Whose Report Will You Believe?*

Not all who claim to prophesy or minister in the name of the Lord are really doing so. In this time, we are hearing from many various people who say that they have a Word from the Lord. How do we know what to believe? Jesus described this situation: "Not every one who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Mt. 7:21-23). Jesus pointed out that the people were listening to the wrong voices, and ignoring the voice, Himself, that was sent to them from the Father, and in whose name He came. The Father attaches His honor to those who truly represent Him, and not themselves, Jesus said (see Jn. 5:43-44). Prophecy from the flesh or the will of men does not represent the will of God. The Apostle Peter warned the church: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..." (2 Pet. 2:1-3). By these words of Peter's we learn that we must be careful of what we speak, that our words must represent the truth of God, and not of ourselves. There are those who teach doctrines regarding how one must be saved. Keep in mind, that Jesus died for all. He was crucified between two thieves. One mocked Him, but the other asked Jesus to "remember me". There doesn't have to be a set sinner's prayer according to a denomination or doctrine. The thief cried from his heart with just two words, and Christ assured him that his request would be given to him. The Lord knows how to reach hearts. Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the importance of truth versus falsehood: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Tim. 4:1-2). We are to be always ready to teach God's Word, not doctrines of men or denominational precepts that do not line up with the Word. We are to deliver correction according to the Word, even if it is not popular. Paul wrote that we would see the time come when the Word of God would not be welcome: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (v. 3-4). There is a limited amount of time when the true Word of God will be received when spoken. We are already seeing it. Ezekiel wrote the Word of the LORD concerning false prophets, and their lying reassurances given to the people of God: "Prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD...Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!...mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and divine lies...Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar...the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the LORD God." (Ezek. 13:1-16, excerpt). Prophets were assuring Jerusalem that the LORD sent a Word of "Peace" towards it, but that was not the case, and the people were misled. Prophets were not prophesying upon the direction of the LORD. What men think will bring peace, especially concerning Jerusalem and Israel, which is a division of Jerusalem or the nation, is not what the Lord says. Jeremiah also brought the Word of the LORD concerning the false prophets and a nation that was happy to be misled into believing that their enemy would not overcome them: "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jer. 5:30-31). In the end times, we need the Word from God, not man. Jeremiah also wrote that the people wandered from God, preferring the lies of the false prophets. Because of this, the LORD would not hear their cries to Him, or accept their offerings. They would suffer instead: "...I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence." (Jer. 14:12). We are also experiencing this in our own nation now. Jeremiah sadly pointed out to the LORD that the people had followed the false prophecies saying that the LORD had assured them of peace. The LORD then said regarding the false prophets: "The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." (v. 13-14). The Lord said to Jeremiah and Ezekiel the same Word of truth. To Jeremiah, the LORD promised that both the false prophets, and the people who listened to them would be consumed and disposessed by the same sword and famine that they refused to believe would happen: "I will pour their wickedness upon them." (v. 15-16). Preferring to believe false prophets because they seem to bring a more desirable word brings consequences. In another part of Jeremiah, the LORD gave His Word concerning the strengthening of evil and lack of healing repentance as a result of believing the false prophets: "I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah." (Jer. 23:14). Are we also rushing to Gomorrah? The LORD said that the false prophets say to those who walk after their own imaginations, "No evil shall come upon you." (v. 17). Haven't we seen evil growing stronger, and a complete lack of repentance in this age? The LORD said, "Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind...The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days, ye shall consider it perfectly." (v. 19-20). In the latter days in which we live now, we will see the culmination of the anger of the LORD, and we will understand its cause because He has warned us with this Word to His true prophets. However, the LORD also spoke to Jeremiah regarding what the people can do, what we can do. Even as these false prophets are not uncovering our iniquity as they should, which would turn away our captivity, Jeremiah remembers that there is a hope: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him....both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lam. 2:14, 3:21-26). The Word of the LORD promises that if His people, who are called by His name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways; then He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14). False peophets discourage people from repenting of their sin, but the people who believe the true Word of the LORD, are still given the promise in hope that the LORD will receive a humble and contrite heart of repentance, and work healing because of it. Whose report will you believe? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 5/22/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and theshroudofturin.org.

Who Hath Ears to Hear?*

 

There is a warning going forth in these Last Days:

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, 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;...For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap for themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."   1 Tim. 4:1-2, 2 Tim. 4:3-4

We read last week that in the latter days, before the day of Christ, there will be a falling away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:3).  We are seeing today that false teachers and doctrines, false prophesies, and doctrines of devils are spreading, and many are choosing to believe them. These false teachers and doctrines validate the hearers' own desires to continue in their unrighteousness, and to resist saving repentance. Paul commands Timothy in the face of these things:

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine...watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."   2 Tim. 4:2, 5

In the same Spirit and truth, the LORD called the prophet Ezekiel. The LORD appointed him to be a watchman. This is how the LORD described the responsibility of the watchman to Ezekiel and to all of us:

"...When I bring the sword (cutting, edge; destruction, desolation, dry up, lay waste) upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people..."  Ezek. 33:1-3 (excerpt)

The "sword" represents not just war, but any kind of impending destruction. A man is appointed from the coasts, because this is the earliest position to view the coming threat. The members of the body of Christ are supposed to be these watchmen on the coast, who are the first to see the danger approaching, and warn the people. The responsibility of the watchman is very serious, especially as we can clearly see the "sword" coming.

The spiritual watchmen is not held responsible if a person hears his warning, but does not give heed to it. In the coming destruction, that person's blood will be on his own head (v. 4). If that person wisely heeds the warning of the watchman, he shall deliver his soul (v. 5).

"But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand."   Ezek. 33:6

A person's own iniquity will be their destruction when the "sword" comes, but the watchman will have the blood guilt for that person's destruction, if he doesn't do his appointed job and sound the alarm. Even the wicked, already guilty in their iniquity, are to be given the warning of coming danger, so they may have the choice to heed the warning, turn from their wickedness, or not. This is the mercy of God.

The wicked know their iniquity, and make a choice at the sound of the alarm. However, there is also the situation where the alarm has been sounded by the watchman, but those who have false security in their own (self)righteousness, will fail to heed the warning. They mistakenly believe that they will remain safe in the destruction. They hear the alarm, but fail to examine themselves, acknowledge their sin, and take advantage of their last opportunity for repentance. To the wicked, and the (self)righteous alike, God says:

"...As I live, saith the LORD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?...The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression....the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth."  v. 11-12 (excerpt)

The alarm is being sounded by those who are the watchman. Are we taking the alarm seriously? Are we turning from our wickedness, or do we prefer the false teachers who tell us that our sin is not sin, and we shall surely not die? If we continue in our sin, we are no longer living in the righteousness of Christ, but are foolishly trusting in our own righteousness, which will not save us in the day of the "sword".

Are there watchman who have been appointed, who see the "sword" coming but refuse to sound the alarm, because the people do not want to hear the alarm, and are offended by it? God has foretold that this sin, delusion and rejection will be manifested among the people in these last days (Rom. 1, and 2). However, blood will be required at those watchmen's hands, according to the scriptures, if they fail to sound the warning. To them, and to all of us who believe, this is the word of the LORD for this time:

"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me."  Ezek. 33:7

Who hath ears to hear?

 

*The above is based upon the 8/25/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

What Will It Take?*

 

The signs of the End Times are abundant around us, including devastating storms and world events, but these things seem to roll off of us like water off a duck's back. What will it take for us to pay attention, and to take these things seriously?

Ages of enlightenment, and rationalism have given birth to philosophies that have distanced men from God, like deism, universalism, atheism, humanism, and have caused men to disregard the word of God. As these waves of men's philosophies have gained influence, God has sent spiritual movements of revival to counter them, and to call men back to Him and to His saving truth. Often out of these great spiritual awakenings, however, men have found ways to create debates of man's understanding and strife within the church that end up causing destructive divisions. Jesus told us that a kingdom, or a house divided against itself cannot stand.

The coming day of the LORD is not something to be taken lightly. The prophet Amos described it this way:

"Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?"

                                                                                                     Amos 5:18-20

The prophet Joel described the day of the LORD in the same manner:

"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...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. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness... there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations."  Joel 1:14-15, 2:1-2

Joel called the people to sound the warning alarm, and to sanctify themselves in the face of this coming terrible day of the LORD. He urged the people of God to "cry unto the LORD".

Peter also called the church to keep in mind, to stir up the pure mind, regarding the things of which the prophets wrote. It is this constant washing of our minds in the word of God that keeps us in truth, and prepares us for those things that appear now, and also are to come. Of the coming day, he wrote:

"But the day of the LORD shall come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"   2 Pet. 3:1-12 (excerpt)

Again, knowing the things which are soon to come, Peter asks "what manner of persons ought ye to be...?" While the Lord will deliver the godly out of temptations, the unjust are reserved for that day of judgment, those who walk after the flesh, presumptuous and self-willed. We see the number of those called the unjust growing daily.

Both Peter (2 Pet. 2:1-2) and Paul (2 Tim. 4:3-4) warn the church to beware of false teachers and prophets who would deny the word of God, teaching fables, causing many to follow after them. Their motive is to make financial gain from these false teachings that cause men to embrace false doctrines and philosophies. God has already shown that He was willing to judge the angels, and the old world before Noah, as well as Sodom and Gomorrah, as a warning example to all of us (2 Pet. 2:1-6). He only restrains Himself in holy patience not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). We cannot mistake His patience for a failure to keep the word that He has clearly spoken. He is allowing as much time and opportunity as possible for repentance. Are God's people coming to Him in repentance? Are we calling others to repentance, or have we remained unmoved, accepting the lie of Satan and men's philosophies that sin does not result in death and eternal condemnation? What will it take for us to wake up, turn and cry aloud? This is what it takes to break the hold of lies, and deliver into spiritual revival.

The prophet Joel urged God's people to fast, and to gather all of His people together to be sanctified, to turn to the LORD with all of their hearts, with weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12-13). He called the priests, the ministers of the LORD, to which ministry all believers have been called, to weep and cry out to God, "Spare thy people, O LORD" (v. 17). How much of the church is currently being called to this vital role by those in its pulpits? Paul told Timothy to "Preach the word!"

As the priests and people of God stand in the gap, in repentance, the prophet Joel wrote about a great restoration of the land, and an outpouring of God's Spirit in response. The revival of all revivals (Joel 2:18-29).

Joel went on to write that the LORD will gather the heathen into the valley of Jehoshaphat (also known as Meggido), into the valley of decision, where He will judge them. Their wickedness is great, the harvest is ripe, and the sickle is being put in. Revelation 14:15 states the same thing:

"And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped."

What will it take for us to hear the word of the LORD, and respond?

 

*The above is based upon the 8/18/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

End Time Knowledge - Pt. 2*

As we continue last week's study of 2 Peter concerning the end times, this verse from Lamentations applies to what we discussed as revealed in Peter's epistle:

"Your prophets have seen (imagined) for you
False and foolish visions;
And they have not exposed your wickedness
To restore you from captivity [by teaching you to repent],
But they have seen (imagined) and declared to you false and misleading oracles."

                                                                             Lamentations 2:14 (Amplified Version)

 

Peter made clear that false teachers and false prophets would be enticing believers. Their unrighteous agenda comes from covetousness and the desire for gain, as they intend to make merchandise from their followers. Peter compares these false prophets and teachers to Balaam, a prophet of God, who compromised his relationship with God for the promise of gain from an earthly king:

..."these...speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam ("Not of the people/compatriots") the son of Bosor (Beor: "burning, to feed upon, stupid, brutish, barbarous, dull-hearted, unreceptive"), who loved the wages of unrighteousness."   2 Pet. 2:12-15 (excerpt) (see also Jude v. 4-16)

These false teachers promise liberty, but they themselves, and those whom they deceive, have become instead slaves of corruption (2 Pet. 2:19). Jesus corrected the lie of finding liberty in sin as He spoke to His believers who thought they were free because they were descendants of Abraham:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."   see Jn. 8:31-36

What happens to those who know Christ in this way, but choose to follow the unrighteous teaching of the false prophets and teachers instead, because of their false teachings appeal to their lusts (desire/coveting for what is forbidden)? Peter wrote that "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning", like a dog returning to its vomit, or a washed sow returning to wallow again in the mire (2 Pet. 2:20-22, see also Heb. 6:4-6, 8)). This is a warning for all of us, as we see the corruption and lusts that are drawing men, including believers, all around us today.

Peter wrote this epistle as a reminder to the Church, to stir up our pure minds, so that we are mindful of both the Word of God, and the commandments of the apostles of Christ:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his (Christ's) coming?...all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation..."  2 Pet. 3:3-4 (see also Jude v. 17-19)

They are promoting the thought that Jesus is not returning, and there is no need to fear judgment, because God has not judged men or the earth to this point. However, as Peter pointed out, God has indeed judged cataclysmically during the flood of Noah. That same word which precipitated that judgment is still active:

"Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  2 Pet. 3:6-7

There are indeed those today who mock and jeer at the promise of judgment, and the return of Christ to rule and reign on earth. There was even a declaration from the son of a respected President who proclaimed that he is not afraid of burning in hell. There are indeed many scoffers who hold that false assurance against the judgment. Peter warned not to take God's patience and forbearance as slackness to keep His word regarding the judgment of the wicked. The Lord is patiently giving the opportunity for repentance and salvation:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  2 Pet. 3:9

However, when that day of judgment does come, Peter warned, it will come suddenly, without warning and unexpectedly for some, "like a thief in the night":

"...the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up."  2 Pet. 3:10

Keeping these things in mind, especially in the light of the end time falsehoods, scoffing, and the misrepresentation of scripture (2 Pet. 3:15-16) that can lure many away from the faith, Peter exhorts us, with wisdom for these end times, to be diligent, guarding and examining ourselves and our faith  "that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
                                                                      2 Pet. 3:14, 18 (see also 2 Cor. 13:5-8)

 

 *The above is based upon the 1/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/
 

To watch Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

 

 



More End Time Knowledge*

 

We are going to look at the subject of the end times again, but this time, on a verse by verse basis. We will be studying the book of Second Peter, chapters 1 and 2 for this message.

At the beginning of this epistle, Peter identifies himself as an apostle. Peter makes clear that he has written to the Church, not as a believer in fables, but as an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ, and the voice of God from heaven proclaiming Him (2 Pet. 1:16-19). He is writing to those who have found faith in in the righteousness of God and Christ as Savior. He is addressing believers. He emphasizes the importance of growing in the knowledge of God. As their knowledge of God and Christ increases, grace and peace is multiplied to them as a result. The increase in knowledge of God is a growing and maturing process. All things pertaining to life and Godliness have already been provided to us through His divine power and through knowledge of Him. We have been called by nature of these things to glory and virtue (moral goodness and excellence, modesty, purity). We have been given great, precious promises including the partaking of God's divine nature. As receivers of His divinity, we have been given the escape out the corruption of the world that comes through lusts. Peter assured the Church that God knows how to deliver us from the temptations of the world around us (2 Pet. 2:9). In his letter to the Church, Peter is establishing what has taken place through our faith and through our growing knowledge of God and Christ. From the very beginning, Peter is emphasizing the difference between believers and the world as a result of this knowledge (see also Rom. 12:1-2).

Peter describes the progression of the divine nature of God and Christ in us in the transformation of our character, through diligence on our part, and its effect upon the fruitfulness and success of our Christian walk. Without this growth and progression, a believer cannot see ahead, and loses the knowledge of what he has been delivered from-his old nature, and sin. This is the progression in our growth in the knowledge of God:

faith--->virtue--->knowledge--->temperance (self control, self governance)--->patience--->godliness--->brotherly kindness--->charity/love



In the book of Ephesians, Paul also taught the goal of growing in the knowledge of God into the perfect man, which is the fullness of Christ. Paul goes on to say:

"...put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."   Eph. 4:22-24

These principles are directly related to end time conditions. Peter warned that because of covetousness, false prophets and false teachers come among us, the Church (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They teach false doctrines because of covetousness, to gain wealth from those who are deceived. In teaching about the signs of the end times, and His return, Jesus also warned about false prophets who would deceive many:

"And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."   Mt. 24:11-14

For the first time in history, the gospel has been carried to almost every nation on earth. Iniquity abounds through the same deception of which Jesus spoke. Many have turned from their faith. False prophets and teachers have told the Church that sin no longer matters, and they teach a false love. The love they teach is not a sacrificial love that saves, as is the love of God and Christ, but license masquerading as love that endorses sin leading to death. These are all confirming signs of the end times that we see today.

Peter opened his letter to the Church reminding believers of the purpose and privilege of God in Christ to elevate us into His divine nature: to achieve glory and virtue, to escape the corruption of the lusts of the world, and to walk in the divine nature of righteousness and true holiness in Christ. He was confronting the false teachings of his day that denied the importance of morality, and falsely taught that the gift of grace through Christ allowed men to live in whatever manner pleased them. They taught that Christians did not have to follow the Ten Commandments. In the first and second centuries of Peter's time, this was called Gnosticism, and later, Antinomianism. Scripture clearly refutes this falsehood (Rom. 3:31, 6:1-2, 15-16). As with all scripture, Peter's warnings are as relevant today as they were then. These false doctrines, and their false prophets and teachers still exist today in these end times as Jesus prophesied, and as we can all see.

Peter assured the Church then, and today, that judgment is sure to follow those who teach, believe, and practice these lies that corrupt. God did not spare the angels that embraced the lies. He did not spare the old world of Noah, which He destroyed by flood. Nor did He spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, which He destroyed by fire (2 Pet. 2:4-6). Only the righteous men, Noah and Lot, who was considered righteous because he was distressed by the wicked behavior around him, were spared in the midst of the destruction. Jesus said that in the day of His appearing, the days on earth would be the same as in the days of Noah, and also Sodom and Gomorrha, with men going about their lives until the moment that judgment hits (Lk. 17:26-30). But the judgment did come.

This wickedness being taught and practiced, and the manifesting of unclean, unnatural and reprobate behaviors as a result, arises from men who refuse to retain God in their knowledge, even though they know that their sinful behavior is worthy of death, and subject to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:24-32). They have knowledge of God because He and His works have been revealed to them, and so they are without excuse (v. 19-20). Because of this, the word of God says:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."  Rom. 1:18

As Paul describes them, they call sin, righteousness, and the truth of God, unrighteousness. This is exactly what we are seeing today. In the face of false prophets and teachers, Jesus has warned, Peter has warned, and Paul has warned about disregarding the knowledge of God. 

The people of God, instead, are to grow in knowledge of Him, and of His truth. We are purposed to share in the divine nature of God, having been called to glory and virtue.

*The above is based upon the 1/13 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 







Oppositions of Science

 

Noah's Ark has often been in the headlines lately. There are places where full-scale ark replicas have been built for people to experience. They have been built according to the dimensions and description found in the Book of Genesis. These replicas have been subject to many challenges and attacks. There are many mockers, some of whom mock in the name of science.

One particular article is the account of someone, describing himself as a Christian, who visited one of the newly built replicas. This article describes his belief that the flood and ark descriptions in Genesis are not to be believed as truth. He also describes his god, who bears no resemblance to the God of scripture.

It is very interesting to note that scripture itself brings warnings of those who do not believe  the accounts of the flood, nor the saving ark of Genesis. These warnings also have to do with the deceptions of the Last Days that will come upon the earth:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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. For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished."            2 Peter 3:3-6

In the above verses, Peter tells us that these mockers are willfully ignorant of the flood event. They choose to ignore the event, rejecting the idea that a divine judgment had once covered the earth. They apply this same denial to the return of the Lord. Recognizing the truth of a world-wide judgment, as well as the return of Christ, would require a change in behaviors from them, of course.
Both Peter and Paul discuss the motives and methods used to deny the concept of the flood specifically, and God's judgment in general. The methods used include false prophets and teachers, even among the church, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord. Their followers will blaspheme the way of truth (2 Peter 2:1-2). These heresies ruin those who hear them, and cause the increase of ungodliness. They spread like a cancer, destroying from within, causing the hearers to stray from the truth, and overthrow their faith (2 Tim. 2:14-18). They also use science falsely called to oppose the Word of God as being unbelievable, and unreasonable (1 Tim. 6:20).
True science is not an opponent of God, nor of scripture. Many scientific principles and laws were revealed in scripture hundreds and even thousands of years before man discovered them. "Science falsely called" in the 1 Tim. 6:20 scripture above, if it is like the false science of today, ventures outside of the protocols of the scientific method, and is filled with bias and unverifiable, unrepeatable conclusions. It is interesting that even in Paul's day, as it is today, these biased false findings tried to present themselves as fact. We are aware of the terrible toll some of these biased, unverifiable "theories" have had on faith in our time, because they have been taught as fact.
The motive behind these heresies that overthrow faith in the hearers, is the desire to continue in the thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that are destined for the judgment of God as the earth is corrupted by them. These behaviors are rooted in lusts, and covetousness, by those who are self-willed and presumptuous (2 Peter 2 and 3). We have seen these behaviors proliferate in our time, and we have seen the hostility and rejection of God's Word in these same persons. The nature of the deception of these blasphemies and heresies is such as to cause them to be acceptable to even some of faith, and that faith becomes ruined. As mentioned in the above example of the person who visited the ark replica, even some who claim Christianity see no problem in denying the truth of the nature of God, and of His Word.





The judgment flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis are true. Every culture in the earth has a common flood account*. The accounts of these judgments told in scripture are told not only as truth, but as a warning example not to be willfully ignored. Along with these warnings, also comes the message of deliverance and salvation. Noah and those with him were delivered in the ark out of the judgment of the flood. Lot and his family were delivered by angels out of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 2:5,7,9). The LORD's deliverance was always a foreshadow of His Salvation, His Son, Jesus. So the heresies not only try to rob man of the truth of God's judgment, but also to rob the knowledge of God's provision of merciful deliverance and salvation from that judgment. No doubt we will hear more challenges and mockery of the Genesis flood and the ark in the future because it is a phenomenon of the Last Days.
However, even as the rebellious angels who sinned and were chained with darkness in the pit, were not spared judgment, sure judgment is also determined for those who teach the destroying heresies that overthrow the faith of others in order to increase ungodliness (2 Peter 2:4-9).





What are our instructions in these matters? Paul tells us to shun these deceptive teachings, which are profane and idle babblings, and teach instead the truth with gentleness, patience, and humility, correcting those who are in opposition. It is possible, through these efforts, that God may grant them repentance. We are to flee from our own destructive lusts, and cling to righteousness, guarding what has been entrusted to us (1 Tim. 6:20-22). We are to study the Word of God, rightly dividing (holding the straight course, teaching correctly) the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:16-25).
Though heresies and deceptions abound, we determine in our hearts to guard what has been entrusted to us.


*Flood Accounts of Different Cultures Handed Down from Antiquity
http://www.nwcreation.net/noahlegends.html