Power and the End Days Church.
Power is something that we all have been used to living with. For electrical power to reach the out most homes we use a booster, for as the electricity flows further from its source of origin it gets weaker, the same thing happens to water pressure. This is the way of transferring power from one source to another. Many people ask the same question over and over again, Why can't we do, or why can't we see, the power of God working in our lives, why can't we do the things that Jesus told us we can do? The answer is two fold. 1. many of the things that we are able to do are not taught in the Church, for many believe that the gifts were only for the disciples of Christ and 2. The lack of faith. Lets read a little; “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” The part of this verse I want to look at is this; “And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” Were the disciples the only one to be ordained to act as ambassadors of Christ, or were all men given to opportunity to have these gifts? Some tried to buy these, but were rebuked and scolded, for as the Bible instructs, these gifts are free to all who desire them. Its the power that we are lacking in these end days. As the church fades farther away from the source of power, the gifts start to fail, and the seducing spirits start getting stronger. As it was with the Children of Israel, with the miracles that God had done for them in their exodus, the same thing is happening today. As the memory of Christ fades from the church, the church becomes weaker, and the teachings of Christ are being questioned. Many churches are seeking proof from science that the things that Christ did were possible. Is this really true, of course it is. The gifts that were free are now being ignored and the things that Christ did for us, has become a tedious task for many. They are going to church by habit instead of love. Many deny the trinity because they don't understand it, many wonder if a virgin can have a baby, if a man can heal the sick, raise the dead, feed multitudes by asking and if there really is a resurrection. This is all part of Biblical prophecy, these things were meant to happen. Here is your proof; “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,(Plainly; expressly; without duplicity; without disguise or reservation of meaning; not by inference or implication.) that in the latter times(The end of Days.) some shall depart(Leave.) from the faith(Gospel.), giving heed(To mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe.) to seducing spirits(To draw aside or entice from the path of rectitude and duty in any manner, by flattery, promises, bribes or otherwise; to tempt and lead to iniquity; to corrupt; to deprave.), and doctrines of devils(a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master.); Speaking lies(Untruths.) in hypocrisy( simulation, or the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or religion; a deceitful show of a good character, in morals or religion; a counterfeiting of religion.) ; having their conscience(knowledge of our own actions or thought.) seared(Burnt on the surface; cauterized; hardened;) with a hot iron;” “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” We must know the power of God, being His children. The power of God flowed threw Christ, and it must flow threw us. These seducing spirits have a hold on many in these end days, causing some to forget the power that was given to them from the time of their salvation. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost gave us this power, without limit, only to those that would accept it. The power we have, comes from God, but as the Church seeks out an easer way of doing things, the power becomes weaker, getting away from the Lords teachings causes this. There is no booster or an extra power adapter that can help us. If we choose to get away from the source of this power, we do it on our own free will. As the church becomes weaker, the spirits of anti-Christ, starts taking control of the minds of men, and many different doctrines come about. No one is saved just because they were born into a religious family, this is a lie and a misconception. The Bible expressly states that a man must repent of his sins and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, without this confession and repentance, there can be no salvation, the power is absent. Do they not understand the teachings of Christ, or are they ignoring them? “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Man has begun getting away from the power source, these false doctrines put many into a dire situation. Why are men questioning God, why are men denying Gods word, why, O why, are many falling away? Many have received the power, but as with electricity and water, we can turn off the lights and not use the water, this is why many are sitting in the dark and have nothing to drink. Jesus paid all the cost for this power and we are turning away from it and turning to false doctrines and lies, prophecy is being fulfilled. Just a thought. Ars. 1Ti 4:1-3 Act 1:8 Mar 3:14-15 Mat 22:29 Rom 10:8-10 Webster,TSK.

 ANTI-CHRIST.

In the Bible the word; “Anti-Christ” is mentioned 4 times. To understand these days we live in we must understand this spirit and man of anti-Christ.

The spirit of anti-Christ is AntiChris'tian;

Pertaining to antichrist; opposite to or opposing the christian religion.

A follower of antichrist; one opposed to the christian religion.

Pertaining to antichrist, this Spirit entices, or seduces, the unlearned and unprotected individual, this also includes whole nations and principalities. That which hath power or energy; the quality of any substance which manifest life, activity, or the power of strongly affecting other bodies. This spirit of anti-Christ has power, not over the body, but over the mind of many.

The copy has not the spirit of the original.” This pertaining to the anti-Christ being a copy of the original spirit that Jesus left with us, to lead us and guide us into all truths. This copy cat spirit has not the interest of man nor of God in mind, but of a tearing down of the truth in the world, in other words, to kill, steal and destroy all that is holy.

The spirit of man includes;

The renewed nature of man.

An immaterial intelligent substance. Spirit is a substance in which thinking, knowing, doubting, and a power of moving do subsist. Hence, An immaterial intelligent being. This being the part of man, that controls the actions of the body and the thoughts of the heart.(Soul.)

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

This verse is concerning the spirit of the antichrist, being separate from, but also being equal to, the embodiment of the physical man.

Before Jesus started to preach the new covenant to all men, this spirit came in opposition to His teachings. The first bold mention of anti-Christ in the New Testament, was at the temptation of Christ.(Matthew 4:1-10.)

In today's world we have noticed a change from the principles that this country was founded upon and the teachings of God. We have seen many laws, statutes and rhetoric being leveled at the Christian life style and the falling away from the bind that ties Israel and us. We are being told in the media that Israel and Christianity are the two main causes of discord around the world. We have been told by our very leaders that this nation is no longer a Christian Nation, but a multi ethnic, multi religious society, becoming the largest Muslim nation in the world, this is the spirit of anti-Christ, deceiving. This spirit that we can all see, if we are willing to look, is trying to control the minds of men and separate many from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” We see here that this spirit of anti-Christ denies' both the Father and the Son. He is being led not by the spirit of God but rather, his father, the devil. Many people do not even know that this spirit exist, nor do they comprehend his power over the mind. People today have gone astray from the Godly principles of a good life style and have become indulgent in the pleasing of the flesh, and the pride of life. The spirit of anti-Christ, nor Satan, cares what lie you believe, just so you believe that Jesus doesn't exist.

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Would this spirit of anti-Christ have been stopped by Christ? No. The Bible tells us that this spirit, and the man himself, shall be destroyed in the end days, being allowed to fulfill Biblical prophecy. God has given us signs and warnings, that should let every man know when the end of days are here. Many refuse to believe and therefore, this spirit is still with us. So long as this spirit deceives people, he is still strong in his resolve to destroy many souls, and the lives of man.

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

These deceivers are false religions, false prophets, and even government leaders, that are deceiving and being deceived by this spirit. When we see any man say that Christianity is a deterrent to peace, this is the spirit being manifested threw him. These deceivers reject the very notion of Christ, the very idea of loving your neighbor as yourself, and the intent of forgiveness of sins, threw the belief in Jesus being the Son of God.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Many Christians will be called home before they are allowed to fall for this spirit of lies. Many shall be made stronger to withstand this spirit, and will, as Jesus stated, be hated by the world, persecuted and even killed for their testimony of Christ. Many today are calling for the removal of any reference to God, Christ, and even the cross from public display, this also is the spirit of anti-Christ being manifested. Why cannot the populace of this world see these signs?

They have eyes, and cannot see, they have ears, and refuse to hear, and they have mouths that spout filth, and lies, against the most High God. This also being a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Many do not realize that their hatred of Christ is fulfillment of prophecy, for we, believers and unbelievers, are all tied together in this Biblical prophecy.

Think about it. Ars.

1Jn 2:18 2Jn 1:7 1Jn 4:3 1Jn 2:22 Mat 24:22-24 Webster,TSK.

 

Revelations. Introduction.

APOCALYP'TICALLY, by revelation; in the manner of disclosure.

 

Heb 11:6-7; “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

 

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,”, As we see in the Book of Noah, Noah moved upon the word of the Lord, and prepared for the end of the world, as he knew it.                                                                                                                                                      This applies today, as we see many of the prophecies’ of the Bible being fulfilled. Faith is the key word that we must look at.                                                                                                                                        Many people have many kinds of faith, faith in husband, wife, government, idols and even each other.                                                                                                                                                                     These types of faith are useless, but with a true and lasting faith, we are able to see things more clearly.

We being warned of God of things not seen as yet, must make the effort to understand and believe in the Apocalypse to come, and be ready.

Luke 17:24-30, “For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.”                                       In this part of the prophecy, the day of the return of Christ to the earth, will be as swift or even swifter, than it takes the light of a lighting strike to take place.                                               

 

Why is this so important, for as Satan is the enemy of God, the rapture of the church will take place, where no one, nor even Satan, will be aware that it has already taken place.              God desires us to believe without signs and wonders. He desires a person to take Him at His word, as did Noah.                                                                                                                                      

 

Christianity is based on faith and not by sight. We have not seen Noah, but we still believe he existed, we have not seen King David, but we still believe he existed, and we have not seen Jesus but we believe He is, The Son of God.                                                                                                        Why then, when we can believe in everything else, cannot we believe in the Revelations of John?

This world is in darkness, financially but most importantly, Spiritually.                                                   The spiritual side of man has become darkness and a waist land. Men have gone after the darkness for their works are evil and treacherous. Men have gone after doctrines, not of God but of the imagination of man.                                                                                             There is a judgment coming and a payday for their wickedness and evil.

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” Christians are the light of the world. We have been inhabited by the Holy Spirit of the Lord.                                                   We are in possession of the truth, which was delivered to us by Jesus Christ.                                     We seek no honor, glory or praise from any man, but from God.                                                           We seek only to preach, teach and warn of the truths of the Gospel.                                           

The darkness shall cover the earth;” Gross; Unseemly; enormous; shameful; great; as gross corruptions; gross vices. Darkness; A state of being intellectually clouded; ignorance. Men have become clouded in their own imaginations and religious cults.                                  Many say they are the risen savor, many say they are saints sent from God to prophecy of a new way of living, many say they are prophets, sent by God, who do not know the Lord nor are know by Him.                                                                                                                                           

We have seen many things occurring in these end days, many of which are the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Israel is being surrounded by her enemies, the middle east is in an up roar, and the financial markets of, not only the United States, but other countries, are in disarray. Christians are being killed and hunted down, being beaten by so called religious activates.

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.”

Men today, being intellectually clouded, seeking not the righteousness of God. They are self interested, vain people. Quote; America remains a deeply religious nation, but a new survey finds most Americans don’t believe their tradition is the only way to eternal life — even if the denomination’s teachings say otherwise.

The findings, revealed Monday in a survey of 35,000 adults, can either be taken as a positive sign of growing religious tolerance, or disturbing evidence that Americans dismiss or don’t know fundamental teachings of their own faiths. Unquote. Religion News Blog, Amsterdam, Netherlands
June 24, 2008 News Roundup
www.religionnewsblog.com

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.                                                                                                         The darkness and apathy in this world comes from the influence of Satan and his demons. Many people that say they don’t believe in God, have been deceived and blinded by the father of lies.                                                                                                                                                   

The wars that are occurring in the world today are religious struggles.                                            This struggle is between unseen forces, spiritual, the force of good against evil.                             Will evil win over the good? The answer is simple is, yes.                                                                       For a time and have a time, evil will rule over the peoples of the world and they shall seek to destroy Israel and the remnant of the Christians believers.

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.”                                                                                                                  In the end of days, after the rapture of the church, the bowls, horns and cups of Gods vengeance, will be administered throughout the world. This allegory (Symbolism.) means that each tribulation, plague, is contained by God until the appropriate time.                                                                        The spirit of death will be held in check.                                                                                                  This means that even if a man desires to die, he will not be able to.                                                 

The punishment of their lack of belief, and the arrogance of man, will cause great suffering around the world. Famine, floods, fire, poisoning of the rivers and streams, along will all manner of tribulation will hit.                                                                                                                          All this will cause the people of the world to look for someone to blame.                                            The blame will be directed toward Israel. This is Biblical prophecy.

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” “That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.” This is also true. In the times of tribulation, the battle of Armageddon and the last Battle of Christ and Satan, all who refuse to recognize Jesus as both Lord and Christ, will be put to death. Gods patience with man will be over.

“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.”                                                 The generation in which Jesus lived, forsaked Him, delivered Him up for heresy trial, and was found innocent, but still crucified.                                                                                                                 His generation ignored His message, His deity and His fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah.                                                                                                                                       

 

We are able to be saved by their rejection, this all according to prophecy.                                         There are so many facts concerning the Messiah, Jesus, that we can’t ignore the truth any longer. We are, and will be, held accountable for our sin, our rejection or acceptance of Jesus, as the Son of God, coming judgment.  

 

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.”

 

And as it was in the days of Noe, so are the days we are living in today.                                                     Same sex marriages, Satan worship, cults, false doctrines, sexual sins, adultery, debauchery of all kinds, the earth is filled with violence, religious declines in mannerisms, attitudes and lack of decency.                                                                                                                                             From the time of Cane, who killed Abel, to Noah, Lot, Babylon, to the time of David, the King of Israel, to Rome, until this present day, men have sought to kill, murder, maim, destroy and enslave one another.

 

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

 Pastor, Founder & Author; Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries, A.R.Smith Ministries. A.R.Smith Ministries International. Winner of The 2005 Ezine Award for most origional Christian Articles. Member; Ujala Christian Organization (U.C.O), Member Pastoral Counselling Network .Member.,CHRISTIAN MISSIONS GLOBAL NETWORK., T.I.A.C.T. The International Association of Christian Theologist. Member SPCP Fellowship, Pastor, Founder & Author; Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries.
 
Doctrinal Statement.
A.R.Smith Ministries International.
Pastor, Founder & Author; Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries, A.R.Smith Ministries. http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
Our Doctrine;In English and French
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2Ti 3:16-17; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
We have come along way, from a simple ministry, to a ministry reaching half way around the world. The mission of this ministry is, 1.To obtain fellowship, and partnership, between all Churches, and Christians.2. Spread the word of Christ to all nations. 3. Teach faith to all Christians, and the ability to use it. 4. Teach the scripture, as the Lord desires it to be taught. 5. Render all church, man made doctrines, void, for Christ told us not to, add to nor take away, from the teaching of the Gospel.
Gal 1:8-11; But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. We are pleased that you have decided to join our family. A.R.Smith Ministries is a ministry of Spiritual Guidance, my Ministry and Goal is to get all Churches, under Christ, to help one another. I have added you to our Mailing list, and you are more than welcome to contact any, or all, our Associates for friendship and prayer. I do send out Biblical material to all members to aid in their ministry, as the Lord provides. I teach total dependence upon God, this being the will of God, for all His Children.I also seek others to adopt our Member Churches so that financial aid may be available. I write sermons, lessons, commentary and Biblical Insight and e-mail them to all members. Your Servant Rev.A.R.Smith
 

Interesting reading.

Washington – World leaders gathering at the United Nations this week for a special session of the General Assembly to advance interfaith dialogue should have no illusions that their efforts will miraculously promote mutual respect between religious communities or end abuses of religious freedom.

Saudi King Abdullah, who initiated this week's special session, is quietly enlisting the leaders' support for a global law to punish blasphemy – a campaign championed by the 56-member Organization of Islamic Conference that puts the rights of religions ahead of individual liberties.

If the campaign succeeds, states that presume to speak in the name of religion will be able to crush religious freedom not only in their own country, but abroad.

The UN session is designed to endorse a meeting of religious leaders in Spain last summer that was the brainchild of King Abdullah and organized by the Muslim World League. That meeting resulted in a final statement counseling promotion of "respect for religions, their places of worship, and their symbols ... therefore preventing the derision of what people consider sacred."

The lofty-sounding principle is, in fact, a cleverly coded way of granting religious leaders the right to criminalize speech and activities that they deem to insult religion. Instead of promoting harmony, however, this effort will exacerbate divisions and intensify religious repression.

Such prohibitions have already been used in some countries to restrict discussion of individuals' freedom vis-à-vis the state, to prevent criticism of political figures or parties, to curb dissent from prevailing views and beliefs, and even to incite and to justify violence.

They undermine the standards codified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the keystone of the United Nations, by granting greater rights to religions than to individuals, including those who choose to hold no faith – or who would seek to convert.

Another stark irony hangs over the UN special session this week. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's worst abusers of religious freedom, a fact recognized by the Bush administration when it named it a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act in 2004. The king couldn't hold such a conference at home, where conservative clerics no doubt would purge the guest list of Jews from Israel, Baha'is, and Ahmadis.

The Saudi government permits the public practice of only one interpretation of Islam. This forces the 2-to-3 million Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and other expatriate workers there to leave their convictions at the border, since non-Muslim places of worship are prohibited, non-Muslim religious materials risk confiscation, and even private worship is affected by the strictures.

It also violates the rights of the large communities of Muslims who adhere to Islamic traditions other than the one deemed orthodox by Saudi clerics. In the past two years, dozens of Shiites have been detained for up to 30 days for holding small religious gatherings at home. One Ismaili, Hadi Al-Mutaif, is serving a life sentence after being condemned for apostasy in 1994 for a remark he made as a teenager that was deemed blasphemous. The alleged crime of apostasy, in fact, can be punished by death.

The government's policies are enforced by the Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice, a roving religious police force, armed with whips, that regularly oversteps its authority and is unchecked by the judiciary.

Women seeking to exercise basic freedoms of speech, movement, association, and equality before the law have experienced particularly severe abuse.

In a particularly egregious recent case, a woman was gang-raped as punishment by seven men who found her alone in a car with a man who was not her relative. She escaped the sentence of 200 lashes and six months in prison only because of a pardon by King Abdullah, yet he also said he believed the sentence was appropriate.

Holding a session on advancing interfaith dialogue abroad is a pale substitute for hosting it in the kingdom, where the message of respect for freedom of religion and belief is most needed.

Against the background of Saudi repression and the kingdom's role in exporting extremism, including through school textbooks preaching hatred of "unbelievers," the UN and every world leader attending the special session should be demanding an end to severe violations of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.

Dialogue is no substitute for compliance with universal human rights standards.

The monarch would make a far greater contribution by exponentially increasing his efforts to promote religious freedom at home, where religious intolerance reigns. A welcome first step would be to release Hadi Al-Mutaif and all other religious prisoners who remain behind bars in Saudi Arabia.

• Donald H. Argue and Leonard A. Leo are members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.


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