APOCALYPSE BLOG 1 – APOCALYPSE HAS COME

 

Ok, what comes to mind when you read the word Apocalypse? Zombies, War, Death, starvation? Unfortunately, that has little or nothing to do with the Word and what it really means. See if you can find the word Apocalypse in the passage below.

 

Luke 2:28-32 “28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

 

APOKALYPSUS (Greek) which in English is Apocalypse – The translation is REVELATION – Revealing of Light.

 

The book of Revelation is a revelation of Jesus. He is the victor. He is the champion. He fights the greatest battle in history, and He wins. Satan and his minions will be made to look like fools again. Jesus is the Revelation that this world needs. He is the light that all mankind needs. Simeon had waited his whole life for this one event – The coming of the Messiah.

 

Jesus is about to REVEAL himself again. He will reveal Himself through the true Sons of God. He will reveal Himself through a great revival. He will reveal Himself through the clouds in all His Glory.

 

Sons (Daughters are implied and not excluded) of God are not afraid. Sons of God are longing for this hour. Sons of God are prepared and still preparing for the battle that lies ahead. SONS LONG FOR THE REVEALING AND ARE ALL ABOUT REVEALING JESUS.

 

The new series that I will be teaching on Friday Nights is on the Apocalypse/Revelation of Jesus.

I was in the airport recently and noticed that the book rack seemed to have more books on witchcraft and Vampires than I could believe or had ever seen before. I was flying back from meeting with some Doctors who prescribe our healing website  to their patients. I had just left the home of one of them whose daughter was reading the Twilight Series. I had been sharing with her and the family what the bible says about vampires. Yes, the bible even addresses vampires but that is for my next blog. She was a sold out young woman going to serve God with an international ministry and she saw nothing wrong with the books she was reading. She didn’t believe any of it was real and just saw it as entertaining reading.

That seems to be the normal “Christian” response to most of the new books and movies that Hollywood is producing that have to do with witchcraft. It seems like in many Christian homes where I visit or stay that I find the Harry Potter books and or the Twilight series. I did a search online several years ago to get the Chrisitian response to these books and found that most of the responses were positive. The reasoning seems to be that because the books do not contain sexuality and only mild language that they are not bad.

To be a truly Christian response a response needs to line up with scripture which true Christians believe is God’s Word. If anyone truly examines God’s Word in light of Witchcraft, Sorcery, Wizards, Mediums and Spiritists they will be very surprised. You cannot find biblical grounds to condone these books and movies. God’s Word is not wishy washy or grey on these matters. Let’s start with a New Testament passage.

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Witchcraft is right in line with Adultery, Idolatry, Murder, and Drunkenness and tells us that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But I don’t practice witchcraft, I just watch it.” That is what most people say who are reading the books and watching the movies. I’ve heard many say, I would never actually practice those things.

Before I go any further some of you might be asking what makes me an expert on any of this. I direct a healing ministry. People come to us with physical illness, psychological illness, mental illness and spiritual illness and God heals them. Over the past 15 years we have had people come to us that have been involved in witchcraft, Satanism, vampirism and every form of the occult you can imagine. Almost every one of them who has come started by reading a book, watching a movie or with a friend. Even those who were victims of satanic ritual abuse who became involved themselves didn’t copy their abusers but usually just got interested like everyone else.

I have seen the devastating effects that becoming involved in witchcraft has had on everyone who has come for ministry. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing them set free and healed by God’s power which is greater. This stuff is very real. It is nothing like Hollywood though. Hollywood makes it look glamourous and noble. It is none of that. The devastation is incredible and the cost to one’s soul and life is not worth it.

We need to get back to what God’s Word says and why. Look at these passages real quick.

Deuteronomy 18:10

Let no-one be found among you who … who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,

Exodus 22:18

“Do not allow a sorceress to live.

Leviticus 19:26

…”Do not practise divination or sorcery.

Deuteronomy 18:14

The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practise sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

Is God clear about His will regarding sorcery and witchcraft in these passages? It cannot be clearer. This is not an area that God is either silent in regards to or does He leave room for interpretation. It was because of these practices that God drove the inhabitants out of the land and it was for these very same practices that God had Israel overrun, destroyed and exiled. They over time began themselves to practice these sinful things.

In Acts 8:9 and following we find a man named Simon. He had practised sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great. When Simon saw the power of God operating through the apostles, he was willing to pay money to have the power that they had. The apostles rebuked Simon and Simon repented and turned to Christ. In fact, in every encounter that the apostles had with witchcraft they demonstrated greater power.

I was ministering in Africa in a region known for it’s powerful witchcraft. What we began to hear from the witch doctors was that our “witchcraft” was more powerful than theirs. We were not doing witchcraft but they couldn’t understand when they saw people getting healed and people having demons cast out of them. They also said it was dangerous for them to put curses on us because the curses came back to hurt them instead.

The problem today with most Christians and the church is that they are ignorant of the power of God. The devil has as much power over a Christian as they let him have. Many are bound up and tormented only because no one has set them free or taught them how to set themselves free or how to maintain their freedom.

The truth about Harry Potter is that Hollywood took something that is so sinister, destructive and powerless in comparison to the power of Christ in you and turned it into something that is so appealing, seemingly powerful and noble. That is deception and lying. Disney is seeking to shape your belief system into believing that witches are powerful, Christians are petty, powerless and awkward and we wonder why a generation is being lost to our gospel. Because too many who call themselves Christians don’t know what the bible says, don’t know they have been given a glorious inheritance and an incomparably great power. Read Ephesians 1.

Let me leave you with some more scripture to look up and ponder if you still wonder what the bible has to say about witchcraft, sorcery, wizards and all the other forms of the occult.

Le 19:31

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Le 20:6

And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

Le 20:27

A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Re 9:21

And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Re 18:23

“The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

Re 21:8

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Re 22:15

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

 

Sorcery – Exodus 7:11;  Exodus 22:18;  Leviticus 19:26;  Numbers 23:23;  Numbers 24:1  Deuteronomy 18:10;  Deuteronomy 18:14;  2Kings 17:17;  2Kings 21:6;  2Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 47:9;  Isaiah 47:12;  Isaiah 57:3;  Jeremiah 27:9;  Daniel 2:2; Nahum 3:4;  Malachi 3:5;  Acts 8:9;  Acts 13:6;  Acts 13:8

Witchcraft – Deuteronomy 18:10;  2Kings 9:22;  2Chronicles 33:6;  Micah 5:12;  Nahum 3:4  Galatians 5:20

Wizards or (Spiritists in the NIV) – Leviticus 19:31;  Leviticus 20:6;  Leviticus 20:27;  Deuteronomy 18:11;  1Samuel 28:3;  1Samuel 28:9;  2Kings 21:6;  2Kings 23:24;  2Chronicles 33:6

 

Joshua 18:10

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

Joshua divided the Land for the tribe of Judah  by casting lots before the Lord. Casting lots was like flipping a coin to decide who goes first. It seems to involve random chance. In Joshua 18 we see Joshua casting lots before the Lord. The Lord did not tell Joshua to decide about the land by casting lots. In fact, this comes on the heels of chapters of Joshua dividing the land and a history of God directing who God what area of the land. Sometimes it seems to be human wisdom and logic at work, other times it seems to be divine direction. In this case while Joshua cast lots it seems as if the expectation was that God would be at work in the casting of the lots to supersede pure chance. Can God use lot casting to make his choice? Any child can answer that quickly with, “God can do anything.” We ultimately place our faith in the Lord that He is even Lord over the casting of lots.

Tim Hawkins a popular and hilarious comedian does a hilarious job of making fun of people who stand up at church before they sing a special and tell the congregation that, “God Gave Me This Song.” He says, that sometimes he thinks, “maybe you should give it back, maybe He didn’t want you sharing that one”. Then he sings, “Hide it under a bushel, YES!” He adequately makes fun of that often abused expression. As I was reading Deuteronomy 31:19-21 it struck me that many times God really does give songs. In this case God really did give Moses a song. And according to the passage it was given for a purpose to be sung so that Israel will remember what God has done.

Deuteronomy 31:19

Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. 20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. 21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

Songs are easy to remember and we use songs to teach our children many things. God created music and knows how powerful of a memory tool it is. I believe that God does give people songs all the time. My sister writes a lot of songs and often says, “The Lord gave me this song.”

The sport’s greatest players capture the imagination and attention of a vast segment of the population. Tiger Woods has been no exception. Though I like to keep everything in life in the proper order of priorities, I have to admit that I too get caught up in the flow when a team or individual sets themselves out from the crowd by feats of greatness. That is why it is soooo tough when someone we all admire is found to be less than we expected.

Recently, out of the blue, I was struck by the thought of Tiger Woods meeting Jesus. Tiger has been mocked, maligned and analyzed by the sports world, the media, comedians, and the religious world. There was a throng of people surrounding him. The crowd wasn’t really present but they were representing all the world looking on at Tiger’s life, judging, talking and criticizing. What would happen if he were to meet Jesus, the Son of God, who is the very image of God himself? I could see the encounter in my mind’s eye. The greatest man to ever walk this earth, so humble and yet so strong, His eyes full of compassion and love and His arms wide open, reaching out to Tiger.

Then I saw Tiger, though he doesn’t claim to know Jesus, in that moment Tiger knew he was in the presence of his creator and he stood truly broken and humbled. His head drops as he feels truly broken and ashamed. There is some fear in his heart of what will become of this encounter. What does God have to say to him? Will he express the vehement hatred that has come from bitter women who want to see him pay for what he has done to his family? Will he simply look at him with disgust like many well meaning religious people have done?

Then Jesus looks at the throng and spoke. He said, I call for the person who has never sinned to come forward and proclaim the sentencing and execute the judgment on this man. The throng that was too big to count, larger than any sport’s gallery quickly made their exit. The only one left there with Tiger was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah – the only one who is worthy of praise. His eyes, still full of compassion and love, now held a tear in the corner. He spoke to Tiger, “I have not come to condemn you but to offer you life, life more abundant and free.” I saw Jesus embracing Tiger who was sobbing uncontrollably. He felt the shame lifting, the power of sin that controlled him vanishing, the peace that has so long eluded him beginning to settle in. And he felt like he was finally home.

So many times, as we in our ministry have been ministering to broken lives I have seen God set the prisoner free, heal those who are sick and restore broken marriages and lives. I have prayed often for Tiger and his family. What has become a tabloid free for all is in God’s eyes something sacred that He alone has the power to restore.

I close with this prayer. Lord, I pray that Tiger Woods and Erin his wife will both come to know you, be healed by you and be restored in every way. You have raised the dead, given sight to the blind, restored many who are broken in many and various ways. What seems impossible with man is easy for you. Impossible is nothing, to You. I pray for all the other families in our nation and world that are torn apart by sin. Lord we need You.

Recently, I took my middle son, Philip, on his becoming a man weekend. This post isn’t about what that weekend is about. That is for another post. But it was the context for one of my most profound worship experiences in a long time. Philip loves the outdoors and his desire was to snorkel in the Keys. Fortunately, we are only a 5 hour drive away. Long, but not too bad. I looked forward to the time with Philip and knew he would love kayaking and snorkeling. What I wasn’t prepared for was how this snorkeling trip would impact me.

The snorkeling guide facetiously apologized for the situations surrounding this trip. Visibility was nearly 100%. They called it a “Chamber of Commerce Day” – meaning that it was the best day in over a year and this is the kind of day when everyone takes pictures and says “this is what it is like in the Keys”.

As I leapt into the water I was looking forward to what I would see, what I saw stunned me beyond words. I’ve snorkeled before but never on a “Chamber of Commerce Day” and never at a reef this extensive and teaming with such a variety of fish. Parrot Fish, Angel fish, Barracuda, Grouper, Snapper, Grunts, Spadefish, Goatfish, Butterfly Fish, Trumpet fish, Batfish, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Mullet, Sea Turtles, Stingray and more. Many of these fish were in multiple variety and swimming in schools of a hundred. Some would almost let me touch them.

The variety of Coral was more than I had ever seen. The colors were of a variety and splendor that I cannot describe. I understand how tough it must have been for John to describe heaven as he saw it in a vision. Words cannot give to you what I experienced. All I could do for an hour was go, “Wow!”

It became for me a worship service. I kept saying, “God you are soooo incredible.” “You are sooooo creative.” “WOW.” I haven’t been that consumed with God, the spirit of wonder and worship in a long time. I love to worship and normally experience His presence but this was unique, special, different. I was worshipping in the wild. I could hear creation calling forth the praises of the Lord.

We wrap up our discussion of strongholds by demolishing them!

Francis Frangipane writes in his book The Three Battlegrounds, “In speaking of spiritual warfare, the apostle Paul enlists the word “stronghold” (KJV) to define the spiritual fortresses wherein Satan and his legions hide and are protected.  These fortresses exist in the thought-patterns and ideas that govern individuals and churches, as well as communities and nations.  Before victory can be claimed, these strongholds must be pulled down and Satan’s armor removed.  Then the mighty weapons of the Word and the Spirit can effectively plunder Satan’s house.”

Paul instructs us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).  Paul is aware where the primary battle is waged (our minds) and he’s trying to teach this important doctrine to the church in Corinth.  (Interesting to note that it was to the church Paul was writing to and not unbelievers.  Christians can certainly have demonic strongholds.)

In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul talks about our weapons of warfare–what they are and what they are not.  Our weapons are mighty and powerful enough to destroy strongholds but they are not physical.  We can’t pick them up or use them in a physical way.  What exactly is it that we have been given to wield during the warfare we are destined to face?

Paul tells us that we have been given a sword (Ephesians 6:17).  But our sword is not physical (2 Corinthians 10:4).  Instead our sword is described as the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16).  The word of God can come in a variety of ways (the bible, still soft voice spoken to our hearts, audible voice, dreams, visions etc.) and we know that it’s truth (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 6:18).  The weapon we have been given to demolish strongholds is TRUTH!  We overthrow our current false reality based on the deceitful whispers of Satan with the truth of God’s word.  That’s why Jesus tells us that it’s those who know the truth that will be set free (John 8:32).

If the truth will set us free then lies will hold us in captivity.  Satan’s goal is to hold every single person in captivity.  He captures us by getting us to believe that the lies he creates are the only possible truth.  Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). If we can understand that the issues tormenting us (addiction) have been established and protected by lies, we can finally begin to chase freedom with hope that previously seemed all but lost, that’s why everyone needs motivation in life to overcome addictions and achieve goals in life and that’s where the best inspirational quotes can help you in life.

In order to pull down and overthrow a stronghold we must expose it.  We must discover what lies we have based our truth on.

What lies have you based your truth on?

What strongholds have you overthrown?

Thanks to joovy zoom 360 ultralight jogging stroller for sponsoring this post and understanding the importance of taking care of the family.

A STRONGHOLD IS NOT A DEMON!!  Webster defines a “stronghold” as a “fortified place”.  Throughout the evangelical church, the word stronghold has carried with it a dark connotation.  Many of us have only heard the word stronghold in connection with the kingdom of Satan.  But did you know that we can actually have Holy strongholds as well. Psalm 18:2 describes a stronghold in connection with the kingdom of God.

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

The character of a stronghold is defined by the nature of what it’s protecting.  If the stronghold is protecting something from the kingdom of Satan, then the stronghold is demonic.  If the stronghold is protecting something from the kingdom of God, then the stronghold is Holy.

I have experienced the term stronghold as one that has been loosely tossed around the church.  I have typically heard it sound like “stronghold of fear” or “stronghold of bitterness” or “stronghold of blue jeans” (yes I actually heard that one come from the pulpit).  Though I have heard a lot of talk that includes the word stronghold, I have very rarely heard anyone take the time to explain what, exactly, a stronghold is.

Many think and teach that strongholds need to be bound and cast out of our lives.  In 2 Corinthians chapter ten Paul gives us a different perspective.  He teaches us that strongholds aren’t like demons to be bound and cast out.  Instead, Paul tells us that strongholds need to be pulled down, demolished or overthrown.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(In the amplified, the words “pulled down” are translated “overthrown and demolished”.  The amplified bible also further explains “imaginations” as “arguments, reasonings and theories” and “high thing” as “proud and lofty”.)

Paul shows us that strongholds consist of imaginations and every high thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.  In other words, a stronghold is anything that sets itself up against the truth.  A stronghold is a lie.  Paul is explaining to us that strongholds are systems of lies.  The lies become the only reality we know. Therefore they are extremely well fortified places that encompass our minds while our enemy (Satan) enslaves our hearts.

Just recently the Lord showed me that I had a dark stronghold deep in my heart.  It was shaped by the lie that told me that I needed entertainment to live and be happy.  It caused me to compromise on books I read and shows/movies I watched.  Because of the stronghold my need for entertainment was greater than my need to stay Holy.

In the next blog we will discuss how to pull down or overthrow strongholds.

Has this been helpful for you in understanding strongholds?  How is the Lord speaking to your heart through this?  What have you believed all of your life that goes against the knowledge of God?  What questions do you have?

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

We know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that he has chosen you, in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction

Is there evidence in your life and church of a supernatural God? Paul is writing to the Thessalonian believers, and he says something so interesting here. He has told them that he always remembers them in his prayers, and now he shifts to saying that he knows they are God’s chosen and loved, because they did not merely receive the gospel in words but in the power of the Holy Spirit and in deep conviction.

It seems that Paul is pointing out the evidence that their salvation was real, attested to by God. How did the gospel come in power? What did that look like? Normally that word is used in the context of miracles or supernatural spiritual gifts being done.

What does he mean by “in the Holy Spirit”? It seems that in case after case throughout the New Testament, when the Holy Spirit filled people, there were evidences of that filling in some supernatural way. Paul seems to be pointing to that as part of his certainty of their having been chosen.

And finally Paul points to the fact that there was deep conviction. It seems that we have sought to remove conviction from much of the preaching today. Paul pointed to conviction as evidence.

I am astounded again at the many and various ways that the Lord speaks. Today I read that the Lord spoke to the Israelites that He was God and that the three families who rebel against God’s anointed servant Moses were actually rebelling against God and God confirmed that to be true by opening up the earth and swallowing up those who were rebelling (Numbers 16). Imagine how quickly all the church disputes would be dealt with today if God just confirmed His will by swallowing up those who were really opposing the Lord. Would that keep the arguing, complaining, grumbling and rebelling to a minimum?

Then the next dispute rose up between the children of Israel and Moses and God. Everyone was complaining about Moses trying to make himself out to be a big shot leader or something. God spoke by action that He was angry through a plague that was quickly stopped by Moses and Aaron’s intercession. God was defending the calling and integrity of His servants. They showed what they were made of by their intercession for the people. What a challenge to those who God establishes as leaders. These men let God defend them and when God was defending them, they loved those who had come against them so much that they interceded for them. Lord, give us humble servant leaders who will passionately intercede for your people, even when they deserve retribution.

But the most amazing way that God spoke was to confirm before the people that He, The Lord, had chosen Aaron to be His priest was through a staff or rod made of acacia would that Aaron stuck in the ground (Numbers 17:1-10). Each tribe was to choose a leader and they were each to take a staff of wood and bring it to the Tent of Meeting and place them in front of the Testimony where God would meet with Moses. Each tribe did so and the next day Aaron’s stick of wood had sprouted leaves and even had mature almonds on the branches. Again, imagine the implications if today God would select leaders with this serious of a confirmation before all the people. In one denomination I watched prospective pastors being grilled publicly by other pastors and leaders to confirm that they were ready. Everything was about knowledge. That isn’t how God chose or set apart His chosen, though some were very impressive in their mastery of Hebrew, Greek, Church history and more. Did that mean they were truly set apart by the Lord?

Seeking God for confirmation of your calling is worth every ounce of prayer equity you can put forth. There are those who are self-appointed leaders who work in the arm of the flesh and appear to do Kingdom work and there are those whom God has ordained, confirmed and set apart. May we be those who have the supernatural mark of God on our ministries and lives.

• Are you seeking answers from God on something important in your life?
• Do you believe God will give confirmation if you are truly seeking answers from Him?
• Have you seen God confirm decisions or answers from you in the past? How so?