Evil is a blatant force – especially when the activity presented is foreign to the observer – but humanity’s fall was not just because of the sin of Eve but in her inability to identify the evil intent. Had she identified the serpent’s intent via the language it used against her, she could have discerned regardless of the attempt to sway her thinking about Yahweh, and being ignorant of all the details WHY, it had nothing in its mind that was there to benefit her. Had she seen that, her blind faith in the Creator would have superseded her desire to know ABOUT evil.
Today’s modern narratives are not simply, for the most part, just evil – that is easy to identify – easy to explain as unrighteous, especially to those who are God seekers; for those attempting to live righteously before a Holy God. The inherent problem is in those who are deceived not believing there is evil (which is ultimate selfishness) and subsequently in not first identifying that evil seeks to destroy humanity – whereby seeing societal norms as an attempt to agree with evil and therefore acquiesce to something away from the foundations of any moral code. I point this it because this is in the church today. It is in Pastors today…it is in leaders today… Why? – because most will not address the evil intent of society against their own flock – and Jesus addresses this type of leader in John 10… It is almost as if they just leave it up to the people without any type of instruction…and the wolf is running amuck throughout the flock.
This is what Jesus says in verses 1-18, “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Messages on Purpose, Destiny, Calling, “a Word for You today” – and self-help topics that could be pulled out of a Deepak Chopra book – with a few scriptures added are typical fare in the American church. Folks – God’s People Need Leadership that SEES beyond the needs of today’s personal situations. We need His Presence, and His Direction with specific answers. If a ship is sinking – the Captain is not concerned about the morale of the crew – he is not dealing with inter-personal issues…He is giving direct communication and instructions to save the ship from sinking…Do we not see we are in this same situation?
Believers have been subjugated to decades of false narratives and many do not know that they believe in evil narratives masqueraded as well-intended ideals; yet are absolutely against the Word of God – we need leadership to clearly define and guide.
The American church is like the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2 – Notice how Jesus is described to this church…as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword, and in verse 16 it comes out from his mouth. Ephesians 6:17 – the Word of God is described as a sharp two-edged sword. Jesus knew their works, and the fact that he knew what they were facing as they were in the area where Satan’s throne was.
Jesus mentions Antipas, a martyr whom died in Pergamos. The word Antipater is “against the father,” or in this context, “against the gods.” “Pergamos was known for its temples dedicated to Zeus, Minerva, Apollo, Venus, Bacchus, and Aesculapius. “Satan’s throne” was there because of all the idolatry and sin that would have been associated with the worship of these false gods. IN addition to this was the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. In Numbers 22-25, Balaam was called upon to curse the children of Israel by the king of Moab. However, Every time he opened his mouth to curse Israel, God sent blessings through him. Finally, due to his teaching, the children of Israel engaged in sexual immorality with the Moabites and sinned again God. The word “Nicolaitan” in the Greek is equivalent to Balaam in the Hebrew – and suggests the “destroyer of the people.”
Repentance is what is needed in this church…To those who did repent, Jesus tells John He would give them hidden manna. The children of Israel ate manna during the forty years wandering in the wilderness. Manna was their sustenance and caused them to live during that time. The word of God is what causes us to thrive if we will but eat it and apply it to our lives.
The “white stone” mentioned here probably indicates justification to those who overcame. The idea has four possible points – a man tried and acquitted of the crime, a slave that had been set free and given citizenship, the winner of a race or contest that suggests overcoming opposition; or a warrior returning from battle over an enemy. The “new name” is also what He gives us, as Believers received a new name when we obeyed the gospel according to Acts 11:26.
Folks – Intercessors For America just published a poll where Americans consider the economy more important than Roe V. Wade (https://ifapray.org/blog/poll-economy-is-more-important-than-roe/). This is an example of what I am referring to – until we value LIFE more than our comfort – and return to the FACE of God (Yahweh) through Jesus/Yeshua – His Son, in true repentance – we will not see a healing in our land. If it was not possible for Israel – why do we think it is for the USA – we MUST turn – We MUST repent and change the way we think – every narrative we believe we need to scrutinize it to see if it aligns with God’s Word – TODAY – not tomorrow – TODAY!
Yes blatant sin must be repented of – but our belief systems and paradigms DEFINE us – they create culture and culture creates what is acceptable in society…the thing is typically – most people live selfishly and in fear – Today is the day to arise! Pastors – Arise – People Arise! Arise and be like the King as He has called you! – I heard a friend say, “A Champion steps out of the ranks of mediocrity to claim the space between two armies.”
