Newsletter #262 - August 2000 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/
We are in the generation of the fig tree. Let's begin our study concerning seducing spirits with a with a little groundwork which is written to this generation.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
In my opinion, God wanted the third of His children that followed Satan in the 1st earth age to be on earth in this end generation. Just look around you.
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Incontinent means lack of self control. We have nothing to fear from these evil people. We know how to order evil away from us in the name of Jesus Christ. We are taking ground, we are not giving ground.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
They creep into the house of God, and they lead silly women and men captive by not teaching truth.
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is no wonder they never come to knowledge when all they study id fairy tales about the apple in the garden of Eden and their rapture security blanket written by men.
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
Jannes and Jambres were Pharaoh's magicians that caused their staff to appear to turn into serpents just as the staff of Aaron's had turned into a serpent. Don't overlook this. These are seducing spirits. God is warning this generation that you had better be ready for some pretty good magic tricks. Satan will be very convincing.
2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
The magicians were allowed to imitate Moses and Aaron only up to a certain point, and then God stopped them when Aaron's staff which had turned into a serpent devoured the other serpent's.
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
God will deliver you also. He will never give you more than you can bear without giving you a way out 1(Corinthians 10:13).
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Satan will give it to you every time you let your guard down. Don't let your guard down!
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Unfortunately, you will find many of these seducing spirits playing church. They deceive from the very pulpits that should be teaching God's truth.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The words of men o not make you wise unto salvation. It is God's Word that makes you wise unto salvation. Stick to His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Translate the word "perfect" as "mature". No man is perfect. Turn with me to 1 Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
What causes this apostasy? Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils cause this apostasy. Again, we are warned of Satan's tricks. Remember, Satan is supernatural. He will be able to perform miracles in the sight of men. Be mentally prepared for his tricks.
1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
The seducing spirits will lie to you and have absolutely no feelings about what they are doing. Beware of the seducing spirits in these latter times. Let's continue our study concerning seducing spirits in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 13:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, 'Hear ye the word of the LORD; 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; 'Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
They have seen nothing of God or His truth. They are deceiving themselves and others. Skip to verse 9.
Ezekiel 13:9 And Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of My people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
God won't put up with them. Aren't you glad? There is no room in heaven for seducing spirits. Judgment begins at the pulpit (1 Peter 4:17).
Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, 'Peace;' and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
Untempered mortar mean whitewash. The seducing spirits try to cover truth by whitewashing everything. They will tell you the world is due for peace, when there will be no peace, until the Prince of peace returns.
Ezekiel 13:11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
The seducing spirit will tell you, "You don't have to understand the Book of Revelation; you are going to be gone". Their lies shall fall. Let's go to verse 17.
Ezekiel 13:17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
God is going to give us an example of the lies the seducing spirits are telling.
Ezekiel 13:18 And say, 'Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of My people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?
It sounds to me as though some are promising their own brand of salvation. There is only One Salvation! And, their lies and whitewash are covering God's outreached arms of salvation.
Ezekiel 13:19 And will ye pollute Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to My people that hear your lies?
Too many preachers today are more worried about how much money they are bringing in than how much of God's Word they are giving out.
Ezekiel 13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
Seducing spirits are rampant in this generation. I know this offends some; however, I will not apologize for teaching God's Word just as it is written. The rapture is not in God's Word. God is against those seducing spirits who would teach His children to fly to save their souls. In conclusion, let's go to the Book of Mark. The disciples asked Jesus what it would be like when He returns at the 2nd advent. Jesus gave us 7 events that must transpire before His return.
Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
The word "affliction" in this verse means "tribulation". This future tribulation belongs to the false messiah.
Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.
Satan will perform miracles that will be difficult for some to imagine. You had better be mentally prepared.
Mark 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, 'Lo, here is Christ;' or, 'lo, He is there;' believe him not:
Antichrist will be forgiving all debts, claiming to have brought peace to the world, and healing people. Remember, it isn't Jesus Christ, if you are still in the flesh.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Satan's tricks and will make the tricks of Jannes and Jambres seem like child's play. You had better be ready. Don't be deceived. Don't be seduced. I don't believe it is possible for one of the elect to be seduced. You see, we don't find antichrist tempting. We find him to be an abomination.
Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Jesus Chist has told us through the Word all we need to do to conquer Satan. He has told us to beware of seducing spirits. There are no excuses. Do your homework and be a "can-do" type person. When you are a doer of His Word, the blessings will flow. He will always give us what we need to accomplish His will. We have the victory over Satan and his seducing spirits.
In His service,
Arnold Murray