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Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns… (Hos 4:1-3, ESV)
As we read Hosea’s prophesy about the state of affairs in Israel 750 years before Christ came to walk among the people of this earth, it rings a very familiar tone for us today. Over the last two weeks here in America we have seen this prophesy fulfilled once again. As some Bible versions read, people are “casting off all restraint” all in the name of standing up for their rights or to “honor” the black man who was killed by a corrupt policeman. Rebellion against authority is running rampant. Is this God’s way (see Romans 13:1-3)?
In America our major cities are burning, businesses pillaged, police being shot and killed, women raped and beaten, children exposed to violence–all in the name of civil rights. Yes, as Americans we have the right to peaceful protest, but Satan is the master of Judo tactics. He always uses our fleshly forward momentum to throw us to the ground. Are we sure that Jesus and the early apostles behaved this way? Is this the message of the New Testament? Let’s look at a few verses…
When Jesus and the disciples were going to pass through a Samaritan village on their way to Jerusalem, the people there would not let them pass. What did Jesus do? Did He protest and get His rights as the Son of God? After all isn’t it written, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”? James and John thought that He should have forced the issue.
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. (Luke 9:54-56, NKJV)
In their self-righteous Jewish minds, they had a scriptural basis to call fire down from heaven and kill those obstinate Samaritans. But, “the letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit gives life,” and Jesus is all about Life!
Jesus rebuked them because they did not know what spirit they were of. Do we know what spirit we are of in our so called “righteous indignation” against those who abuse authority in the world today? Is that what Jesus taught us or lived out for us as an example to follow as His disciples? I think not. Dear saints, beware of any religious leader who does not follow their examples and seeks to seduce you away from Christ with words that appeal to your fleshly nature.
When Jesus was tortured and crucified on the cross by the policing forces in Jerusalem at the bidding of the Jewish chief priests and elders, what actions did his disciple take? Did they rise up and burn down the Fortress of Antonio or set fire to the Jewish temple or insight others to do so? Yes, one disciple did take out his knife when the temple guards came to arrest Jesus, but He told him to put it away for “they who live by the sword shall die by the sword.”
Just what spirit are we of, my Christian friends? What world is our kingdom of? I was saved out of a background of radical right-wing politics and Satan still tries to draw me back into that in times like these. The more civil unrest I see, the greater the temptation is. I have to keep asking myself, “What kingdom am I of?”
When Jesus was brought by the Jewish leaders to Pontius Pilate to be tried (only the Romans had the authority to carry out capital punishment), Pilate asked Jesus,
“Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…” (John 18:35-36, NKJV)
Yes, IF His kingdom was of this world, but it is not. When we fight in the name of civil rights or our version of “justice,” just what kingdom are we of? Whose kingdom is it that we fight for? What kingdom do we manifest with all our demonstrations and rioting? What spirit do we manifest when we block freeways and streets so that others can’t pass; when we throw bottles and bricks at the police when they tell us to disperse and go home; when we deface monuments and buildings with spray paint, set fire to business and churches or plot against the government? Why is it that most of these “peaceful protests” end up in violence and murder? Don’t we know that Satan was a liar and a murderer from the foundation of the world (see John 8:42-44), and when we get into civil disobedience he is not far away, trying to seduce us to be just like him?
Are we living lives that show the world that we are children of our Father in heaven or are we children of the devil?
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven… (Matt 5:43-45, NKJV)
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8, NKJV)
If you are being abused, dear friend, cry out to God alone and He will hear your prayers. Pray that when Jesus returns after all this tribulation through which we must pass, He will still find faith in Him on this earth.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. (Ps 20:7-8, NKJV)
A Wilderness Voice 
Wow, Michael!!! 🏆🏆🏆Excellent article, truly inspired by the Holy Spirit! 🕊️ I hope many will read and heed if they need holy seed…. This rhyme was not intended. 😂
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Thank you so much for your verification. I never know for sure until it is published… truly a walk of faith. You are a blessing, dear sister.
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You are very welcome, Michael. It has been the same for me when I published my blog yesterday. 👍🏼 As you confirmed it was timely, I knew I had done the right thing. We both know when we hear the Holy Spirit and sense that and where He is leading us but our testimony is mainly strengthened through our fellowship in the Spirit.
You are a treasure, my dear brother! ⭐
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Susanne, this is so true. When two saints walk together in the Spirit there is a synergism that the world knows nothing about. It is no coincidence that our two latest blog articles fit together…
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1John 1:7, NKJV)
As for our testimony we share together, He has a purpose for the uplifting of those who also walk in the Spirit with us…
“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1John 1:3, NKJV)
You are also a treasure in Christ, dear sister. Thank you Father for giving us this wonderful fellowship in Christ. Amen
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Amen and amen, Michael. These verses truly fit! 🕊️👍🏼 Thanks for the link to my blog. 😇
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You are soooo welcome, my precious sister.
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🐱
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Blessed truth.
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Thank you, my wilderness sister. It is good to hear from you again.
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Michael, I needed to read this today. I am not really following the news though I knew about the situation in the US and it’s horrible. Here in Argentina there are no riots right now because of the lockdown but the feminists are getting really violent because they want the “right” to murder their children in the womb and our president and legislators are not doing it fast enough because they are aware that the pro-life movement is still quite strong. So because of this and the panic covid-19 has cause, which leads people to turn against one another, the spiritual atmosphere feels extremely heavy indeed.
Add to that a personal struggle we’ve experienced with our former church, when we finally saw to what extent the “pastor” has a filling not of the Holy Spirit but a spirit of antiChrist. We had to leave almost without a word, and block him and his acolytes immediately from our phone and every social network. This was a really eye-opening experience. Things can look very nice on the surface, but when God begins to show you something is deeply wrong, you must listen so carefully. Demanding fire from heaven on the “rebels” is what he and his wife do with everyone who disagrees with his “anointed counsel” and even dares to leave his “perfect” church. I’m still trembling at the thought that I may become such a person.
The spirit of violence is so strong nowadays. We have to pray so earnestly not to be swallowed by it. So many horrible things we witness and suffer trying to embitter our hearts. But Jesus said we will be known as God’s children in the way we display GENUINE love, not the fake version we have seen in so many places.
May the Lord bring us conviction on these things, that we will be radically transformed and filled with His love!
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Carina, it is interesting that the spirit of rebellion is on the rise all over the world standing behind one cause or another. It is the spirit of this age and all points to Antichrist who rises up over all over the world before Jesus returns to put him in his place.
Your “church” experience sounds all too familiar to us. Cults always pronounce curses on those who dare to break free of their grip, yet God always holds us with an open hand. And if we wander He draws us back with His cords of genuine heavenly love. ❤
Yes, may His love transform us and fill us always, my sister.
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Michael, the article is spot on. With all of the voices out there all presenting their own version of truth, it is quite refreshing to read one that is a searchlight of truth during these times. We are amazed at the fragile nature of the so called church and those who call themselves Christians but are ignorant of just what our Father is doing in this hour. One thing I do know is that what we see going on in the natural is but a ripple on a pond compared to what is happening in the Spirit realm. The deeper we descend into the abyss of HiS marvelous heart of love greater he becomes and we become lesser.
Allow me to share a few words from Brother Paul in closing my dear brother.
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
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Thanks, Ken, for your comment and the reminder of all that is ours IN Christ. John the Baptist said, “He who has the bride is the Bridegroom and the friend of the Bridegroom rejoices when he hears HIS voice.” It is all about continuing to decrease so that He may increase in us and others. I look back on the person I was when we came to stay those few days with you and your bride and I cringe. “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.”
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Michael, thank the God of Heaven that none of us are as we were, even minutes ago let alone days, months and years. “Iron sharpening iron, eh brother?” Loves n Hugs to your bride and to all.
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Yes, Ken, when our hearts are set on Him we have a promise given in which there is great hope for us all,
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1John 3:1-3, ESV)
Thanks for your encouragement and “so does one man sharpen another.” Hugs to you and your wonderful family.
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I think it’s interesting that you mention NOTHING about the absolute disregard for the lives of people being systematically abused by the government and the world systems (maybe because these are black people and to say our lives matter is offensive to people like you. Christian!) You sound like the white Christians that were offended at Martin Luther King for his marches during the civil rights movement. Their advice to him was the same ……sit down and shut up. Had he not marched black people would still NOT have basic civil rights. But you’re okay with that because it doesn’t keep you, your children or your grandchildren from living good lives. White Christians , Republican Trump supporters who just want black people to sit shut up and pray. Wonder if all Moses did was pray who the children of Israel ever had be released.
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Thanks for your comment, Edith. I hear your heart. The problem with slogans like “Black lives matter” is that it infers that other lives do not. And when it is screamed in the faces of others and turns into violence it degrades all that MLK stood for. In Christ, ALL lives matter. They mattered so much to Him that He died for all mankind, even the ones who are not so kind. What matters to God is that we might all be transformed into the image of His Son. This is why I do not exemplify any actions among men that do not fit the image that Jesus lived out before us as the Son of God 2000 years ago. This includes sending our young men and women to fight in foreign wars as well as police violence as what happened to our brother George Floyd. Their is a slogan, “Who would Jesus shoot?” The answer is obvious and it puts these issues in the proper perspective for me. May God change the hearts of those in America before it tares itself totally apart.
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I must agree with you Edith, we as white people do not know what it’s like to be treated like second class citizens. People of color have been killed and incarcerated at a alarming rate compared to whites in this country and compared to other industrialized nations. Mr. Trump has added fuel to the fire with his rederick trying to use dominance to stop protest and his photo op holding the Bible in front of a church was not sincere. Truly I wanted this man to do good but am disheartened by his lack of compassion and empathy for others, the name calling and belittling others when our world needs to learn to love one another. I don’t have much hope for this world that Satan rules and keep my eyes on above seeking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Thanks, Laura. If we truly walk in the Spirit of Christ we who are His will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) and as such we should have compassion on others who are also persecuted. I agree that Trump would be better off if he studied and lived by the Bible instead of holding it up as a prop. Paul who suffered under Gentile, Roman and Jewish authority, as an example to us wrote,
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Rom 13:1-2, NKJV)
I know that this is not a popular passage in these days of rebellion against authority, but it is still godly advise to us all. Thank God that we in America have another option, we can vote and believe that God orders the affairs of men.
“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Rom 15:33, NKJV)
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This is indeed a broken world. The only true answer is Christ.
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Anna, Christ in us heals and reaches out to the broken-hearted. Politics generates ethnic prejudice at best and violence in its worst form because it flavors one group of people over another. Not so with God.
“For God so loved the [whole] world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Thanks for your comment, dear sister.
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“Rebellion against authority is running rampant.”
“…they break all bounds…” The NKJV has, “they break all restraint.”
That reminds me of Psalm 2 which tells of a gathering together “against the LORD and against His Anointed (His Christ), saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” This is telling of a casting off of all restraint.
It may not be apparent to those who get drawn into this strong current, but those gathering together against authority are gathering together “against the LORD and against His anointed one.”
That is sinister objective of the prime mover behind it all.
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Thanks for your insight, Allan. It is good to hear from you again. Wow, Pslam 2 really fits right in with what Paul wrote in Roman and 2 Thessalonians:
We are seeing the casting-off of all restraint all over the world! What is going on in Seattle with the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” is a prime example, much less all the shooting and attacking of policemen. The rebellion against all authority is building more and more toward a final climax and this is a manifestation of the rise of Antichrist in the hearts of those who do not have His Spirit dwelling within them, sinner and “Christian” alike. We might know the Bible inside out and backwards, but if we don’t walk by he Spirit we will be deceived. I believe that this is “the great falling away” before the end spoken of by Paul,
When the New Testament speaks about “the temple of God” seven out of eight times it is about a spiritual temple in the hearts of men. Many Christians today are falling for the lies of “the son of perdition” as they try to mix politics with their faith in Christ. Yet, they think that antichrist must sit in a newly built temple in Jerusalem before Christ returns. This TOO is part of the deception to keep them looking outwardly instead of within!
Truly the end of this age is coming upon us. “Even so, Lord Jesus Come!”
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Amen, Michael, may we be among those “who love His appearing” instead of dreading it.
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Amen to that, Allan.
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