“When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” (Luk 21:9 nasb)
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Journal,
While reading the paper yesterday morning I could not help but notice a picture. The caption read, 
Statue crossing
A 25-foot tall replica statue of the Egyptian god Anubis, with a suitcase at his feet, passes in front of the Statue of Liberty while taking a tour of the New York waterways Tuesday. The statue was traveling to announce the upcoming exhibit ‘Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs” starting on April 23 at the Discovery Times Square Exposition.”
The Egyptian god Anubis was the God of death. He was also known as the son of Ra. Ra was the god of destruction and misery. I did find it interesting that the Associated Press placed the god Anabis in the forefront of our Statue of Liberty.
Of course this should not be taken too serious. The news media is always looking for something to stir up people. They can’t be trusted merely to report the news. They go about trying to create news. Most folk know this. This is why the new media is held in such low regard by most everyone, everywhere.
Yet there is an very old adage which says, ‘One picture is worth ten thousand words.’
And so a question must be asked…
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What do the gods of Egypt signify in the Scriptures?
With regard to the afore picture it should be noted that in the Bible, Egypt, Babylon, and Sodom and Gomorrah are often used interchangeably to depict the spirit of the world, for all forms of sinfulness and debauchery, of gross immorality, and as the seedbeds for sorcery and deception.
In the book of Revelation, Jerusalem the city where Jesus was crucified is mystically described as Egypt; “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.” (Rev11:8)
In the ancient Jewish writings, Egypt is especially singled out for sorcery. In the Talmudic writings, Kiddushim 49b states, “Ten measures of sorcery came into the world, Egypt took nine of them for herself and the rest of the world took one.”
Where there is much to be said concerning the time clock of redemption, I want to deal primarily with what appears to be the spirit of sorcery that has been infiltrating the church world for a number of years. It is the spirit of sorcery that is set forth as a major hallmark to precede the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Let’s talk about this issue of can there be…
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Sorcery in the Church
From the beginning of Christianity the major battlefronts have been with heresies, schisms, and even to the issue of false prophets. The reason these are major fronts is because that while persecutions are from outside the church, these battlefronts take place from within. And according to the Scriptures these battlefronts are going to intensify the closer to the appearance of antichrist.
Here are some questions to consider.
- Is it possible to worship a Jesus who is not the true Jesus of the Bible?
- Is it possible to preach a gospel in the name of Jesus that is not the true gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Is it possible to receive a spirit into your life that is not the Holy Spirit?”
According to Paul it is quite possible to worship a false Jesus, to preach an unholy gospel, and to receive a spirit that is not the Holy Spirit. These were the very things taking place in the Corinthian Church. Follow carefully:
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Co11:3,4)
The apostle said that the time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine, “but wanting to have their tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” (Cf. 2Tim4:1-5)
Paul gave a charge to the elders of Ephesus. He said, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has made your overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased by His own blood.”
He goes on to say, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert…” (Cf. Acts 20:28-31.)
Notice that Paul tells the elders to be on especially on guard for themselves as well as for the flock. When an elder (generally a pastor) comes under the influence of a false teaching, the danger for the flock increases.
The apostle Peter also gives a very solemn warning. He said, “… just as there will be false teachers among you … in their greed will exploit you with false words … having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness…” (Cf. 2 Peter 2.]
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A return to primitive Christianity.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that most every movement begins with a rally cry of ‘Let’s return to early Christianity.’ This usually happens under the guise of certain notable teachers. And here is where the trouble begins. These celebrated teachers take to themselves to be God’s spokesmen for the movement. They become the special anointed ones.
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The Lord gave a solemn warning concerning these ‘special’ spokesmen. He said,
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“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs (special anointed ones) and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” (Mar 13:21-23)
Where God’s people get in trouble is by placing certain teachers on a level of trust they should never be placed. This is a dangerous place to be. We are instructed by the apostles to try both the spirits and the doctrines of teachers. Is it easy? No. A false teacher actually masquerades as a true prophet of God. They tend to be very charismatic and charming. They speak with authority and often use the name of Jesus. And that is what makes this a difficult issue.
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Their doctrines are often earthly focused. Of course this in itself is an attraction. Who among us would not like to prosper. Little do people realize that these earthy messages appeal to our vanity. James calls them sensual and even demonic.
The Lord gave the warning through Jeremiah the prophet, in saying,
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“… in the last days you will clearly understand it. I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.” (Jer23:20-22)
Finally, let’s be sure to make a distinction between someone who from all appearances is actually a false prophet, from the someone who may be being misled, and needs a turning point in his or her life. A false prophet actually operates under the spirit of sorcery. They set themselves apart often by claiming to tell the future, especially under the garb of personal prophecy. The power they operate under is not from the spirit of holiness. It is flesh driven and self exaltation. But this ‘telling the future’ is just a form of fortune telling.
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Some of God’s people have been caught up in things that are not of the Lord, and when they come to their senses, they are able to see where the thing that caught them was not of the Lord. It was a deceiving influence.
The apostle gives instructions for these people.
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“…with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (2Ti 2:25-26)
Yes, there is a great deal more to be said but for the sake of time I’ll close out this journal entry for now.
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Think about these things. And while much of what I’ve shared may seem on the negative side, keep in mind that the light of truth can often be seen best when compared to the lies of darkness. And remember the great promise of our Shepherd.
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“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (Joh 10:27-28)
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In fact the Lord instructed us to rejoice as that day draws near because our full redemption is coming into place.
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Your servant in Christ,
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Buddy
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