The power of God is all things

1 Cor.
{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
{2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
{2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.


Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men.

What does that mean exactly? Men have their own wisdom, God another.

wisdom (wîz´dem) noun
1. Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; insight
2. Common sense; good judgment
3. a. The sum of scholarly learning through the ages; knowledge b. Wise teachings of the ancient sages.
4. A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.
5. Wisdom. Bible. Wisdom of Solomon.

Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary

'The sum of scholarly learning through the ages, knowledge.' Our faith is not explained in all the knowledge of the world in a logical way. Faith itself defies logic to those thinking only in facts, only in the wisdom of men.

'{2:5} That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.'

The power of God gives us faith. We can't concern ourselves with anything that would tear down our faith no matter what it might be. Not the most logical reasoning should rip the faith from us. We can't let faith rest on the wisdom man possesses, it has to rest on the power of God alone.

1 Cor. {2:6} Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
{2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom,] which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
{2:8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it,] they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

We speak wisdom among them that are perfect- NOT wisdom of this world.
The princes of this world might have great wisdom but it's not the wisdom that matters a bit.
The wisdom of God is a mystery, hidden wisdom- a wisdom that produced our salvation for God ordained before the world this glory. Yet all the wise of the world, those holding high positions in wisdom as the world knows it, all of the didn't know, couldn't comprehend such a mystery, such wisdom of God.

1 Cor. {2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

This statement says so incredibly much, doesn't it? Seriously, the things God has prepared for us go way beyond our comprehension, way beyond our imaginations. The greatest thing we can imagine that is in store for us who love God, falls far short of what ways for us.

Eye hasn't seen!
Ears haven't heard!
Our hearts are clueless.

God's love is way beyond our own.

May we grasp hold of our Lord and Savior and never let go of Him, letting our faith, a faith given and helped by Him, please Him. May His wisdom be real to us, He's all wise, all knowing.


The power of God is that faith. The power of God is all things.


By His grace and mercy, by His love now and forever!

Amen.

It should be all about JESUS and Him crucified

1 Cor.
{2:1} And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God. {2:2} For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.


The IMPORTANT thing- not excellency in speaking; not excellency in wisdom; not holding a PHD in religion, or in public speaking, or in charisma- but rather KNOWING Jesus Christ and Him crucified.


We tend to give credit to people who are naturally attractive and well poised. We tend to give our attention to those who can make us feel good about ourselves. We look up to people who are sheer genius and go- now why couldn't I have done/thought of that? Our hats go off to those who are accomplished in society. We applaud those who can come across as someone you can trust just by speaking to us. How many people have lost millions of dollars over the years to those who have 'talked them' out of their life savings? These brilliant, captivating people who seemingly have an excellency of speech with a healthy side order of wisdom can bilk hundreds, thousands of people and yet we still are amazed and wowed by those who make us feel good about OURSELVES. A man cannot talk another man into investing thousands of dollars unless they've made the person feel good about what they are doing. The best way to talk a man out of his money is to make it seem like he is doing the SMART thing, the WISE thing, the GOOD thing, the thing that will prove to be right in their own eyes. The more you can convince a man of HIS own genius the more money you can take from him.


Is it any wonder at all that Paul says here - I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. It really is no wonder at all. Paul wasn't a smooth talker, able to sway with his special charasmatic manner or brilliant wisdom as the world knew. Paul was determined to just know Jesus Christ and Him crucified- that's it! To know Christ! To know the wonder of the cross! If more of us would seek the wonder of the cross and get our minds off ourselves and the superficial things how much better off we would be. If instead of looking to Christ to puff ourselves up we looked to Him just to KNOW Him our eyes would be taken off our selves and trained up the only righteousness that exists, Christ's.


I've heard the saying- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Have you heard that? Maybe you've had a disagreement with someone and there's a bit of arguing and the retort that is thrown into your face is- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Arguments usually result when one person believes they are right and another not quite so right. One person believes their thoughts and such are on the right track, while another's aren't. The last argument you had- think about it if you can, did you want to drive your own opinion, your own beliefs, your own point home? Did you want to get the other person to somehow agree that you are in the right over them? If they'd just stop arguing and listen to... who? You? Yes. If they'd just stop all their fussing and see reason, why they'd surely see your point of view on the matter. Why do they have to be so stubborn?


Don't you see, it's all about US.


When it should be all about JESUS and Him crucified. The power of God is in the cross. Knowing Jesus and Him crucified should be our ONLY concern.


The other saying, 'What would Jesus do?' Is very appropriate in the sense, what would the Lord Jesus have me doing in light of His crucifiction; what would Jesus have me do to glorify Him to point all others and myself solely to Him and the cross? We can't get caught up in this - I know what Jesus would do and bad me, I'm doing just the opposite or I know what Jesus would do and look at me, I'm doing it. Our doing anything other than seeking Him in the wonder of the cross is nothing. We could help fifty old ladies across the street because we believe that's what Jesus would do, but unless we know Jesus as our constant and personal Lord and Savior we could do what Jesus would do forever and still not be known by Him.


May the Lord turn our eyes solely upon Him and His wondrous sacrifice. Make we seek to know Christ and Him crucified first and foremost. That is- KNOW CHRIST, not know ourselves. We must seek to know CHRIST not self even in the light of Christ. Christ first always!


By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and sacrifice we are saved, now and forever.


Amen.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness

1 Cor. {1:18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God.


The power of God is found where? In the cross.


Ro. {1:16} For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. {1:17} For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall
live by faith.


Ro. {1:24}
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.


Christ is the power of God. Jesus dying for us and being resurrected by God is the power of God. Who could have resurrected Jesus from the dead but God? None. Only God had the power to resurrected the dead Christ. Jesus when he preached and wrought miracles for the three and a half years of His ministry preached it and wrought the miracles through God. Jesus even said -


John {5:19} 'Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.'



John {8:28} Then said Jesus unto
them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye
know that I am [he,] and [that] I do nothing of myself; but
as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. {8:29}
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me
alone; for I do always those things that please him.


God- the power of God. Those that are saved will know that the cross is the embodiment of God's power. God is revealed to us through His Son.


There is nothing greater than the power of God, nothing!


To those that perish they won't care about the power of God found in the cross, to them it is foolishness.


We have no power of our own this is the message of the cross. No power to save ourselves whatsoever. Whenever we get it in our heads that we are losing salvation because we aren't good enough, trying hard enough, that our sins are too many, too binding, too overwhelming we have to remember salvation isn't something we'll EVER be good enough for. We could NOT save ourselves that power is in the cross through the sacrifice of our Savior, God's Son, Jesus Christ!


Holding fast to the cross, clinging to the cross needs to be real to us because it represents all that has been done on our behalf. It is a forever reminder of our helplessness and Christ's Righteousness which we must understand is ours through Him. He presents His sacrifice on our behalf, His righteousness. He doesn't stand before the Father and say... She/He was good- but rather through faith they believe I can save them through my righteousness. They believe in me, and in believing in me they believe in Your power, the believe in You.


May God bless and keep us in that faith that we need so desperately to please Him. I cry out as a man of old- Lord I believe! Help thou my unbelief!


While Satan tries his hardest to get us to look inward at our unrighteousness and to take our eyes from the cross, we must cling ever tighter to it, ever tighter!


By the mercy, the grace, the love of Jesus Christ may we be found righteous in HIM and HIM alone, not with any bit our ourselves, only, always Him!


Amen.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me

Ps. {34:4} I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.


Isa. {66:1} Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? {66:2} For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

{66:3} He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. {66:4} I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.


God knows. God understands the depths of selfishess the human heart holds. Everything must be our way. We delight in the things we bring about, of what we believe is our own accord. The delusions we hold are full. Ask, and people well tell you that self-sufficiency is the prize for which we should strive. Self assurance, self love, self adoration, self...self...we are deluded with self. We are told to look inwards to our own powers, find our inner strength, inner peace. We are filled with the idea that we control our own lives and try to tell someone something different and they'll nod and smile, or argue with their logic.


God will use the delusions people hold because He has tried to get them to see that without Him, their Creator they are nothing and they wouldn't believe. He's tried and tried and tried... but consistently people choose to look inward, not outward, to glorify self not God. They think they are doing good but their good is evil. The keep looking to themselves for salvation as if they controlled it, as if they had power to give or take it away. Salvation exists not because we've designed it or reject it, or accept it. Salvation exists and we have to believe it. We can choose to believe it or not, but our choice won't alter it's existence. Yes, we are allowed our delusions because we wouldn't have it any other way. There is no wonder so few will be ready for Christ when He returns. The idea of giving up self for anything is repugnant to us. We've been taught from childhood to think of ourselves first. We call it self-preservation and make it seem as if without thinking of ourselves first we are condemning ourselves. Us first, then others second, and the few who can go beyond that are the oddities. Giving up self and giving us over to God. God first is possible through faith and faith alone, by Christ and His righteousness because we have none of ourselves. By His mercy! By His Grace! By His love! May the Holy Spirit fill us and keep us. May we not suffer under any delusion the devil may bring before us to keep us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ, our Savior. By His Grace may we be delivered of all our fears and may our unbelief be helped and by Jesus' love and mercy, by His power may we have the faith we need to be His completely.


Amen.

Christ's

Ro. {15:30} Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus
Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive
together with me in [your] prayers to God for me


For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
For the love of the Spirit.


1 Cor. {4:9} For I think
that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men. {4:10} We [are] fools for
Christ’s sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but
ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised.
{4:11} Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
dwellingplace; {4:12} And labour, working with our own
hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer
it: {4:13} Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the
filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things
unto this day. {4:14} I write not these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn [you. ]{4:15} For though ye
have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet [have ye] not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel.


1 Cor. {7:22} For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is
the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being]
free, is Christ’s servant. {7:23} Ye are bought with a price;
be not ye the servants of men. {7:24} Brethren, let every
man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.


Let every man wherein he is called-
therein abide with God.


1 Cor {15:21} For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also
the resurrection of the dead. {15:22} For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {15:23} But every
man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they
that are Christ’s at his coming. {15:24} Then [cometh] the
end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and
all authority and power. {15:25} For he must reign, till he
hath put all enemies under his feet. {15:26} The last enemy
[that] shall be destroyed [is] death. {15:27} For he hath put
all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are
put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did
put all things under him. {15:28} And when all things shall
be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be
subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may
be all in all.

Afterward...

They that are Christ's at his coming.


2 Cor. {5:20}
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye
reconciled to God. {5:21} For he hath made him [to be] sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.


We pray you in Christ's stead...
be ye reconciled to God.


2 Cor. {12:10} 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.


For Christ's sake...
for when I am weak then am I strong.


Gal. {5:24}
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts. {5:25} If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit. {5:26} Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another.


They that are Christ's...
have crucified the flesh.
If we live in the Spirit...
let us also walk in the Spirit.


Eph. {4:32} And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you


Forgiving one another...
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


1 Pet. {4:12} Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: {4:13} But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. {4:14} If
ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye;] for
the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part
he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.


Rejoice...
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.


For Christ's sake; those that are Christ's; Christ's sufferings; are Christ's; Christ's stead; Christ's servant.


We are Christ's. We belong to Christ.
We must live in the Spirit, the Spirit Christ gives to us.


Have you ever felt compelled by the Spirit? I'm not talking some mystical otherworldly experience but rather have you ever felt the tugging of a Spirit within you to go against the natural man in you? The Holy Spirit is real and has been given to us so that we may live in Christ.


Ps. {51:10} Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.
{51:11} Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy
spirit from me.
{51:12} Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with
thy] free spirit.


By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ may the Holy Spirit live in us, sealing us, making us Christ's forever and ever. Please Lord, take not thy Holy Spirit from us, from me. By faith, through Christ's righteousness none of my own but through His alone, forever and ever.


Amen.

He begins the work in us and he'll finish it.

Phillipians {1:6} Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ


It's not once begun and quickly finished. People like the idea of a finished work and it's not that I don't like the idea it's just that the idea is coated thickly in finishing as quickly as possible. The quicker things are done the better especially if they're done properly. Having unfinished projects that aren't worked on is never fun. Who likes to have a bunch of partially finished works in progress- no matter what it is? Yet there are some things that require time to complete. Some things are works in progress that take years to complete. Some things cannot be rushed. A good wine takes time- you've heard the saying. Some cheeses well aged are perfection. Getting a degree in education helps you get a good job and some degrees take a long time to obtain and you can't rush things. Taking our time to get things right the first time is very important and as much as we talk about rushing through things and finishing them quickly that isn't always the best thing.


It's the same with our Christian lives.


We begin them and think that suddenly we are completely what Christ wants us to be. We've been born again. We might even feel that wonderful feeling of having a new life, a new beginning, a new lease on an old life that promises better things. We might feel freed from the weight of past sins because they are all forgiven. We might have an intense emotional upheaval that makes us feel amazing. We feel these things and believe that we should always feel these things and that life will go on to be this amazing thing because we've accepted Jesus and want to live in Jesus.


The Christian life is like any other life in the respect even if you're not a Christian you have to live and get by to the best of your ability. The Christian life differs because you recognize that you aren't going to go through this life alone, on your own, you want to go through this life with Christ. You recognize that only through Christ can a life that makes little sense begin to make sense. There is a complete senselessness to life if you live it without Christ. You live it for no reason. You live it biding your time, accepting all the bad things for no reason at all.


Christ brings meaning to life by offering a new life in Him. Is that life instantaneous? In some ways it is. The promise is instant. The completion of that promise isn't realized until Christ comes again. The stuff inbetween is what we call our life. The moment the promise is made and accepted, and the moment Christ returns can be a full lifetime of say, 70, 80 years of inbetween for some. For others it's only a day long, because the next day they die and sleep until Christ returns but their life inbetween is over. The next thing those who sleep in Christ will know is Christ returning- the promise fulfilled, the work that was begun complete.


You see there is a work begun in us when we accept Christ. He begins the work in us and he'll finish it.


Phillipians {1:6} Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ


We have to be confident. We have to trust that as we go through life He is working in us. We have to let Him work in us. We have to understand we are embarking on a work that will take a lifetime without any completion until Christ returns. The completed work is only done when Christ arrives until then we are works in progress.


During the walk we'll get discouraged. We'll feel like the promise is far, far away. We might feel like the promise has been broken. We have to have confidence in Jesus that He will continue to make us into the creatures He wants us to be for Him when He returns. We can't make ourselves... we can't do the work ourselves. Christ who is the one who begins the work will finish the work upon His return, until then He is performing it in us. He will perform it, HE WILL PERFORM. He takes the action and it is our job to let Him perform it in us, believing that He will continue to perform it until He returns. We can't try to take over and perform it ourselves, we can't. We might try and that's where we run into trouble. We try to do Jesus' job in ourselves.


When people are given a job to do and they go and do another's job is it acceptable? Generally it's not. If someone is doing another's job the chances are they're not doing their own job. This is one thing that isn't better when it's taken over by another because NO ONE can do this job, only Jesus can and all those who think they can do His job are deluded and it's a deadly delusion they suffer under. If they are attempting to do Jesus' job then Jesus' can't perform that work, He's being interfered with. It's our job to LET Him work in us. That's our only job and yet we often find it hard to do that one simple thing- let go and let Him.


We have to take our self out of us to let Jesus in us, right? Wrong.


We are filled to the brim with self. And while it's logical to assume that we can be no other way, we know for a fact that selfishness isn't a good trait. Living among people who only think of themselves and no others isn't a good thing. We applaud the person who give up their own selfish wants so they can make another happy and yet we don't foster that in ourselves. We want to be the one catered to. Selfishness isn't a good trait at all. Wanting things our way and only our way is not good. Self is not good. So how do we empty ourselves of this selfishness?


We rely on Christ to perform that work in us. To empty us as we LET Him. We have to let HIM work in us. Because if we try to take out the selfishness even then we are claiming that work which isn't in us to perform. Does this mean we cling to all our selfish acts and do so in defiance of Christ? Absolutely not. We cling to nothing but offer it all to Christ. We recognize all that which makes us what we are and we give it to Christ asking Him to perform in us knowing that He will perform in His way, not our way. We might want Him to get rid of one thing but He might want to work on another area first. We can't presume to know how Christ is to perform the work in us, we have to trust that He will. We can lay claim to nothing accept surrendering ourselves to Christ, nothing. It's a constant surrender, and a constant knowing that His way is perfect ours is not and if we let Him He will perform His perfect way in us until He comes again.


May God through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ begin, continue, and forever work in us performing His good work in each of us until He returns. By His righteousness, by His grace, by His love now and forever.


Amen.

The Battle of Armageddon.

The Battle of Armageddon.


A study from William Grotheer - A few updates after his article, as well as my personal comments.


**

1978 Oct -- THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY -- Part 1 -- We in our thinking have come to consider Armageddon to be a battle, while the Scripture is clear that it is the place of the battle. The battle is the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14)
(1) And for that battle, "the spirits of devils" gather the leadership of the whole world "together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." (Rev. 16:16)


In this series of studies we shall note three separate, yet interrelated topics. The first study will be merely to direct attention to certain Old Testament texts with brief observations.


In the third chapter of the Bible, we read: Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Gen. 3:1)


In the third chapter from the close of the Bible, this serpent is defined as it is used in the symbolism of prophecy. There it reads: And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. (Rev. 20:2)


The medium which was used to seduce our first parents became the representation of Satan, and that symbol is used for him in the prophecies of the second section of the book of Revelation, save in Rev. 16:13-14, 16, where the spirits of devils are symbolized as "frogs."


In the first gospel promise - also found in the third chapter of the Bible - there is pictured a conflict. It reads: I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen. 3:15)


This promise is symbolized in prophecy as the last section of the book of Revelation is introduced a woman, with child, is revealed in vision to John, and standing before the woman is the dragon or serpent seeking to devour the child as soon as it should be born. But this seed of the woman - as Michael - enters into battle with the dragon, or serpent, and overcomes him, so that a voice is heard in heaven saying - "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ." (Rev. 12:1-10)


This conflict portrayed in prophecy continues through the prophetic representations of this second section of Revelation, and climaxes in the battle of the great day of God Almighty.


Consider now a second text: And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.


And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.


And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.


0 house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.


Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. (Isa. 2:2-6)


Certain concepts should be carefully noted from these verses which direct our attention to "the last days." A group of people consider themselves to be the followers of truth. This people inspired by what appears to be the exaltation of the "Lord's house" call for a gathering to the "mountain of the Lord" where they assume "the God of Jacob" will appear to teach them "his ways" - for they say that "Out of [what they call] Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." But we must consider that the
Law of God has already been proclaimed - gone forth - from Mount Sinai, and thus any law going forth from a false "Mt. Zion" would be an altered law. God's response to this proposed gathering, and the people inspired thus to call such a gathering is clear and distinct - "Thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob." Interestingly, throughout these verses, the term "Jacob" - a supplanter, a deceiver - is used rather than "Israel," which signifies, an overcomer.


Consider now a third verse: How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa. 14:12-14)


In these verses God has revealed the heart of Lucifer - his plans, and his objectives. One of these objectives is especially important as we consider the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Lucifer declares as one of his intents to sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north. In the Psalms we read: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (Ps. 48:2)


Inspiration reveals to us that Satan - that old serpent - has designs upon Jerusalem. Consider - with Isaiah 2:2-6 - the people of earth who are deceived by the exaltation of the house of the Lord, direct a call to go there to receive their religious instruction from the one they assume to be the Lord, but he is only the God of the Jacobites, those who deceive and are deceived! An ultimate in deception is here prophesied to come "to pass in the last days." (Isa. 2:2)


*
1978 Nov -- THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY -- Part 2 -- In this second section of our study of the battle of the great day of God, we shall concern ourselves with an over-all look at the Seven Last Plagues as they relate to this battle.


The Seven Last Plagues are outlined in Revelation 16, and declared to be the judgments wherein "the wrath of God" is filled up. (Rev. 15:1)


When these final judgments fall upon the earth, the intercession of Christ has ceased in the heavenly temple. "No man" is able to enter the temple "till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." (Rev. 15:8)


And the only Man who has been able to enter into the presence of God - into that light unapproachable (I Tim. 6:16)


- is the "one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (I Tim. 2:5).


In analyzing briefly each plague, we need to ask ourselves three simple questions: 1) What is the plague? 2) Why is it given? and 3) When was the cause for the plague committed? (for "the curse causeless shall not come." Prov. 26:2)


Plague #1 - ''The first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image.'' (Rev. 16:2)


This plague is described as an ulcer breaking out upon the men who had received the mark of the beast, and who worshipped the image to the beast. Now we ask, was the mark of the beast received, and the worship of the beast committed before or after the close of probation? The answer is obvious - "before." In other words this plague is God's response to what men had done in probationary time.


Plague #2 - ''And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man.'' (Rev. 16:3)


Why a plague of blood? The angel of the waters answers - The powers of earth "have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and [God] has given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." (16:6) When was this blood shed? Before or after the close of probation? The answer is again obvious - "before." In other words this plague is God's response to what man has done in probationary time.


Plague #3 - ''And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.'' (Rev. 16:4)


This is the only plague that is compounded. The reason for this plague is the same as for the second plague. (Rev. 16:5-7) Why will God compound this plague of blood? "By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands." (Great Controversy, p. 628) This statement in context refers to the "death decree" issued against the people of God after the close of probation. By noting references in Early Writings (pp. 36-37; 282,283), the death decree is issued because the inhabitants of earth seek to stay the wrath of God, and believe that the killing of those opposed to the worldwide religious movement will appease an offended God. This would indicate that the "death decree" is to be issued between the second and third plagues.


Plague #4 - "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given him to scorch men with fire." (16:8)


Why a plague upon the sun? Because men have worshipped the sun, and honored the day of the sun - Sunday. When - before or after the close of probation? Again the answer is obvious - "before." In other words this plague is again God's response to what man has done in probationary time.


Plague #5 - "And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain." (16:10)


This is an unique plague - darkness, that effects the tongue. Gross darkness has covered the earth (Isa. 60:2) because of the teachings of the beast, and those who have erected an image to the beast for men to worship. With the tongue not only is confession made unto life, but also "all deceivableness of unrighteousness" is communicated to those who will not receive the love of truth. When did this deceptive darkness engulf the inhabitants of the earth - before or after the close of probation? Again the answer is obvious - "before." In other words this plague, too, is God's response to what man has done in probationary time.


Plague #6 - "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." (16:12)


Now why this plague? John is shown: And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (16:13, 14)


Was this gathering together done before or after the close of probation? If the same principle is applied that applies to all the preceding plagues, save the third, then the answer must be - "before." This plague is also God's answer to what man has done in probationary time. Observe closely the following reference and how Revelation 16:13-14 is used:


Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. ... Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of Spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; ... they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. (Great Controversy, pp. 561-562 emphasis mine)


According to this statement, Rev. 16:13-14 is to be fulfilled in the "last remnant of time." These verses tell of the final great deception that will take in "the whole world." The inhabitants of earth will not awaken from their "fatal security" until the pouring out of the wrath of God commences.


Another reference states the same truth. It reads: In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void in the nations of our world. Rebellion against God's holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that will unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 62)


Since Revelation 16:13-14 will be fulfilled before the close of probation, what then is the place of this battle to which the leadership of the whole world is to be gathered for the exaltation of Satan when he appears as Christ? At what place will the bishops, prelates, and ministers join in the coronation of Satan as the long awaited Messiah? Where will the chorus ring forth from thousands of voices - "Christ has come. Christ has come"? We shall seek to find the answer to these questions in the next thought paper when we analyze Rev. 16:16.


*


1978 Dec -- THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY -- Part 3 -- The Sixth Plague is the pouring out of the vial of God's wrath upon "the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." (Rev. 16:12) The cause of this plague is that the "spirits of devils" symbolized by frogs had gathered the leadership of the nations of earth to "a place called in the Hebrew tongue - Armageddon." (Rev. 16:13-14, 16) To understand the significance of what this gathering together means, we must first determine the place to which they are gathered by correctly identifying the word - Armageddon in the Hebrew language. Thus we must work back from the English, through the Greek to the Hebrew. The English word Armageddon in the KJV - is merely a transliteration from the Greek. In the ARV, this transliteration is more accurately reflected - Har-Magedon. The Greek is - 'Armagedwn.


The first part of the word - 'Ar - is easily identified. Har is a transliteration of the Hebrew -(Hebrew written) and means "mountain." The second part of the word Magedon - has been popularly identified with Megiddo. But the Bible refers to Megiddo as a "valley" and not a mountain. (Zech. 12:11) And a valley is not a mountain by any stretch of language or imagination. Thus we must turn to a deeper study of the language to determine what mountain is referred to in Rev. 16:16.


In the Hebrew language there are twenty two letters. These are all consonants and are written from right to left. To supply the lack of vowels, since the alphabet contained no vowels, a system of vowel-signs was introduced. However, before the introduction of vowel-signs, certain feeble consonants - Aleph, He, Waw, and Yod - were used to indicate the vowel sounds, and hence were called vowel letters. Therefore, in seeking a word in the Hebrew to equal - Magedon - we must consider only the consonants in the word - Mu (m), Gamma (g), and Delta (d). (The final "n" or Nu (n) is merely a paragogic letter, not unknown in English in such words as "solemn" and "condemn.")


The word in the Old Testament which most clearly meets the requirements of the Greek transliteration - Magedon - is the Hebrew word, Mo'ed (Hebrew written). On the surface there is one problem - the middle consonant, Ayin (Hebrew written). This does not appear to answer to the Greek gamma (g). However, Gesenius states: "While the Hebrew was a living language, this letter [Ayin], which is peculiar to the Semetic tongues, and extremely difficult for our organs to pronounce, seems to have had ... a two fold pronounciation" - a soft and a hard sound. "The harder Ayin, which the Arabs call Ghain, was a harsh sound uttered from the bottom of the throat, accompanied by a certain whirring or whizzing, so as to resemble the letter r when uttered abruptly with a strong rolling. This the Seventy have usually represented by the letter g [gamma]" in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. (Gesenius, Hebrew & English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 737) This can be illustrated by the familiar name - Gomorrah. In the Hebrew it is - (Hebrew written). In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it is Gomorra. [G is the capital of g (gamma)] Thus the first letter of Gomorrah in the Hebrew (Hebrew written) is transliterated by the gamma (g) in the Greek. So the Hebrew word - Mo'Ed - would be transliterated into the Greek as Maged(on).


The Hebrew word, Mo'id (symbol written), which transliterates into the Greek - Magedon - is used nearly two hundred times in the Old Testament and means - "Congregation." In Isaiah 14:13 it is associated with "Mountain" - "the mount of the congregation." Here God reveals through Isaiah the heart and intention of Lucifer - He would seek to "sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north." This refers to "Mt. Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Ps. 48:2) In the book of Revelation it is revealed that the "spirits of the devils" will gather the kings of the earth to the mount of the congregation (HarMagedon) the battle for of the great day of God Almighty. What is to be understood by the symbolism of "frogs" in representing the "spirits of devils"? This we will discuss in the next thought paper.

*
THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY -- Part 4 -- Three powers in opposition to God, His law, His sanctuary and His people are symbolized in the last half of the book of Revelation - the dragon in Chapter 12; - the beast in 13:1-9; - and the false prophet in 13:11-17. In the hour of the battle of the great day of God Almighty, frog-like spirits proceed from each of these powers for the purpose of influencing a worldwide unity against God. (Rev. 16:13-14) "There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces." (Ms. 24, 1891) What then is the manifestation of evil as symbolized as "frogs" in this prophecy? This manifestation is declared to be "spirits of devils."


Of what this symbolic representation - frogs - could mean, I have meditated long. In the book of Revelation the symbolism used by God to represent the prince of evil is the dragon. It is stated clearly to be "that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan." (Rev. 12:9) And in Rev. 20:2 the statement is made that the angel "laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan." The connection is clear; the power operating under the symbolism of the dragon in his warfare against the "woman" and "her seed" is the same intelligency which used the medium of the serpent to deceive the first woman. But now in the battle of the great day of God Almighty, the representation of the work of the "spirits of devils" is changed to the symbolism of "frogs." God does not alter His prophetic symbols arbitrarily - He is saying something in this change! So I asked myself the questions - How do frogs catch their prey? What types of sounds do they produce? The answer to these questions led me to the conviction that here in prophetic symbolism is represented the modern Charismatic Renewal. The very wording of the prophecy demands that a common spiritual force, possessing and thus unifying the religious divisions of mankind, will work for the unification of the leadership of the whole world. The frog-like forms come forth from all three of the basic symbols of the last half of the book of Revelation - the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.


That which at one time was only a hallmark of traditional Pentecostalism has now entered the major bodies of Protestantism and the Roman Catholic Church. To illustrate the whole change in attitude that has taken place in the last decade, The Toronto Star (June 9, 1973) tells of the reaction to the charismatic movement in the Anglican Church of Canada. Tom Harpur, Star Religion Editor, wrote: Holy horror is the only way to describe the reaction with which top Anglican officials here once greeted the news that some members, including several Metro clergy, were ''speaking in tongues.'' Now, the bishop himself, Rt. Rev. L. S. Garnsworthy, has begun a ''dialogue'' with those of his diocese involved in what has come to be known as a charismatic revival.


On the same page of "Religion in the Star" another article noted that the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, in addressing a massive ecumenical Congress in England, spoke enthusiastically of the neo-Pentecostal movement noting that, it was cutting across all denominational lines, and indicated he found in it "an encouraging sign" for the future of Christian unity. Harpur observed,


p 4 -- "Many call it 'the third force' in addition to Protestantism and Catholicism." The prophecy of God's word tells us that the same spirits of devils that came out of the dragon, have also permeated the beast and the false prophet, and come out of them also. The same dragon who gave his power and seat to the beast (Rev. 13:2) and who is speaking through the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11) now is transformed into an angel of light "working miracles" through these same religious bodies. (Rev. 16:14)


The Charismatic Renewal entered the Catholic Church in 1967, and has grown into such a force that it was recognized by the late Pope Paul VI. Following a mass in St. Peter's on May 19, 1975 conducted by Cardinal Suenens for the Annual Charismatic Conference which met in Rome instead of Notre Dame University for the Catholic Holy Year, the Pope entered the assembly and gave his greetings to the conferees. He closed his message with the words - "Glory to the Lord, hallelujah!" - and before leaving, embraced and kissed Cardinal Suenens. Suenens reacted by stating simply - "the Pope opened his arms and heart to the charismatic renewal." The day previous - Pentecost Sunday - at a pontifical mass presided over by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter's "the sound of tongues and charismatic singing filled the massive nave of the ancient mother church of Roman Catholicism." (Christianity Today, June 6, 1975, pp. 45-46)


In July, 1977, an interdenominational conference on Charismatic Renewal was held in Kansas City, bringing together Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopalians, Mennonites, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Messianic Jews. President Carter acknowledged this conference as a "Powerful force" in American life, and one that has led to a "new level of Christian unity" in this country. The Rev. Larry Christenson, chairman of the Lutheran Charismatic Renewal Services, told one general session of the conference that Catholics and Protestants are all a part of the "special army of God" and that the Charismatic Renewal is a "network of outposts strategically placed throughout the land ... that the Lord can count on in the day of battle." (RNS, Week in Religion, Aug. 12, 1977)


There can be no doubt as to the objectives that those who are involved in the Charismatic Renewal have in mind. They consider it "the most tremendous outpourings of the Spirit ever known in the history of the church." Catholic-Protestant sponsors of a rally of Charismatic Christians called "Jesus 78" in their joint statement - noting there is still substantial disagreement and division among themselves - declared: "Since we are experiencing this grace in such abundance today, since the Holy Spirit has already done so much among us to make us one, it is easy to believe that He will continue to move powerfully among us and our churches to make us fully one in faith." (RNS. March 3, 1978, p. 3)


This is the same theme of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI). Founded in 1952 by Demos Shakarian, a former California dairy farmer, it has grown to 1,400 local chapters, attracting 500,000 persons to weekly and monthly meetings in 43 countries. This fellowship does not attempt to become a church, but supports all churches. Reporting the FGBMFI's Rome-European Conference in 1974 in their official magazine - Voice (March, 1975) - the remarks of Fred Ladenius, Press Secretary to the late Paul VI, were featured. * Before the Rome conferees, Ladenius declared - "There is only one church." Commenting on the charismatic experience, he said:


p 5 -- As people marvelled on the Day of Pentecost, so they marvel today. "Here is his fellow speaking in tongues, but he does not belong to a 'Pentecostal' church." But today even the Methodists speak in tongues. How can this be possible? Catholic priests, sisters and laymen are speaking tongues. How can this be possible? "God is pulling some grave errors," the doubters say. But I want you to know that He is not the God of 1925 but of 1974! He is indeed manifesting Himself through ''all flesh.'' (Voice, p. 6)


And to what are they looking? Let Ladenius again comment: We ask God's forgiveness. Catholics and Protestants alike have committed grave errors. But all that is past. Now let us give Him our confidence and our trust. Let us put everything in His hands and "look for Him as our soon coming King. (Ibid.)


But who will come as "King" to fulfill the expectations of these involved in the Charismatic Renewal? We have been told: Fallen angels upon earth form confederations with evil men. In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void in the nations of our world. Rebellion against God's holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of Iight. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." (TM, p. 62)


Putting it all together, we see that the objective of Satan is to "sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north." (Isa. 14:13) This "mount of the congregation" - Har Mo'ed in the Hebrew; Har-Magedon in the Greek - is none other than Jerusalem, the city of prophecy and conflict. Here in the "last remnant of time" (GC, p. 561) that fallen angel will seek to have himself enthroned on what will be hailed as the "throne of his father, David." But when all the world thus bows led on by the "apostate churches" Omnipotence will intervene, and then will begin the "war of the great day of God Almighty," in which Babylon the great will come "in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." (Rev. 16:19) And in the book of Revelation, a supreme question is asked - "Who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:17) And the answer is found in Rev. 14:1 - "And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on Mt. Zion, and with Him an hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads." (See Rev.- 3:12 for application.)


*

(MY additions- A few articles from the web --


Article one-

The Charismatic Movement: Dead or Alive?
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 11:52 AM EDT J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones


We can quibble over when the previous wave of the Holy Spirit ended. But what's important is that we follow God's presence into a new season.


Some readers were offended when I declared in an online column a few weeks ago that the charismatic movement is dead. One woman even accused me of heresy, since-in her words-I believe "the age of the Holy Spirit has ended." (I didn't say that.) Others on the opposite side of the spectrum asked why I waited so long to state the obvious. All this discussion prompted me to address the issue further.
I am not a coroner. But I do believe the historic period we call the American charismatic movement ended a while ago. By making that pronouncement I was NOT saying that (1) the Holy Spirit isn't moving today; (2) the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit aren't available to us any more; or (3) people who are associated with this movement are all washed up.


"Rather than worshiping God around a monument to the past, let's find out where He's going and follow the glory cloud."
On the contrary, we could be on the cusp of one of the most dynamic spiritual awakenings in history, and it will most certainly be accompanied by the supernatural work of the Spirit. Yet if we want to shift with Him into the next season we must lay aside old mindsets and worn-out religious paradigms that we picked up during the past 40 years. When God comes to do "a new thing," as Isaiah promised He would (Isa. 43:19, NASB), we must embrace new priorities, recalibrate our spiritual values and set aside the baggage of the past.
New wine requires new wineskins. New growth only comes after pruning. Change is often painful.


The history books will record that the charismatic movement began in 1967 with the Duquesne revival in Pittsburgh (there were earlier birth pangs with Episcopalians in the late 1950s) and that the movement waned by the late 1980s. Charismatic renewal was a visitation of God-ushering millions of people from mainline church backgrounds into an experience with the Holy Spirit and renewing many older Pentecostal churches.


There were subsequent outpourings of the Spirit in the 1990s, of course-namely the Toronto Blessing and the Pensacola Revival-but the overall movement was fragmenting. The televangelism scandals of 1987 and the implosion of the Discipleship Movement two years later made it obvious that something was rotten underneath the polished veneer of charismania.


This doesn't mean the past 20 years have been insignificant. Huge advances have occurred on the international mission field. Yet some of the most notable spiritual trends in the United States in recent years have been associated with evangelicals who don't have ties to charismatics. These include Rick Warren, Beth Moore, Louie Giglio, Henry Blackaby, Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley and Erwin McManus. We are naïve (and arrogant) if we think the only people God is using in this hour are members of our own charismatic subculture.


When I say the charismatic movement is dead I am issuing an obvious challenge. It is time for us to lay aside the past so we can embrace the future. We are in a season when church leaders should be asking the hard questions:
· Are we locked into the past in an unhealthy way?
· Are we using language, methods or ministry styles that are stale, dated and ineffective?
· Are we training younger people to lead the next generation?
· Are we willing to slaughter any sacred cows and pet doctrines that hinder outreach and church growth?


Old Testament laws forbid people from touching anything dead (see Lev. 21:1,11). That's because corpses spread disease. Dead things stink and defile.


This is certainly true of dead religion. It can make a church barren and lifeless, even if it is hidden under a superficial coating of trendy songs and casual clothes. It's not enough to update your music and take off your tie. We need the new life of the Spirit. Something new must happen inside us.


God once told Moses to put a bronze serpent on a stick and hold it in the air. When people looked at the snake they were healed. Centuries later, King Hezekiah destroyed this image because people had begun to worship it (see 2 Kings 18:4). What God meant for good later became a hindrance. Sometimes spiritual things have an expiration date!


Of course God's moral law never changes, and neither does His character. But He may not move today in the same way He did in 1975; the strategies He gave us in 1990 are not necessarily for churches now. The Holy Spirit doesn't want us to follow a rote formula; He wants us to seek His presence as He moves through history.


It really doesn't matter what we label the next movement. What's important is His renewing presence. Rather than worshiping God around a monument to the past, let's find out where He's going and follow the glory cloud.


J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma. You can find him on Twitter at leegrady. If your church is making significant changes we invite you to share them on the Fire in My Bones forum (below).



Comments-


46 Johan Proost 2009-07-07 04:15 No i do not believe the charismatic movement has died, I live in The Netherlands and i believe it just started here. I thank God for the Charismatic Movement around the world. in some country's it has just begon. specialy in Europe.


If the Charismatic movemend died, why not change the name of this Magazine, to neocharisma.


*

Article 2 - ((NOTE THE DATE))


http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=3673----


News Briefs
Kenyan cardinal ends ban on charismatic movement
July 31, 2009
After meeting with leaders of the Catholic charismatic movement and receiving assurances that they would work under the supervision of their pastors, Cardinal John Njue has ended a ban on the group's activities, which he had declared in February of this year. The cardinal had expressed concerns that the charismatic movement was losing its Catholic identity, adopting practices and beliefs of the Protestant Pentecostal movement.

*


Article 3- ((AGAIN NOTE THE DATE))


Browse > Home / Blog / The Charismatic Movement
The Charismatic Movement
April 23, 2009


"Charismatics" is a word popularized in the 1960s for Christians flowing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Charisma is derived from the basic Greek noun, charis, which means "grace," or the free, unmerited favor of God. From it, we have the English adjective "charismatic," which is used to describe a person possessing great powers of charm or influence. Within the Church, Charismatics are Christians who believe they have been "graced" with the presence and power of God.


Because the largest and more progressive churches in most cities tend to be Charismatic, they are often a point of fascination in the culture. Due to their inclination toward the supernatural and emotional, the media and their critics have unfairly portrayed them as a bizarre Christian subculture, a "sect" whose beliefs and behavior are an embarrassment to mainstream believers. What anti-Charismatics fail to realize is that Charismatics are very much a part of mainstream Christianity.


The Charismatic movement is the fastest growing segment of the body of Christ worldwide. With more than 600 million adherents globally, more than one in four believers today are either Pentecostal or Charismatic. A 2008 report by The Barna Group states that in America, a slight majority (51%) of all born again Christians is Charismatic. Nearly half of all adults (46%) who attend a Protestant church is Charismatic. One out of every four (23%) Protestant churches is a Charismatic congregation. One third (36%) of all Catholics is Charismatic.


Apart from size, Charismatics are also among the most fervent of the body of Christ. Consider the following data from the same report by The Barna Group:


· God: Almost nine in 10 Charismatics believe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe who still rules the universe today. Yet, barely seven in 10 non-Charismatics view God that way.
· Great Commandment: 90% of Charismatics believe that their purpose in life is to love God with all their heart, mind, strength and soul. Only 66% of non-Charismatics believe similarly.
· Bible reading: 55% of Charismatics read the Bible in a typical week, whereas only 36% of non-Charismatics do the same.
· Active Christianity: 42% of Charismatics read the Bible, attend a church service, and pray to God in a typical week. Only 25% of non-Charismatics do so.
· Evangelism: Slightly more than half of Charismatics believe they have a personal responsibility to share their religious belief. Less than one in three non-Charismatics possesses a similar commitment.
Without a doubt, Charismatics on the whole are Bible-believing and Bible-obeying. Unfortunately, a casual browse through cyberspace reveals legions of bloggers hammering away at Charismatic leaders and churches. Why isn't there a greater counter-response from the Charismatics? Personally, I half suspect that most Charismatic pastors and ministries are so busy in the work of evangelism, discipleship and missions, they have little time or passion to answer the criticisms leveled at them.
With 600 million Charismatics in the world today, to generalize or stereotype the Charismatic faith is like saying, "All Asians believe in this," or "All Americans believe in that." The spectrum is just too wide in terms of doctrinal and ministry views. The only commonality is their connection to Jesus Christ and the belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still valid and active today.


Are there Charismatics who are unbalanced or extreme in Bible doctrines? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. Are there Charismatics who live only for self instead of the Savior? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. Are there Charismatics who are shallow and superficial in their walk with Jesus? Of course there are, as with non-Charismatics. But taken as a whole, survey after survey has shown Charismatics to be fervent followers of Christ, serious in advancing the kingdom of God.
Let us consider some typical criticisms directed against Charismatics:


· "Charismatics twist Scripture to justify an opulent lifestyle." Not true. The vast majority of Charismatics are not fixated with wealth or materialism. Like most Christians, they believe that God provides for their need, not their greed. Having said that, Charismatics are not abhorrent to wealth that comes through diligent work or God's blessing. Most believe that prosperity is God's plan for the believer simply because of the abundance of Bible texts to support that. Take for example, 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." The word, "rich" (Gr. plouteo) means to become financially wealthy and increased with goods. For most Charismatics, success and wealth are means to help the poor, better society, and fulfill the Great Commission.
· "Charismatics despise the sick and those in suffering." Not true. This statement ignores the fact that Charismatics are globally active in eradicating systemic poverty and addressing healthcare problems. As the most mission-minded segment of Christendom, Charismatic ministries donate significant portions of their annual budgets into medical and humanitarian aids. Scriptures like "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17) give them cause to believe that healing is in the atonement, and thus is the general will of God for everyone. Whether through faith, medicine or therapy, most Charismatics value the need for a healthy body to live a fruitful life and serve the purpose of God.
· "Charismatic meetings are shallow in doctrine and theology." Not true. The fact is that Charismatics read the Bible and believe in its inerrancy more so than non-Charismatics. Most Charismatic churches have well-organized Bible classes and seminars to expound on the Holy Scriptures and Christian doctrines. But these are usually conducted outside of regular services. Most Charismatic meetings are designed to help attendees find wholeness in their soul and wisdom for daily living. Praise, worship and prayer are featured more prominently than non-Charismatic services. Sermons tend to deal with practical themes like marriage, family, work life and behavioral change. Most meetings end with a time for attendees to receive prayer for salvation, healing, and other practical needs. As such, to prejudge Charismatic meetings as shallow because of their focus on the mundane borders on religious arrogance and intellectual chauvinism.
· "Charismatic churches are conning the gullible of their money." I often wonder if the rage of anti-Charismatics here is targeted against the ability of Charismatic churches to exact money from their congregation, or the quantum of money that is collected? Is it the attendees' willingness to give, or is it the amount collected that is more upsetting? A common rant of anti-Charismatics is that flamboyant Charismatic preachers are conning the gullible "to sow their seeds" and give big amounts as a form of religious lotteries in their quest to be rich.


What anti-Charismatics fail to realize is that Charismatic services are filled with the educated and sophisticated. They don't arrive at relative affluence by being naive. Most Charismatics have the common sense to see through the shenanigans of tricksters behind the pulpit. But they do appreciate preachers who encourage them to go beyond their fears and stay faithful in their financial stewardship. Besides, didn't Elijah challenge the poor widow of Zarepheth to sacrifice her last morsel of bread and trust God for a multiplication of provision (1 Kin. 17:11-14)? Is Elijah the prophet a heartless con artist then? Besides, isn't "sowing and reaping" a principle of life and the Scriptures?


Instead of questioning the what and how of giving, one should ask the why. Why are Charismatics so willing to part with their money? For most, they give out of a passion to advance the cause of Christ, and the faith that God will bless them back so that they can keep financing the work of the kingdom.


Instead of Charismatic-bashing, non-Charismatics should look beyond the differences and focus on the goals every Christian has in common-becoming salt and light in society, and making disciples of every nation.


Go here to read the comments to this article- http://www.konghee.com/www/2009/04/the-charismatic-movement/


****


My thoughts-


Is the Charismatic movement still alive? Yes. And those who think differently think it because we know the Devil is deceptive and he would put to rest suspicions, he will soothe over worries, he would have a calm before a storm. How like him to have something seemingly die away only to revive it to suit his purposes in a way it couldn't have if it hadn't started to seemingly wane in the mainstream. Just when you thought something was done and gone, having it flare up to life in a magnificent display of power would truly suit Satan's purposes of deception. Those who scoffed at the movement would be astounded! Those who rested on the fence not knowing what was what, would finally choose their side. The doubters would fall over themselves in an effort to confirm their new found belief all through lying signs and wonders of which Satan will perform to perfection so that NONE but the very elect will be able to see through. The rest of the world will be blinded, completely blinded and there will be no seeing through the dark covering of deception. There will be no reasoning with those caught under the devil's cloak so artful contrived to capture and keep people who don't have their hearts truly in Christ and His truth.


Rev. 14: 12 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.


No one will be able to point out anything to raise doubts because the belief will be that strong. In fact those among the few unbelievers will be the ones who will be overwhelmed with those trying to convert them to the real truth. They accusations will be- how can you not believe when you can see the miracles for yourself!


James 2:19


19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.


The devil believes, the devil's followers believe. The devils will stand up and shout they believe and somehow many will accept that their confession means they aren't really devils at all.


2 Thess. 2:9 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders


Whose coming is after the working of Satan--- who? SATAN! And he will come with what? ALL power and signs and lying wonders.


Is it no wonder that the true manifestation of God's powers will be scarce in the end times? The magnificent display of God's true wonders was wrought by Jesus and His Apostles, and from then on slowly waning, except for the rare occurrence. That need for display was replaced by the growing of faith that would be needed by God's people. We've no doubt today that Jesus existed, none. No doubt that historical witnesses testified to the fact he died and rose again- historical witnesses not just Biblical witnesses. We have the intellect today that gives us this understanding and there is no need for miracles to give us the truth of the ultimate miracle wrought in Christ.


As with any amazing and marvelous wonder, Satan likes to use it for his benefit. He will take what was laid down as groundwork and use it to suit his needs and how wonderfully the working of miracles, the speaking in tongues, the seeming out pouring of the Holy Spirit in deeds truly does suit him. Is it any wonder that Satan will use in lying the very thing to win over millions and millions, that Jesus used in truth? What better way to deceive than to come close to the truth and let the vanity and pride of mankind takeover from there.


Recently most, if not all of you know about the 'light' my hubby saw in the palm of my hand while I was sleeping. Instantly I was caught up in figuring out what it might mean. Did it mean I should try healing? Did it mean that God had given me some sort of power? I mean come on, how many people have light shining from their hands and witnessed by someone who would not lie about something so odd because that someone would hate to be considered foolish. What benefit to that person would a lie create to say a light was coming from my hand? None. In fact through prayer, and guidance from others the light I determined wasn't put in my hand for my benefit at all. I didn't see the light, I couldn't tell you it was there at all. The light was for the one who saw it to think on and contemplate it's meaning. Whether that happened - I don't know. Whether it is a seed planted for later growth, I don't know. I do know that it would have been very simple for me to get really, really caught up in the 'miracle' aspect of the light in my hand and had I done that who knows what door I would have been opening for Satan to use to walk into my life.


Does all this mean that there are no true miracles of God in the last days? I don't think so. But I do believe that the miracles that God performs will be subtle and such that they won't be confused with the grand standing show that Satan is about to put on for the world.


May God keep us all safe in Him. May our hearts and minds be open to Him and Him only and His truths. May we be among those who are keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus. By His mercy and grace, in His love.


Amen.