Burn Like A Furnace

 

Headline News Today!

 

It's a furnace-like feeling across central, southern states

Heat index to reach 115 degrees in some areas; Chicago hit by strong storm

Dear Saints,

 

Please consider these Scriptures.

 

Gen 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Prov 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

The Sun is getting Hotter For A Reason and it's not "Global Warming"

Isa 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

 

He Must Increase

 

by Chip Brogden

"He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)."

These seven words found in John 3:30 contain the entire mystery of God's dealings with man from ages past to eternity future. "He [Christ] must increase." All of God's works are towards this end of increasing Christ. In other words, everything God has done, is doing, and will do is related towards revealing His Son and bringing us into the full-knowledge (epignosis) of Him. The goal is for Christ to have the preeminence in all things, beginning with us individually as disciples, then with the Church, and finally with all creation, "that He may be All in All."

He MUST increase. Isaiah tells us that there will be no end of the increase of His government and peace. In the beginning was the Word, and we can see how God has worked steadily from the beginning to increase Christ. From types and shadows in the Old Testament we see Christ coming into view. Then the Word is made flesh and dwells among us, and Christ is increased yet again. Next He comes to dwell within us, and this is a major increase. Finally, He begins to conform us to His own image through the indwelling Life. If we are growing up into Him then He is increasing daily. Eventually every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Beyond this, we are told that God will continue to reveal His Son in the ages to come, bringing us into depths and dimensions of Christ that we cannot fathom.

God is not moving backward, but in the Son and through the Son, He moves steadily forward. Christ MUST increase. This is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Just as we cannot have gravity without having the law of gravity, so it is impossible to have the Life of the Lord but not have the Law of that Life. And the Law of Life is that Christ must increase.

"But I must decrease." Why doesn't God reveal His Son to us, in all His glory, all at once? What prevents Christ from filling all things and having the preeminence now? Why do we not yet see all things submitted to Him? Because we must be decreased. If He is to become greater then I must become lesser. When Paul says, "Not I, but Christ," he is saying "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Just as all things are working together towards God's purpose of increasing Christ, so all things are working together towards decreasing us. It does not matter if we understand it or comprehend it. It does not matter if you believe in it or agree with it. You are being decreased just the same, and Christ is being increased. It MUST be so, therefore it IS so. Scientists call this decreasing "entropy", and it means, "inevitable and steady deterioration". We can observe this in creation. The present things are groaning and travailing in pain, deteriorating in order to make way for a new heaven and a new earth. We begin to die as soon as we are born. We can look in our own bodies for evidence of "inevitable and steady deterioration" as we move towards a redeemed body. But more importantly, WE, the "I", the "Self", is being decreased that Christ may fill us.

How are we decreased? Let us say right away that it is not your duty to decrease yourself, to become an ascetic, and crawl around in the dirt in abject poverty. It is not an outward decreasing, but an inward decreasing, a coming to the end of ourselves. The Kingdom of God belongs to the poor in spirit. Earlier, John said, "A man can have nothing except he receive it from heaven." Now we may have quite a bit, but if we obtained it from a source other than Christ, it amounts to nothing. Only those sufficiently decreased, the poor in spirit, can see this. This poverty cannot be achieved through self-effort. In fact, part of the decreasing process is the realization that I can do nothing of myself, including decreasing myself. Just as I cannot commit suicide by crucifixion, so I cannot crucify my flesh. The only way to learn this is to fail hundreds, even thousands of times. Then we will learn to say, "I have no confidence in the flesh."

In the world we will experience temptations, testings, and trials. We will experience persecution, tribulation, and afflictions of soul and body. We will experience mistreatment and misunderstanding. It is not a question of God allowing or not allowing things to happen. It is part of living. Some things we do to ourselves, other things we do to each other. Our Father knows about every bird which falls to the ground, but He does not always prevent it from falling.

What are we to learn from this? That our response to what happens is more important than what happens. Here is a mystery: one man's experience drives him to curse God, while another man's identical experience drives him to bless God. Your response to what happens is more important than what happens.

If we see that offenses are bound to come, that there is no way to live in the world apart from what happens, then we must see that the difference between overcoming and not overcoming lies in our response to what happens.

Paul did not pray to be weak so that he could be strong. Naturally speaking, we despise weakness. We prefer strength. But human strength is an illusion. It is not true strength. The Lord shows us His grace is made perfect (or, is matured) through our weakness. Now, Paul rejoices in his weakness, in his being decreased: for "when I am weak, then I am strong." To the degree that we accept the decrease of ourselves, to that degree will we experience the increasing of Christ.

We cannot walk the narrow path until we have entered the narrow gate. But we cannot assume that because we have entered the narrow gate we are now finished. Most people lay stress on the gate, and their goal is to get people just far enough through the gate that they can claim salvation. That is where most of the Church sits today, just inside the narrow gate, rejoicing in a future salvation, a future heaven, a future return of Christ, and a future reward. But the narrow gate is only the beginning. The narrow gate only opens the door to the narrow way. It is the narrow way which leads to Life, and few find it. Fewer still walk to the end of it.

Now what we are discussing is an event as well as a process. There is a once-and-for-all decision to follow Christ, but we have to keep on following. Entering the gate is a once-and-for-all event, but walking the path is a process. We gain everything when we enter the gate, but we must walk the path in order to now live out of what we have. We are new creations, but we are being changed daily into the image of Christ. We died with Christ once: yet we die daily. We were crucified with Him once: yet we take up the cross daily. We were raised with Him once: yet we experience His Life daily. We were ascended with Him and we were seated with Him in the heavenlies once: but we live out the heavenly position in our daily walk, daily ascending above the earth, above the natural, to sit with Him in His throne as overcomers.

God wills that "all men would be saved (narrow gate) and would come to the full-knowledge [epignosis] of Truth (narrow way)." Those who merely enter the narrow gate have yet to satisfy God's heart. There is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, but as Arthur Katz has said, "Many are saved, but few are converted." It is God's will, His desire, that we come to the end of ourselves so that Christ may have the preeminence in us. Jesus said, "If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." Hebrews tells us that Christ is the brightness of God's glory, and the express image (or exact representation) of His person. Likewise, God's purpose for us as disciples (and by extension, the Church) is "if you have seen a disciple, you have seen Jesus." The Christian is to be the brightness of Christ's glory, and the exact representation of His person. I lack the vocabulary to express this adequately, but I trust the Lord will show us.

This is beyond "mere salvation", this is conversion, this is conformity to the very image of Christ. He most certainly does not have the preeminence in us now, thus, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

We have emphasized the Church for so long that we have lost sight of the individual disciples of which the Church consists. If one member lacks, the entire Body goes lacking. It is not so much a problem with the Church failing to apprehend its fullness as it is the individual disciples of the Lord failing to count the cost, suffer all as loss, and progress down the narrow way towards Christ as All in All. As the disciples go, so goes the Church. If Christ does not have the preeminence in the Church, it is because He does not have the preeminence in us as disciples.

If we have truly entered the gate and are walking the path, if we have truly yielded our lives to Him and long to know Him, then everything we experience is working to increase Christ and decrease us. On the positive side, the Holy Spirit is working to bring us into a more perfect knowledge of Christ. The Spirit is increasing Him, leading us into "all Truth", towards epignosis. On the negative side, the principle of the Cross is working to decrease us, to bring us to the end of ourselves, to reduce us to nothing. Eastern mysticism has long been aware of this positive and negative at work, it has simply misunderstood what it means and misappropriated it towards an end other than Christ. They have observed a principle but lack the Truth to explain the principle.

We must see that for every decrease of Self, Christ is increased. Even in our discussions we groan inwardly about having to die daily, having to give up our way and our will. We ought instead to be excited about Christ being increased, and how much He stands to gain in us and through us. He MUST increase, but you MUST decrease. It is better to relinquish everything now, on a voluntary basis, and lose our lives in order to gain our real Life. It is more glorious to enter the Kingdom out of a desire to give Christ the preeminence than to enter kicking and screaming and crying because we love ourselves too much. Make no mistake, if it is the Kingdom you seek, the Kingdom you will find, but you must be changed in order to enter therein. If you seek power from God you will have to accept weakness in yourself. If you want to rule with Him you must suffer with Him. If you want His Life you must give up your life. You can have either one you want, but you cannot have both. There is no increase without decrease, and there is no decrease without increase.

May the Son be increased through these words. Amen.

Bitter Rebellion Against God )Continued)

Continued from our last study "Bitter Rebellion Against God".

 

Upon a closer look I found that tain is a alloy metal. They would use it for the backing on a mirror. Satan would like us to focus on the back of the mirror or the back of God and never to see God face to face.

 

Alloy is a mixture of metals making the end product impure.

 

Backs Toward God

 

Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

Face To Face With God

 

1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

Conclusion:

 

Satan has a counterfeit and it's to keep you from becoming pure. Don't settle for entertainment over a life lived before God.

 

Don't Enter into the door witch leads to the counterfeit that will persecute those that are born of the Promise.

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Next Lesson: Ishmael Portraying Himself As Isaac - Islam is not a peaceful religion. In fact it's God's curse upon the world.

Bitter Rebellion Against God

 

When one commits sin, they sin against God. Do we truly understand this? Sin is rebellion against God and His Law. If we love God we are not going to sin against Him. You have heard it said, They have wronged me so I am going to wrong them. However what does the Word of God say? Or why do we make excuses for the reason or motive why we sin? Ultimately when we sin we are sinning against God. When looking up the word rebellion I found that the word means "bitterness".  What does the Word of God say about bitterness?

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Bitterness troubles and defiles

Trouble - to disturb the mental calm and contentment of; worry; distress; agitate.

Defile - To taint. or make unclean. Even death.

I would like you to look at a few words with me.

Christian - Christ like.

Christain - No such word. However did you see the word that is in this?

Entertainment - Enter - Tain - Ment  Notice what is in the word entertainment. The word tain or to taint or defile. Entertainment is saying ENTER DEFILEMENT.

Do you see what happens when Christianity becomes entertainment? It becomes defiled. Being a Christian is not something we do before people, it's a life lived before God. When Joseph was tempted with fornication with another mans wife, he said,

Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Conclusion:

Joseph was a man that lived his life before God. May we live our lives before God and not before men. If we are living a life pleasing to God then men will see this testimony in our lives. We are not putting on a show, we are living a life. Entertainment is not real. It is fake. What would the world do without entertainment? Now the Church is opening the doors to this defilement as well. Let us who are the Day live soberly and righteously in this present world.

 

 

 

Fleecing The Flock revised

 

Sorry, please use this link. Have you ever wondered how Satan's ministers live? How much they make? Take a look here!

 

http://www.inplainsite.org/html/tele-evangelist_lifestyles.html

Fleecing The Flock

 

 

http://www.inplainsite.org/html/tele-evangelist_lifestyles.html#Tele-Ewing

Exposing the Seed Faith Movement

By Todd Strandberg

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If you asked 100 people whom they thought was the most evil man who ever lived, the majority of them would give the title to Adolf Hitler. The one-time dictator of Germany earned the distinction by being history's most documented despot.

Hitler is the one who started World War II - the most costly war in human history, which left 60 million people dead. He also implemented the Holocaust - the systematic persecution and genocide of the Jews and other groups he deemed "racially inferior" or "undesirable."

All evil springs from a revolt against God. Satan is the leader of this rebellion. Hitler sought to destroy the Jews because the devil knows that redemption history works around the Jews. If he could eliminate the Jews, then the plan of God could be derailed.

The next most recognized evil man is Joseph Stalin. At one point, he was the head of the largest dictatorship in history. While Hitler let other people do his dirty work, Stalin was directly involved in the death of millions of people.

How To Get To the Top of the Evil List

The most shocking examples of evil are always attacks against the most innocent members of society. It is always an outrage to hear of children being molested, elderly ladies being mugged and the mentally handicapped being abused.

God is the most powerful being in the universe. He is also the most innocent, being completely free from sin. Anyone who attacks the Lord is committing the most evil act possible.

Someone can wallow in the pig sty of lust, greed, and debauchery and be evil. But until they pick up a lump of mud and fling it at the Creator, they have not truly been to the dark side. Why else would it be so common for people to use the Lord's name as a curse word?

Satan loves to use men who claim to represent God as vehicles for defaming the Lord. Because the devil knows how holy God is, he may be hesitant to defame the Lord on a personal level. I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where a demonic being attacks God directly. The devil leaves this task up to man. It is like the old saying, "fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

James Eugene Ewing

I recently discovered a man who has excelled in defaming the Lord. Over a 40-year period, he has rubbed mud in God's face, and he has helped prevent millions of people from finding eternal redemption. His name is James Eugene Ewing.

Unless you found his page by doing a Google search for "James Eugene Ewing," I'm sure you have never heard of this man. You would have a better chance of catching Santa Claus coming down the chimney than you would of finding footage of Mr. Ewing. He is the type of person who likes to hide in the shadows.

According to statements from his own ministry, Ewing was born in Texas in 1933, the son of south Texas sharecroppers. He served four years in the Air Force, claiming through his magazine that "many soldiers gave their lives to Christ with Bro. Ewing kneeling by their side in airplanes, in barracks or anyplace." After his stint in the military, he chartered Camp Meetings Revivals in the Dallas area.

Ewing's tent-revival crusades were focused on healing and liberation. A full-page ad in the 1963 Tulsa World announced a "Deliverance revival: Gene Ewing coming under one of the world's largest tents."

Despite having little formal education, Ewing managed to build a massive direct-mail empire from his mansion in Los Angeles. All his ministry mail is directed to a Tulsa post office box. Ewing's computerized mailing operation, Saint Matthew's Churches, mails more than 1 million scam letters per month, many to low-income, uneducated people, while Ewing lives in a $2.2 million, 6,400-square-foot home above Beverly Hills and drives a small fleet of luxury cars.

The Germination of Seed Faith

If you watch much Christian television programming, you may have heard a preacher talking about the "seed faith" principle. This modern movement can be traced back to a meeting that Ewing had with Oral Roberts.

In 1968, donations to Roberts' ministry had plummeted after Roberts alienated many of his supporters by joining the United Methodist Church. To raise money, Roberts decided to sell the ministry's corporate airplane.

Ewing came to see Oral about buying the plane. When he arrived at the ministry headquarters, he had something to sell to Roberts. The first thing out his mouth was, "Oral, you are in trouble, and I can help you." And did he ever.

According to Wayne Robinson, then the vice president of public affairs for the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, "Gene laid out one of the most sophisticated fund-raising campaigns I had ever seen. He said, 'Oral, I want you to write your supporters and tell them you are going in the prayer tower, and you are going to read their prayer requests and pray over them.' He stayed there three days. I forget how many hundred thousands of letters we had, but it was huge."

The core of Ewing's advice to Roberts was the seed-faith philosophy. "You give to the ministry, and God will reward you with a financial blessing."

By the following year, income to Roberts' ministry had doubled, going from $6 million to $12 million. Roberts was so happy with Ewing's guidance that he gave him the plane.

"God's Ghostwriter"

Just by helping with Oral Roberts' ministry, Ewing could be regarded as the father of the modern-day 'seed-faith' concept. Many preachers joined the health-and-wealth gospel bandwagon by emulating old Oral.

Unfortunately, Ewing did not stop the Roberts. Once word got about his magic touch, several other ministers sought his services. T.L. Osborn ran into Ewing at an airport and hired him to direct his fundraising.

"We were down to counting pencils and paper clips until Gene came along," boasted Osborn.

Ewing's flair for effective, dramatic direct-mail appeals won him jobs writing for evangelists including Robert Tilton, Rex Humbard and "Rev. Ike." In many cases, the letters were identical but contained different signatures.

The Trinity Foundation, which is run by Ole Anthony, was the first to dub Ewing as "God's Ghostwriter." Anthony managed to find a single letter that nine different televangelists had claimed as their own. The only difference was the signature.

"We had nine different televangelists essentially sending out the same letter," Anthony said. "He (Ewing) makes most of his money by selling these packages to televangelists."

Never mind the fact that many of the letters speak of revelations that God directed the sender [insert name] to give the recipient. The only name that matters to these hucksters is the one on the seed-faith check.

"Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter" (Isa. 56:11).

A Skunk by Another Name Still Stinks the Same

The most obvious evidence that Ewing is crook at heart is the number of name changes for his ministry. The vast majority of religious organizations stick with the same name; Ewing goes through a new one every few years.

Here are a few examples of ministry names that have been linked to him:

Church of Compassion
Rev. Ewing's Evangelistic Ministries Inc.
Church by Mail Inc.
Church and Bible Study in the Home by Mail
Twentieth Century Advertising Agency
Saint Matthew's Churches

The frequent name change seems to be designed to ditch the IRS. When the Feds begin to investigate one of his corporate entities, he relocates his operations under a new one.

Over the years, the IRS has questioned the legitimacy of many of Ewing's organizations, but has failed to take any action. In one court filing, the IRS argued that funds generated by Church by Mail "inure to the benefit of private individuals." Another IRS brief stated that, "Ewing and McElrath (his partner) sit at the top of a very lucrative set of organizations which they totally control without interference."

The listed address for two of Ewing ministries points to the headquarters of his lawyer, J.C. Joyce. His current ministry, Saint Matthew's Churches, was also incorporated at Joyce's Tulsa law office.

Every Gimmick Under the Sun

When I first came to faith is Jesus Christ, I spent much time listening to Christian radio. Being eager for information, I wrote to all the programs that invited listeners to contact them. Many of the men on these programs were clients of Ewing who sent me an endless series of appeals for money.

Even as a baby Christian, I could tell that these prosperity preachers were wolves in sheep's clothing. Their only purpose in writing me was to get money.

To them, the Bible is just a tool for extracting funds. While Bank jobbers use guns, they utilize Scripture to pull these heists.

Ewing came up with an endless number of gimmicks to be mailed out by ministries. What made them appealing was their context to Bible verses. Some mailings would contain items like prayer cloths, "Jesus eyes" handkerchiefs, fake golden coins, miracle water or oil, communion wafers, a prayer rug made out of paper, and "sackcloth billfolds."

To conceal these letters from family members who might have better financial sense, the recipients were told to open the letters in private and not discuss them with others: "Try to take it to a room or somewhere where you can be alone with the Lord." Other mailings asked for a donation before opening a second letter marked "Personal and private."

One mailing from Ewing included a $10,000 "faith check." The bogus check was from the "Bank of Heaven." Of course, the bank president was God, the Father, the vice president was Jesus, and the secretary and treasurer was The Holy Ghost.

"Place the faith check in your wallet and keep it there until the blessing unfolds," the letter states.

"Whisper the name of Jesus three times as you write your name on the back of your Faith Check."

A lot of Ewing's ideas seem as if they were inspired by a book of witchcraft. The Bible does not tell us to make practice of "repetitious" prayer. The Lord is not like a slot machine; you don't keep blindly pulling His arm until He finally pays off. We receive God's blessing by seeking Him on a personal level.

The Day of Reckoning

I've never been temped to go down the prosperity path. Even as I read of the wealth some of these folks have raked in, and of the luxurious lives they lead, I want nothing to do with it.

No amount of money is enough to make it worth losing your eternal soul. I can't imagine how someone who preys upon the poorest and most desperate people in our society can be regarded as Christian brothers or sisters.

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 16:25).

The funny thing about men who are truly evil: They tend to envision themselves in a positive light. Somehow they manage to find a way to view their evil deeds as helping their victims.

I imagine that James Eugene Ewing someday expects the doors of heaven to swing wide open for him. After all, he is the one who brought great hope to people who replied to his prosperity mailings.

The reality is that Ewing has done a huge amount of damage to the Kingdom of God. The teachings that he set in motion decades ago have grown in monstrous organizations. The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a haven for evangelists who have adopted his principles. It reaches tens of millions of people around the globe.

I recently talked to one pastor from Zambia who testified that the prosperity teaching has been very destructive to the church in Africa. He confirmed that many Christians have become inactive in the faith, choosing rather to sit around and listen to American preachers.

If Ewing had any concept of the massive hole he was digging for himself, he probably would have long ago retired from the business. He continues to add to his judgment because he obviously likes swindling people.

In the end, the main anguish of hell for people like Ewing will not be caused when they roast in an eternal flame. Their ultimate pain will be when they realize how easy it would have been to do the right thing. After all, they had the word of truth, they had the ambition, they had the financial resources, and they had the organization--but they did nothing to advance the name of Jesus.

"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (Mat. 18:7).

The Need of A Strong Cry

 

I. The Cry for Deliverance

 

Before Jonah could obey and cry against Nineveh he had to first cry out to God for his own deliverance. Why is it that we don't see anyone on the streets like Jonah in this hour? Where are those that will take to the streets and proclaim the message "Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" ? Is it because the Lord is not inspiring us to at this time? Or is it because everyone seems to be like Elijah in a cave or Jonah running from the call of God? Is it not time to stand up and proclaim to this generation the Gospel of Jesus Christ! With power! With Conviction! With courage! With Victory! Without fear! Fearless! As warriors!

 

Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

 

God had to prepare Jonah to proclaim a message of Judgment. God knew that Jonah would disobey Him even as He knew Peter would fail and deny that He even knew the Lord. The Lord is in complete control. What God knows is something we don't. He knows the outcome of of our faith! This is why Peter said in his letter, consider the outcome of your faith. God does not make a choice based on our ability to obey Him, He makes a choice based on the outcome of our faith. He knows those that are going to ultimately choose to obey Him or not. In God's foreknowledge He knows the end from the beginning! He knows! May we be like Peter when the Lord asks us a question, "Lord only you know." Let us build on this fact. Let us not build on sinking sand. Let us build on Truth, in this our and not on a hypothesis. The world builds on "educated guesses", however the Believer in Jesus Christ does not build on anything but Truth. Remember Truth is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Upon this Rock the Lord is building His Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

 

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

II. The Cry of Repentance

 

Message of John and Jesus. -

 

"Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  Matt 3:2 , Matt 4:17

 

III. The Cry Against Sin

Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

The Cry

 

John 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

 

Examples of those with this cry

 

Jonah

 

John the Baptist

 

Jesus

 

Conclusion:

 

We must be faithful to answer the call of God and cry against this generation. What do we cry? We tell them the Truth. God's judgment is coming! Yes, they will laugh. Yes they will will mock. Yes they will persecute us. But did not the Lord not tell us they would? However our cry is the world's only hope! We must cry Repent! Let us not leave them there though. Let us cry also The kingdom of Heaven is near! What joy! What Victory! We get to proclaim to the world that Christ's Kingdom is coming! We get to herald the Kingdom of Heaven is coming! Oh what Glory! The King is coming! His Kingdom is coming! Christ is going to set up His Kingdom! It is not for us to decide who is going to except His Gospel message or reject it. It is ours to proclaim the Truth! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! The King is coming!

 

 

 

The Spirit of Jezebel

The Spirit of Jezebel
George Kirkpatrick  

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Vital Words to the Body of Christ 

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The age old question is, "What's in a name?" The answer to this question is, "Much!" When we hear some names we relate them to good times or pleasant events. Other names we hear bring forth anxiety or remind us of events in our life that were not pleasant. Other names remind us of places we have been or would like to visit. We relate many names to inventions. When we hear the name of "Bell", we think of the telephone, the same is true with "Ford" and the automobile, or "Morse" with the telegraph. Other names remind us of people who have stood out in sports: Ruth and Gehrig with baseball and Hogan and Arnold with golf. The name of Lindburg will always be associated with airplanes, courage, and accomplishment. The name of Einstein will always be associated with genius.

Down through history there have been those whose names have been beloved, while other names provoke anger, mistrust, and hatred. People name their children after those who have been an honor and glory to their name. Their name will continue for many generations. Then there are other names no one would name a child after. One example would be Adolph Hitler. His name will live in infamy for all time.

In the Bible God uses names to display a person's character, nature, and personality. Names are used to tell and foretell events. There are many names in the Bible we relate as good, and we would like to pattern our lives after. We also name our children after these people for the same reason. There are many Davids, Daniels, Marys, Rachels, and Pauls; all names we associate for good.

But there is one name in the Bible no one would ever think to name their daughter after, and that name is Jezebel. As we learn about Jezebel, we discover she was the daughter of Ethbaal, King of Tyre and Sidon. The name Ethbaal means "with Baal". Before becoming King, Ethbaal was a priest to the false goddess Astarte, sometimes called Ashtoreth or Ishtar. This was the goddess of sensual love or the goddess of sex. Ethbaal overthrew his brother, Phelles, to become King of Tyre and Sidon. So from the beginning Jezebel was acquainted with false religion and government. Jezebel grew up in a position of power, authority, and prestige. She would never relinquish these all the days of her life.

The name Jezebel means "Baal exulted", and has the further meaning of "unchaste, and non-cohabitant". The word non-cohabitant means unhusbanded". The word unchaste means "lewd, impure, and defiled". Jezebel's name not only shows her character, it also foretells her way of life. Many women down through history have been non-cohabitant and unchaste. These always display the spirit of Jezebel.

Jezebel married Ahab, King of Israel. As Queen of Israel, she immediately set up her false religions, and began to require the people to worship her false gods. It is recorded that Jezebel had four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the grove who ate at her table, I Kings 18:19. Baal was the god of agriculture. Baal represents the god of plenty and increase. The goddess of the grove was Astarte. She was the goddess of all sensual love and sex. Truly the world today and many who are called by God's name are still worshiping the false gods of Jezebel.

Jezebel used her persuasive ways to control King Ahab. Ahab became a puppet in the hands of Jezebel, as do all those who refuse to deal with the spirit of Jezebel. Ahab followed her every whim to keep peace in his kingdom. It is written of Ahab:

"And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." I Kings 16:32-33

Because Ahab allowed Jezebel to control what went on in his life, he provoked the anger of the Lord more than any King of Israel before him. Yet today we see the spirit of Jezebel ruling in the White House and in most of the homes in our land because men will not stand up to the spirit of Jezebel they live with. Even the young girls from preschool on are taught, "Girls Rule". This has become a popular motto in our land.

Many high offices are held by women. Many of the President's cabinet are women. The last two appointments to the Supreme Court have been women. Truly, the spirit of Jezebel is alive and well in our land. We have become a laughing stock all over the world.  A nation who claims to be a Godly nation is ruled by women. We send our women to negotiate with the men leaders of the world. Ahab and Jezebel are truly in the White House, and Jezebel rules the oval office.

Today the government is not run by Godly counsel. Instead it is run by "think tanks" who take counsel from soothsayers who practice their witchcraft openly, and receive counsel from the spirit of darkness. The worship of Baal and Astarte is more prevalent in our government today than it was in the days of Ahab. Is it any wonder God's judgment hand is upon this nation?

The spirit of Jezebel is not only in our government, it has come into the church. Today the spirit of Jezebel rules many churches. Why is this? It is because the men of God will not stand up against the spirit of Jezebel. This was shown as a type and shadow in the time of Elijah the prophet.

God raised up the prophet Elijah in the time of Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah's first recorded act was to inform Ahab it would not rain until he (Elijah) said so. After this pronouncement Elijah fled. After three and one half years of drought, Elijah returned. Elijah met with Ahab and told him to gather all the people of Israel unto Mt. Carmel:

"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto Mount Carmel." I Kings 18:20

All Israel came together, along with the prophets of Baal and Astarte.

"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." I Kings 18:21

Elijah alone faced all the prophets of the false gods in Israel. He asked the people, "How long are you going to halt between two opinions?" If the Lord be God, follow Him. But if the god of plenty and the goddess of sex are your gods, then follow them." This same question could be asked of everyone in government and in the church today. Many say they believe in God, yet their is no evidence of God ruling in their lives.

"Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." I Kings 18:22

Jezebel had killed most of the prophets of God, and Elijah thought he was the last prophet of God left alive. Today many men of God feel the same way. These ministers have worked hard to get the people to serve God, but there are so many diversions in the peoples' lives that their walk before God has become  secondary. These true men of God cry out before God, "Am I the only one left who walks the way you have designed in your Word?" When Elijah cried out, "God, I am the only one", God spoke to him:

"Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." I Kings 19:18

There was another man who met Elijah on his return. His name was Obadiah. He was governor in the house of Ahab. Obadiah asked Elijah:

"Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?" I Kings 18:13

God has His prophets hidden, and He is feeding them on the bread of life and the water of His Word. The government thinks they are going to eliminate the true worship of God. This is their new age plan. Government wants to be our god. But God has another plan. This is shown in Elijah's great victory over all the prophets of Baal and Astarte. After this Ahab returned to his palace:

"And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel, sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time." I Kings 19:1-2

Elijah was able to deal with the King of Israel. He was able to deal with all the false prophets of Baal and Astarte. But he could not deal with the spirit of Jezebel. When Elijah received the message, he fled because he was so terrified by Jezebel's threat.

". . . 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 away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." I Kings 19:4

Elijah had entered into a place of depression. Today many pastors, husbands, and teachers have entered into a place of depression because they refuse to deal with the spirit of Jezebel. Elijah's condition did not improve, it got worse:

"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?" I Kings 19:9

The cave represents the lowest part of the earth. There is no light in a cave, only darkness. When we allow ourselves to enter into this place, we have extinguished all the light of God in our lives. God will not enter into this place with us. The Lord asked Elijah, "What are you doing in there?" Elijah had forgotten all the promises, power, and protection of God in his life.

Today many pastors, husbands, and teachers are afraid to deal with the spirit of Jezebel. They fear losing their ministry, their home, and their job; when in reality they will lose it all because they cannot serve God in their home or on their jobs in their depressed state. Elijah's answer to the Lord is as many would answer today:

"And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." I Kings 19:14

Even though they are zealous to do God's work, many fear those who seem to have the power over them. Today when those in power threaten those who are in the place where God put them, they fear and quake. They fear the government more than they fear God. Those who fail to deal with the new age satanic spirit of Jezebel make excuses for their condition.

Elijah concluded, "The children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down, Thine altars, slain Thy prophets, and now they seek my life". This was not the real reason Elijah was sitting in the cave. It was only an excuse. The reason he was in this cave of depression was because he failed to stand up to the spirit of Jezebel.

The spirit of Jezebel has existed since the Garden of Eden. It has been the spirit of darkness' plan from the beginning to destroy the home. Many marriages are failing today because the husband and father refuse to take the headship of their home. When the serpent wanted to tempt God's creation, he did not come to Adam, he came to Eve. His promise to her was:

"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5

The serpent promised, "Ye shall be as gods." This has been womens' desire ever since. Most women are not satisfied to dwell in their created place in God. The woman was created to be an helpmate to the man. But many woman desire to be as Jezebel. They refuse to relinquish their rule in the home and in Spiritual matters where their family is concerned. This is why there are so many Jezebels in government, in the home, in our schools, and yes, even in the pulpit. Many churches ordain women as pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons. These choose to overlook the words of Paul:

"But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." I Timothy 2:12

A woman is not to teach or usurp authority over the man. The word usurp means "to act on ones own authority". Since God does not ordain them, they act upon their own authority.

The woman is to be in silence. Paul disclosed this to the church at Corinth:

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." I Corinthians 14:34-35

Paul stated it is a shame for women to speak in church. Many would proclaim, "This is an old-fashioned, outdated idea". This is because the spirit of Jezebel is so strong in the government, the home, and the church. Most, as Elijah, are afraid to stand up against it. Paul wrote:

"Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." I Corinthians 11:9

The woman's position was established from the beginning, and God has not changed His mind, nor His Word. The only thing that has changed is that man has relinquished his created place in God. Women, on the other hand, refuse to become what God intended for them to be. By the Spirit, Paul proclaimed what God desires His female creation to become:

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:5

Women are to be discreet (sober and temperate), chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own husbands. What did Jezebel's name mean? It meant "unchaste and non-cohabitant or non-husbanded". Women who refuse to become what God created them to be are operating by the spirit of Jezebel, and they have blasphemed the Word of God.

Today many pastors proclaim publicly their acceptance of women in the ministry, but when asked privately they declare it is not Biblically acceptable. In the time of Elijah God was about to do something about the spirit of Jezebel:

"And the Lord said unto him (Elijah), Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay." I Kings 19:15-17

God was raising up the power and authority to deal with the spirit of Jezebel and the sins of Israel. Elijah was to anoint three men: first, Hazael, second, Jehu, and third, Elisha.

Hazael was to be king over Syria. History teaches us that God would use Hazael to bring judgment upon Israel for their wickedness. Jehu was to be king over Israel. God would use Jehu to bring judgment upon Jezebel and the house of Ahab.

Elisha was to be a prophet to Israel in Elijah's place. God was not only changing the heads of government, He was changing His priesthood who would minister to His people. Elisha represents the double portion ministry God is raising up to overthrow all wickedness at the end of the age. God will replace those who will not deal with the spirit of Jezebel.

God spoke of His coming judgment upon the whole earth. Those who escaped the sword of Hazael, Jehu would slay. Those who escaped the sword of Jehu, Elisha would slay. God's word to Elijah foretells God's people will be ultimately victorious. No matter how many forms of government rise and fall, or who heads up these governments, God will have a victorious people who will rule and reign with Him for one thousand years.

The day came when God would anoint Jehu King over Israel. This was after Ahab had been killed in Ramath Gilead by the Syrians. Ahab's son, Ahaziah, reigned for two years after him. It was written of Ahaziah:

"And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin." I Kings 22:52

Jezebel ruled Israel through her son, just as she did through Ahab. The spirit of Jezebel must always be in control. Ahaziah was king for two years. After two years he accidently fell from his upper chambers and never recovered from his wounds. Ahaziah had no sons, so after his death, Jehoram his brother reigned in his stead. It was during Jehoram's reign that Elijah was translated off the earth and Elisha received the double portion anointing. Jehoram reigned twelve years in Israel. So at the time God anointed Jehu king over Israel, Ahab had been dead fourteen years, and throughout that time Jezebel ruled Israel through her sons.

"And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead: And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him rise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not." II Kings 9:1-3

The anointing of Jehu was to be done quickly. The young prophet was not to tarry. He was to anoint Jehu and flee. The young prophet was obedient to the words of Elisha:

"And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.  And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel." II Kings 9:6-7

Jehu was captain over all Israel's army. He was not only anointed king, he was given his marching orders. He was to begin immediately to bring judgment upon the house of Ahab, and Jezebel was his main target. God's judgment was not only to be swift, it was to be complete. This is a type and shadow of God's judgment He will bring upon the whole earth. The young prophet continued his proclamation to Jehu:

"For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel: And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled." II Kings 9:8-10

This was to fulfill the prophesy given by Elijah years before. The young prophet opened the door and fled. We must remember God was anointing another king in Israel. Only God knew where Jehu's loyalties were. Were his loyalties to King Ahab and the government, or would they be to the Word of God?

Today when dealing with the government, you never know where loyalties lie, and this generates fear. Anytime you deal with the spirit of Jezebel there is always fear. This is why her spirit is rampant in the government, the home, and especially in the church.

"Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication. And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king." II Kings 9:11-13

When Jehu returned from the presence of the young prophet, his men recognized the anointing. All will recognize those who are anointed to throw down the spirit of Jezebel. When Israel's army recognized this anointing, they began to act immediately. The first thing they did was to take off their uniforms, because now they were part of another army. They would no longer serve the old king. They were ready to become part of what God was raising up in the earth.

Today God is raising up Joel's army, an army of mighty men. This army will not break their rank, neither will they thrust one another. They will all walk in the paths of righteousness. If they fall upon the sword (God's Word), they will not be wounded, Joel 2:7-8.

"And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His Word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 2:11

God will be the commander and chief of this army. Joel records God's camp is very great. These are a strong people who will execute God's Word. The word execute means "to accomplish, to bring about, and to use". God will use His great army in the day of the Lord to restore His creation to their rightful place in Him. Joel asked, "Who can abide the day of the Lord?"

Paul wrote to Timothy about the soldiers in God's army:

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." II Timothy 2:3-4

Those who are part of God's army must learn to endure hardships and afflictions. Those who are part of God's army must not entangle themselves with the affairs of this life. These must be totally sold out to their king. They must be as Jehu's army, when the Word of the Lord came, they immediately changed uniforms. If we are to be in God's army our uniform must be our robe of righteousness. Any other uniform is not suitable for the task ahead of God's army.

Jehu went up immediately to Jezreel to accomplish God's purpose upon King Jehoram, his mother Jezebel, and the house of Ahab.

Editor's note: There are two spellings of Jehoram. In I Kings it is spelled Jehoram, and in II Kings it is spelled Joram. We will use the spelling as it appears in each Scripture.

King Joram had gone to battle against Hazael, King of Syria, and returned to Jezebel wounded:

"So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram." II Kings 9:16

When Jehu got to Jezreel, not only was Joram there, so was Ahaziah, king of Judah. When God acts, He acts in concert to fulfill His total will. Jehu was to bring judgment upon the whole house of Ahab. We know by God's Word the spirit of Jezebel was in the house of, Ahaziah, king of Judah:

"And he (Ahaziah, king of Judah) walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab." II Kings 8:27

Ahaziah, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, had married the daughter of Jezebel and was walking in the ways of Ahab because the spirit of Jezebel ruled in his house. The spirit of Jezebel not only ruled in Israel, but in Judah also. When the spirit of Jezebel is present it always has control and influence. Today we have two church systems: the old denominational order and the pentecostal movement. The spirit of Jezebel has control and influence in both. Until this influence is removed God cannot bless.

So Jehu came to Israel:

"And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace? So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? Turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again." II Kings 9:17-18

When the enemy is confronted, they always want peace. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of those who are always crying, "Peace":

"For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jeremiah 8:11

When the Old Testament speaks of daughters it is referring to the church in the New Testament. All we hear today is, "Peace! Peace", but there can be no peace where the spirit of Jezebel rules. We also know there can be no peace without the Prince of Peace being in control. Because of the spirit of Jezebel, Israel knew no peace.

"Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? Turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite." II Kings 9:19-21

Not only did Joram go to meet Jehu, so did Ahaziah, king of Judah. They met in Jezreel in the portion of Naboth. The word portion means "parcel of ground". Jehu met the kings of Israel and Judah in the parcel of ground formerly owned by Naboth. Naboth owned a vineyard Ahab desired. When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard, Jezebel took it upon herself to obtain the parcel of ground for Ahab:

"And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." I Kings 21:7

Ahab and Jezebel were no different from those who are in possession of power today. They believe because they have power, all the people are there to serve them. Anything they want they can take, and the people are forced to submit to every whim of government. They lie, cheat, steal, and the people are forced to accept their godless ways. Jezebel had learned this lesson early from her father who overthrew his brother to become king of Sidon and Tyre.

"So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth." I Kings 21:8

Jezebel set out to destroy Naboth's good name. In her letter she declared a fast and set Naboth in a high place among the people. Drawing attention to someone you are about to destroy is common in today's world. Only now this is not accomplished by declaring a fast. It is done through the newspaper and TV news. Jezebel's further instructions were:

"And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die." I Kings 21:10

The word Belial means "worthless and good for nothing". These are men who will say and do anything for money. This is called character assassination.

"And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them." I Kings 21:11

Queen Jezebel sat in an high place. The people did as she said, even though they knew it was morally wrong, and against God's Word. The same is true today. No matter how morally wrong something is they do it anyway: for money, to gain position, or prestige. The people did as Jezebel ordered:

"Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it." I Kings 21:14-16

The thinking in the government is that the end justifies the means. Ahab got his vineyard, but it set in order God's judgment upon his whole household. When Jehu met Joram and Ahaziah, God's wrath would be poured out upon the land Jezebel wrongfully took from Naboth.

Judgment upon Ahab's son Joram

"And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu?  And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" II Kings 9:22

When God's judgment comes, all the people will cry out for "Peace!". Today all people are desiring peace. Peace conferences are being held all over the earth. All we hear is Peace, Peace: peace in the Middle East, peace in Ireland, peace in Bosnia, peace in South America. But there can be no peace, because the earth has rejected the Prince of Peace.

Jehu declared, "There can be no peace as long as the whoredoms and witchcrafts of Joram's mother, Jezebel are so many." When the spirt of Jezebel is present whoredoms and witchcrafts are very prevalent. This spirit has pervaded government, the home, and it has even come into the church. God's judgment is at hand as it was in the day of Jehu.

"And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah." II Kings 9:23

To Joram it seemed like treachery because he thought his sins could continue forever. This is the thinking of all who are under the influence of the spirit of Jezebel. But God's judgment is at hand.

"And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot."   II Kings 9:24

Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and the arrow went directly through the heart of Jehoram. God always gives warning of His coming judgment. His desire is for His people to repent and turn from their wicked ways. But there is a day coming when His judgment will come from the full strength of His arm, and it will go through the heart of man's evil ways.

Judgement upon Ahab's House

"Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this burden upon him;" II Kings 9:25

Jehu and Bidkar, his captain, had been in Ahab's army when Jezebel had Naboth killed. Now they were about to witness God's judgment upon Ahab's sons, as prophesied before Ahab's death. When Ahab took possession of Naboth's vineyard, God spoke to Elijah to go down to the vineyard of Naboth and speak to Ahab who had just taken possession of Naboth's vineyard:

"And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord." I Kings 21:19-20

God's judgment will be sure today to those who work evil in the sight of the Lord, whether it be from the capital, the state house, the home, or the pulpit.

Elijah told Ahab the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs would lick his blood as well. When Ahab and Jehoshaphat went out against the Syrians:

". . . a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel (Ahab) between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which he spake." I Kings 22:34, 37-38

Judgment on Ahaziah

". . . when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there." II Kings 9:27

Ahaziah, the son-in-law of Ahab failed to deal with the spirit of Jezebel in his house, and he died. When God's judgment comes, it is swift, it is in His full strength, and the wicked will not stand even though they cry out for "Peace!".

God's Judgement Upon Jezebel

Ahab's actions brought judgment upon his whole house because he allowed wickedness to dwell there. It would be fourteen years before God would bring judgment upon Jezebel. Her wickedness cost her a husband, two sons, and a son-in-law, and her own life also. One may ask, "Why didn't God deal with her earlier?" It's because the man is the head of the woman. This is a God-given position, and God expects the man to deal with the woman. When he refuses, he suffers the consequences of her sin. Ahab refused to deal with Jezebel, and he died. Ahaziah, his son-in-law, failed to deal with his mother, and he died. Joram, his son, failed to deal with Jezebel, and the arrow went through his heart. But God's judgment was not complete:

After Jehu slew Joram, he continued on to Jezreel:

"And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." II Kings 9:30

When Jezebel was told Jehu was on his way, and of his intended purpose, she painted her face. This has the meaning of painting the eyes. We are informed the eyes are the window of the soul. Jezebel painted her eyes to conceal the wickedness in her soul.  Painting the eyes also has the meaning "to allure, to look more appealing". Even though wickedness dwelt deep within her heart, Jezebel wanted Jehu to only see her outward appearance of righteousness.

Jezebel also tired her hair. Tiring the hair generally meant "the wearing of a head dress or head ornament". The word used here for tired is the Hebrew word YATAB and means "to be joyful, pleasing, to do well, and to seem righteous". Jezebel tried all her alluring and deceptive ways to try to dissuade Jehu from his appointed task. These are the tactics of the spirit of Jezebel.

When Jehu entered the city, Jezebel cried:

"And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?" II Kings 9:31

Zimri became king of Israel by killing Elah, the son of Baasha. Zimri was captain of Israel's army, as was Jehu. After Zimri made himself king, he only ruled Israel seven days.  The people of Israel then appointed Omri to be king in Zimri's place. Zimri went into the king's palace and burnt it, and there he died in the fire. The death of Zimri was only forty-four years prior to Jehu entering Jezreel.

Jezebel first tried allurement, then deception, now she resolved to threats and intimidations by bringing up Zimri. Anytime the spirit of Jezebel is present, this pattern always follows. First, the allurement to get its own way; then deception. If these do not work, then threatenings and intimidations spew forth. None of these detoured Jehu from his intended purpose.

"And he (Jehu) lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? Who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs." II Kings 9:32

Spiritually speaking, eunuchs are those who serve the king with no desire to reproduce themselves. Jehu's name means "He is Jehovah". When Jehu lifted up his face, he asked, "Who is on my side?" Before we can deal with the spirit of Jezebel, we need to recognize who Jehovah is. We also need to determine who is on the side of Jehovah.

The spirit of Jezebel is so deeply rooted, and has such a stronghold on the government, the home, and the church, it is going to take God's whole army to root it out. Only those who are sold out completely to our God will be part of this battle array.  Allurement, deception, threats and intimidations will not change their course.

"And he (Jehu) said, Throw her (Jezebel) down. So they threw her down:  and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot." II Kings 9:33

The eunuchs threw her down and she was trodden under the horses' feet. The spirit of Jezebel must be thrown down and trodden under foot if there is going to be peace and victory in our homes and the church. We can only pray God deal with the spirit of Jezebel in our government. After Jehu refreshed himself, he told his men to bury Jezebel:

"And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." II Kings 9:35

Jezebel's head represented her way of thinking, her feet represented the way she walked, and her hands represented who she served. Jehu destroyed Jezebel as God commanded, but her spirit is still in the earth today. Those who have not dealt with the spirit of Jezebel still have the mind of Jezebel. These demand  authority. Their authority cannot be contested. These will never be content with their God-given place as helpmeet to their husband. These also walk as Jezebel walked, desiring their own way in every situation, using their femininity to get what they want. These still walk in the ways of Jezebel, where nothing is too low, to despicable to attain their desired end. Those who serve the spirit of Jezebel should know they have become servants of the spirit of darkness. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome:

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." Romans 6:16

Those who think and walk as Jezebel did are servants to her spirit, and it will cost them everything, including their eternal life in God.

Ahab had died. His sons, Jehoram and Ahaziah had died. But Jehu's judgment did not end with the death of Jezebel. God's commandment was the whole house of Ahab was to perish. Ahab had seventy sons who dwelt in Samaria. These sons were brought up by the leaders of the city. Jehu ordered the leaders of the city to slay Ahab's seventy sons.

"And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jezreel." II Kings 10:7

When God's judgment falls upon the spirit of Jezebel in the midst of the church system, God's judgment will be complete.

"So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolk, and his priests, until he left him none remaining." II Kings 10:11

Those who dwell with the spirit of Jezebel will suffer the loss of all things. Besides losing her life, Jezebel lost her husband and all their posterity. She also lost her friends, and even those who served in her chambers turned against her. When all the authority and influence Jezebel held over others was destroyed, her false gods remained. Jehu would also deal with these:

"And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal;  whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal." II Kings 10:18-19

Jehu had a plan to deal with all the worship of the prophets of Baal at one time in Israel:

"And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.  And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him." II Kings 10:21 & 24

Jehu destroyed every worshiper of Baal in Israel. He brought out the images of Baal and burnt them, and broke down the house Ahab had built for Baal worship. God's judgment was complete upon the house of Ahab and Jezebel, and also upon every evil they brought upon Israel.  God's judgment is again set in the land. His judgment again will be complete. Today man believes he is getting away with his sin and has snubbed His nose at God. The prophet Zephaniah spoke of the day in which we live:

"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." Zephaniah 1:12

Today, man is truly settled back on his lees, taking great ease from the things of God. They have determined in their hearts that God will do neither good nor evil. Their day of awakening is at hand.

The spirit of Jezebel is rampant in our government. Jesus spoke about the judgment he would bring upon Mystery Babylon. Mystery Babylon is the United States of America.

"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Revelation 18:24

In her was found the blood (relatives) of the prophets and saints who were slain upon the earth. The United States is being ruled by the new age spirit which is the spirit of Jezebel. The new age spirit is out to destroy all that is called righteous. Jesus continues with His revelation to John:

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for He hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand." Revelation 19:1-2

God's judgment will be complete upon this land. The spirit of Jezebel and all she stands for will be completely destroyed out of the land. God will not stop there. The spirit of Jezebel fills many pulpits. God's judgment will strike through the heart of the church.  The apostle Paul gives us insight into God's judgment:

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" I Peter 4:17

God will judge His house. Peter asked, "What shall be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?" Those who are called by His name and obey not His gospel will be judged severely by God. [see "Those Who Obey Not the Gospel" by G. Kirkpatrick]

Jesus revealed to John on the Isle of Patmos what would happen to the spirit of Jezebel that stands in the pulpit. John wrote to the church at Thyatira:

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."  Revelation 2:20

It should be obvious Jesus was not speaking of the original Jezebel, He was speaking of the spirit of Jezebel that has been allowed to come into the church. Jesus disclosed to the church at Thyatira, these allow the spirit of Jezebel to teach in their churches. As we have said before, Paul forbade it, and here Jesus' Himself forbids women to teach in the church.

Most women who stand in the pulpit give themselves titles: prophetess, reverend, apostle, overseer, or elder. Jesus states, "They seduce His servants." The word seduce is the Greek word PLANAO and means "to lead away from the truth". Those who will not stand up to the spirit of Jezebel are led away from the truth of God.

Jesus revealed to John, "His people are led away to commit fornication". Jesus is not speaking of physical fornication, He is speaking of God's people committing spiritual fornication. Spiritual fornication is when God's people are led away to prostitute themselves with other gods. We sometimes need to be reminded that power, authority, and position are "gods" in peoples' lives.

When the spirit of Jezebel stands in the pulpit, this is when God's people have committed fornication by allowing the woman to usurp the authority over the man, I Timothy 2:12. This is an abomination unto God, and will invoke His judgment upon the church.

Jesus further relates, "She seduced His people to eat things sacrificed to idols." That which was sacrificed to idols was meat left over from the heathen sacrifices. It was accorded to have little value. The meat that comes forth from the Jezebel spirit has little or no value. It does not nourish the soul, nor does it produce life in the hearer. Paul spoke of this in his letter to Timothy:

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." II Timothy 3:5-7

Those who only have a form of godliness are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth because they are eating the worthless meat sacrificed to idols. These who commit spiritual fornication with the spirit of Jezebel believe in her unworthy titles because they are seduced by her power, authority, and position. Jesus informed John what those who allow the spirit of Jezebel to teach in their midst can expect:

"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." Revelation 2:21-23

God always gives room to repent. He warns those who will not repent they will suffer the time of His great tribulation which is the wrath of God. No one can say God has not warned them. Neither can they say God has not pricked their conscience that what they are doing is wrong.

The spirit of Jezebel must be cast out of the pulpit. But before it can be cast out of the pulpit, it must be cast out of the Godly home. Any man who has faced the spirit of Jezebel in his home knows dealing with this spirit is not easy. Yet because of the International Year of the Woman in 1979, and the NOW Movement, many homes suffer from the spirit of Jezebel. The all-wise Solomon wrote:

"It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." Proverbs 21:9

The brawling woman wants control of the husband, the children, the finances, and the decision making process. When they do not get it, there is open warfare. First comes the allurement. If this does not work, then comes the deception, trying to make the husband think she is on his side, wanting to do as he wishes. When this does not work, then comes the threats and intimidations. Solomon, who had one thousand wives, knew the tactics of women when he stated, "It is better to live in the corner of a roof, then to face this brawling woman." Solomon further stated:

"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman." Proverbs 21:19

As we recognize the Jezebel spirit as the new age spirit which cannot be confronted nor challenged, then we can agree with Solomon. It would be better to dwell in the wilderness, then with a contentious and angry woman. As we realize the Jezebel spirit cannot be lived with, it must be dealt with. But all too often the man settles for a place God never intended for him. Solomon wrote further about this contentious woman:

"A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." Proverbs 27:15

The spirit of Jezebel is a contentious spirit, and never gives up her own way. She refuses to submit to her Godly husband as ordered by God's Word. The spirit of Jezebel never forgives, and it never forgets. It will remember things for years to use against the man at the appropriate time. There is only one answer to deal with the Jezebel spirit, the man must know and stand on God's Word. He needs to be strong, unswerving in his stand. Since the Jezebel spirit is a spirit of darkness, and not of God, Spiritual warfare is necessary.

God told Elijah to anoint Hazael to deal with the sins of Israel as a nation. He told him to anoint Jehu to deal with the leadership of the Nation Israel. He told him to anoint Elisha, the double portion ministry, to deal with the spiritual issues in Israel. God is raising up an army of Jehus and Elishas who know God's Word and operate their life by it.  Jehu dealt with the spirit of Jezebel physically, but God is raising up the Elisha double portion ministry who will deal with the Jezebel spirit Spiritually.

All who are going on into God's Kingdom must deal with this spirit in their life. It must be dealt with first in the home, then in the church. When the church gets Spiritually strong it will be able to deal with it in the government. God's hand of judgment is already upon this nation, the church, and the home. It is time God's anointed Jehus begin to act upon their ability in God's Word.

God has promised to pour out His Spirit without measure upon those who will be part of His end time army. We must prepare our lives today to come into the place where we can receive His early and latter rain in the first month, Joel 2:23. To do this the spirit of Jezebel must be completely destroyed in our walk. Her thinking, her walk, and the one she serves must be completely eliminated in our lives. God is waiting for the overcomers to inhabit His Kingdom. Praise the Lord!