Greetings friends in Kenya, New Zealand, Italy, and all throughout the United Kingdom – along with our friends within the United States of America. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries – I’m your host Leonard V. Johnson in beautiful Spring Hill, Florida.
Do you recall Abraham’s plea to Almighty God!? “Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place.” And the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” And then Abraham said, “Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous?” And then, forty, and thirty, and then twenty, and finally ten. And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten righteous people.” And we know the result. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, couldn’t even convince his own family to leave. It was only his wife and his two daughters who were still living at home which left Sodom. Those five cities on the plain of Jordan were allowed to be destroyed because there weren’t even ten righteous people in that city. And, brethren, let us not sell ourselves short – but we should wonder – is it that Almighty God is holding back the utter destruction of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth of Nations, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand respectively – because there are maybe ten in one-million righteous people within these nations!? It should make us wonder. Is that number depleting as time goes by!? In prayer to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ – a thought crossed my mind – just before the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP very few saints of God will be left. There will come a time when the LORD our God cannot find ten righteous people! As ‘this generation’ (cf. Matthew 24:34) continues many of these cities the cup of their iniquity becomes full. And the LORD God has no choice but to exact judgment upon that nation. It is something to ponder.
If you have your Bible in front of you – maybe a piece of paper and a pen for taking some notes – turn with me to the Book of Exodus the 23rd chapter –
So, He’s bringing them from Egypt into the land of Canaan – and they were not to follow the ordinances of either one of those lands.
Now, the apostle Paul quoted this very passage, saying, “Yet the law [speaking here of the Mosaic law of the Old Covenant] is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them’” – Galatians 3:12 NKJV.
We know that the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness some forty-years. And over time they indeed began to wonder. They began to complain about not reaching the Promised Land. They began to blame the LORD God, along with Moses and Aaron. Surely it became monotonous – even though they had the LORD with them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Well, there came up an uprising, both religious and political. Called ‘the rebellion of Korah.’
Verse 3 – “They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, …”
This reminds me of something that my sister-in-law’s friend said to me once, she said, “Everyone is a messiah.” But, since she didn’t explain - I’m not sure just what she meant.
Now, in reference to these malcontents’ insurrection, the Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary, states, “that Moses had, by an arbitrary arrangement, taken away the right of primogeniture, …” – meaning, the right of succession belonging to the first-born child. “ … which had vested the hereditary dignity of the priesthood in the first-born of every family, with a view of transferring the hereditary exercise of the sacred functions to a particular branch of his own house.” 1
Korah felt that they too [the Reubenites] were entitled to the priesthood, not just Moses’ own household. And they resented Aaron, that he was the high priest. But Dathan and Abiram had an additional “ground of their mutiny … for while Korah murmured against the exclusive appropriation of the priesthood to Aaron and his family, they were opposed to the supremacy of Moses in civil power.” Id. They felt that they should be the leaders. So, not only was it a religious uprising, but it was also a political uprising.
Verse 4 – “So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; 5) and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, ‘Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him.”
And so Korah and his company were told to take censers, put fire in them and place incense within them and place them before the LORD in the morning, and they will see just who the LORD chooses to be His holy one.
Then down in verse 17 – “Let each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the LORD, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron each with his censer.”
Verse 20 – this was Almighty God’s reaction. “And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 21) ‘Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’”
God is about to destroy the whole congregation!
Verse 22 – “Then they [the whole congregation] fell on their faces, and said, ‘O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?’”
Verse 23 – “So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24) ‘Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’” – now, Korah being a Kohathite, his tent could not have been in the Reubenites camp. Id. At 125
Verse 26 – “And he spoke to the congregation, saying, ‘Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.’” – and, of course, we know what happened!
Verse 31 – “Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, 32) and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.”
So, a great earthquake literally splits the ground open – and all of their tents, cattle, and households were swallowed up into the earth.
Verse 35 – “And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.” – in other words, from the clouds in the sky destroying Korah and those Levites who were with him.
It was indeed a harrowing experience for the children of Israel. I imagine it was a great example and lesson to them concerning the rebellion from the hands of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and all the rest.
Now, I went over this with you from the Old Testament – because there is a connection with just what is happening in this world today. There is something about this idea of being overly tolerant of evil – that can be a vexation to a large portion of a nation. Now, case in point – we have high-office leaders here in the United States of America, such as,
Nancy Pelosi, and
“The Squad,” and others of their ilk which are evil – and are representatives of the evil one. And like what the apostle Paul said concerning receiving “a different spirit” or “a different gospel” – you may well put up with it! And that’s what a great majority of this nation is doing –
putting up with this evil which is amongst us! Or for that matter, those of any province, country, or nation. But especially to those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.
I’m sure what I just said is “politically incorrect” to some who may be reading this – but my authority comes from our living Jesus Christ!
Let’s look at an example of this very Authority –
Ezekiel 3:18-19 – “’ When I [the great and awesome LORD God] say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his [or her] life, that same wicked man [or woman] shall die in his [or her] iniquity; but his [or her] blood I will require at your hand. 19) Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he [or she] does not turn from his [or her] wickedness, nor from his [or her] wicked way, he [or she] shall die in his [or her] iniquity; but you have delivered your [life].’”
Now, people do not like their evil exposed and do not want anyone else to expose them. The vast majority of this world’s so-called Christians will go against Almighty God’s living Word and literally stand up for Satan the devil and will fight the LORD God and condone and support evil! How can one love what God abhors!?
In the Book of Numbers chapter 33 –
Verse 50 – “Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, 51) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, …’”
Now, notice this – verse 52 – “’ then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places [their temples and sacrificial altars].’”
The Canaanites were NOT to keep alive their evil practices. Now, what comes immediately to my mind: is the United States of 1889. The Native American Mandan tribe, which today, post-1983, uses (and presumably a less harsh form) ritual suspension of humans by their skin – what was known as the Okipa ceremony. If you’ve seen the 1970 movie A Man Called Horse, then you know of what I am speaking of – only in the movie, it was called a Vow to the Sun. Today, this vile ritual of suspension has spread into other groups and subcultures all around the world! Do you think there are so-called Christians which stand around watching and cheering for their favorite participant who is topless pulling a car using ropes attached to flesh hooks in their backs!? – such as the Doo Dah Parade, Ohio of 2011!?
Verse 55 – “’ But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.’”
Now, ask yourselves – is this happening in the modern nations of Israel today!? I believe it is happening today to the modern nations of Israel. When they tolerate evil and wicked practices – whatever they might be – which is contrary to God’s will and God’s Law.
Turning now into the Book of Deuteronomy, the 12th chapter –
Our LORD God tells us that we are to follow Him, and Him alone.
Verse 29 – “’ When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30) take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you DO NOT inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.’”
I can recall from our history that John Lennon said – coinciding with the band’s 1966 US tour, “We're more popular than Jesus now.” And I can also recall that
The Beatles, back in 1968, had famously traveled to India attempting to find spiritual enlightenment with
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – dealing with Hinduism and its 33 false gods. In reflection, I personally don’t believe that Lennon’s words were taken out of context – Americans at that time, heard loud and clear, and there was a backlash – for a short time. And then, “
they put up with this wickedness which was amongst us.” Here, the LORD our God’s very instruction is that
we are not to even ask this question – ‘How do these nations serve their gods!?’
The Beatles was indeed truly an invasion.
Verse 31 – “’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.’” – and this is absolutely a despicable act! I can’t imagine families taking their children and sacrificing to their gods!? And even TODAY, my friends, in places like China, there is infant cannibalism! 2
Friends, the LORD our God warned the ancient house of Israel against that – and what did they do!? Well, they absolutely fell victim to that!
Verse 32 – “’ Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.’”
Now, in regards to this world’s professing Christians – I’ve heard so many say, “I’m going to worship God my way.” And, last
Easter (or rather, Ishtar), my mother-in-law said to me that God has many religions. And, she added, “At least you believe in God!” Indicating that one can worship God as they please.
But the LORD our God is telling us here that we are to worship Him the Way He tells us to worship Him – and we are not to add or take away from that. These are His instructions – not mine.
So, we’ve seen here in the Book of Deuteronomy – a Book of recapitulation – that we are to follow Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and Them alone. We’ve quoted the LORD our God through all these many years through the prophet Jeremiah involving this world’s holiday –
the Mass of Christ. In which the LORD our God states, “’ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; …’”
Now, there are great blessings to our people who choose to truly follow the LORD our God! King David was a man who observed this.
Let us turn now into the Book of Psalm the 1st chapter –
Verse 1 – “Blessed is the man [or woman] Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2) But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, And in His Law he [or she] meditates day and night.’”
Verse 3 – “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water [certainly symbolic of the great “river of water of life, clear as crystal” which will proceed from the very throne of God the Father and of the Lamb – cf. Revelation 22:1] that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
I remember growing up in a two-story white farmhouse in Oregon which had a seventy-five or one-hundred-year-old twisted Garry oak tree in front. Its branches touching the ground, making it very climbable. That old Garry oak is still standing there on that piece of property! Indeed, your life will be just like this tree if you will follow Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ!
Verse 4 – “The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment [again, a reference to the ‘Great White Throne Judgment’ – cf. Revelation 20:11-15], Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
Verse 6 – “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish [cf. Revelation 20:15; 21:8].”
Continuing in the Book of Psalm chapter 26 – let us look at what King David thought of evil and wickedness.
Verse 4 – “I have not sat with idolatrous mortals [spiritually idolatrous] …” – meaning, he has not sat with people who worship other gods. “ … Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5) I have hated the [congregation] of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.”
And friends, again – and I know I’ve mentioned this quite a lot toward the end of this last year – but it was a great lesson from Almighty God for me. And I pray that it may be a testimony to you – in that this last year I was invited to attend the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and that while there I was verbally attacked by one of their sycophant ministers. And how Minister Guy LaMar told me something very profound and wise. He said, “We cannot walk with Almighty God while holding hands with Satan the devil.” A variation of what our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, “’ No one can serve two masters; … You cannot serve God and mammon.’” – meaning, wealth and assets. Certainly, with that church organization, it’s about their wealth and their assets. You threaten their family wealth and assets, they will attack you with great ferocity!
Now a great many – even many from that church organization of which I speak and them of that ilk – will quote this very passage from King David and teach, “See, God doesn’t even want you to sit down with those you consider evil or wicked.” And they use this as a proof text for this erroneous teaching. But was this the attitude and example which our Lord and Savior showed us!? After all, He is to be our example! Did He not sit down with publicans and sinners!? Cf. Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29!? Did Jesus do what I heard this sycophant minister claim he had done - that he was in line at a McDonald’s ordering food when two homosexuals got in line behind him. He said that he immediately turned around and began to berate them and call them terrible homophobic names!? Did our Lord and Savior insist on leaving, turning, and saying, ‘Get away from Me sinner!?’ No, He stated, “’ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’”
Now, there is nothing wrong with hating evil. We should indeed hate evil and wickedness!
Psalm 139 – reading here from the New English Translation –
Verse 19 – “Surely You will slay the wicked, O God; therefore you bloody men, depart from me. 20) For they speak against You wickedly and Your enemies take Your name in vain.”
Well, it certainly doesn’t take us much to find people today who meets this description.
Verse 21 – “O LORD, do I not hate those who hate You? And am I not grieved with those who rise up against You? 22) I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.”
King David does make a bold statement here concerning evil and wickedness and of hating his enemies and the enemies of God. Now, certainly, Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ accepted this psalm here of King David – that those who hate God are King David’s enemies. However, our Lord Jesus Christ emphatically commands us and says, “’ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” – as it was said here by King David. “’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that YOU may be sons [and daughters] of your Father in heaven; …’”
Now in the Book of Proverbs King Solomon – through the writings to his son – warned us of having monetary gain and power and becoming associated with wicked men. Cf. Proverbs 1:10.
So, what should we do – as Christians – if someone evil or wicked comes in contact with you or with the Body of Christ – the living Church of God!?
Let us turn over into the New Testament – beginning in the Book of Romans the 16th chapter. Turning back to the New King James Version.
Verse 17 – the apostle Paul had to deal with this on a number of occasions. There are many examples of disruptions that happened within the Church – people that were trying on a number of occasions to destroy the congregations, to divide the Church. And the apostle Paul had to deal with it over and over again. Here he ends this letter to the church which was in Rome – “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions …” – it means to make a note of that person. “ … and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” – doesn’t say, ‘hate them,’ does it!?
Verse 18 – “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, …” – so they are there for their own gratification, their own gain. “ … and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” – ‘For those who are such,’ meaning, like he writes and tells Brother Timothy, “For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, …” Even the church organization I speak of – they love widow women who send money and asks no serious doctrinal questions. ‘The simple,’ meaning, the unwary, the unsuspecting.
Turning to 1st Corinthians the 5th chapter. We read this during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 1st Corinthians was written in 56 AD. Which is twenty-five decades after the human life and death of Jesus Christ. The Book of 1st Corinthians, in one sense, it’s simply Paul saying, “Hey, Corinthians, you’re screwing up big time! And I want you to get this straight!” So, 1st Corinthians by enlarge is a letter of correction. It’s an admonition – it’s a ‘you’re not doing this right!’ “Your glorying is not good.” As he says to the Corinthians in verse 6 – “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” So, the apostle Paul is indeed saying – that a person within their congregation (here speaking about one being married or having a sexual relationship with one’s own step-mother) committing heinous acts will eventually leaven the whole lump. Such as the old idiom, a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch.
God emphatically commands us over in 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 –
Verse 14 - “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15) And what accord has Christ with Belial [another name for Satan the devil]? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16) And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you [your physical body] are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ 17) Therefore ‘COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. …’”
Now, that does not mean that we cannot have contact with this world or people of other beliefs. And, it certainly does not mean that you cannot buy food from a store staffed with unbelievers, or with professing Christians of other beliefs.
The apostle Paul clarifies back in 1st Corinthians –
Verse 10 - “Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11) But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother [a so-called brother or sister], who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person.”
We are not to have social or religious FELLOWSHIP – in other words, close friendship – with any except those who know and OBEY the TRUTH of God. We must try to WORSHIP with them – and attend those churches.
In the Book of 2nd Thessalonians chapter 3 –
He explains this a little further.
Verse 6 – “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother [one which is in the congregation calling themselves a brother or sister] who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which [they] received from us.”
The word “tradition” is the Greek word paradosis, which is more akin to the meaning, teachings, or ordinances. Meaning the ordinances which were laid down by our Lord Jesus Christ under the New Covenant!
Verse 7 – “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; …”
And, how will you recognize them!?
Let us turn over to the Book of 1st Timothy chapter 3 –
Verse 1 – “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come …”
And he’s not just speaking of this world, but also of professing Christians. Recall, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “ … ‘Many will be offended …’” – many professing Christians will be offended i.e. that you preach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God. “ … ‘will betray one another, and will hate one another.’” – and as I’ve said before, as Brother Paul WARNS, “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” “’ Many false prophets [and surely false ministers] will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound …’” – and He is speaking concerning the churches of God – “ … ‘the love of many will grow cold.’”
Verse 2 – “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, …”
Now, when you are reading this – just imagine what not only this world is like TODAY, but also what so many ministers are like. Many ministers and church organizations do not have the fruits of God’s Spirit and are indeed lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, and unholy. Recall, Jesus said, “’ You will know them by their fruits.’” So many ministers who put on a ‘Really Big Shew’ as Ed Sullivan would say, are but “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15)! These “ministers of righteousness” are quick to point their finger to the world and anyone in their flock they deem unrighteous, but they are not so quick to look at themselves.
Verse 3 – “unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, …” – and here is where we know that the apostle Paul was not just speaking of the world at large –
Verse 5 – “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
Now, is it possible that a very leader of a church organization among the people will secretly bring in false teachings (what I had previously called ‘erroneous teachings’) and will actually deny the Lord who bought them!? The apostle Peter says, ‘Yes indeed!’
Turn with me over to the Book of 2nd Peter chapter 2 –
Verse 1 – “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly [meaning, they will act as “ministers of righteousness”] bring in destructive heresies, EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”
Verse 2 – “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3) By covetousness they will exploit you …”
Now, brethren, I speak to you here - what we might find revealing is — both from our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles — is how revealing the everyday lives of false teachers are about their falseness. They are not just false in their teaching, but also in their living. For beneath their erroneous teachings is doctrinal error – however subtle it may be. And, sadly, these subtle deceptions may not appear overnight; they may take time. But they will come out!
Here are the living words of Jesus Christ on this matter –
Matthew chapter 7 –
Verse 15 – “’ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16) You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20) Therefore by their fruits you will know them.’”
Jesus said it twice for clarification and importance: You will recognize them by their fruits. 2 Peter I find remarkable in how it fleshes out our Lord Jesus’ warning about the fruit of false teachers. Verses 1 and 3 mentions generalities “destructive teachings” and “false words” which indeed relate to teaching. But then, nothing further in this chapter focuses on their teaching. Everything else is about their lives.
We can certainly break it down to three essential categories – all three being about character and conduct, not their teaching:
- Pride, or defying authority – v. 10. They deny “the Master who bought them with a price.” See also verse 12-13, 18.
- Authoritative – v. 2. “Many people will follow as authoritative their destructive ways.” See also verses 10, 12-14, 19.
- Greed for money and monetary gain – v. 3. “through insatiable greed they will with enticing messages exploit you for gain.” See also verses 14-15.
So, their falseness comes out in sin – sin against themselves, against others, and against Almighty God and Jesus Christ. In their greed, they fleece their flock for monetary gain. Or, in their lust of flesh, they compromise sexually (i.e. fornication, adultery, or even homosexuality, which the apostle Peter eludes to in verse 6). Or, even in their pride, they “despise authority” – v. 10. And the greatest Authority in all the universe is GOD THE FATHER! In which JESUS CHRIST is in complete unison!
But in the end, my brethren – the apex of Brother Peter’s teaching here is this – the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of trials.
Our Lord and Savior, as I testify to you, is not only the greatest Teacher who ever lived, but He is also our great SAVIOR, who has redeemed us from the death penalty and will truly keep us from those who wish to destroy our eternal life – our promised crown. For like what occurred to me just this last year during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, Jesus saves those who know His voice – John 10:27. □
Bibliography:
1) Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.R., Brown, D., Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, 1982, pp. 124.
