ACNR, Sola, Dolly, Bethany -- Christian Theology Discussion Group

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Date Posted: 20:01:07 02/13/03 Thu
Author: tamarisk
Subject: ACNR, Sola, Dolly, Bethany

Reflections on "The Pastor, The Priest, and The "Profit.""

Jer 2:8
8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
(KJV)

Here, we find even the three primary classes of leaders established by G_d have turned against Him, as did the common people.(The Church of Today in AmeriKa?)

The Priests were to expound the law (Malachi 2:6-7--False prophets are indicted--This message is only meant for those, "For Profit, Prophets." It is NOT meant for those living a life of liberty and freedom according to the Holy Word of G_d. You can only get that freedom through Jesus Christ.)

The Pastors, (literally, shepherds or leaders), were not religious, but civil leaders. According to Jeremiah 3:14-15, these pastors or civil leaders, are those who fear and love the Lord. They are obedient to G_d. Under the theocracy, their duty was to lead the people in the way of the Lord, yet they themselves transgressed His way. I don't remember a single "pastor" of today, in the pulpit at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in the District of Columbia, consistently proclaiming Jesus Christ as their King and Lord. They have given lip service to the G_d that created them, but, they do not worship Him or look to His Holy Word as their final authority.

The Prophets were to reclaim the people from apostasy, yet they encouraged it by pretending to have oracles from Baal, the false Phoenician god. We see this today in the false worship centers called Rome, Salt Lake City, et al, etc. Most of what you see on TBN is false preachers and priests, for "profit," prophets. Those supporting the "pastors" of today, those civil, name it and claim it, leaders are deceived. They are those going around life wearing blinders.

We must give prayerful consideration when fighting those "pastors," called civil leaders of today.

We need to read further, what the prophet Jeremiah has to say in Chapter 27. Here, Nebuchadnezzar had placed Zedekiah on the throne of Judah. However, he, along with the neighboring kings, was planning a rebellion. Jeremiah's message from the Lord was that this rebellion was be futile. The yokes and bonds G_d placed around Jeremiah's neck graphically demonstrated the UNALTERABLE Babylonian captivity.

G_d gives us the government we deserve. To fight against wicked, tyrannical government may be futile. The prophet Micah gives a "reality sandwich" to the Church of Today. The prophet not only speaks of himself, but on behalf of the godly remaining in the nation. He vividly describes the evil that is rampant in the land and points to Y'shua, the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel's and America's only hope for four reasons:

1. Because the godly have perished (7:1-6)

2. Because He is the source of light in darkness (7:7-13)

3. Because He cares for His people (7:14-17)

4. Because He pardons iniquity and keeps His word. (7:18-20)

So what must we do as the remnant Church of Today to fight evil, tyrannical governments and churches today? Of those three biblical principles I posted in an earlier posting;

Deception,

Avoidance,

Violent Self-Defense,

What should the "Fight the good fight of faith," fight be for the church, the Apostle Sh'aul spoke of, to the young preacher Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12?

1 Tim 6:11-12
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
(KJV)

We have already established, from Old Testament scriptures, who and what is a pastor. Pastors of today are to LEAD their flocks in a righteous path.

7462 ra` ah (raw-aw');

a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend).

Here, Sh'aul teaches young Timothy, to teach otherwise, "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ," (i.e. doctrine according to godliness--this includes the "sound, pure doctrines taught by His blessed Apostles), is perverse.

But, in striking contrast, the man of G_d should FLEE, FOLLOW, and FIGHT. Godly living may mean to FLEE from the love of money, being puffed up with pride, etc., for they are a snare to righteous living. Money is neither good nor bad. It is the attitude toward money that is good or bad. FLEEing the temptation for riches is ever present and Sh'aul tells Timothy to run from this desire. Instead he was to FOLLOW or "to run" after righteousness. We are NOT to allow ourselves to be defeated by those snares from which we FLEE, but clothed in the Spirit. The word FIGHT means to engage in a contest. This contest is the whole life of the believer striving to win "the prize of the high calling of G_d," in Y'shua, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 4:13)

For those doubting "once saved, always saved" doctrinal teachings, note here. Timothy was already saved and possessed eternal life. The idea here is one of getting a hold of this promise of eternal life until "the things of the earth grow strangely dim." Being CALLED is a great high calling and every believer has this same calling in life. Timothy had already professed a "good profession" before many witnesses, as every believer should. (I have been in contact with a church in another part of Arizona. I told him in an email, I would love to visit for fellowship and testimony. This is how we are to know other Born Again, Bible Believing Christians.)

This was the Lord's commandment to His disciples in the Book of Acts.

Acts 1:4-5
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
(KJV)

Why didn't they go out and preach Jesus Christ risen, at this time? Why was it necessary for the disciples to continue to be taught by the Lord, and to see Him taken up into heaven?

II Ki 2:9-10
9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
(KJV)

Why? Because they had not yet received the promise of the Father (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16), and of the Son(John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), which is "The Comforter," The Ruach HaKodesh, The Holy Spirit of G_d. It was necessary for The Master to leave for the Comforter to come. It was also necessary, according the above verses in II Kings, for the disciples, (and Elisha) to receive a DOUBLE PORTION of the Masters power. Both Elisha and the Apostles of the Lord did twice as many miracles as their Masters.

So, fighting a fight without tikvat, hope and without any hope of winning is not a good fight to be in. I needed daily encouragement from the Lord each and every day I stood out front of the execution chambers. Each time I wrote governmental officials concerning injustices within the prison system. I certainly needed the Spirit when I entered into a prison and they closed the same clanking Iron Gate behind me as every convict heard. It was the same squeaking Iron Gate the Apostle Sh'aul heard when he was thrown in prison.

Why fight? Because there are Sins of Omission and Commission. A message which has a primary application to the Jews during the Tribulation period, but certainly has significance for the Church of Today is found in Matthew 25:31-46. Here we see the coming day when the Lord will separate the sheep and the goats. Those on his right hand, and those on his left hand. There is a difference here between this judgment and the Great White Throne judgment near the end of the book of Revelation. These people and nations are living. Those appearing before the Great White Throne judgment are dead.

It's when you fail, as a person or a church, to defend the rights of precious babies in their mothers' womb or to cry out against governments and the bought and paid for, welfare, 501 c 3, corporate churches for failing this. These are but a few of the real terrorists in AmeriKa today. It's when you fail to give your brother meat or drink, visit him in prison, when he is sick or in good health by NOT ministering to their need.

There are many for "profit," prophets in the world today. They will tell you many things. It is up to the Christian to discern truth and light, in a gathering sea of darkness. As important as this fight is, fighting is works. They can only be counted as good works if they give honor and the glory to Jesus Christ.

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