Thus speaks Christ our Lord to us: You call me Eternal, then do not seek me. / You call me Fair, then do not love me. / You call me Gracious, then do not trust me. / You call me Just, then do not fear me. / You call me Life, then do not choose me. / You call me Light, then do not see me. / You call me Lord, then do not respect me. / You call me Master, then do not obey me. / You call me Merciful, then do not thank me. / You call me Mighty, then do not honor me. / You call me Noble, then do not serve me. / You call me Rich, then do not ask me. / You call me Savior, then do not praise me. / You call me Shepherd, then do not follow me. / You call me the Way, then do not walk with me. / You call me Wise, then do not heed me. / You call me Son of God, then do not worship me. / When I [sentence] you, then do not blame me. *Carved into a cathedral door in a small town in Germany, translated by Dr. William Welty, and copied from Chuck Missler’s chapter in Blood on the Altar: The Coming War Between Christian vs. Christian by Dr. Thomas Horn and contributors.

God, it seems, has put sifting (and humility and division) on the hearts of a number of people, me included (it’s not about me/us, it’s about Him!). God put this topic on my heart almost two weeks before I transferred four pages of handwritten draft notes to the computer document this is taken from. Later that day, I watched the first video in Links at the end, and heard some of what I’d written addressed, even specifically about wheat and tares by Dr. Michael K. Lake. Other messages linked below arrived over several days, and continue to do so, each one addressing some aspect of sifting or division beginning within segments of the Body, seasoned with a dose of worldly narcissism. Seems obvious these matters are ones God wants His people to give consideration to at this time. That said…

Matthew 13:24-30 (CJB) tells us Yeshua [Jesus] put before them another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, then went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads of grain, the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them up?’ But he said, ‘No, because if you pull up the weeds, you might uproot some of the wheat at the same time. Let them both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to collect the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned, but to gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Years back and recently, as stated above, Dr. Lake said that while wheat and tares grow together, they resemble each other until they reach maturity. Once mature, heads on the tares stand high, while heads on mature wheat are bowed low. You just read the above scripture. I’m not alone in having read certain scriptures and mistakenly believed them to be about those who utterly reject the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: The Lost are, tragically, lost. Most of us never imagined He meant to also sift those who wear the label Christian. These warnings in the Word are about and to those who are saved and some who’ve been deceived into believing they are. Wherever there is weakness, after a period of strain, a rift—a separation—a division—begins to show itself. His sifting has begun, though some don’t recognize it for what it is.

Messiah Jesus makes plain in Luke 12:51-53 (CJB): “Do you think that I have come to bring peace in the Land? Not peace, I tell you, but division! For from now on, a household of five will be divided, three against two, two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” We can take that to mean within an immediate family, and perhaps that’s why He warned us to love Him above even family members—there will be betrayals: Each one who walks through the Narrow Gate does so alone, like a turnstile. Yes, divisions in family by blood and marriage, but also by the Body family that claims faith in Messiah Jesus and His New Covenant with the Father.

Especially today, the Church/Body is comprised of genuine followers of Messiah Jesus and claimants. From Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus by John MacArthur, we find a summary of how to identify if you/me/others are deceived into believing our relationship with God is real.

“How does a deceived person know he’s deceived? And how can we spot such a person? Here are some keys, although not everybody doing these things will be deceived.” I’m going to summarize: First, are those who seek “feelings, blessings, experiences, healings, angels, and miracles.” Desirous of by-products of faith more than faith; it’s more about WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) than exalting God and Messiah Jesus. Second, are those more committed to the religion brand and or church tradition than to God’s Word. “Their kind of Christianity may be purely social,” more interested in the organization than in Jesus or the Word. Third, are those whose relationship is with academic theology. It’s an intellectual experience for them, not an intimate relationship with the Savior. Fourth, are those “stuck on one overemphasized point of theology, like those who never teach on anything but the second coming of Christ in relation to current events…. Watch for people with a lack of balance, and for those who are overindulgent in the name of grace, lacking penitence and a true contrite heart.”

“If you are genuine in your identification with Christ, you can expect the world that rejects Christ to reject you.” Let this rejection be because you speak God’s truth—in love, as He commands—from His Word to those who reject you, and not because you’re obnoxious or demeaning from an ego-need (arrogance, hubris, need to exalt self rather than God, exalt self over others as the Pharisee did about the repentant tax collector, etc.). Messiah Jesus, based on the Word, never spoke rudely to or about those who needed Him, including even the Gentiles/pagans. He did so solely to and about those who were supposed to be proper shepherds—examples—for God’s people, but were, instead, all in with their religious spirit for their egos and purses. However, Jesus never softened the truth to accommodate anyone’s feelings.

Also from MacArthur, “Nothing is worse than spiritual pride, because it is a barrier people selfishly put up that separates them from their own salvation.” It blocks people from seeking and receiving the pure truth of the Word. “The truth divides people,” MacArthur wrote. At this time, we’re dealing with Satan’s lies causing divisions: More than two genders; men can menstruate, have babies, breastfeed; masks and six feet apart work; jabs “fix” problems; wide and inclusive is the path that leads to God and Heaven, etc. This is occurring mostly outside the Church, but tragically inside churches where Icabod has been written over the door. Within the Church Body, we also have rifts happening, frankly, over preferred interpretations of Scripture to accommodate the flesh, rather than doing deeper work to discover deeper meanings or accurate cultural explanations, or even learning from someone who has done this work (like Dr. Lake, for example).

It’s time for genuine followers of Messiah Jesus to focus on Him and His Word—all of His Word. I don’t mean we should develop a “religious spirit,” which He hates, but to read His Word and see if we’re following what His instructions are for us to walk in His Kingdom ways that glorify Him, not us. For example, please read the scripture below, from Jesus’ half-brother (James 3:1-18 CJB), and ask yourself, “How’s that working for me?”

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely. For we all stumble in many ways; if someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who can bridle his whole body. If we put a bit into a horse’s mouth to make it obey us, we control its whole body as well. And think of a ship — although it is huge and is driven by strong winds, yet the pilot can steer it wherever he wants with just a small rudder. So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness.

“The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom itself. For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. A spring doesn’t send both fresh and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers? or a grapevine, figs? Neither does salt water produce fresh.

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies! This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there are jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

That admonition is for the Church Body. Many professing brothers and sisters on Facebook post and say things that seek to exalt themselves (or put down others) and not exalt Messiah Jesus and His saving grace and mercy upon them that they are supposed to live and share with others. I get it: It’s not easy! Especially these days. But Messiah Jesus—our King—left us with a specific mission and commands/instructions.

Time is growing too short for such a waste of grace that we’ve been given.

Satan uses counterfeits and opposites to trap us, knowing how easily human pride can be used against us. Example: The Word makes this clear about salvation in Romans 3:22-24 BSB: “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” There is no other way or person or god that gets you there—only God’s grace and Jesus: It’s EXCLUSIVE.

What do Satan, and some people deliberately and others by default, push these days? INCLUSIVITY. Every delusion and perversion is to be accepted everywhere by everyone. Any Christians who stand against this non-gospel lie gets “Love your neighbor as yourself” thrown back at them by those who have no revelation, shallow or deep, of the Word via Holy Spirit. Narcissism is going viral, including, it seems, within the Body (please see the article about the dangers of narcissism on the Left included in the Links).

LOUISIANA AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

I’d like to state briefly why I disagree with Louisiana passing the law that requires the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom of schools and colleges that receive state funding: Jesus invites but never forces faith in Him upon anyone—because our faith is meant to be a result of our choice to be in an intimate relationship with Him: It is a matter of the heart. Shared with others, taught in the home and church—yes. But in this fallen world, what does anyone think this law will accomplish, especially in the times we’re in? This law and the Self righteousness it provokes in individuals on all sides is a tactic of Satan, playing upon human pride, including and or especially those who call themselves Christians. It has increased the fighting, division, hatred, and bitterness between people—just as Satan wishes. Such distractions keeps us from the power of God, through His Holy Spirit, operating through us.

(From a FB post by Dr. Mike Spaulding) HT Aaron @aaroninwriting on X: If you must enforce His kingdom, it’s not His kingdom. / If you must implement His reign, it’s not His reign. / If you must negotiate His Rule, it’s not His rule. / If you must legislate His kingship, it’s not His Kingship. / If you must scheme for Him, it’s not done on His behalf. / If you must politicize His name, it’s not His name which you profess.

Jesus told us in Mark 12:17 that we are to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. We grieve Holy Spirit in so many ways, mistakenly believing we’re standing up for God by doing these kinds of things—in other words, behaving like the other side and or the world, rather than standing apart, and in a particular way, as Jesus commands. Read the Word. Note what the Fruit of the Holy Spirit within us is supposed to be—and what it is not. That said…

We’re witnessing what rejection of Christ Jesus looks like in people, communities, churches, education, businesses, cities, nations, and the world. He told us it would grow increasingly dark in the End Times, and that His true followers—a remnant only, rather than a majority as we might expect—need to carry His Light into the darkness, and for us to endure to the end. Those with eyes to see recognize the injustices and mental affectations, increasingly demonic, running rampant in our country. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3 CJB).

Here’s the thing most people don’t want to hear, which surprisingly includes some Christians: This is a tainted world that God is going to destroy with fire. He’s been as clear about that as He was with Noah regarding the flood. Only this time, the saving ark is our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the New Covenant between Father and Son, based on Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. What happened with Adam and Eve was about pride, about believing Satan’s deception, about wanting to be equal to God, about doubting God, whom they knew personally. Pride. The result was that the heavens (though not the third heaven) and the earth were tainted in a specific way that will continue to grow increasingly foul and fetid until Messiah Jesus returns with His cleansing fire as prophesied and promised.

Too many have not read the Bible from first Word to last. Too many cherry-pick verses without taking the entirety into consideration, or even know what “First Mention” is about and how it affects everything that follows, including in the New Testament. Too many read the words yet never receive the revelation of the Word through Holy Spirit or do any exegesis. Too many never read the Word at all. Instead, they follow a religion and its practices and traditions, never entering into a personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Plus, there’s that damaging personal-interpretation of the Word matter.

Part of the danger in the End-Times apostasy will be people looking for relief from the craziness and persecution, rather than knowing and relying on the truth of Jesus our Redeemer. It’s why so many will welcome the Antichrist, who after wreaking havoc arrives with the “solution” so people can feel good again. He and what he offers not only as a remedy but as a religion will be popular.

From Hard to Believe: “Christianity has to be very careful when it is popular. The action and excitement of a crowd captivate people. They gather in a sports stadium, or a large auditorium or church, to be part of a big event. There’s an energy, almost a pep-rally feel, but many of the participants are there for the crowd, not the Crown. They’re looking for some miraculous intervention on their behalf, or the promise of something they can cash in on. Or just a good show.” As it is in too many instances now, it is a false Christianity, a narcissistic version, where Jesus may not even be a real consideration, as is increasingly happening these days. Example: Much new “gospel” music is about the person (I/me/my); some songs never even mention Jesus’ name.

When it gets really dark and dangerous for those who stand with God, just as Jesus prophesied, and is in the beginning stages now, I beg you to remember what the Word instructs: Put ALL focus, hope, faith, submission, and love toward/to/at/for Messiah Jesus, our Redeemer, Commander of God’s Army, Who has already won the Victory for believers-receivers in Christ Jesus and His finished work on the cross and through His resurrection. Because the deceptions are many. And with A.I.’s inevitable emergence, growing in sophistication at making real and fake more and more indistinguishable, it’s imperative you remember that Truth is a person—Messiah Jesus. Deceptions will increase. More lies will be exchanged for truths, just as the Left continues to replace certain accurate words with inaccurate ones to force people to accept their agenda—and delusions. It’s why Predictive Programming via TV, commercials, movies, and more is preparing people to receive the lies and deceptions as truth.

Nearly last quote from MacArthur: “If you serve Christ actively and aggressively, you pay the price. But it is better to lose everything here—better to lose your ease and comfort, to be hassled and intimidated, badgered by the world; better even to lose your family, to lose your life—than to forsake Jesus Christ. And thank God, it isn’t that we will necessarily have to make all these sacrifices, but if we’re really His, if it comes to that, we will do it. Salvation in Christ is that precious.” But also know that just as in other countries, there will be an interval when God’s true Church must be an underground one, until He sends them out.

Last MacArthur quote (I promise), which is my sincere prayer as well: “How much more seriously will they be judged who have known the truth and turned from it. I pray that in Your grace, You would save, before it’s too late, any who have been deceived into thinking they’re true believers without any passion for the worship of the God and Savior in whom they say they believe. Reveal the truth to every heart, and bring genuine conversion to those who are not yet genuine, lest the day come when, like the people in John 6:66, they walk no more with Him, and like Judas, they go to the place of everlasting judgment reserved for such traitors.”

From Psalm 19 (CJB), which I ask you to find in your Bible and pray it to God our Father, I invite you to pray this portion of it with me now: “The fear of ADONAI (the LORD) is clean, enduring forever. The rulings of ADONAI are truth, they are righteous altogether, more desirable than gold, than much fine gold, also sweeter than honey or drippings from the honeycomb. Through them your servant is warned; in obeying them there is great reward. Who can discern unintentional sins? Cleanse me from hidden faults. Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins, so that they won’t control me. Then I will be blameless and free of great offense. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your presence, ADONAI, my Rock and Redeemer.”

My question for myself and all who claim Messiah Jesus as their Savior, King, and Lord: When we each stand before God, as decreed by God, will we think we have a right to hold our heads high because of anything we said or did during our life, or will we readily, eagerly, and in genuine humility bow before Him in the knowledge of the truth of His powerful grace and mercy and love?

I invite you to watch/listen/read what’s at these LINKS. They matter now, more than ever:

KWR041 – Humility in the Kingdom – Kingdom Intelligence Briefing with Dr. Michael Lake and Dr. Mike Spaulding

Rise of the Beast System – Dr. Michael Lake – Kingdom Intelligence Briefing

“Spirit Life!” Part 2 (youtube.com) with Pastor Benjamin Faircloth

There’s No Excuse For Being Clueless – News With Views by Pastor Rob Pue

Common Sense and Memes Are Viruses to the New World Order – The Burning Platform

The Psychopathy Of The Left: Know Thy Enemy (allnewspipeline.com)