October 5, 2001

#1 ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICES

It is beyond my understanding, in the face of Jesus' own description of the time of the end,
how revivalists and Dominionists can feverishly work for revival that will supposedly lead to
world dominion. Jesus said,

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the
synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake,
for a testimony against them. . . . 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:
but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

As I read this scripture, I thought also of the ecumenical prayer service held after the New
York and Washington crisis where "Christianity" stood in the midst of a diversity of religious
systems. Here were the government and the citizenry proclaiming the unity of faiths that this
crisis had brought about. What a contrast to Jesus' own words. All of this made me think of
what Paul said in 2 Corinthians:

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Even in what is termed a global crisis? Yes, even in what is called a global crisis. The
picture of something equally yoked is that of two oxen of the same proportions. Another
picture is that of a yoke connecting a chihuahua and a St. Bernard. There's an inequality in
this second example that would render the two dogs incapable of pulling their load. This is
what Paul is trying to get across. All the gods of all the other religions cannot be equally
yoked to the triune God of Christianity and the salvation He freely offers through Jesus
Christ, a salvation through which the very Spirit of God indwells the believer. Jamieson,
Fausett and Brown comment:

"'yoked with one alien in spirit.' The image is from the symbolical precept of the law (Le 19:
19), "Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind"; or the precept (De 22:10),
"Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together." Compare De 7:3, forbidding marriages
with the heathen; also 1Co 7:39. The believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. Too
close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also is included (2Co 6:16; 1Co 8:10;
10:14).

Heterogeneous means "consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents"
(Merriam-Webster). In 2 Corinthians Paul continues,

2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel?

Infidel here simply means any unbeliever in Christ according to God's word, and Paul says
there is nothing a believer can agree on with the unbeliever by coming together in fellowship
and prayer. To do so causes others to see Christianity as one of many alternatives to approach
God, giving credence to the saying, "All religions lead to God." But Jesus said,

John 14:6 . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.

The word "agreement" in our next verse from 2 Corinthians is a very important word:

2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.

"Agreement" means:

STRONG'S 4783. sugkatathesis, soong-kat-ath'-es-is; from G4784; a deposition (of sentiment) in
company with, i.e. (fig.) accord with:--agreement.

The terrorism was a tremendously horrific tragedy against humanity. Because of the sorrow and
tears and grief, Americans pulled out of their past the yearning to come together and unite
against those responsible for this tragedy. Both empathy and fear played a big part in driving
everyone together because the spirits of many needed to be lifted. The effort to quickly unite
was crucial to this country.

It is here that the Christian must walk in the fruit of the Spirit, especially in emotional
self control. When all of this mixture of grief and emotion and the hurried call to unity
ended up in an ecumenical prayer service, did the emotion of situation seem to override the
commands of God's word? This coming together of religions was one of the major differences
between the present and the past. In the past, when the country had to pull together (as in
World War II), there wasn't any visible demonstration of spiritual unity. In the present
situation, however, religious unity was seen as a crucial force in bringing the country
together. The underlying message to the world was that all religions are equal. The Christian
gospel suffered greatly because of such a gathering. Paul said, "And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols?" This was a hard situation for some Christians because people,
whether they believe in Christ or not, were hurting and hurting badly. Yet God's word has
spoken clearly.

I am sure people from all religions, including Christianity, hurt greatly over the lives
affected through this tragedy. For the Christian it is a time to care for people and help
people no matter what they believe. But like-emotions and like-feelings are no basis for
coming together in common prayer with other religions because each religion prays to their own
god, and God asks, "How can you pray to me in union with others who are praying to other gods?
Do you realize you make Me out to be just another god among the gods of this world in the
sight of many?" According to God's word, a Christian should not pray with those of other
religions, but he certainly can pray for them out of their need for Christ. Spiritual
compromise cannot be given an open door just because there's an emotional situation, and if we
are in the endtimes, these will increase in the times ahead. This is an important area where
self-control is and will be crucial to the Christian:

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, TEMPERANCE [SELF CONTROL]: against such there is no law. 24
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we
live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

To the Corinthians, Paul continued,

2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall
be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Here Paul gives a command opposing unity with other religions: do not unite in prayer and
religious diversity, but "come out from among them, and be ye separate." This is the total
opposite of, "Go in amongst them, and be ye united." It's like seeing a field of tares as
wheat and then sowing "more" wheat among the tares. That is the adversary's work, not God's.
The adversary sows tares among the wheat, but he also tries to deceive the wheat to sow
themselves among the tares for the purpose of a united, world effort to influence spiritual
forces.

I imagine the Pope loved the idea of corporate prayer among the world's religions while
condemning terrorism. He has said the Vatican would be praying with all during the October
11th Day of Prayer. Concerning the September 11th crisis, he stated,

"We cannot forget that Jews, Christians and Muslims adore God as the only God. The three
religions, therefore, have the vocation of unity and peace. May God allow the Church's
faithful to be agents of peace, in the front line of the search for justice, and the
prohibition of violence. May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for all humanity, so
that hate and death never have the last word!" (Vatican Information Service, Pope Calls For
Prayer Of The Rosary For Peace, Vatican City, 9/30/01).

Ecumenical prayer, in the past confined to religious circles, has been given a gigantic boost
in the eyes of the world as a result of the terrorism. Because of both governmental and
religious participation, the idea of unity as the force to bring about peace and harmony took
one giant step. Such ideas can be traced back to the unity of Catholic, Protestant and
Pentecostal evangelism, saturated with ideas of world dominion over earthly and spiritual
powers. Scripture narrows this "revival" effort down to a simple explanation:

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest
that they were not all of us.

Concerning the revival, this verse indicates a "going out from" while remaining "in the midst
of," this interpretation being confirmed by the words of Paul:

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you,
not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of
three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Jesus Himself told this appropriate parable:

Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his
way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares
also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow
good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath
done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But
he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let
both grow together UNTIL THE HARVEST: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the
wheat into my barn.

When is the harvest? At the very end of the age when Christ returns to judge the nations and
gather the wheat into the barn. Both of these harvests are described as following one after
the other on the book of Revelation:

Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the
harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the
earth; and the earth was reaped. 17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in
heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which
had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying,
Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes
are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine
of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

What is the message in all of this? The apostate Church will be present within the Church to
the very end of the age: "Let both grow together until the harvest" (Matthew 13:30).

That does not mean we should do nothing. Scripture commands otherwise. Here are some
scriptures to think about concerning this issue of the newsletter:

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ;

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put
on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with
all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Jesus addressed these words to the the church of Philadelphia:

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut
it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Notice the condition of the Philadelphian church: "for thou hast a little strength." Do you
feel in the minority in the midst of the apostasy? Do you feel almost helpless in the midst of
its ongoing evolution? Do you feel at times as though you have little strength? Do you know
what Jesus expects of you in this weak condition? He expects this: be one of those who has
"kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Remember,

2 Cor 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.
For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Christians work and strain to believe and have faith, when Jesus says you only need faith the
size of a mustard seed. We try to be strong and struggle and wear ourselves out trying to be
people of faith and power, when God has clearly shown us where our strength comes from. Paul
knew:

2 Cor 12:9 And he [the Lord] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am
weak, then am I strong.

Jesus knew Philadelphia had "little strength," and THEREFORE HE COULD SAY TO THEM, keep my
word and don't deny my name. Do you get the point?

I have an article on my web page entitled, "Lord, Make Us Like Philadelphia." It was placed
there quite a few years ago. Many of you have read it, and I send it out every other year or
so. I was there when this message was delivered and it was delivered with power and
conviction. I am going to send it out again because it is appropriate to this issue of the
newsletter. If you've read it, I encourage you to read it again. If not, I encourage you to
read it for the first time.

#2 GOD'S SIMPLE WORD ABOUT THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Excerpt from an email from "Defender":

On one side of the coin [the Global Positioning System's data chip] is an awesome way to to
control and track convicts, find potential lost children, the elderly, the ill, it could
identify your pets or your livestock, it could confirm an individuals citizenship for legal
reasons or border crossings, it could be used for voting, buying or selling goods etc., BUT!!!
then in your hand or forehead it would a great tool for the antichrist to mark you and control
every move you make.

I'm not saying the mark talked about in Revelations will be an extended GPS data chip, but one
can keep aware of the technology that is available that could be the coming mark. Never the
less someday, most likely in our lifetime an unholy mark from Satan will be presented to us
and we will have choose to take it or not. As Christians this is not an option, we are not to
take this mark.

In recent days I have heard Christians telling me that the mark of the beast spoke in
Revelations will never come to pass, in fact I have spoken to a Pastor who thinks the marking
of an entire population is virtual impossible. Another pastor was more concerned about the
division in the body of Christ that would happen when we would be debating which mark was the
real mark. Another Pastor told me the mark has come and gone already and was a tool that the
Catholic Church once used hundreds of years ago. Do these leaders read there bibles?

These last days require believers to study their bibles and trust Jesus Christ completely, we
must walk closely with him. In doing so we will hear his voice calling us and He will guide us
through the coming deceptions. It states in the bible that HIS SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE AND THEY
FOLLOW HIM.

Revelation 13:17 Revelation 13 Revelation 13:16-18 so that no one could buy or sell unless he
had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Revelation 14:9 Revelation 14 Revelation 14:8-10 A third angel followed them and said in a
loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead
or on the hand,

Revelation 14:11 Revelation 14 Revelation 14:10-12 And the smoke of their torment rises for
ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or
for anyone who receives the mark of his name."

Revelation 16:2 Revelation 16 Revelation 16:1-3 The first angel went and poured out his bowl
on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast
and worshiped his image.

Revelation 19:20 Revelation 19 Revelation 19:19-21 But the beast was captured, and with him
the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he
had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of
them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Revelation 20:4 Revelation 20 Revelation 20:3-5 I saw thrones on which were seated those who
had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because
of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast
or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to
life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. In His service Dwight