Psalm 88; Heman the Ezrahite; and a Vision of Hell

Should we listen to, and consider, testimonial accounts by individuals making the claim that God revealed to them Hell – either through dreams, visions, or visitations?  Are their accounts supported by scripture?  Does the fruit of these accounts direct others to Jesus and His Gospel?  Are others brought to Jesus Christ, alone, through hearing the testimony of these individual accounts?  (Romans 10:17 says: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.)  Are the individuals testifying asking for money, or seeking attention and fame through sensationalism?  

There is power in the testimony!  Finally, Revelation 12:11 says of our testimonies: …they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

As I was reading Psalm 88, accredited to Heman the Ezrahite, it resembled very much (to me) the accounts of individuals who claim God has revealed to them Hell.  It also sounds very much like many numerous and varied descriptions of hell throughout the Bible.  Psalm 88 reads: [1] O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You. [2] Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry! [3] For my soul has had enough troubles, And my life has drawn near to Sheol. [4] I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength, [5] Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand. [6] You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths. [7] Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah. [8] You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out. [9] My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD; I have spread out my hands to You. [10] Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah. [11] Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? (Note: Abaddon is another name for Hell) [12] Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? [13] But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. [14] O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? [15] I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome. [16] Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. [17] They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether. [18] You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.

This  Psalm sounds very much like the numerous testimonies of hell given by mostly unknown people who could be considered as people of no account.  They are not known, wealthy, famous, etc.  The Author of Psalm 88, however, is a rather obscure character in the Bible.  Yet, in his time Heman was well known and respected.  Let’s learn some of what the Bible tells of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 Chronicles 6:31-38 outlines duties and ancestry of Heman.  It reads, "[31]Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark rested there. [32] They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and they served in their office according to their order. [33] These are those who served with their sons: From the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, [34] the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, [35] the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, [36] the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, [37] the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, [38] the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel."

Heman was one of the men chosen by David to be over the music service of the Temple, along with other names mentioned in the scriptures.  Heman was the grandson of the prophet and judge Samuel.  Though information about his family history is minimal, we can take away from what is documented in the Bible that Heman was a servant of God.  We will see through scripture, too, that Heman was blessed by God.

Heman’s service to God is shown in 1 Chronicles 15:16-19: "[16] Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. [17] So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel, and from his relatives, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and from the sons of Merari their relatives, Ethan the son of Kushaiah, [18] and with them their relatives of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. [19] So the singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan were appointed to sound aloud cymbals of bronze..."

In 1 Chronicals 25:1-7 we learn that part of Heman's service to God was as a Seer for King David.  Here, too, we read that Heman was blessed by God with many children.  It reads: "[1] Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals; and the number of those who performed their service was: [2] Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. [3] Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD. [4] Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. [5] All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer to exalt him according to the words of God, for God gave fourteen sons and three daughters to Heman. [6] All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, harps and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the direction of the king. [7] Their number who were trained in singing to the LORD, with their relatives, all who were skillful, was 288.

Heman the Ezrahite was known as a wise man.  When the scriptures tell of the wisdom of King Solomon, the wisdom of Heman is mentioned as a contrast.  So, although not as wise as Solomon, Heman was known and revered as a wise man.  1 Kings 4:30-31 tells us: "[30] Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. [31] For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations."

In the reading of Psalm 88 we can clearly see that the Psalmist was distraught, and whatever he experienced was terrifying and hellish.  Yet, he was a man of God - of wisdom, blessing, respected, and a Seer.  Whenever a teaching, prophecy, or testimony is given - no matter how disturbing or uncomfortable – we should always take it to the Lord in prayer, test it against the scriptures, and test the spirits.  The Bible is clear that God gives visions!  We need to take care not to practice a blanket rejection of uncomfortable messages and testimonies - nor to reject those from whom the revelation comes.  We must take care to consider and heed God’s warnings - whomever they come through.  God will give His people discernment if we seek not to be deceived, but to follow the Truth.  

Too, we must remember – God is Holy, merciful, good, and just!  He always warns us – time after time.  God is not willing that any should perish.  God has made a way for each of us, not through our own merit (we have none!), but through Jesus Christ alone.  He is all our righteousness. His Name is ‘O Lord, Our Righteousness!’

STUMBLING ON THE CORNERSTONE

 

The Holy Bible is full of accounts telling of the hatred towards, and persecution of, God’s people – His Prophets, and even His Son.  King Ahab said of the Prophet Micaiah, “I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me”.  This comment is the tell-all of the reason people hate the true Prophets of God and God's Son, Jesus Christ.  In John 15:18-20 Jesus made it clear to His Follower of The Way that, "[18] If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  

A true Follower of Jesus Christ can expect hatred and persecution from the world.  They can expect trials.  They can expect, too, that God will keep them.  God will never leave, or forsake, His Servant – His Child – no matter outward appearances!

Another difficulty the Prophets, and even the Son Jesus Christ, experienced was the difficulty of the Message – not only the reactions to the Message.  A vision from God – a truth – can be disturbing like no other thing.  Would that the disturbance of God’s warnings would lead to repentance, rather than hatred.

Isaiah predicts Jesus’ disturbing and violent death in Isaiah 53:1-12:

[1] Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? [2] For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. [3] He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. [4] Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. [6] All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. [7] He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? [9] His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. [10] But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. [11] As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

In 1 Kings 19:3-8 we read that Queen Jezebel (who had killed most of the prophets of God) sent men to kill Elijah, too.  We read, in this scripture, that:

[3] …he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. [4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers." [5] He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat." [6] Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. [7] The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you." [8] So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

1 Kings 22:7-9,13-28 tells us of King Ahab, and his hatred of the Prophet, Micaiah – which, in truth, was a hatred of God’s words.  The king wanted only words he perceived as ‘favorable’ to him.  So, King Ahab had the Prophet Micaiah thrown in prison.  We read:

[7] But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?" [8] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." But Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so." [9] Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Bring quickly Micaiah son of Imlah."…  [13] Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, "Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably." [14] But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I shall speak." [15] When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?" And he answered him, "Go up and succeed, and the LORD will give it into the hand of the king." [16] Then the king said to him, "How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" [17] So he said, "I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.'" [18] Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" [19] Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. [20] The LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. [21] Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' [22] The LORD said to him, 'How?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, 'You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.' [23] Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you." [24] Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "How did the Spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?" [25] Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you enter an inner room to hide yourself." [26] Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son; [27] and say, 'Thus says the king, "Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely."'" [28] Micaiah said, "If you indeed return safely the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Listen, all you people."

In Daniel 8:1,26-27 we read that Daniel had a vision from God that disturbed him so much that it made him ‘'exhausted and sick for days’.  We read:

[1] In the third year of the reign of Belshazzar the king a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one which appeared to me previously...  [26] "The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future." [27] Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.

In Jeremiah 38:1-13 we read that Jeremiah was thrown in a cistern because officers did not approve of his word from God:

[1] Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to all the people, saying, [2] "Thus says the LORD, 'He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive.' [3] Thus says the LORD, 'This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.'" [4] Then the officials said to the king, "Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm." [5] So King Zedekiah said, "Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you." [6] Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. [7] But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king's palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; [8] and Ebed-melech went out from the king's palace and spoke to the king, saying, [9] "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city." [10] Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, "Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies." [11] So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king's palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah. [12] Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes"; and Jeremiah did so. [13] So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse.

Finally, Jesus gives us a Parable about God – the OWNER OF THE VINEYARD (the World) – and the treatment, by the World, of His Prophets, and His Son… God’s Servants and Heirs.  We read the Parable in Matthew 21:33-46:

[33] "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted A vineyard AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. [34] When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. [35] The vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. [36] Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. [37] But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' [38] But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' [39] They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. [40] Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?" [41] They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons." [42] Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? [43] Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. [44] And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." [45] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. [46] When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet.

Popularity with the World, comfort, and riches, are not indicators of God’s favor.  Rather, these are indicators of favor with the World…

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus had popularity – many Followers and Disciples.  Then came a day of words of Truth from Heaven which many stumbled over, and this caused the greatest majority to walk away from Jesus until only 12 remained – and one of those was a betrayer.  We read in John 6:52-71:

[52] Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" [53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. [54] He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. [56] He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. [58] This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever." [59] These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. [60] Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? [62] What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. [64] But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. [65] And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." [66] As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. [67] So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" [68] Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. [69] We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." [70] Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" [71] Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus - regardless of the cost, and by the help of Jesus - let us accept, and tell of, Jesus words... even, and especially, the hard ones.  Let the Cornerstone not be a stumbling block.  Let us love the Truth.  Let the Truth bring us to repentance, and not to hatred.  Let us be made perfect in Love, as our Father in Heaven is perfect.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He will set us free.  Let us not fear what man can do.  Let us walk in the fear of the Lord, only.  Amen.

Calling Out False Caller Outers (or 'Fake Watchmen', and my repentance)

There are Pastors who make it their calling to identify and call out false teachers, preachers, prophets, and healers, in the Church today.  They call them out by name.  I am not entirely opposed to this.  We should always bring Truth to a lie.  Yet, the Bible does set some guidelines for this type of behavior.  The first guideline would be love - first for God and His Kingdom, and then love for others.  

I have been guilty of joining in the choir of Caller Outers.  I apologize, and repent.  There are accounts, and words from God, in the Holy Bible where God specifically says He does not appreciate sacrifices which come from our own impulses (profane fire).  Rather, God wants obedience from His Children, and for us to seek His Counsel.  Our own potentially flawed initiative - however zealous - can be declared as 'good intentions' when, in truth, we have gone our own way in service to God.  God, instead, calls us to rest in Him, confident of His sufficiency.  He is the Potter.  We are the clay.  What God desires of us is trust and obedience - just like the old time Hymn says!

God has convicted me of this - forging ahead on my own impulses believing I am in service to God.  Does calling out falsehoods, and naming names, involve slander?  Does my behavior hurt the testimony of Jesus Christ?  Does my behavior hurt another's testimony?  Is my behavior really an evil manifestation of my heart to be prideful, mean spirited, and gossipy?  

What is done in obedience to God will not only encourage, but will also edify (correct), and honor and glorify God and His Kingdom.  It will never go contrary to the Holy Scriptures we have already been given.  God is One, and will never contradict Himself.  If we see contradiction in His Words the problem lies with us, not the scriptures and their intent.  When in obedience to God one will never cause harm to the Kingdom of God, nor to another's God given testimony.

I will give a few examples of the false calling out the false.  There is a Pastor who labels all visions of Jesus, Heaven, or Hell, as 'false' and demonic.  This he does even if the slandered testimony is entirely scripturally sound.  This Pastor justifies his practice from one or two verses he finds in the Holy Bible which he believes support his accusations and claims.  He does this to the point, now, of being slanderous and gossipy - in my estimation.  Zealous pride seems to have replaced zealous love.  He brings doubt and harm to other's testimonies, having set himself up as the expert, judge, and authority. 

Let's see what accounts the Holy Bible gives regarding those who have a testimony of 'seeing Jesus Christ':

Stephen saw Jesus in Acts 7.

Acts 7:54-60

[54]When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

[55]But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

[56]And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

[57]Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

[58]And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

[59]And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

[60]And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

In the Book of Acts Saul, (later becoming Paul), received a visitation from Jesus – and it transformed him, by REPENTANCE and obedience to Jesus’ personal instructions to Him. 

Repentance is what Jesus taught on earth.  A true vision of Jesus Christ will - first, and foremost - lead one to repentance, and produce a true conversion in that individual's life.  It will in no way contradict scripture.  We are to TEST THE SPIRITS!  Then the visited individual can't help but take the powerful testimony God has given them into the world, bringing others to repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ!  Only the devil will seek to destroy and discount such a powerful testimony for Jesus Christ.

Saul's account is in Acts 9:3-21.  We will see that after his encounter, with the real Jesus Christ,  Saul experiences repentance and conversation - in obedience to Jesus Christ :

[3]And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

[4]And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

[5]And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

[6]And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

[7]And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

[8]And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

[9]And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

[10]And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

[11]And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

[12]And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

[13]Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

[14]And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

[15]But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

[16]For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

[17]And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

[18]And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

[19]And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

[20]And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

[21]But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

What about Heavenly Visits?

In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul speaks of 'visions and revelations', and relates an account of an individual who was caught up into the ‘third Heaven’, and 'Paradise'.  Paul does not say he was caught up, but relates the testimony of another who was caught up.  He does not negate or malign this individual's testimony.  He uses it for the edification and encouragement of the Body of Believers. 

2 Corinthians 12:1-12

[1]It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

[2]I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

[3]And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

[4]How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

[5]Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

[6]For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

[7]And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

[8]For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

[9]And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[10]Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

[11]I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

[12]Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

As far as visions of hell, I simply test them against the scriptures - what the Bible tells us of hell.  It was through someone's experience of hell that I saw the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and the truth of myself and the gravity of my sins leading to repentance, and salvation in Jesus Christ.  In this salvation experience God taught me to fear Him - and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!  Jesus spoke of hell many times.  ANY vision must coincide with scripture and lead others to salvation in Jesus Christ, repentance from sin, and obedience. 

The only measure we should use against another’s testimony is if it is in line with scripture – such as professing Jesus as the Christ, leading to repentance and obedience.  Slander and gossip are grave and harmful sins.  A false and self appointed Watchman will lead many astray from their walk with Jesus to focus on false teachers and prophets instead of Jesus and His Kingdom, and doubting their conversion experience.

In the end we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, and the Word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).

Compromise With Deception

 A new video on compromise with deception:

https://youtu.be/ruoOLZd07EM

Psalm 119:103-105; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Isaiah 30:15

*Jesus said, in John 10:17-18:  "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

It was Jesus' love, and obedience to the Father, that 'held' Him to the Cross of Calvary. He did this for the sins of the world.

DIVINING END TIME PROPHECY

Recently I dismissed myself from an ongoing conversation about End Time Prophecy in the Holy Bible.  It was a conversation that I had allowed myself to be pulled into on Messenger, and I was trying to be helpful by the use of scripture applied to the conversation.  Yet, I began to get convicted about the use of my time, and the effect my participation was having on my husband.   As well, I have committed my words and conversations to the Lord - daily, even.  The conviction grew within me that the conversation was not pleasing to the Lord.  

One of the issues I was having with the conversation was the practice of divination.  The definition of divination is 'the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means'.  Yet, not all efforts of divination are 'supernatural'.  Some are intellectual - which is not so different, because this intellectual pursuit most often is accompanied with pride and the veneration of intellectualism.  It is a temptation to want to lord our intellect over that of another, or to want to believe we've been given 'special knowledge' from God - as if we are divinely preferred.  This is a type of idolatry.

There are many 'experts' of Biblical Prophecy.  There are date setters.  There are those who make one proclamation of understanding - and, those who make another of an opposing view.  Often we condemn people to hell who do not entertain our own understanding.  Yet, let's look at what the Holy Bible says - with the understanding that one either believes the words of the Holy Bible, or one does not.

Let me begin by saying that God delivered me from the darkness of witchcraft.  As with most all who are involed with the occult, a large part of my involvement with the occult was the practice of divination.   The Holy Bible tells us that those who practice withcraft and divination will not enter the Kingsdom of Heaven.   In fact, the Holy Bible is clear that those who practice such things are destined for hell.  False prophecies are a practice of divination.  We are repeatedly warned against False Prophets in the Bible.  It is surprising to me how much the Church has become involed in occult practices, and doesn't even know it.  They do not recognize these practices as occult and demonic, and can't even seem to 'hear' and heed the warnings againt them when offered by those who know, and recognize, witchcraft.  This would support the claim of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 when it says, "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Also, 2 Timothy 4:2-5 says, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

I have come to recognize this circumstance among the Christian community today as a consequence of rebellion against God, and His Words.  Certainly that is what ultimately led me into witchcraft!  Just as the Holy Bible says in 1 Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."  

Yesterday I began the Book of Acts in my daily reading of the Bible.  In the very first chapter of Acts I read a scripture which spoke to what I had been gleaning from the Holy Spirit about involvement in such pursuits and conversations as I outlined in the first paragraph of this Blog.  This scripture says, "Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be a witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

I saw here, in this scripture, that Jesus told His Disciples that times and seasons were not their business, but God the Father's business only.  Jesus then directed their consideration to the time they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and, as a result, be a witness to Jesus first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and ultimately to 'the end of the earth'.  Our concern is NOT times and seasons!  Our concern is to be a witness to Jesus.  Revelation 12:11 says, "And they overcame him (the evil one) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."  We are to be a witness and a testimony - NOT experts in Prophetic interpretation.  Anything we need to know about the times and seasons has been given us in the scriptures.  Understanding will be given us by the Holy Spirit of God, according to His wisdom and purpose.  Until then we are to live by faith, and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

As far as End Time events, what Jesus does tell us to do is 'watch' - not divinate.  As we 'watch' it is important to remember the account of Peter, and Jesus walking on the water, in Matthew 14:29-32, "So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."

In this account we see that although we are 'watching', our focus is to remain on Jesus.  If we set our attentions to the storms of this world we will surely sink.  Praise Jesus, when we then call out to Him He is faithful to save us!  Fixating on End Time prophecies is a way of distracting us from keeping our eyes upon Jesus.

Jesus gave His Disciples a detailed account of the End of Days in Matthew 24.  Verses 36-39 reiterate the truth that only Father God knows the day and the hour of Jesus' soon return: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

None of us knows the day, or time, we will be called out from this world and come to stand before Jesus, in judgement.  What the Holy Bible tells us is to "shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace..." (Ephesians 6:15).  This is a preparation - not a one time event.  We are always preparing to meet with Jesus, for none of us knows the hour or the day!  These shoes are shoes of action!  These shoes are shoes of preparation - of living, and sharing, the Gospel of Peace between man and God, found only through Jesus Christ the Savior.

Another example is that of the five wise Virgins, and the five foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

Watch!  Do not divine!  Prepare, by attending to your relationship with Jesus Christ!  

Here is some of what the Bible says about divination, and those who attempt to divine the times:

Jeremiah 29:8-9  "For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord."

Ezekiel 12:24  "For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 13:6-7  "They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The Lord says,’ but I have not spoken.”

You see?  Those who set dates, and attempt to divine prophecy by their own expertise, flatter their selves.  They are hoping their word will be confirmed, yet it will not.

Here is wisdom, in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Above all, seek God and His KIngdom, for, "...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  Seek first God, and His Kingdom!  Dates, times, and seasons, are only God's business - under His authority, alone.  Our business is to be a witness and a testimony for Jesus Christ to the world.

What Held Jesus to the Cross

Our sin was the purpose of Jesus' death on the Cross.  We must know this, for it is elemental in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Yet, it is not our sin that 'held' Jesus to the Cross.   It was something much greater.  To repeat the line from a modern worship song, "it was my sin that held Him (Jesus) there" (on the Cross) - which has become a popular saying in today's modern church - is not truth, so detracting from the more blessed and profound Truth.  Jesus laid down his life (voluntarily), and took His life back up again.  It was His Character that held Jesus on the Cross - His love and obedience.  Let us recall Jesus prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Matthew 26:36-39 NKJV

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." [37] And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. [38] Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." [39] He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

And -

Matthew 26:42 NKJV

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."

And finally -

Matthew 26:44 NKJV

So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Now Jesus asks us to take up our Cross, and follow (emulate) Him.  What holds us to this (voluntary) taking up of the Cross is the same as what held Jesus to His death on the Cross - love and obedience - and this we can only do by abiding in Christ Jesus.  Apart from abiding in Him I can do nothing.  And, God gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell us so we may receive power to live a Godly life.

In Ezekiel we read:

Ezekiel 36:22-32 NKJV

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. [23] And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. [24] For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. [25] Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. [28] Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. [29] I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. [30] And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. [31] Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. [32] Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!"

So, here we see that God brings redemption to Israel - making them a New Creation - for the sake of His Holy Name.  However, He lets them see, remember, and abhor the sins of their past (one who has been forgiven much loves much!)  

In the presence and Light of a Holy God we can only be ashamed and confounded for our own ways.   We can only be in awe of His great goodness, kindnesses, patience, and love!   God makes it clear that our salvation, in Christ Jesus, is done for His sake.   "For God so loved the world..."  Our salvation in Christ Jesus is for His Name's sake - and how we, in Christ Jesus, benefit so greatly from our Holy Heavenly Father!  

Our Holy God is perfect in love and mercy.  His laws are perfect, and they are fulfilled in Christ Jesus.  God meets the terms of Who He is - His perfect Divine Nature - in Christ Jesus.  How mankind benefits from the Beauty of God's Holiness!  Praise be to God!  I am SO thankful for His compassions which fail not!  I am just so grateful for WHO HE IS - "I AM".  Because of Who He is - because Jesus lives - I have life, free from the bondage and consequence of sin - Praise be to Jesus!  It is from God's intention and heart that He sent Jesus - from His profound love.  In Jesus, evil and darkness have been defeated.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord!  I am so very grateful that Jesus chose to be held to the Cross, and take up His life again from death, to redeem my Soul.  I am so grateful for Jesus' love and obedience!  I am so grateful for God's Holiness, and perfect love for mankind - not willing that any should perish. Amen.

Troubles; Trials; Tribulations

 A 'season' of miracles and 'breakthroughs' - usually understood in a material/carnal way - is not promised to us in Christ Jesus.  Those 'Prophets' teaching this are false.  They are liars, and their father is the devil.  I know this because this is contrary to what the Holy Bible informs and warns us.  Jeremiah 23 tells us all about false prophets, what they say, and God's position against them. 

Jeremiah 23:11-22,29-32 NKJV

"For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness," says the LORD. [12] "Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment," says the LORD. [13] "And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: They prophesied by Baal And caused My people Israel to err. [14] Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah. [15] "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the land.'" [16] Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD. [17] They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace"'; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" [18] For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? [19] Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury- A violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. [20] The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. [21] "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. [22] But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings. [29] "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? [30] "Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who steal My words every one from his neighbor. [31] Behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.' [32] Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," says the LORD, "and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all," says the LORD.

Here, in this scripture from Jeremiah, we see that the words from false Prophets do not cause repentance - their words do not cause people to turn from wicked ways.  Their words lead people on the path of destruction.  They commit adultery in their words - unfaithfulness.  Their words are darkness, and a slippery path.  These false prophets steal God's words from the flock, causing God's people to err.  Their words are sugary rot, and God is against them.  God tells us what their end shall be.  God tells us that His Words are a consuming fire!  A hammer that breaks the rock into pieces!

Yet, in the end times the Bible tells us many people will prefer a lie to the truth, so God gives them over to lies.  

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 NKJV

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, [10] and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, [12] that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These scriptures speak of religious people - not just 'non-Christians'...  "having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV

What Jesus did tell us is that in this world we will have trials, tribulations, and troubles.  Jesus also said to take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  What Jesus did promise is salvation from the consequences of sin (death and decay) for the one who repents (turns).  Jesus promised us eternal life with Him, in His Kingdom, for those who believe.  He promised us comfort and rest as we trust in Him - keeping our eyes upon Him as the waves rage about us.  Remember, God led His children out of slavery in Egypt, and into the WILDERNESS where He fed them manna and gave them water to drink.  Still, they complained and were ungrateful and unfaithful. 

Are your eyes upon the world?  Is your confidence in yourself?  If so, you will sink in the waters of troubles.  Keep your eyes upon Jesus, and your confidence in Him.  He is our Hope.  The way we will overcome the world, and the evil one, is by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.  (Revelation 12:11)  

Mark 9:49 NKJV

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt."

Jesus is coming for a Bride that is purified, without spot or wrinkle - purified in the fires of adversity, seasoned with salt, and washed in the Blood of the Lamb. 

Hymn, by Annie Johnson Flint;

God Hath Not Promised

1

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

2

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

3

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

Refrain:

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.