Mailing #72 The True Depth of Deception Chapter 2 Part 9 (Word to the Church)
THE TRUE DEPTH OF DECEPTION
The first thing I want to bring to the light is a spiritual fact, which may not be realized by many believers. I have experienced many times that whenever the powers of evil and darkness are mentioned, or whenever Satan is mentioned by his name, many believers take it as a “cold shower” and they clearly feel highly uncomfortable. They have no freedom to speak about these powers of evil and their actions.
Many may even be offended or perplexed when Satan is given derogatory names and is not treated “with dignity”! Their apparent stumbling block is the Word in Jude 8,9 because they do not understand that Jude was never inspired to call devils “dignities”. Also, Satan was not yet defeated at the Cross of Calvary when archangel Michael disputed with him the body of Moses. At that time, Satan was still the “prince of this world” (Jn. 12:31; 14:30). Furthermore, Satan as Lucifer was the former “governor” of archangel Michael. From this viewpoint, the Word in Jude 9 is quite understandable and true. But after the Cross, Satan lost all his power and also “dignity” and so did all his evil princes and powers.
Satan had his archangels, who were made princes over various parts of this world (ex. Dan. 10:13). These devils, the princes of this world, CRUCIFIED OUR LORD OF GLORY because they had no wisdom, they were stupid. (1Cor. 2:7,8) So, when I call Satan a “stupid fool”, I am expressing the truth from the Scripture. And when men of Sodom and Gomorrha are called “filthy dreamers defiling the flesh” (Jude 7,8), then how much more filthy is Satan, who defiled them? When I, therefore, call Satan “filthy”, I only express the truth from the Scripture. Satan is a “filthy dreamer defiling the flesh, despising dominion and speaking evil of dignities” (Jude 8) and that much more than any people whom he thus destroyed. But Satan remained a “dignity” in our old nature where he still governs. Our old nature may thus be easily perplexed or offended when Satan’s dignity is not regarded or when it is even attacked.
The majority of believers do not want to hear about these powers or make mention of them. They never use the name of Satan, many only say “that evil one” as if they were unable to mention his name. Their desire is to stay far away from these things and teachings. Multitudes of believers would naturally be appalled to learn that some of these powers may still dwell in their old souls, old nature and may influence or direct their lives! This spiritual fact is something unthinkable, unacceptable, horrible to even ponder by any “good” Christian. Yet, IT IS TRUE FOR ALL OF US!
Let us begin to realize that a large part of the deception by which these powers operate and deceive believers may not appear as evil, ugly, disgusting or horrible at all! In fact, THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE! They may deceive us, deeply affect our lives, derail us and keep us away from the Lord by either natural or supernatural deeds, words, testimonies, apparitions or other phenomena, which all seem to be true, heavenly, biblical and thus desirable! They may deceive us through human goodness or exaggerated prosperity without our cross and without denying ourselves! (Mt. 16:24) That is, perhaps, the greatest deception by which they cover their operations.
You would never suspect a nice looking preacher, elder, bishop or evangelist (man or a woman!) holding the Bible and talking to you from the pulpit of a church to be “serving” Satan and his powers of darkness and evil! Would you? Really? Truthfully?
Well then, let us stop avoiding these important issues and consider the truth from God’s Word in our hearts and minds. These facts may be completely new and surprising to many believers and may truly revolutionize your Christian outlook, faith, walk and progress. They may also save you from a lot of future deep troubles, shocks and even from death.
I PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD STRENGTHEN YOU TO CONSIDER HIS TRUTH IN YOUR HEART AND MIND CONCERNING THESE EVIL POWERS, SEE THEIR TRUE DECEPTION AND BE DELIVERED FROM IT.
Whenever someone mentions the name of Satan, many believers automatically imagine that the person talks about an ugly, horrible or repulsive creature. NOT AT ALL! Satan is described in the Book of Ezekiel as “the king of Tyrus” and you should read the whole portion where God talks to him (Ez. 28:11-19).
I want to bring to your attention the fact, which might be quite shocking to a majority of believers. That fact is that Satan, formerly Lucifer (Is. 14:12) was created “…full of WISDOM and perfect in BEAUTY.” (Ez. 28:12) What does this fact mean to us today? A LOT! And unless you are willing to believe these things and get out of this horrible deception, it may cost you your life! Listen…
The Lord never took away from Satan the wisdom and beauty with which he was created as Lucifer! I know that it might be absolutely unbelievable, perhaps, even shocking for many readers, but continue reading and see for yourselves. The Lord never takes back what He gives. The Lord only told him the following:
“Thine heart was lifted up because of THY BEAUTY, thou hast CORRUPTED THY WISDOM by reason of THY BRIGHTNESS;” (Ez. 28:17)
This Word of God informs us that Satan’s wisdom was corrupted. What does that mean? I believe that his wisdom, his intelligence, his cleverness, his brightness HAD NOT DISAPPEARED BUT BECAME SINFUL, which means, SET AGAINST GOD, against His Truth, against His Plans, Purposes and Desires, set for a war for God’s Throne, set entirely for evil purposes. Evil intelligence may be a very high intelligence, indeed, but directed and used exclusively for evil purposes. His beauty was also corrupted in the same sense, that it BECAME SINFUL. What does that mean? Again, I believe that it did not vanish as such, but is used almost as bait for evil purposes. Many women may be naturally beautiful, but many use their beauty to entice or destroy men. Then their beauty is corrupt and evil for it is used for evil purposes.
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. To keep thee from the EVIL WOMAN… Lust not after HER BEAUTY in thine heart;…” (Pr. 6:23-25a)
It cannot be said more clearly that beauty does not have to disappear in order to become corrupted or evil. The New Testament proves the same point by declaring clearly through Apostle Paul that: “… Satan himself is transformed into an ANGEL OF LIGHT. Therefore,, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2Cor. 11:14b,15)
AN ANGEL OF LIGHT WAS NEVER UGLY, HORRIBLE, DISGUSTING OR EVIL LOOKING! ARE YOU REGISTERING THIS ABOVE TRUTH, PLEASE? A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN CAN PREACH TO YOU FROM THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH WORD PROHIBITS HER TO EVEN SPEAK! (1Cor. 14:34) GOD IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT SPEAKING TO THAT WOMAN OR HEARING HER PRAYERS. SHE IS SERVING SATAN AND SHE MAY NOT BE CONSCIOUS OF IT AT ALL, AND NOBODY TELLS HER! MUST I SAY: HELLO?
These verses (2Cor. 11:14,15// 1Cor. 14:34,35) have also not been preached with the intention to uncover and bring truth to the people of God. There are certain passages in the Word of God, which Satan has made “taboo” to preach, teach, discuss and bring to the light in the Church of Jesus Christ! Why? Because their truth is the last thing, which Satan wants us to learn. Their truth is so dangerous to him and his kingdom of darkness that it may destroy him in no time. But if this truth is unknown and unused by the Church, then it is the Church which is destroyed, meaning, disabled in its battle, put on a stretcher, helpless, beaten, inoperative – as it truly is! And the chief reason for this lamentable situation is DECEPTION AND CLOSED HEARTS!
Therefore, the only way out for believers is to OPEN THEIR HEARTS TO THE LORD, HIS WORD, HIS SPIRIT, HIS TRUTH! THAT’S ALL! He sees our heart anyway as He sees all hell and destruction! (Pr. 15:11) Will any believer that reads this consider this spiritual reality in his heart? Here comes the issue of our willingness again. OPEN HEART AND WILLINGNESS – THAT IS ALL THAT THE LORD ASKS FROM US!
Will the Church finally respond to the Lord? The Lord knows. My human optimism is near level zero because it is based on the facts of the history of both Israel and the Church and on my own experiences. Yet, the Lord has not stopped asking, speaking, knocking…asking, speaking, knocking… asking, speaking, knocking.
One clear sign of the times, which I will now mention and which does not require an open heart, just open eyes, is the following. The sect of Satanists has been in existence for many years in California, USA. They are now found in other countries of the world and spreading fast.
They pose as a “religion” and publish articles that should be in comic books. One such article that came to my attention while ministering in Slovakia was found in the Czech newspaper “Právo” (September 18, 2004, page 16), where the Satanists boldly declare their so-called “Nine commandments”:
– Satan means satisfying lusts, not denying them!
– Satan means living existence, not invented spiritual fairy-tales!
– Satan means immaculate wisdom, not hypocritical self-illusion!
– Satan means kindness toward those who deserve it, not love wasted on the ungrateful!
– Satan means revenge, not turning the other cheek!
– Satan means responsibility toward the responsible ones, not care for psychological blood-suckers!
– Satan means a man as a mere animal, sometimes a better one, most of the time a worse one than those that walk on all four; a man that, thanks to the “divine spiritual and intellectual evolution”, has become the most corrupted animal!
– Satan means all the so-called sins, which lead to physical, mental and emotional satisfaction!
– Satan is the best friend that the Church ever had, because for all those years, he kept her on the go!
This is how far Satan is going today and has plenty of followers! Do you need more dung for your souls? Satan, of course, will never tell you what will happen to you after you die, who he really is (Jn. 8:44) or what will happen to him, and that, very soon! He will first be thrown into the bottomless pit (prison) for 1,000 years. (Rev. 20:1-3) Then he will be loosed from his prison for a short while and then, thrown to the lake of fire and brimstone, where he will be tormented day and night forever! (Rev. 20:7-10)
SO – ►Satan means death, prison and a torment for ever and ever! He also means an immaculate stupidity and the greatest hypocrisy and deceitfulness in this Creation!
This quoted published material is the proof that Satan has also become desperate enough not to hide himself any more but show himself even taking the risk to be perceived as the greatest fool of the Universe – which he is! (see also pp.180,191[8])
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Let us now consider the true, and for many believers a new depth of deception, how can we perceive it and how to stay out of its highly destructive consequences.
DECEPTION IS THE GREATEST WEAPON OF OUR ENEMY. We have no way of knowing or being aware that we are deceived except when the Lord shows us either directly or indirectly through others, and that, by our fruit, deeds, intentions, words, etc. Once we see or learn that we are deceived, we are not deceived any more. True?
This deception may be so subtle that man would never believe or even imagine that he could be so deceived and led into an error or trap or deed or wrong conclusion, which might have serious consequences. For example, a believer may have a thought which may seem to lead to an innocent fun not indicating any ensuing danger, loss or destruction. At the same time, his awareness of his surroundings or circumstances may be dulled. He may not be able to foresee any consequences of his actions or inactions and even his natural instincts (never mind the spiritual ones) “disappear”. He may even be warned by his friends or others, but he “happily disregards them all”. Those serious consequences may not always be physical, but they are always spiritual!
IF WE NEVER QUESTION OUR THOUGHTS, their source, aims, basis and possible consequences, then any thought may easily lead us astray… slowly, one step at a time, one thought at a time, one shallow and subtle deception after another… until we are sufficiently derailed and ready for a much deeper and much more effective deception. This applies to our biblical knowledge and convictions, as well.
I do not say that it applies to our faith because faith is only one, it is authored by Our Lord (Heb. 12:2), it cannot be deceived, it has nothing to do with our thoughts and, hence, there can be no differences from one believer to another in true faith. But the above fact of getting deceived applies to our knowledge and convictions since they are shaped by our thoughts and reasoning; every believer has his very own convictions and reasoning.
For example, if you are taught or you hear or read that a born-again believer cannot possibly lose his Salvation, then you can become an easy victim to this thought. Why? Because it is logical, it fits well with the Love and Grace of God and with some verses of the Scripture. Yet, it contains such a subtle deception, that should you never diligently search the truth in other passages of the Scripture, you would remain in that deception until you die… and nobody could persuade you otherwise. This principle of deception through thoughts and reasoning leads to all the different convictions of all the different believers of all the different denominations without exception.
THOUGHTS, REASONINGS, CONVICTIONS OF HONEST
BELIEVERS DIVIDE THE CHURCH INTO SMITHEREENS!
THOUGHTS, REASONINGS, CONVICTIONS OF HONEST
PAGANS BRING THEM ALL TO ETERNAL DAMNATION!
I could give many practical examples of the above spiritual facts, but it should be sufficient to see, understand and be aware of the principle described above.
I will not bring a lot of theology and mental exercise into this vital subject of deception. The Word in 2Cor. 11:13-15 is quite sufficient and can be observed quite frequently at many places and in various forms. The devastation, which issues from the fact of this Word of God can be clearly observed in anything that bears the name Christianity. Some of the outstanding points and experiences, which should be very helpful and beneficial at least for the willing and open hearts are briefly described in the following points.
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To be concluded next week
brother Hanola
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