Thessalonians part 66

The testing of lives in Matthew 7 this is found under the heading of the narrow and wide gates in Jesus' teaching, beginning in verse 13 through the end of verse 23 with thise break down 13-14, 15-20, 21-23, "Enter in at the strait gate: (this will be the Way of the cross as we shall all find out for ourselves) for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

Not every one that says to Me, LORD, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and in Your name have cast out devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.”


Then we have the characteristics of as speaking a prophecy of peace in Jeremaih 23 beginning at verse 9, this originates with false prophets, their being denounced with judgment being their end in shame, as they are being expossed in the later days, through the end of verse 22, in this order 9-12, 13-15, 16-22, “My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of His Holiness. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourns; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; yes, in My house have I found their wickedness, said the LORD. Wherefore their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, said the LORD.

I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused My people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none does return from his wickedness: they are all of them to Me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus said the LORD of Hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

Thus said the LORD of Hosts, Hearken not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still to them that despise Me, The LORD has said, You shall have peace; and they say to every one that walks after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, and has perceived and heard His word? who has marked His word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until He have executed, and till He have performed the thoughts of His heart: in the latter days you shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”


Next is the teaching of lies.

Thessalonians part 65

Next I'll turn our attention towards the false prophets as there have been many over the past 1986 years since Peter and Paul were taken off the seen. There many warnings and illustrations given for our learning but again I will use but a few, beginning with a test of, doctrine in Isaiah 8, false prophecies in 1Kings 13, and lives in Matthew 7. Then the characteristics of, prophecy of peace in Jeremaih 23, teaching of lies in Jeremiah 28, pretending to be true in Matthew 7, and the teaching of corrupt in 2Peter 2. Then we have illustrations and examples of in Zedekiah in 1Kings 22:11-12, Hananiah in Jeremiah 28:1-17, and the teaching on the last days in Matthew 24:11. Which I will again allow you to do the research of. If you have a good study Bible there should be many areas of listing where teachings can be found that relate to false prophets in an index, like a Biblical Cyclopedic or Concordance or a topics and text. There are many good translations published out there so do a through search before purchasing one or more of them.


Test of false prophets, they claim and proclaim a false doctrine as seen in Isaiah 8 beginning at verse 19 through the end of verse 22, with our targeted verse being 20 we find this statement, “Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of My people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked Me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. For the hurt of the daughter of My people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment has taken hold on Me. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of My people recovered?”


Test of False prophecies in 1Kings 13 beginning at verse 1 through the end of verse 32 here is what is stated and broken in this fashion 1-10, 11-19, 20-25, 26-32, “Behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus says the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon you shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon you, and men's bones shall be burnt upon you. And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD has spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king answered the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. And the king said to the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward. And the man of God said to the king, If you will give me half your house, I will not go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that you came. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.

Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken to the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said to them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said to him, Are you the man of God that came from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said to him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with you, nor go in with you: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, you shall eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came. He said to him, I am a prophet also as you are; and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

It came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet that brought him back: And he cried to the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus says the LORD, Forasmuch as you have disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, but came back, and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to you, Eat no bread, and drink no water; your carcase shall not come to the sepulchre of your fathers. And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.

And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient to the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke to him. And he spoke to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass. And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones: For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.”


The testing of lives in Matthew 7 this is found under the heading of the narrow and wide gates in Jesus' teaching.

Thessalonians part 64

We have the statement that the mighty will fail, as found in Psalm 33 beginning at verse 13 and I wont the last two verses so I'll go through the end of verse 17 where we find this, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.(this needs magnification so look at Ps. 2:8, 2Cor. 5:14-15 with John 10:14-28 with 11:51-52 and understand that the nation from GOD'S perspective is made up of all those who believe as Abraham came to believe.) The LORD looks from heaven; He beholds all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considers all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.”

 
Lastly is vain boasting in 1Kings 20 beginning at verse 7 through the end of verse 12 and verse 11 is our targeted passage here, “Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeks mischief: for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. And all the elders and all the people said to him, Hearken not to him, nor consent. Wherefore he said to the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that you did send to me your servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again. And Benhadad sent to him, and said, The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. The king of Israel answered, Tell him, Let not him that girds on his harness boast himself as he that puts it off. And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.”

Next I'll turn our attention towards the false prophets beginning with a test of, doctrine in Isaiah 8, false prophecies in 1Kings 13, and lives in Matthew 7. Then the characteristics of, prophecy of peace in Jeremaih 23, teaching of lies in Jeremiah 28, pretending to be true in Matthew 7, and the teaching of corrupt in 2Peter 2. Then we have illustrations and examples of in Zedekiah in 1Kings 22:11-12, Hananiah in Jeremiah 28:1-17, and the teaching on the last days in Matthew 24:11. Which I will again allow you to do the research of.

Thessalonians part 63

Having shared all the above I now turn my attention toward a continuation of false confidence and the trusting in the strength of man by ignoring GOD'S providence to see this look with me at James 4. And then the many warnings against with these headings, curse upon in Jeremiah 17, glory not in man in 1Corinthians 3, man's limitation in 2Corinthians 1, the mighty will fail in Psalm 33, vain boasting in 1Kings 20. We can find instances of these in, Bable's man in Genesis 4, Sennacherib in 2Kings 19, Asa in 2Chronacles 16, Hezekiah in Isaiah 22, and Peter in Luke 22. And as with those we have already covered I will hold my piece and bit my tongue through this outline as well. And will let each do the searching of the referenced illustrations on his or her own.

Today it is becoming more and more apparent that the LORD'S question of, “will I find faith in the earth when I come?” (look at Luke 18:7-9 for this) Being apparent that His kind of faith is what is both lacking and virtually unknown today. Having been set aside by those of mans Religion and its many forms being now unbelievable but is still claimed by some who do not know or understand what and who Faith is. They scoff at GOD and His Word in a false mockery not knowing GOD, they are by so doing placing with ignorance of heart trust in man and all the evils of the flesh. (look at James 5:1-8)

 

Ignoring GOD'S providence in James 4 where James speaks of things to avoid, beginning at verse 11 through to the end of verse 17 where this is stated: “Speak not evil one of another. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the Law, and judges the Law: but if you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another? Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishs away. For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now you rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.”

 

Next is the warnings against, as found as a curse upon in Jeremiah 17 beginning at verse 12 through the end of verse 18, where we have this statement: “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake You shall be ashamed, and they that depart from You shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for You are my praise. Behold, they say to me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow You: neither have I desired the woeful day; You know: that which came out of my lips is right before You. Be not a terror to me: You are my hope in the day of evil. Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.”

 
We are not to glory in man as found in 1Corinthians 3 beginning with verse 18 through the end of verse 23 where this is stated: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.”

 
Next is the warnings against man's limitation as seen in 2Corinthians 1 beginning at verse 8 through the end of verse 11 where this is stated: “For we would not have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD which (Who) raises the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in Whom we trust that He will yet deliver us; You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”

Then we have the statement that the mighty will fail as found in Psalm 33.

Thessalonians part 62

The before spoken of actions all merit punishment, as seen in Proverbs 19:5, 9 beginning at verse 1 through the end of verse 11 where we find this: “Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, the soul without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasten [ie...to press in] with his feet sins. The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD. Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape. Many will intreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are wanting to him. He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish. Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”

 
Next is the punishment for the above listed things found, first as specified in Leviticus 6 under the terms of guilt or trespass in verses 1 through 7: “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lies to his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or has deceived his neighbor; Or has found that which was lost, and lies concerning it, and swears falsely; in any of all these that a man does, sin therein: Then it shall be, because he has sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he has deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he has sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it to him to whom it appertains, in the day of his trespass offering. And he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest: And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he has done in trespassing therein.”


Here is the description of the punishment as found in Deuteronomy 19 beginning at verse 15 and my main focus is verses 16-20 but I'll go through the end of verse 21 where this is stated: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother; Then shall you do to him, as he had thought to have done to his brother: so shall you put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. And your eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (look also at Deu. 22:1-4 then turn to Heb. 5-6 for more insight.)


Next is the visualization of falsehood as seen in Zechariah 5 beginning at verse 1 through the end of verse 4 where we find this: “Then I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said to me, What see you? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, said the LORD of Hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by My name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said to me, Lift up now your eyes, and see what is this that goes forth.”

Having shared all the above I now turn my attention toward a continuation of false confidence and the trusting in the strength of man by ignoring GOD'S providence.

Thessalonians part 61

The LORD had other plans for Israel is clear. But how do we know the Truth? And what is the difference between a false and the true prophets? With all that has taken place over the past 1986 years since Peter and Paul's death and the corruption of the Church that they knew, how do we as individuals learn and know what is True? By the exposing of them, this can be seen in the following passages, true Prophets in Jeremiah 28:1-17, Christ Himself in John 13:21-38, and the Apostles in Acts 5:1-11, 12-16. As spoken of above.

The next has to do with false witnesses which are defind as: deceptive in Proverbs 12, cruel in Proverbs 25, they carry the sin of in, the corrupt heart in Matthew 15, hated by God in Proverbs 6, forbidden false witness in Exodus 20, cause suffering in Psalm 27, merit punishment in Proverbs 19. Their punishment is seen in; specified in Leviticus 6, described in Deuteronomy 19, is visualized in Zachariah 5. There are many examples of such as; Abimelach in 1Samuel 22, Naboth in 1Kings 21, Jeremiah in Jeremiah 37, Jesus in Matthew 26, Stephen in Acts 6, Paul in Acts 16. With each group and passage listed there are more then I have selected as examples as with all of those already looked at. I'll allow each of you to do the reseach on your own to gain more understanding and eating of the hidden manna or bread of life, that brings newness of life, to each one of us, as we eat and drink in of the water and meat of the word.

 

Deception in Proverbs 12:17 states this: “He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”

 

Cruelity in Proverbs 25:18 states this: “A man that bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”

 

A corrupt heart in Matthew 15:19, beginnings at verse 15 through the end of 20 states this: “Peter said to Him, Declare to us this parable. And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not yet understand, that whatever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defiles not a man.”

 

Hated by God is our next one and it is found in Proverbs 6:16-19 where we find this statement: “These six things does the LORD hate: yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.”

 

The false witness is forebidden in Exodus 20:16 which states this: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

 

Causing suffering in Psalm 27:12, I'll pick this up at verse 11 through 14 where we have this: “Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies. Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”


The above actions all merit punishment.

Thessalonians part 60

The use of treachery is the history of the church an especially the wilderness where Israel as a young nation began, on through its history. This same treachery is active in what is called the “Christians faith” which to day is far from what it started out as. Paul through the Spirit of Truth at work within him and those who chose to work with him warned of its growth and the coming falling away which as I have stated happened not long after both Paul and Peter were taken.


Our last one in this group is the prophet that seems to be true. Under this title I could look at corrupt priests and false teachers some of which we have already covered or will cover later if the LORD permits. Look to 1Kings 22:5-12 and the dealings with Israel after the false prophetess Jezebell, accomplished through the prophet Elijah. Then back to 1Kings 18, to find out what is stated here: “Jehoshaphat (the king of Judah) said to the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray you, at the word of the LORD to day. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten where is Micaiah the son of Imlah. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus said the LORD, With these shall you push the Syrians, until you have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.”

 
Having thus read what the prophets said concerning Israel's deffeat of their enemy lets look at another prophets words which follow in this same chapter beginning at verse 14 through 23 of 1Kings 22: “Micaiah said, As the LORD lives, what the LORD said to me, that will I speak.

So he came to the king. And the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure ou that you tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? And Micaiah said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

To this Micaiah said, Hear therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. To this the LORD said to him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, you shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets, and the LORD has spoken evil concerning you.”

The LORD had other plans for Israel is clear. So how do we know the truth and difference between false and true prophets? By the exposing of them this can be seen in the following passages, true Prophets in chapter 28:1-17, Christ Himself in John 13:21-38, and the Apostles in Acts 5:1-11, 12-16.

Thessalonians part 59

Even when we make a sincere confession GOD knows a true heart from a false one. For me king David is a perfect example of one who's heart was right with the LORD. Our example is found in 2Samuel chapter 24 and if you look at it do so seeking God's revealtion contained within it. That being said turn with me to Matthew 26 where we find Judas' betrayal through his use of treachery. Beginning at verse 47 through the end of verse 50; “While he yet spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master; and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, Friend, wherefore are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took Him.”

With this I will also turn to Luke 22 to get more on this story beginning with verse 1 through 13 where we have this stated, “The feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief Priests and scribes sought how they might kill Jesus; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief Priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of the multitude. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said, Where will You that we prepare? Jesus answered, Behold, when you are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in. You shall say to the goodman of the house, The Master asks of you, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as He had said to them: and they made ready the passover.”

Our third witness to this important event is found in John's synoptic gosple looking at chapter 12 first and then 13. First 12 beginning at verse 1 through 6 where this statement is made, “Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray Him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”

This tells the true heart condition which governed Judas and set him up for what was to come. Now chapter 13 beginning at verse 1 through 38, I will break this up in this fashion 1-11, 12-20, 21-30, 31-35, 36-38, here is what it says, “Before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went (would return) to God; He rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. Then came He to Simon Peter: and Peter said, Lord, do You wash my feet? Jesus answering him said, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter. To this Peter said, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash not you, you have no part with Me. (The disciples do not know or understand the things that were already set in place and motion by God, just as many of our own generation do not still, some 1986 years later.) Simon Peter responded to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He that is washed need not save to wash his feet, but is clean every bight: and you are clean, but not all. (Jesus knowing who His betrayer was) For he knew who should betray Him; therefore said He, You are not all clean.

After Jesus had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said to them, Know you what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, be your LORD and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me. Now I tell you before it comes, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am HE. Verily, verily, I say to you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives Me; and he that receives Me receives HIM that sent Me.

When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, that one of you shall betray Me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting (this is an operation of the evil one, for he causes all to question and doubt GOD and HIS Word) of whom He spoke of. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spoke. He then lying on Jesus' breast asked Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus to him, That you do, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent He spoke this to him. (These things all remained hidden to them.) For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night (darkness was upon him).

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. (Revealing what was about to take place but hidden from most of humanity still.) If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek Me: and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, where go You? Jesus answered him, Where I go, you can not follow Me now; but you shall follow Me afterwards. (This includes two revelations, the first is that accepted by most of the practical mindset, that being when we fall to sleep in what ever fashion it may take we will be with the Lord. The second is much harder to accept and it is this that Paul reveals by way of revelation of the secrets which God keep to Himself until the day of the LORD received it fullness. This happened on the day of Pentecost and continues on through today. Which is GOD in you, per John's synoptic gosple chapter 17 and all that Paul reveals.) Peter said to Him, Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake. To this Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for My sake? Verily, verily, I say to you, The cock shall not crow, till you have denied Me thrice (three times).”
The use of treachery has been the history of the church in the wilderness where Israel as a young nation began on through its history. This same treachery is active in what is called the “Christians faith” which to day is far from what it started out as.