked the question: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." (Mal. 3:1-2). The Lord is coming to purify His people from their doings. Malachi wrote the prophetic warning: "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. For I am the LORD, I change not..." (v. 5-6). The hardened attitude toward their fellow man, became a hardened attitude towards the LORD also, with the people saying that there was no point in serving the LORD because they were seeing the prospering of the wicked (v. 14). Their offerings to the LORD became unacceptable as well to the point where they were robbing God, and became cursed with a curse (v. 8-9). We cannot become hardened to our neighbors who are suffering, or in our attitudes or giveing to the LORD. Peter wrote that the Church, looking for the destruction of the heavens and earth in fire as prophesied, and the creation of new heavens and a new earth to come, should beware, "lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." (2 Pet. 3:10-18). Peter wrote that we were to be diligent, and found to be without spot and blameless before Him (v. 14). The ways and traditions of men, and the prevailing political attitudes regarding these issues will be no excuse before the LORD: "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mt. 15:1-10). However, this is the promise of the LORD for those who hear and do the commandments that are from the LORD: "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." (Mal. 3:16-17). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenon's 8/1/21 message to the Church. Contact us at P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705, and at Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.