The Doctrine of Idolatry – Part 77: Spiritual Adultery With Demons - Part 38
January 18, 2012
OUTLINE:
Isa 55:8
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.”
God’s Ways…
It is God’s sovereign will to use whatever method He so desires to evangelize His children.
The World’s Double Standards
It’s interesting how Biblical conservatives are attacked incessantly with little or no recourse. However, if something as benign as the words of John 3:16 are stated by a bunch of children the world is infuriated.
The Power of Salvation (Rom 1:16)
The unbeliever’s entire life is convicted by the Gospel. Their entire scale of values is toppled. Their hope in self is destroyed. Their faith is crushed.
Conviction Stings!
The Gospel enrages the flesh because instead of making it feel stronger and more secure with its SoT, the Gospel exposes its utter weakness, hopelessness, and insufficiency to deliver.
John 11:9
There was no danger as long as He was doing the Father’s will, walking in the light.
What Is Danger?
The definition for “danger” in your life is based on a baseline of wisdom. Human wisdom (darkness) keeps you in bondage to fear. Divine wisdom (light) delivers you from fear and changes your definition for “danger”.
Testing Demands a Response
What the response looks like and what power system a person chooses to respond with makes all the difference.
Why Self-Examination?
If God already knows the heart, then what is the value of testing to the individual who follows His command to examine self?
The Value of Testing
Testing is what reveals to man his own current status in the spiritual life. In this sense, it is an educational tool rather than a pass/fail designation; it is a source of divine viewpoint rather than self-condemnation.
Understanding Self
We are all born flawed and will struggle with our imperfections until the day we die (or are raptured). Our focus, therefore, shouldn’t be on our failures, but rather our attitude towards God’s grace in light of our failures.
The Difficulty With Betrayal
The closer the inflictor, the deeper the wounds. The more we love someone, the greater the pain of betrayal.
Mat 26:23
And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.
John 2:24
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,
Luke 22:60-61
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
Mat 26:49
Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Testing Our Faith
The believer with maximum doctrine in his soul cannot be corrupted by fear of death any more than he could be corrupted by fear of failure in life.
Death In the Tribulation
Death will be a very real threat in the Tribulation (Rev 13:15). This poses a magnificent opportunity for the faith of the Tribulation saints to be put to the test!
Tribulation Evangelism
- The 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:4-8)
- Their converts (Rev 7:9-17)
- The two witnesses (Rev 11:3-14)
- The angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6-7)
Interpretations of 2 Witnesses
- Enoch and Elijah
- Moses and Elijah
- 2 Unnamed Prophets from Tribulation
“prophesy”
from propheteuo – means two things: 1) to fortell the future; 2) to teach Bible doctrine; the 2 witnesses will do both of these things
The Two Witnesses’ Weaponry
The 2 witnesses are permitted to use weapons to defend themselves. This is required due to Satanic opposition and orders to kill believers (ala Rev. 13:15)
Dealing With Violence
One important point here is that spirituality doesn’t always mean you lay down and die when attacked! Violence may be necessary to achieve whatever plan has been set before you.
God’s Grace Protects
As long as God has a plan for you, His grace will provide protection for your life.
God’s Wake Up Call!
These two witnesses will also possess the supernatural powers to effect the economy (rain/agricultural analogy being used in Rev 11:6).
The Value of Crises
Crises by design cause a vacuum in the soul - a need for a solution to a serious problem. The 2 witnesses manufacture certain crises to prompt this for those in the Tribulation.
Crisis Evangelism
Removal of certain blessings and details of life forces man back to the basics to find answers – Bible Doctrine holds the answers.
“in the street”
refers to one specific street “of the great city” (Jerusalem) where the Tribulation temple will be constructed; the two witnesses will have held their ministry there
Tribulation Evangelism
- The 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:4-8)
- Their converts (Rev 7:9-17)
- The two witnesses (Rev 11:3-14)
- The angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6-7)