Doctrines of Demons: Warnings & Promises (Part 2A)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter
times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving
spirits and doctrines [taught by] demons... (1 Tim 4:1 NKJ)
TO
THOSE WHO WANT TO REPRODUCE
THIS MATERIAL:
Please see the important
message at the bottom of this article |
CONTENTS
- Why this Additional Article?
- Report of Revival Meeting
- Overshadowed by Love
- What Happens if You Give in?
- How to Resist
- God's Word of Warning to us all
|
In Part Two, several aspects of the coming "overshadowing"
were exposed. These involved the birth of a divine manchild,
control by a spiritual force of some kind, and the receiving
of a new mind.
In Part Three we will move on to examine other important aspects
of this "overshadowing" - although all that we discuss
is really part and parcel of the same experience of overshadowing.
The experience is described by a number of related prophetic
parables, and contains a number of different aspects that intertwine
and correlate to one another:
- OVERSHADOWING AS THE GLORY CLOUD INDWELLING THE CHURCH
- OVERSHADOWING AS THE GOLD COVERING OF THE DIVINE NATURE
- OVERSHADOWING AS THE TRANSFIGURATION OR RAPTURE
All the while, it's necessary to remember that these doctrines
are founded on a misunderstanding of scripture and represent
the doctrine of demons.
That is, demons whose task it is to deceive Christians have
implanted these teachings at the heart of the Church. These
doctrines do not represent sound biblical teaching, even though
they use scriptures as proof texts.
HOWEVER, they DO represent a preparation for major events
that WILL take place in the Church sooner or later. That is
why we expose them.
The actual events will probably be far more subtle and devious
than the events as described by Revivalists and Apostolic ministries.
The devil has a tendency to exaggerate. But in the days just
before the Lord's return, there will be signs and wonders,
deceptive events and spiritual pressures upon us all to conform
to these new doctrines. If we know about them in advance, we
are much more likely to resist them.
Interrupted by the
Lord
The introduction above was written in preparation
for Part Three of the series. But something happened to interrupt
the flow of that nicely organised little piece of research!
The Lord seemed to direct me to warn of what is coming in practical
terms, and how to cling to Him - the Lord of All - in response.
This was not my intention. However, I now feel that it would
be good to offer this portion of the series as part 2A, inserting
it as an additional piece before I move on to Part Three.
This part of the series now contains my description of the
overshadowing as it might affect YOU, and ministry from the
Lord on how to withstand it. This could become very important
soon.
If I am totally wrong, then you can just bin this and forgive
me for being alarmist. I'm not perfect and don't pretend to
be. Neither do I pretend to have a direct hotline to heaven
that receives everything like reading the morning's newspaper.
However, on occasion God does use me to warn people in advance
about things.
Although there's always a risk that what I say here may turn
out to be wide of the mark, there's an even greater risk that
- if I hold back - I will have missed the opportunity to help
you. So in that light, here goes...
The Eagles are Gathering
First, let me give a report of an apostolic/prophetic conference
where the leaders gathered to organise their New Order on behalf
of all Christians! This conference spoke openly of the "overshadowing
of love" and the coming of "the glory".
The events were prophesied (in August 1999) to happen almost
immediately. (Clearly this did not happen
as predicted! The leadership of this revival have presented
a hundred-and-one prophecies of the "new wave" and
the "overshadowing of love" and suchlike, but none
of this has come to pass. This does not appear to worry them.
They just move on to the next batch of false prophecies hoping
their devoted following will continue to trust them, just as
the Jehovah's Witnesses do with regard to their many failed
"end-of-the-world" predictions, and the New-Agers
do with regard to their false "christ" failing to
keep his numerous promises to appear and change the world!)
Nonetheless, something is in the air. There's a growing anticipation
within revival camps for a "new wave" or some kind
of climax. Eventually the dam will burst and whatever is to
come forth (God knows) WILL come forth. It will NOT be precisely
as the false prophets predict, but it WILL be a major spiritual
event that will affect you, and I want you to be ready for
that event whenever it might take place; so the best time to
prepare is right here and now.
"A GATHERING OF EAGLES" PROPHETIC
CONFERENCE
hosted by Pastors Bill and Marsha Burns of Faith Tabernacle
Kremmling, Colorado - August 20, 21, 22 1999
Speakers included Bill Burns, John Moore, Glenn Jackson, Marsha
Burns, Pam Clark, Stephen Hanson, Meri Burlingame, Bob Neumann,
Jim Rinker, Priscilla VanSutphin, and Suzin McNeill.
NB: In previous versions of this article, what followed
was a report prepared by a revival-supporter who summarised
the prophecies and predictions of the leaders. She has now
demanded that I remove all trace of her name and report,
and in the light of the number of false prophecies on which
she reported, I can understand if she doesn't want to stand
by her conclusions.
Other prophetic websites have likewise removed all traces
of the conference "prophecies" - could this be
a cover-up exercise? I wonder, since none of the
predicted events actually took place! (But that
didn't stop them issuing a new list of predictions for the
year 2000, and I have no doubt whatever that the new "prophecies"
will be no more accurate than the 1999 ones.)
Also, despite the fact that these leaders see themselves
as the New Order government for the entire Church, they want
to keep their statements and plans secret.
This was confirmed by one supporter who said the Lord told
him the conference was for "top brass"
military leadership only and that although what
they were going to do was strategic and very important, their
conclusions were confidential and "meant
only for a limited group of people with the same call and
vision".
The revival leadership have always been wary of public examination
of their words and deeds, despite claiming to speak for ALL
Christians and the entire global Church! That is because
they know what they say cannot stand up to close, biblical
scrutiny. Nevertheless, the facts themselves are in the public
domain, so in order to apprise you of those facts, I present
my own summary of the conference in question.
Prophecies and teachings included these:
- We are now in the "season of miracles" and nothing
short of the Eternal PRESENCE of God on earth is to be expected.
- The "old order" is passed away, together with
its creation.
- UNITY is vital and God is bringing apostles and prophets
together; he will no longer work through individuals but
desires a corporate expression of himself. We must come into
full visible UNITY and if we do, what will happen will exceed
the Book of Acts.
- God wants us to have an act of intimacy with Jesus as in
a marriage bed; He's looking for a helpmeet like Eve, a mature
lover to birth souls.
- The much-longed for spiritual breakthrough and "downpour"
of the latter rain is going to happen in 1999 [it didn't].
September 1999 will be a tremendous month as never before
experienced. Before October 1999 an overpowering love will
be poured out from Heaven and everything in the Body will
be put to rights. It will convict everyone, disclose all
sin, heal all hearts and relationships, and set hearts on
fire; a deep reverence for God will overtake all. The Harvest
will be gathered in as people flock to repent.
- We will be delivered from everything, given wisdom, answers,
love and by October 1999 we will be living under an OPEN
HEAVEN! We are not talking in terms of years, but days and
hours before all this is fulfilled.
- Everything will be restored, there will be no veil and
no sin!
Based on various bible passages, the teaching emerged that:
- We are being made into prophets, priests and kings in the
New Temple.
- The glory of this latter Temple, the endtimes manifestation
of the sons of God, will be far more glorious than the former
Temple (the Temple of God in Jerusalem).
- Jesus will not physically return until
after we have restored all things on earth.
- We are to be a "spiritual Temple"
as Jesus comes again invisibly, WITHIN US.
The kingdom comes with "no observation".
- People must respect the network of governing authority
being set up. Where government is, justice follows - people
must pass under the rod, and rebels and transgressors will
be purged.
- The Glory will come upon you - watch for it and pray for
it to happen soon. At the end of the age, the Body is brought
together in covenant.
[My Note: especially worrying is the idea of another covenant
at the "end of the church age". Since we are already
saved under the New Covenant in His Blood, what is this additional
covenant that is being proposed?]
There was much talk also of KINGDOM AUTHORITY AND
GOVERNMENT. There was a repeated call to "rise
up in Kingdom Authority with the Keys of the Kingdom";
people must submit to the apostles as they become the Head
of the Church, the Governmental rule. There can be no order
or law without this Government.
"This GATHERING had actually one main purpose....to
be a ''prophetic demonstration'' ... of THE RESTORATION OF
DIVINE GOVERNMENT. ... Call it Apostolic, I don't care
- Apostles clean up the messes children make. Apostles keep
order in the house. The King sets the Rules...THE GOVERNMENT
OF THE KING OF GLORY IS BASED ON A ''ROYAL PRIESTHOOD'' whose
sole purpose is to minister unto the King ...
The purpose of the Gathering was to restore two things missing
in today's ''church''. They are simple government and purpose.
...KINGDOM AUTHORITY has been re-established. So how we align
in humble submission to THE KINGDOM and THE KING is all that
counts.
Bill Burns set the stage by coming forth and placing THE
ORDER of MELCHEZADEK before us. ... The Priesthood of MELCHEZADEZ....
combines and expands the roles of Moses and Aaron. In fact
this priesthood combines the role of David with those of
Priest and Levite. In other words KING, PRIEST AND PROPHET
in one [corporate] JESUS....THE LAMB OF GOD on whose shoulders
all government rests. HE is both KING who reigns, and blue
print on which the KINGDOM is built.
"NEW JERUSALEM is based upon DIVINE ORDER. So Government
was described and placed before those gathered. What came
next was PURPOSE ... That was where John Moore came in. John
spoke clearly of purpose in describing "Manifest Destiny".
John placed a cold, hard, tool before us. GOVERNMENT has
come to a ''lawless land'' and our ''MANIFEST DESTINY"
will be met. It indeed was a remarkably clear description
of both the world and the church without KINGDOM GOVERNMENT.
...When Government comes in, ORDER is established. Without
Government there is just JUNGLE MENTALITY and LAWLESSNESS.
"... there is a KING who desires to reestablish proper
GOVERNMENT through a HOLY PRIESTHOOD. That this was the DESTINY
for America spoken from the FOUNDATION of the WORLD, and
now being made manifest by PROPHETIC DECLARATION and GESTURE.
Again this was begun by the presentations of Bill Burns and
John L Moore." [all emphasis in original]
- Glenn Jackson brought to those in attendance the visualization
of a place of ascendancy to which we were being called.
- Marsha Burns placed before us an image of diversity coming
into unity for purpose.
- Stephen Hanson who spoke about THE REBUILDING of THE CHURCH
that must take place.
- Pam Clark shared her vision of the role of the prophetic.
"At this point things were full circle. THE KING
and THE KINGDOM were declared as GOVERNMENT is reestablished
so a GLORIOUS CHURCH/CITY/BRIDE would be brought forth
that would be intimate and be one with THE KING.
"Civil justice is a sham....but the issue of
DIVINE JUSTICE is lacking within the Religious Systems
that call itself Christian. Abuse and lawlessness abound
''within the camp''. For this reason those
who heard HIS CALL and came to Kremmling were summoned.
"For a long time we have waited for THE KING
TO COME. Now THE KING is saying "I AM here and setting
MY HOUSE IN ORDER". I AM BRINGING LAW AND ORDER to
this wilderness we call AMERICA and CHURCH....we are being
drafted into DUTY, and that duty is to ENFORCE THE KING'S
PEACE in a LAND RECLAIMED
"It is time to go into the pits all around us
and to carry them [traditionalists] to freedom. Simply
reciting quaint King James verses does not get it done.
For we have been sent to tell THE WORLD AND CHURCH SYSTEMS
that THE KING'S DAY TO AVENGE THE WIDOWS is now here. So
we will no longer be silent and allow evil to prosper.
We will Speak and Declare THE KINGDOM and ENFORCE HIS PEACE
wherever and whenever required." [bold emphasis
mine]
One who added his own commentary to the Conference reports
reminded his readers that many disasters are built upon the
sands of false prophecies. Therefore, he urged all to ''judge''
all that you hear and read in the scales of THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT.
1 Corinthians 2:13-16. That turned out to be wise advice for
something as false as the above words, supposedly from a God
whose presence manifested itself and spoke to all at the Conference!
ADDITIONAL:
Now you can also read a report for the year 2000 "Gathering
of Eagles " conference, which is yet more alarming that
the 1999 one. As year follows year the false prophecies grow
more extreme and the militancy grows more fervent. Revolution
is in the air!
The 2000 conference covers "Battlefield Commisions",
"The Lord's Army", "Weapons of War" including
the battle-axe, "Gatekeepers" who have the keys of
the kingdom and can open and shut heaven, the birth of the
Manchild, the "impartation of the mind of christ"
(see this phrase explained as the mark of God on the forehead,
later in this series!), explanations of how to progress through
the Tabernacle to the Holy of Holies (spiritual levels), the
"Third Day" (again, see later in this series), and
much more besides. Click on http://ft111.com/conference2000.htm
Overshadowed by the Wings of the Dove
For many years I have believed that some
kind of major deception will be launched by an "overshadowing".
I see this as an intensive demonic influence on minds and
emotions, rather like a wave of feeling travelling round the
world.
As an example of mass manipulation of emotions (although this
time grief, not joy, but the principle is the same) I would
like to remind you of the outpouring of grief at the death
of Princess Diana - two years ago today to be exact!
At that time, something rather surreal and eerie happened
in this country (UK) that went way beyond the normal feelings
of sadness when somebody in the news dies. Corporately rather
than individually, the country was seized by a kind of deep
grief people couldn't explain, and Britain went into mourning
for a week. At the time, it felt unnatural and strangely supernatural,
and I was led to make comparisons with the crowd control I'd
seen on film of Hitler's rallies, and in Branham meetings.
It was like a dry run of something - to see if it were possible
to control the whole country simultaneously by the power of
emotions, and apparently, it IS!
If it's possible to inflict grief on an entire country, then
it's equally possible to implant euphoria in order to induce
acceptance of the New Order.
(On a scientific note of explanation, it's well known that
a slight modification of brain patterns can lead to a feeling
of physical and mental well-being, and that certain brain chemicals
also produce such feelings. Satan's realm of operation is the
natural world and he will no doubt utilise these brain functions
to manipulate mankind. We MUST therefore become familiar with
the differences between physical/mental stimulation and spiritual
peace or joy.)
Physical/mental happiness and well-being must not become the
impetus for your spiritual decisions, whatever anybody tells
you.
Hope for a Dying World?
There's another aspect of this event that I feel the need
to share: this will be a scenario that offers a fresh start
for the world, new hope for the oppressed and an end to frustration
and rejection for believers.
If I'm right, this event, whatever it is, will in some way
offer to get us all out of a hole.
Those who have been praying for changes in their nation and
the world will perhaps be tempted to see this as an answer
to all their prayers - at long last the waiting is over and
we have turned the corner; we need no longer believe in a decline
into apostasy and wickedness, but have hope for peace and renewal.
There are many Christians and others outside the Toronto/Brownsville
camps - ordinary Christians - who still believe in a revival
before Jesus comes. (I'm not arguing with their right to do
that, if it's something they genuinely believe from scripture
- only pointing out that it makes them a little more vulneralbe
to deception). They believe we have time to see the world repent
and change for the better, to allow millions to be saved before
the End.
This event (and I don't know exactly what form it would take)
would confirm these hopes and longings and thus be a great
temptation to many Christians, even though they are opposed
to Toronto.
Again, those who already have an a-millennial or post-millennial
mindset are in greater danger of being deceived for they already
believe in some kind of Golden Age for the Church before Jesus
returns. (As I said, I'm not criticising people's stand on
the scriptures, just pointing out the problems it might bring.)
ONLY those who still believe that the endtimes are characterised
by deception, apostasy, tribulation, lying signs and wonders,
increasing wickedness and trials (even martyrdom) for true
believers will easily (maybe not so easily, even then!!) spot
a massive global deception offering peace and hope to a dying
world.
Christmas Spirit
It has occurred to me many times that CHRISTMAS and the New
Year festivities would be the perfect time for this event to
be launched. In the pagan world (and Christmas is at heart
a pagan feast - see my article
on the subject here) the introduction of a New Era and a New
King took place at this time. This Yule feast represented the
death of the old and the birth of the new. The baby was born
and celebrated as saviour of the people. (Thus it easily slipped
into being a celebration of the birth of Jesus.)
Jesus no doubt fulfilled all the stories and myths throughout
all centuries of the birth of a King who would save the world
- we need look for no other. But at Christmas there is always
an effort to "bring down" a new era of some kind
or to create a wave of goodwill that will change people's thinking.
Every year on December 31st, new-agers gather to intone their
rituals and chant the Great Invocation inviting love to flood
the earth. Some Christians (sadly) do the same. Christmas is
already a time when people let down their defenses and get
into the "Christmas spirit" - literally! - and a
huge wave of fellow-feeling and goodness swamps us. At present
this is largely commercially induced but it's there, nevertheless.
I would not be in the least surprised to see Christmas and
New Year celebrations (one year, not necessarily this year)
used to present some new HOPE and LOVE to the world and for
all of us this would be very tempting, wanting as we do to
see answers to the world's problems.
A New Sound
Another development that I believe could contribute to the
overshadowing is in the area of sound or music. New tones are
being discovered that affect the body and mind of man. The
revivalists have also been looking for a "new sound"
that they believe will change the mindset of the world and
"convert people" without their having heard the Gospel.
These subjects must be explored at a later date.
An imaginary Journey
into the Overshadowing
The following concerns an imaginary person,
and is generalised. There is no intention to induce guilt or
fear in anyone. People's reactions will of course vary.
Imagine that you are going about your daily life, feeling
overworked, slightly depressed, unappreciated, bored and in
a rut. Your marriage is routine, nothing sparks you into life
any more, your worries get on top of you and you frequently
wonder if there's more to life than this. (In other words -
you are NORMAL!!)
In your heart, despite believing in God, you have hidden strong
emotions that your relationship with God never satisfied. You
have felt rejected by others, inadequate, and that makes you
sad and fearful of showing emotion. You feel somehow that others
look down on you and criticise you. Despite being saved, you
don't FEEL loved. You have needs that nobody knows about, and
hurts that you are unable to share with others.
God has been showing you your hurts and trying to bring you
to the point of relinquishing them to Him, believing in his
power of healing. He's been talking to you about paying less
heed to yourself and your wants and needs, and more attention
to walking in His Spirit.
Like a light at the end of the tunnel, you see God's solution
to your problems in Himself, but somehow you can't let go and
trust Him enough to find the fulness of that light. You feel
a perverse delight in nursing your wounds, and blaming other
people for making you this way. You know you should forgive,
and let it go, but you can't, you won't. You want to try and
resolve it by yourself, and then you'll commit to God, only
then....
So, carrying around this unresolved conflict (as most of us
do) you are mentally and emotionally ready for what it to come.
The Dam Breaks!
One day (and the circumstances are not the important concern
here) a massive wave of love encircles the globe. This is not
just ordinary love. This is love that can be FELT, a love so
rich, so powerful, so embracing that fills up the void in your
heart and makes you so happy that you can hardly contain yourself.
This is a wave of pure euphoria, like being on a rollercoaster
and making love at the same time. You tingle, you shake, you
can hardly breath. This is a feeling, not a spiritual doctrine,
but it seems to make sense of your life in a way that dusty
old scriptures never did.
You sense that if you give yourself entirely over to this
pressing wave of intensity, and submit to its flow, and let
yourself be swept along with the floodtide, you will never
be the same. Your life will somehow be complete at last. All
the needs and longings will be met, and you will be whole.
You have hope, and excitement, instead of uncertainty about
your future.
It's like having somebody immensely powerful and divine put
his arms around you in a cosmic embrace and affirm you as a
human being - and this Being says "you are worthy, you
are important, you are loved, you have a place in my plan;
you can be something and be appreciated by the people around
you."
God's Warning Bell
Way back in the recesses of your mind, there's an annoying
hint of a warning bell ringing. Wasn't there something you
read about the ecstasies experienced by the mystics, their
"spiritual marriage" with Jesus and how wrong that
was... didn't you come across a web site that warned of this
feeling of euphoria being part of the endtime deception, the
wooing of the spirit of love? And hadn't somebody else told
you that feelings weren't to be trusted?
And God had recently been letting you see how deceptive the
human heart is, and how wrong it was to nurse unforgiveness
against others, blaming them for your feelings of rejection.
He even reached out and offered to become all-in-all to you,
but it was too scary, and the price was too high - he said
you'd have to lay down your grudges and all those well-worn
and strangely comforting thoughts of how people have abused
you.
He said your desperate quest for personal affirmation, well-being
and self-esteem was in fact a dead end and just ministered
to your human pride. (You didn't like that!) He said you should
turn things on their head, lay down your desires to BE somebody
in your own right, and be one with HIS greatness instead. But
that would of course mean 'dying' to your self-esteem, and
your need for revenge. It would require a leap of faith, placing
all your trust unreservedly in HIM for fulfillment.
And you knew that going God's way would not elevate you to
a successful place of influence and power in this world - quite
the opposite! Following Jesus would mean yet more ridicule,
rejection and unpopularity, if not out-and-out persecution.
The only real hope would be the afterlife in heaven, and the
only real satisfaction would be walking in obedience to Him.
But what about love? You desperately want to FEEL affirmed
and comforted and loved and to know the warm embrace of acceptance,
and after all - you deserve it, don't you? And why shouldn't
you make a better life here and now? God is asking you to commit
yourself to Him without ANY of that! To take Him on trust.
And what about if he let you down, or didn't give you all you
needed?
No, THIS is much easier, this wave of love and fulfillment.
It makes you feel wonderful, and it requires you to do nothing
more than relax and be carried along. It gives you all you
need, NOW, at once, with no strings attached. If offers a hope
and a future in this life, now. How can it be wrong?
Ever seen a fish sizing up the bait on the end of a fishing
line? Or an animal gazing at the tasty bit of meat in a trap?
Sooner or later, the natural urge to eat overcomes the fear
of what might happen as a result and - snap! the trap is closed.
Natural urges are the driving force in satan's kingdom and
whoever is ruled by them is overcome by them in the end.
"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? Rom 6:16
Satan is Stumped by your Will
We should have been learning to reject the ways of the flesh.
(God has been very merciful in giving us years of practice
on this one! The process of being rejected by our friends,
cast out of churches, maligned and isolated has taught us to
trust GOD above all, and not to pay heed to our feelings.
Also, we have watched as our friends gave in to their needs
and desires and went along with the Toronto manifestations
simply because they had unfulfilled "lusts" in their
lives - they wanted a mystical "more" that God wasn't
giving them, and they got it, at a terrible price. We watched
this and took warning from it.)
But here is one important piece of information for you - Satan
can never take away your free will. He may torment you, tempt
you, pressure you, blind you, woo you, but whatever he does
he cannot remove your FREE WILL CHOICE.
If satan were allowed to deceive people without their consent,
to judge such people would not be fair, since they have not
made a freewill choice. But just as God held Adam and Eve responsible
for their own actions, despite the fact they were deceived
by the serpent, so will he hold you and me responsible for
our choice when tempted by this new wave.
Remember this - however tempted you might be to give in to
feelings of warmth, excitement, euphoria, ecstasy and love,
you can still decide not to submit, and if you truly love God
that is what you will do, however difficult it might be. The
TRUTH is more important than your FEELINGS! (Do you believe
that - I hope so!)
It's not often realised that Satan has to get your PERMISSION
in some way, even by trickery, before he can afflict you or
deceive you. (Why else do you think teachers in revival meetings
browbeat people to "stop resisting", "don't
analyse", "don't pray" and "don't think
beforehand, just submit". If you had time to think it
through, in the calm clear light of day, you'd probably refuse
to give your permission to be overcome by a strong feeling
or experience. So, people are wooed into NOT thinking about
it.)
Satan knocks as loudly as possible at your door, trying to
scare you into a gut-reaction, but you still have to OPEN the
door to receive his influences!
He acts rather like a terrorist who rushes into a crowded
place, gun in hand, shouting and screaming at the top of his
voice, aggressively commanding people to do what he wants.
They are intimidated by all the noise and shouting and instinctively
obey. However, if some brave soul says NO, sometimes this throws
the gunman and he doesn't know quite how to handle that situation.
Bullies make a lot of noise, but rarely know how to handle
resistance. Remember that, because Satan is a bully, but he's
also a COWARD.
Satan is dumbfounded when a Christian deliberately stops to
think about an experience, tests it by the Word, prays about
it, and asks God for confirmation. That is definitely what
he DOES NOT want, and he's scared of it.
Never allow yourself to be threatened, manipulated, wooed,
bullied, pushed, intimidated, hustled or driven into accepting
something unless you are 100 percent totally SURE it's biblical,
from God, and without any taint of deception. You need to know
FOR YOURSELF, and NOT take the word of others! Don't just follow
the crowd, but always make your own decision based on your
own relationship with the Saviour.
If you haven't had time to think and pray about something
new, and feel under pressure in some way to act - DON'T DO
ANYTHING! God never pressures His people in this way. He waits
patiently and gives enough time for you to willingly and wholeheartedly
agree with Him.
God's little flock are already familiar with this practical
day-to-day waiting on the Lord, because of all the deceptions
and stumblingblocks thrown at them requiring them to stop and
consider their way. Thank you, Lord, for giving opportunities
to practise this! When the overshadowing comes it will not
be any great problem to reject it.
However, some people are still sailing too close to the wind,
and the warnings contained in this article apply to them rather
than obedient believers.
What becomes of the Victims of the Overshadowing?
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed
down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as
a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted
worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:34-36)
What will happen if people DO submit and let this overshadowing
take hold of their souls? Well, a number of things, but at
first probably nothing much more than intense satisfaction
and joy. That's the bait - the tasty morsel that contains the
hook.
Once swallowed, that hook will begin to work its way into
the person's heart and they will become "hooked on love"
to such an extent that they will be prepared to follow any
creed or group in order to be part of the exciting new move.
Somebody with a deep problem of rejection may feel, with the
overshadowing of love and satisfaction, that their problems
have been solved. However, what will happen is that the deepset
feelings of sadness and grief and rejection have not been resolved
nor healed, but wrapped up in another feeling that overpowers
them.
They now have a different focus, a pleasing and thrilling
one, but one that is entirely wrong and misleading. They have
set out on the wrong path leading away from the Narrow Way.
When the first flush of excitement wears off, the grief and
sadness and emptiness returns, worse than ever before, now
also stimulated by the spirits that are manipulating the emotions
of this person. To relieve his suffering, he must again seek
out a way to experience the drug he needs, so he will gladly
go with those who are part of the system and know how to help
him.
[Note: to avoid clumsiness in writing this, I have adopted
the word "him" to apply to both men and women.]
In addition, his mind becomes gradually more and more clouded
to reality and reason, and passively accepting of the new implanted
doctrines.
Here is where Satan really scores. He cares little whether
the person is going to church, reading the bible or whatever
if he can get him to reinterpret everything according to demonic
new-order teachings. Christians remain outwardly orthodox,
and are even more zealous than before, but inwardly are deceived
and bound.
Through the mental and emotional manipulations of the spirits
accepted in this overshadowing, the person cannot think straight
or gain possession of his reason; he drifts in a kind of fog,
grasping at straws, and the new ideas seem the only way out.
They somehow seem right, in way he can't explain, and he defends
them as his only hope of sanity while his boat is being tossed
on the waves of all these new experiences.
He has put his own feelings, his own safety and well-being,
and his own life in this world, ahead of his service to the
Lord.
What has happened in effect is this person has disobeyed God
and lost sight of the Lord's specific commands applying to
the endtimes delusions:
Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life
shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve
it. (Luke 17:32-36)
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth
his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If
any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there
shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my
Father honour. (John 12:25-26)
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow
me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever
will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For
what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and
lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed
of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,
when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's,
and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)
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! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut
them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee
to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two
hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if
thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:
it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather
than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matt 18:7-9)
We are Not Helpless Victims
We are not helpless. We should not see ourselves as "victims
in the face of an overpowering enemy". However powerful
demons might be (or appear to be) they are NO MATCH FOR GOD.
Don't let yourself be cowed into believing you are helpless
or powerless. You might indeed FEEL frightened or powerless,
perhaps, but that's no indication of your real condition in
God.
God is your strength, your strong tower, your defender, your
shield, the One who does battle on your behalf.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves,
stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD... (2 Chr
20:17)
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not
with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's and he
will give you into our hands. (1 Sam 17:47)
You might be David in front of Goliath but you have David's
obedience and God's aim for your stones! The verse from 2 Chronicles
says "set yourselves" - that means, stand firm in
your faith and belief in God as Defender.
James says much the same thing using the picture of a wrestler
(in his day a wrestler was more like the Japanese version than
our Western one - so picture him as large, feet apart and immovable
as a brick wall, defying anyone to budge him) "Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you." (James 4:7)
Paul used the picture of a soldier in full armour standing
firm against the enemy, along with his fellow-soldiers creating
a solid wall of resistance behind their shields. In this way
the "darts of the enemy" could not penetrate their
forces.
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. Stand therefore... (Eph 6:13)
We do battle more by trusting the Lord than by trying to
find strength within ourselves. Calling upon the name of the
Lord is the answer. We must remember that Jesus has been given
a name that is HIGHER (and therefore more authoritative) than
any other name, whether in heaven, on earth or under the earth.
(Eph 1:20-23)
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
principality and power..." (Col 2:9-10) There is no authority
greater than Jesus Christ - and wonder of wonders, YOU are
IN HIM. He has been given authority over every principality
and power, and should you feel like giving the devil a hard
time, just remind him of that.
The Name of Jesus is Our Defense
If Jesus Christ were a building, he would be a tall tower,
and you would be safe inside that tower. He is your stronghold,
your cleft in the Rock, your tower of defense. In his name
there is power over every demon and over Satan himself.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth
into it, and is safe. (Prov 18:10)
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but
in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed
me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns:
for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. Thou hast
thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped
me. The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
(Ps 118:11-14)
When Under Pressure or Attack
Not only at the time of the "overshadowing" but
at any time you are tempted or under pressure, or under attack,
you'll need to have some idea how to resist. In practical terms
I can offer a few words of advice for those unused to such
things.
If in any doubt, CRY OUT! Cry out HELP ME LORD JESUS!!!! Start
praising God, and telling Him what confidence and faith you
have in Him, and repeating aloud all that He is; confess the
greatness and wonder and holiness of God. If no words seem
to come, start singing a spiritual song, a hymn or Christian
song with meaningful, scriptural words. Or if you have such
songs on CD/tape, you could put that on as an aid.
Those of you who have been given a spiritual tongue of praise,
now would be a good time to use it.
All of the above ends the silence of internal manipulation,
and the thought processes that may have become overpowering,
and externalises the battle so that you can consciously make
a commitment to God.
Use his name. Your prayer might go something like this: "In
the Name of Jesus, I resist and rebuke you, I WILL NOT ACCEPT
YOU - depart from me you deceiver. You are a liar and a deceiver.
My Lord is the Lord Jesus. He is my Head, my Spouse, my God,
my Lord and another I will not take. Whatever my mind feels,
whatever my body experiences, whatever thought you place in
my mind, I refuse to heed them. They are as nothing to me.
They cannot alter my choice nor control my will, for I will
to serve God alone. My spirit is fixed! I am anchored to the
ROCK, and I WILL NOT BE MOVED."
If your mind becomes cloudy or confused or blank, and you
begin to be drawn despite your best intentions, open your Bible
at once and begin to read aloud, speaking out the inspired
words of God as if addressing the powers of evil. God will
show you where to read, or if not, just find a passage that
is meaningful to you and to the particular situation.
I don't want to scare you. In fact, I WISH I did not have
to write in this way. I do so only because I love you all,
brothers and sisters, and I feel moved to try and help you,
faced with this coming event. A big battle lies before us.
Who knows what weaknesses and fears this will bring to light
in our hearts, things that (despite his warnings) we have not
been able to give over to the Lord. However, HE KNOWS! I don't
believe we should give in to despair or lose hope or become
guilt-ridden because we are not yet perfect, for none of us
is perfect and God knows that. Don't begin to dwell on how
guilty and unprepared you feel, or how inadequate you are,
because that is the highway to fear, which makes you much more
receptive to the devil's lies.
The important thing to remember is, no matter what YOU are,
HE is ALL! We are nothing compared to God. We are mere specks
of dust compared to the greatness and glory of God. Our trust
is in HIM, not ourselves at this time. The BATTLE BELONGS TO
THE LORD.
Here is one hint for you. When I am plagued by thoughts, planted
by the devil, of how sinful, weak, unprepared, foolish, lacking,
disobedient (or whatever) I am, I don't waste my breath arguing
my case or justifying my actions. I simply AGREE WITH THE DEVIL.
"Yup, that's right! I AM weak, sinful, disobedient - fill
in the dotted line -- so what, devil? I never claimed to be
otherwise. My trust is not in MYSELF, but IN GOD - and HE IS
PERFECT." That throws him. He realises if he's going to
get to you, he has to get through the Lord Jesus first!
When any battle comes, it is God who will be our Defender.
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to
the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow
from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as
a storm against the wall. (Isa 25:4)
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy
shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall
lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:19)
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when
thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isa 43:2)
Many times the Old Testament speaks of an FLOOD of the enemy
forces. There is of course a literal aspect to this, both then
and now. However, this flood also refers to a spiritual flood
of demonic energy and manifestation. Those who have dreamt
about tidal waves, floods and sea-surges have been seeing a
spiritual portrayal of the overshadowing to come (and other
associated events.)
Jesus also hinted at the parallels between the flood of Noah's
day and the surge of enemy infiltration at the other end of
time. He said the endtimes would be as the days of Noah, when
suddenly and unexpectedly the flood came and swept them all
away. (Those whom God had warned beforehand were in their specially-prepared
vessel and came to no harm). Jesus was referring to more than
just the overshadowing, I know, but there are elements in his
warnings that do apply to the overshadowing none the less.
After the Flood
Some writers have described the aftermath of the spiritual
flood in terms of a natural disaster like a tidal wave. Others
have seen people beached, limp and exhausted, washed up and
washed out. Maybe we will be washed out and spiritually exhausted,
but we will be quite safe, in God. Having survived the worst,
we can then turn our attention to praying for those around
us. I believe we will witness a scene of chaos and utter devastation,
but not visibly. The destruction will be happening in society,
families, marriages and churches, and only the believers will
perceive it.
There will be MANY who desperately need our help at this time.
When we have recovered our strength we must realise that they
will be looking for help, not knowing what to do. I feel that
we must be prepared to help those in trouble, and especially
care for the CHILDREN.
We will be called upon to support those around us with the
Lord's strength and teach all who will listen to trust Him
completely. We walk by faith, not by sight. We will be perceiving
the problems that God shows us, and understanding things that
nobody else perceives; therefore the world around will not
understand a word we're saying! This will be SUCH a difficult
time, but by God's grace we will stand.
Can we make a Difference?
Those who have gone with the wave MAY still be reached - at
least I pray so - but it will be well nigh impossible. If they
still have profound doubts, possibly we might get to them,
but they will need much prayer, and deliverance.
I believe God will raise up just the right kind of men and
women who will know what to do. They will know how to pray.
Now is not the time to think and worry about it. God will arrange
all these things as we wait on him.
Just be ready to go where He asks and do what He says and
you will be used as His minister. Don't feel inadequate. We
are ALL inadequate for this. Only by depending on the Lord
will we get through this difficult time.
At the same time that we are trying to recover ourselves,
understand what is happening, and help others, there will be
a tremendous increase of persecution against us and HATRED
of us like never before. We will actually PHYSICALLY feel hatred
coming over us at times! But as we run to the Strong Tower
and hide in the Cleft of the Rock, we will fear nothing, and
be unharmed.
God has brought us thus far by His grace, and He will see
us through. He will not desert us now. As I write this I feel
very moved, so full of words to say, but I can't express myself.
I sense something coming and I want to help you, advise you,
but I know that many will be lost. That saddens me in my spirit.
I feel sure that I'm just experiencing a tiny part of what
the Holy Spirit is experiencing, and sharing His love for the
Body, and His concerns.
That love of God within us will motivate us to reach out
to others, and it will give us hope. But if we start to turn
to our OWN NATURAL EMOTIONS, we will begin to sink, as Peter
did under the waves. It will be too much for our natural minds
to comprehend.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with
waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch
of the night [just before dawn] Jesus went unto them, walking
on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the
sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they
cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them,
saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter
answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto
thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go
to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;
and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And
immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,
and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst
thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind
ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped
him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matt 14:24-33)
Those who have been learning to take God's hand and trust
him, despite the waves and the darkness, will "walk over
the water" but those who trust in their own abilities
will be overpowered, and will begin to sink.
Having written the above, late one night, I was surprised
by what I'd said. I paused to pray. I asked the Lord to root
what I was writing in the scriptures. Immediately I was led
to Isaiah 32:11, which I found surprisingly encouraging:
"Tremble, you women who are at ease; be troubled,
you complacent ones; strip yourselves, make yourselves bare,
and gird sackcloth on your waists." (Isa 32:11)
The setting of this verse is of the removal of fertility
and joy, and a barren time of hardship coming. This
may be true in more ways than one, but my focus is on the spiritual
wasteland in which we will need to trust God for all our provision.
Those of "the betrothed of Jesus" in the churches
who are "at ease" - careless, casual, complacent
and taking no heed to themselves, or to the growing situation
of deception in the Church, will find themselves hard pressed
to respond in the right way.
We Mourn and Sigh
To put on sackcloth was to declare a time of sober,
penitential, reverential fear of the Lord. It was
a time of mourning for sin, and repentance. Sackcloth was made
of goat's hair so it was harsh and black, nothing like the
soft, fragrant, bright clothes of rejoicing. I fear for those
who are partying and enjoying their revival while all the while
judgement looms in the background.
Thankfully, though, there ARE still those who "mourn
and sigh" at what is going on, and who want above all
to obey God and to do His will. God still has His Body, faithful
to the last.
Many times when I talk to friends, they speak about the latest
abomination, then they sigh, and lament the state of the Church,
and they long for heaven. They say "I'm sick of all this.
What is happening to us? It's all such a mess. I want above
all to see God, to have this all come to an end. I'm longing
for heaven, to see His face - I hate this world, I can't stand
it any more." And I agree. We are mourning the loss of
the Church on earth, and putting on our sackcloth.
It is of interest that the curtains covering the Wilderness
Tabernacle were also of black goats' hair (Exod 26:7) so that
only by repentance and humility, and genuine mourning for sin,
did man enter into the presence and service of God.
Can we get down on our knees instead of watching TV, and say
"God, help me stand in this day! Show me what I have to
do to withstand evil. Highlight any deficiencies in my defenses,
and show me how to board up the gaps. Show me how to resist.
"Take away the carelessness and complacency, the love
of self, the searching for easy ways out, the ambition to be
something. Wake me up to see what is happening! Show me from
your word! Take away anything that's blinding me to this.
"And Lord, turn my eyes away from myself and this world.
YOU are the important One! It's YOU I need most desperately,
nothing else but YOU. You are the only One who can get me through
this."
AMEN
In the next section I will be covering other aspects of the
Overshadowing, and (I hope) will be able to show how the GOLD
miracles fit in.
Continue to PART THREE
IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT
INFORMATION:
(c) Tricia Tillin 1999
It is not my intention to hinder anyone
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