Isaiah, Jeremiah, Solomon, Ezekiel, Hosea, Micah and Yeshua (Jesus) told us to watch out for false prophets; those who would allow the practice of sin, even idolatry. One might not expect it, but some false prophets are within the church. False prophets, of course, lie and deceive to gain a following.
Of those deceiving spirits are the evil spirits who stand opposed to the Messiah (Christ). They are anti-Christ. One of the letters of the apostle John tells us of the anti-Christs (and there were many, even then). “These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us, otherwise they would have stayed with us.” (1 John 2:18-19).
Is it any wonder then, that with false teachers all around us, that the church preceding the End Days will see first a Great Falling Away? (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In fact, that is happening before our eyes, today. Those False Shepherds often succeed in deceiving the flock of the Good Shepherd: Messiah. (Gospel of John 10; Jeremiah 3:15). Amazingly, some “conservative” churches have left behind some of the theology of the earliest apostles.
At the end of 2023, the Pope—the one over all of the Catholic Church—declared that Christian theology should change with the needs of society. He seeks not to change the music nor the carpet to fit with society; but the foundation of faith that came straight from God, through Yeshua (Jesus), and through his disciples to us. In this declaration, the Pope also said Christians should embrace all other religions—including those who do not worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, and Yeshua. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255887/pope-francis-calls-for-paradigm-shift-in-theology-for-world-of-today
The Pope’s declaration for a change in theology also paved the way for that leader of the Catholic Church to give a green light for his churches to bless same-sex unions. Note: there are many other churches—worldwide—besides the Catholic Church who have bowed to such societal whims. This link it to a recent post, and outlines who they are, and the particulars surrounding that one issue. https://achadpeace.wordpress.com/2023/06/11/correcting-the-response-to-pride-in-churches/ ) By blessing and/or permitting what God in His scriptures clearly calls ‘sin’—those churches act like false shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock. “‘Woe to the shepherds, who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture,’ declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 23:1).
Jeremiah also wrote more of those false shepherds, “‘Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and perjury and offer incense to Ba’al and walk after other gods, whom you have not known—and then come to stand before Me in this house that bears My Name saying, ‘We are saved!’—so that you may keep on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?’ Look, even I have seen it!—It is a declaration of the Lord” (Jerm 7:9-11).
False prophets rob people of the Truth. The Pope is over the largest and most wealthy Christian denomination of the world. He claims to sit in the ‘seat of the apostle Peter’—as the originator of the Holy Christian Church. But, I ask—would Peter, one of the original twelve disciples, have advocated for a change in Theology to suit society? Listen to his own chiding letter to the church of his time: “False Prophets also rose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you. They are secretly bring in destructive heresy. They will even deny the Master who bought them— bringing swift destruction upon themselves.” (2 Peter 2).
Peter continues: “Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of truth will be maligned. In their greed, they will explore you with false words. Their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not slumber. For God did not spare angels when they sinned, but threw them into hell; He put them in chains of gloomy darkness to be held until the judgment. He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved only Noah, a proclaimer of righteousness along with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 2-5).
The long-held doctrine of Truth, is the foundation of the original faith; and Christianity stems from Judeo-Christian theology. It did not develop in a vacuum, but rather from those who spoke and wrote by the Spirit of the Holy God in Heaven, Himself. “Oh”, but they argue, “despite this change in theology and welcoming arms; we will still hold to the words of Messiah; and the God of the Bible!” Great! Then, obviously they will love Him enough to fear and respect all of the Words He spoke by the Prophets, and DO what He said—not what the world does. So glad to know that they feel stronger than King Solomon, whose “heart became no longer wholly devoted to God.” (1 Kings 11:4).
The world has, by ‘greying’ the line between evil and good; black and white; and darkness and light, scattered the flock. Many now follow the passions of their flesh rather than the Savior. They do this, or do that…and even “walk after other gods, whom you have not known—and then come to stand before Me in this house that bears My Name saying, ‘We are saved!’—so that you may keep on doing all these abominations?’…—It is a declaration of the Lord” (Jerm 7:9-11). How sincere in their faith are they?
The apostle Paul, spoke by the Lord, saying, “Brothers and sisters, you were called to freedom, only DO NOT let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another…” Then he tell them the key: “…walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh, for the flesh sets its desires against the Spirit, but the Spirit sets its desires against the flesh—for these are in opposition to one another, so you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:13-18).
Since the things of the flesh are against the things of the Spirit, then how can those things dwell together, comfortably? The flesh and the Spirit ARE NOT meant to go hand-in-hand in a new theology for the church. The Spirit seeks to carry out the Law of God, the Will of God.
The Law of God, God’s Will, was broken first by satan and his angels who rebelled against God. Satan next appears in the garden with God’s first creation, who were deceived by satan (in the form of a snake) to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. When they ate, they ‘saw’ they were naked; and they sewed for themselves leaves (an inadequate covering). So, “Adonai Elohim (God) made for Adam and his wife tunics of skin; and He clothed them.” (Gen 3).
The first created people disobeyed God’s sole order to them and ate from Tree of Good and Evil—a knowledge that afforded them a clear distinction of light and darkness (no grey). Rather than obedience they chose disobedience; and stood naked (inadequate) before the Lord. Likewise, their inadequacy continued (in what they did to cover their nakedness); so our loving God chose to cover them adequately. God still desired obedience: Be fruitful and multiply; walk with Me.
There were 613 Laws of God written down in the time of Moses; yet obedience to God in the Ten Commandments were expected of mankind since the time of creation. Yeshua (Jesus) summed up the ten Commandment into two: To love, serve and obey God, and love your fellow man as yourself. (Matthew22:35-40).
Satan, an archangel of the highest order, chose to rebel in at the very foundation of God’s Commands. He did not want to love, serve or honor God, rather set himself us as a god (Isaiah 14:13-14). He called to him followers; so one-third of the heavenly angels also chose to serve evil rather than God. Since that time, those demons have gone about in the world; killing, stealing and destroying mankind through others. God gave the angels free-will—even we have a choice—but with rebellion comes judgement. Eternal separation from God, is the law of sin and death.
The Law of God shows our inadequacy before a Holy God. We need proper covering; and the Lord provides that for us, if we receive His free gift. In the historic life of Abraham there is a parable for us, one time that he was upon Mount Moriah with his son. There, God provided a sacrifice for Abraham’s altar, “And he (Abraham) named that place, ‘On the mountain the Lord will provide.’” (Gen 22).
Abraham’s faith was sure God would provide a proper covering. And in Moses’ lifetime, many years later, the covering was demonstrated perfectly for them in the Passover. Those who applied the lamb’s blood to the doors to their homes believed God; and the angel of death passed-over their homes. And many more years later, John the Immerser saw Yeshua and told the crowd, “Behold. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is the One I told you about…I baptize in water; but he will immerse you in the Holy Spirit…I testify that this is the Son of God.” (The gospel of John 1:29-34).
In this way, God provided for us a Supreme Sacrifice—not performed yearly; but in sending a perfect Lamb—His own Son. Many prophecies foretold of the Holy One God; the anointed; born of a virgin; called ‘Wonderful’; and ‘Lord’. As God’s One and Only begotten, he is the Holy Son. Only someone perfectly Holy could serve as a perfect sacrifice for sin.
This Holy One willingly chose to come into this filthy world to free us from the bondage of sin. The prophets were correct: he was bruised for our sins; and the chastisement that should have been ours, was on Him. (Isa 53). Yet, he delighted to do this for us. Furthermore, he returned to the Right Hand of God, but promised to return again one day, to rid all evil. Evil is the enemy of God. Darkness is the enemy of Light. God’s Law is Light and reaps goodness. Yeshua (Jesus) said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17).
Sin kills, and we all fall prey to it; yet, walking by the Spirit gives life. “The law of the Spirit of Life and Messiah Yeshua has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what was impossible for the Law (Torah), since it was weakened on account of (our) flesh, God has done sending his own Son—in the likeness of sinful flesh—as a sin offering. He condemns sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the law (Torah) might be fulfilled in us—who DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH— but according to THE SPIRIT. For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:2-5).
The law of the Spirit of Life and Messiah Yeshua set us free—we merely accept—and that is Good News. But unpacking the above slowly we also note it is done so that we can fulfill the Torah, if we walk according to the Spirit and live according to the Spirit. What does it mean for us to do that and set our minds on the things of the Spirit and not walk according to our flesh?
Just before Messiah Yeshua died and rose again, according to the scriptures, he made a promise to his followers: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever; The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him because he abides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans. I will come to you in a little while. The world will no longer behold me, but you will behold Me because I live in you. In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you.” (The gospel of John 14:15-27).
Here exists the Tri-Unity of God: The Son, the Father, and the Spirit of Truth. Yeshua then elaborated upon his original statement (“If you love me, you will keep my commandments”—yet sandwiched Tri-Unity in the middle).
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and reveal myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and WE will come to him and make our dwelling with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words. The word you hear IS NOT MINE, but the Father’s, who sent me. These things I have spoken to you while dwelling with you, but the Helper (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. Shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (the gospel of John 14:15-27).
Not long after that, Messiah Yeshua ascended, and, as promised, he sent back the “WE” Helper who made their dwelling within them. In that complex concept of Tri-Unity is the simplicity of One; as you cannot have one element without the other, and call it One.
In many churches, the Holy Spirit of God is often overlooked; although he is our Helper; the teacher, and Powerful enough to help us overcome temptation—if we walk in the Spirit. Yet, we are human; and all face temptation. Yeshua died to justify sinners; he did NOT die to justify sin. But fear not, “God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle; but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of it escape, so you will be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13). Just walk by the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit is not a New Testament concept to follow the Lord. Isaiah explained, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21). God told Abraham to walk before Him; and to obey His voice (Gen 17:1; 22:18). “Obey, I beseech you, the voice of the Lord” (Jeremiah 38:20). “Walk after the Lord” (2 Chron 34:31; Ezekiel 20:19). Walking by the Spirit of God means you follow God since you respect Him; and He will lead you along the straight path. You will walk in His ways if you set your mind on the Spirit to walk the Spirit (Deut 8:6; Josh 22:5).
Only it walking in the Spirit can we “Serve the Lord with all your heart and your soul.” (Deut. 10:12; Deut 11:13). If we walk by the Spirit, we have a heart towards the Spirit; and therefore can serve Him. Beware: a fleshly heart is deceitful above all things (Jerm 17:19). However, Moses told us some good news about that; flesh can be circumcised—stone cannot. “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts, and the heart of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart, and with all your soul.” (Deut 30:6). Moses and Jeremiah said, “Circumcise your heart therefore, and do not be stiff necked any longer” (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jerm 4:4). Stiff-necked people have hearts of stone. They are proud; stubborn and rebellious. They walk after their flesh.
The first couple were created in the image of the Holy God; to follow His voice; humbly (Gen 1:26). When they sinned, the saw they were naked; and made for themselves inadequate covering. But God in His goodness provided a better covering for them—still, he sent them out of garden for disobedience. Their faith passed from generation to generation; yet in each the things around them decayed.
“We walk by faith; not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “The just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4). Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your path straight (Prov 3:5-6). The God of the Bible who calls all of creation to Him; will guide us along the Way. He will circumcise our hearts to love Him—if only we accept the gift and follow. He wants us to trust Him like sheep trust a Shepherd.
Sheep are very nearsighted. They can wander off the path and/or stray off a cliff. Wise sheep trust and obey the voice of the shepherd. Yeshua told everyone, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11:28). The shepherd’s staff has two ends. One side is used to prompt and guide the sheep along the pathway, while the other side can be used to pull up the sheep from the cliff edge should they fall down. The shepherd’s voice is very important to the flock due to their nearsightedness. Sheep learn to listen intently to the voice that guides them; and they are less likely to stray. Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) said, “He that is of God hears God’s words” (John 8:47).
Yeshua once told a great parable for God’s love for his flock; the shepherd would leave ninty-nine sheep to find his one lost sheep. (Matt. 18:12). Incidentally, Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he received the covenant through circumcision of his flesh. “The Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty walk before me faithfully and be blameless.’” (Genesis 17:1).
Walk in the Spirit; your Helper. If you hear His voice, accept the free gift of salvation and let God circumcise your Heart. Obeying the ‘Voice’ of God—the Holy Spirit within—confirms the Covenant; and as a result bears fruit. (Ex. 19:5; 19:8; Lev 26:3-4; Isa 1:19; Jerm 26:13). Continue to walk by the Spirit of God. He will lead you in the right way; and you will produce fruit in line with your gift.
The Holy Spirit was there in the beginning; “and moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). The prophets Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Elijah and Isaiah—and many other names we know from the Bible—had the Spirit of God. They produced fruits; and respected God and His Word. They did not rewrite God’s Word to suit the congregation that favored the society around them. As humans, they occasionally strayed; and God returned them to the flock. There is one exception: one cannot blaspheme the Holy Spirit. If you have read this far, you would have noticed the interconnectedness of the One; and why that was important to note—read on.
Some Pharisees once accused Yeshua (in their minds) of casting out demons because he was satan. The reasoning of the Pharisees twas faulty: Satan would not drive out his own demons. Satan seeks to destroy. Yeshua sought to restore. Knowing their thoughts, Yeshua told them “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? If I drive out demons by Satan, by whom do you and your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. If I drive out demons by the Holy Spirit, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:25-28).
If those Pharisees believed, they could understand who he was. Then Yeshua said, “He who is not with me, is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” The Pharisees (Torah teachers) should have understood that statement referred to the scroll of Job, “If He were to set His heart on it and gather to Himself, his SPIRIT and breath, all flesh would perish together, and man mankind would return to dust.” (Job 34:14-15).
Again the Pharisees must not have understood. They did not hear the voice of God, and so could not follow. If they had, they would believe—and gather with Him in the Power of the Holy Spirit. If they had not the Spirit, they had not the Son, nor the Father. They had not the ONE God who saves.
Yeshua told them, “For this reason, I say to you: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven man, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age, nor in the one to come.” (Matthew 12:30-32).
The Holy Spirit makes manifest good fruit in God’s flock (Gal 5:22-23). All who follow the Holy God do not produce bad fruit. Yeshua said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18). The apostle Paul prayed for the church that God would make us “worthy of His calling”; and that by His power, bring to fruition our every desire for goodness, and your every deed prompted by their faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Would you rather be guided and prompted by your faith—the faith He gave to you—to carry out what God desires of you? Obedience to Holy Spirit’s voice—His Spirit, whom He sent into our hearts—the heart He circumcised—produces good fruit.
He places in us the Holy desires of our heart to bring to fruition good things for the Kingdom of God. In and of ourselves, we can do, and have nothing, that is of eternal worth. However, with Him we can and have everything we need. All of it, every OUNCE of it, is from God! Follow the Good Shepherd.
Walking by the Holy Spirit’s guidance, prompted by faith worthy of the calling, Isaiah wrote, “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your Name and renown are the desires of our hearts.” (Isaiah 26:8). Peace, שלום، سالم. @achadpeace
Achadpeace's Blog 