JOEL 2 GENERATION PODCAST

Insights from Hebrews 11 and 12 - trials are what produces faith in our lives and yet most Christians do not have the right view, the Biblical view of the trials they face.

Natalie shares a powerful message that challenges the typical Gospel message and narrative that is so common in today's church. This is NOT one of those messages that tickle people's ears. Fasten your seatbelt. 

WHY IS THIS TOPIC/SUBJECT RELEVANT?
1. Because of a lot of Christian practices today
2. Because heavenly encounters are increasing and will continue to increase in the days to come
3. Because we need to understand God's role and our role in such encounters
4. Because we need to know how to stay safe and be protected
5. Because we need to be Biblically grounded

This podcast looks carefully at several angelic visitations - we look at what the people were doing, how they were living, and the nature of the visitations. Who initiated? Who addresses the other first? Who gives the instructions? Who obeys? 

In this podcast
- We look at Daniel's encounter.
- We look at Zechariah's encounter.
- We look at Mary's encounter.
- We look at all of the Apostle John's encounters in Revelation
- We look at Cornelius' encounter.
- We look at Peter's encounter
- We look at one of Paul's encounters

SUMMARY

We find the same pattern with Daniel, Zechariah, Mary, Cornelius, Peter, Paul and John

* Heaven initiates heavenly encounters

* Heaven initiates IN those encounters

* We respond to heaven’s initiation

*We can position ourselves by living godly lives, lives of prayer and fasting

*We do not command angels! How/when do we interact with them?

*We ASK GOD … we TALK to Him - For our own protection & the angels? 

*We deal RUTHLESSLY with envy & jealousy of those who have 'seer' gifts we do not.

*Remember: God has covered many of us in our foolishness 

Let’s REPENT tonight if we have tried to initiate encounters or have done any of these practices. If we have envied others. 

Disclaimer - This teaching is LONG.

Disclaimer #2 - it is important because many Christians believe it is their mandate to command/rebuke/bind so-called "Territorial Spirits". This practice has become known as doing Strategic Level Spirit Warfare (SLSW). Other parts of SLWS include "Spiritual Mapping" and Identificational Repentance".

I used to practice many of these things. Hundreds of thousands of Christians, if not millions, are regularly engaging in SLSW. 

In this message, I will be demonstrating that this type of SLSW is not only unBiblical, and was not done throughout Church History, but will make the strong case that we do NOT have the authority to do it, and because of that they are dangerous practices.

But, "Don't we have "all authority""? I deal with this all-important question. We do have authority  - to fulfill OUR MANDATE. And where is our mandate? ON EARTH. Not in the 2nd Heavens. 

We can and do have a role to play in prayer and I will make that point over and over again. We talk to GOD and GOD ALONE about these matters. We ask Him to battle, to release Angels to engage these entities. That is the Righteous Angels' mandate! Not ours. We pray. Angels engage.

#SLSW #bindingandloosing #fallenangels #angels #territorialspirits #authority #prayer #spiritualwarfare #intercession #princeofpersia #daniel10 #psalm82 #deuteronomy32 #divinecouncil #archangelmichael #theLordrebukeyou #secondheavens

RELATED WORDS/CONCEPTS to address our “self-deception”

Envy - painful or resentful awareness of an advantage or possession (situation) enjoyed by another and the desire to possess the same thing. Theological: Sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others. 

Jealousy – synonym of envy
Covetousness - the feeling of having a strong desire for the things that other people have (situations/circumstances/ministries) 

Discontentment
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out Resentment
Bitterness

James 3:16  - For where you have envy (jealousy) and selfish ambition (selfishness), there you find disorder and every evil practice. (NIV)

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (NASB) 

“evil of every kind” (NLT) “confusion and every evil work.” (KJV) 
“every vile practice” (ESV) 

“every kind of evil.” (HCSB) “chaos and every evil thing.” 

“confusion and every perverse work.” “insurrection and every evil matter”

ORIGIN of DEMONIC REALM - Satan  / Satan’s Fall – Who? When? What?

Ezekiel 28:13-15 – 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God...14 You were an anointed guardian Cherub; I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

Isaiah 14:12-14 - “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star/shining one/O Lucifer, son of Dawn!

What was the devil’s 1st sin? Pride or Envy??

ANCIENT JEWISH COMMENTARY - But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it.  Wisdom 2:24

COMMENTARY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

Irenaeus (AD 180) - For he [the devil] was envious of God's workmanship  
...becoming envious of man, he was rendered an apostate from the divine law. 

Tertullian (AD 210)  - the malignant being who, in the beginning, regarded them with envious eye. 

Cyprian (AD 250) - he broke forth into jealous and malevolent envy. ...How great an evil it was... that caused an angel to fall!

THE SECRET OF THE AGES - CONTENTMENT  - Phil 4:11 - ...I have learned to be content (to be satisfied) regardless of my circumstances 

1 Cor. 13:4 - ...love does NOT envy (therefore envy = hate)

Gal 5:19-21 - Envy = work of the flesh

Overcoming Envy?
 
1. Agree that it is SIN, MY SIN? (the devil’s original sin). Serious. 
2. Know/Believe = open door for ALL evil
3. Learn to be content (wage war on discontentment)
4. Grow in love (love does NOT envy!) 
5. By the Spirit...STOP - Galatians 5:25-26 
6. Put it away/Get rid of it (1 Pet. 2:1) – So, put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander 

7. Fixing our eyes upon Jesus! (not on others) – Social Media? 8. Thankfulness 

This is an unusual message. And even the title will be confusing to some as we are NOT in the year 5784 as many believe. According to the most ancient Hebrew calendar, we are actually in the year 7576. A change the rabbis made to the Hebrew Bible's chronology and therefore the Jewish calendar nearly 100 years AFTER Christ. And they did that for a very specific reason that I explain at the beginning of this message.

Advent has all but been lost in our day and age. We begin celebrating Christmas often right after Thanksgiving. By the time we get to Christmas, everyone is mostly ready to think about the New Year. Historically, Advent was the season leading up to Christmas wherein believers reflected upon what it was like BEFORE Jesus came. Advent songs are somber and reflective.

In this message, I attempt to capture the dire situation humanity was facing before Christ came to earth. I look at the effects of sin, of angelic rebellion, and the pollution/corruption they introduced. Advent was a time when Christians focused on the problems that Jesus came to address, to solve.

I stopped the recording to cast a personal vision for our church to REDEEM Advent this year. If you'd like to hear that, email me at: joel2generation@gmail.com and I'll send it to you. 

It is incredible how we can read Acts and see a verse like Acts 15:41 - "And he [Paul] went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." And what we don't realize is that there were NO CHURCHES at that time as we would envision or experience churches today. Paul wasn't doing "conferences" at First Baptist Berea or Philippi Pentecostal Assembly. He was visiting churches that met in people's homes. This was the center of 1st-century Christianity.

In a series entitled, Houses of Fire, we continue working through the Book of Acts looking at the phenomenon of the House Church. Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey is the focus of this message - beginning at the end of Acts 15 and ending in Acts 18. 

One of the greatest theological questions that has ever faced the church (or should I say "the church since the 5th century"?) is, "What did the Apostle Paul mean when he penned Romans 7?"

Was Paul talking about his present struggle with sin in the passage or was he referring to either his life before Christ (or the life of someone else outside of Christ)?

For many years of my Christian life, I sided with St. Augustine (who actually changed his position) and the Protestant Reformers that Paul was talking about his current life struggle with sin. 

And due to that "tradition", many Christian leaders today continue to teach that the Apostle Paul was simply being honest in his ongoing battle with sin. It seems so humble of him and teachers will argue provides a great example for us. 

HOWEVER, was that the way Paul intended his chapter to be interpreted? The ENTIRE EARLY CHURCH for over 300 years with a single, uniform voice (whenever they addressed this passage) did NOT BELIEVE PAUL WAS WRITING ABOUT HIS CURRENT STRUGGLE WITH SIN.

In this podcast, we look closely at Romans 7 (and also Romans 6 & 8) to arrive at the Apostolic Understanding (yes, and by 'Apostolic', we mean what the Apostle Paul himself meant when he wrote Romans). Get ready to have your 'tradition' challenged as it may not be Paul's!

In this message, we consider Acts 14 and slay the "myth" that the Christian life is somehow problem-free. Paul's life was anything but problem-free. Somehow through nearly 2000 years of Church History, a "version" of Christianity has been (is being) preached that gives people the impression that following Jesus amounts to life enhancement and the disappearance of problems. It may not be stated as such, but it is often implied. It is a version of the so-called "Prosperity Gospel" which Paul's life completely undermines. It is truly ANOTHER Gospel that is being presented by advocates of the Prosperity Gospel (ironically, they completely misuse/abuse Old Testament promises that not only do not apply to them, but as part of a covenant that required the death penalty for multiple reasons - something they "conveniently" overlook!!!)

Can we eliminate many of the problems that might be a part of life? - Sure, if choose NOT TO LIVE as radical disciples of Jesus preaching the Gospel! But, if we live as faithful followers of Christ who preach the Gospel (that demands repentance), then we will be persecuted - we will face tribulation.

Philippians 2:1-17 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count
others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Natalie shares a powerful teaching from John 15.

It is time to bear fruit. If the pruning time is over, then it is FRUIT TIME!

We begin by reviewing what a New Testament False Prophet was/is and more importantly IS NOT. Many today are being called "False Prophets" who according to the New Testament are not. 

Next, we turn back to Paul's 1st Missionary and look at HOW Paul shares the Gospel in Acts 13. What was his message? Who was his audience? 

Who we are sharing the Gospel with will determine how we share the Gospel. What is the worldview of our audience? Paul is communicating the Gospel in Acts 13 in Jewish synagogues to a Jewish audience (and/or Gentiles who have been influenced by Judaism). Today if we are sharing the Gospel with New Agers we will need to apply the Gospel quite differently and adjust our message. Or to Muslims. We need to be prepared for the audience we may have. Paul was clearly prepared to communicate the Gospel in a Jewish setting!

Some aspects of the Gospel message need to be communicated to every type of listener - the death & resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and the freedom from sin that is available through Christ alone!

The Gospel will also elicit many different responses - we see this in Acts 13. Excitement. People influenced and wanting to hear more. New disciples. But at the same time - anger, jealousy, people provoked. So much so, that sometimes it leads to violent opposition. Popular acceptance AND violent rejection. If today we are communicating the Gospel accurately, we too will find the same types of responses - whether in individuals and/or groups.

We end this message with a challenge to be prepared to share the Gospel which means knowing the beliefs of our hearer(s) and knowing how the Gospel specifically addresses what is lacking in their belief system. We also moved into a time of ministry where we prayed for people who needed forgiveness, who needed freedom (from sin)., and who wanted to be filled afresh with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52)

Natalie shares a powerful message about giving God full access to every area of your life. In so doing, He will give us more; He will entrust us with more. This in short is about complete and total surrender. 

This message is anointed. Ask God for ears to ear, and allow Holy Spirit to speak to you. 

For such a time as this..

It was in the fulness of time, the PERFECT TIMING that Christ came. The fulfillment of prophecies from thousands of years earlier, including the 5500-year prophecy that ancient Judaism and the early Christians believed was given to Adam when he and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

The world was ready for the spread of the Gospel - a Roman Empire characterized by peace, roads built and a unifying language (Greek) - and the Jews had a Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, that fit into all of this - the Messianic prophecies contained within and a chronology that pointed to the time of Christ as the fulfillment of the 5500-year prophecy. The later Rabbis removed 1500 years out of their Hebrew Old Testament (that became the Masoretic text) to discredit the Septuagint (LXX). Why? To discredit the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was/is the promised Jewish Messiah!

In Acts 13, we meet a "false prophet" and interestingly, that term is used and abused by many Christians today who have little idea what the New Testament and the earliest Christians believed false prophets to be. Today, misusing OT passages that NO LONGER APPLY because they are a part of the Old Covenant that ended/passed away, Christians often think (I call it "the Myth of the False Prophet") that if a Christian prophetic person/prophet misses a prophetic word or gets it wrong that that makes them a "false prophet". Unfortunately, that is NOT what a false prophet is in the New Testament.

Beyond the New Testament, the earliest Christians had ways that they "tested" for false prophets - IF ONLY WE USED THEIR TESTS TODAY! In short, if $$$ was involved, the so-called 'prophet' was to be rejected! Supernatural ministry was not linked to finances in the early church. OH, THE WISDOM!!! And if any supernatural ministry today is charging money (requiring $$) for their supernatural ministry, then RUN from it!!! Should those in supernatural ministry (prophetic, healing, deliverance) be supported??? ABSOLUTELY. But not "for" their the use of their gifts!!! Charging $$$ for supernatural ministry was considered a serious sin in the early church. 

So we delve into all of these topics - the timing of Christ's 1st coming, false prophets vs. true prophets today and ultimately end by discussing the prophetic times in which we are currently living. What is God saying? 

There is arguably no greater story in Biblical and Church History that the collection, translations, canonization, and preservation (or as you shall see the attempts to corrupt the text) of the Old Testament Scriptures.

Everyone is the product of a "Tradition" and we will look at some of them.

The main question that is looked at is why there are differences between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX) of the Old Testament. The New Testament writers quote the LXX 80-90% of the time and most often their quotations do NOT match what we find in our Old Testaments. Why is that? How did the MT and the LXX become different?

What about the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) - which contained mostly Hebrew and some Aramaic Old Testament scrolls and fragments? They are more than 1000 years OLDER than the extant MT manuscripts we possess (from around 1000AD).

What you will learn is that the rabbis "attempted" to corrupt/change/alter the Hebrew Bible by tampering with Messianic prophecies that clearly pointed to Jesus as their Messiah. The timing of His coming, the nature and scope of His Mission, and even His very identity.

But thank to God's sovereignty and to the work of Textual Criticism, we can know what the Original Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures contained!

God preserved His Word and often did so in an unusual manner. To think a translation into another language (i.e. the Greek Septuagint from nearly 300 years BEFORE Christ) reveals the original Hebrew better than the MT Hebrew text that was only canonized around AD100 (400 years later). To think that God would use the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (from 1947 to 2017) to in many cases confirm that it was the LXX that reflected the Hebrew original Tanakh better than the existing Hebrew Tanakh.

This evidence flies in the face of what many of us were taught in our seminaries and Bible colleges. I for one was told that the Masoretic Text (MT) that my Old Testament was based upon (I was using the NASB) was meticulously preserved and copied. The memo I got was that I could "trust" my Old Testament and that because it was translated from the MT, it was as closer to the original Hebrew than any other textual tradition could provide.

This is simply a MYTH. The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls end up "correcting" the MT text in many places where the actual text of the Hebrew was modified by Rabbi Akiba and others between AD90-AD110 - close to 100 years AFTER Christ. To think we would trust unbelieving rabbis who rejected Jesus as their Messiah who were doing all they could to stop the growing Christian movement! And in this podcast, I provide a number of actual examples of where they altered and changed their Hebrew Bible from its original.

Thankfully, God has preserved for us the Old Testament. And for the first time in history, a critical text of the Hebrew Old Testament is being worked on. It is called The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Edition (HBCE) which so far only has the book of Proverbs completed. We have had a critical text of our Greek New Testament now for more than 150 years. By comparing ALL of the extant Greek manuscripts, it has been estimated that we can know we have the text of the original New Testament to an accuracy of 99.5%. A critical text of the Old Testament will accomplish the same thing. Thankfully today, we have many Old Testament translations - like the ESV and NET that incorporate the LXX and the DSS and when they "correct" the MT, they will render the English accordingly. 

A message from Natalie out of the Epistle of 2nd Peter which challenges ideas that many Christians have about "freedom". In the name of "being free", many are actually getting hardened, saying yes to sin, and actually getting deceived.

Here is the key Scriptural passage - 2 Peter 1:1-15

1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; 11 for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you. 12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth which is held firmly in your grasp. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this earthly tent, to inspire you by reminding you, 14 knowing that the laying aside of this earthly tent of mine is imminent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that even after my departure you will be able, at all times, to call these things to mind.

Acts 11:27-30 – What? Prophets in the Church? 

No epistles by Agabus? / "Foretelling” / Prophets from Jerusalem

Response: People believed and acted 

GIFT OF PROPHECY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH - QUESTIONS

1. Difference between OT Prophets and NT Prophets – Authority in OT vs. NT?

2. Who can prophesy in the NT? Who can be prophets? 

3. What do we do with prophetic revelation in the NT? 

3. Prophetic Gifts vs. Prophet(s) - Office

4. What are the prophetic gifts?

5. Why would we still NEED prophetic gifts? We have the Scriptures.

6. Types of Prophetic Revelation 

7. How do you get prophetic gifts?

8. How do you grow in prophetic gifting?

9. Our role? God’s role? (sovereign)

10. Current Misuse of the Prophetic Gifts

11. What if a prophet makes a mistake? (Deuteronomy 13)

12. Does making a mistake make one a “false prophet”?

RELEVANT NT PASSAGES ABOUT THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

Acts 2:6-8, 42  - 42 ...devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching

1 Cor 12:1, 4-11, 27-31

1 Cor 14:1, 3-5, 22-25, 26-32, 37-40  
1 Thes 5:19-21 

Acts 13:1-2 

Acts 21:8-14 - 8 

Eph 3:3-5 - 3 

Eph 4:11-13

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OT & NT PROPHETS

OT & NT Prophets receive revelation 

NT Prophets do NOT have the same authority as OT Prophets!

No OT command – “Test everything" or “Let the others judge”

Old Testament Prophets established/defined doctrine

The Apostles (who all prophesied) established/defined doctrine in the NT – Today??

NT Prophets were NOT establishing doctrine, defining doctrine!

Discern times (spirits), edify/encourage/console, direction, warn

DID THE GIFT OF PROPHECY CONTINUE AFTER THE APOSTLES??

Didache & Shepherd of Hermas – $ = False Prophet

Justin Martyr (AD 160) - The prophetic gifts remain with us, even to the present time….Now, it is possible to see among us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God. 

Irenaeus (AD 180) - ...perform [works] in His name, in order to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift that each one has received from Him. Some truly and certainly cast out devils. The result is that those who have been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come. They see visions, and they utter prophetic expressions. Still others heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and the sick are made whole. ...for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practicing deception upon any, nor taking any reward from them. For, just as she has received without charge from God, so does she minister without charge. ... has worked miracles for the benefit of mankind, and not to lead them into error. The name of our Lord Jesus Christ even now confers benefits.... many brethren in the Church who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men.  

GENTILE REVIVAL BEGINS - AD 41

Acts 11:19-26 - 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen (AD 34-5) traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church (where?) and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 

**God’s Intention of the New Covenant = Jews & Gentiles**

THE NEW COVENANT'S INTENTION - ONE NEW HOUSE/MAN

•AD 41 – Still “speaking the word to no one except Jews” (Acts 11:19) – 11 years AFTER Pentecost!!! 

•A new name emerges – “Christian” – a new era/day, the full intent of Messiah’s mission, in a new city (Antioch – center of “CHRISTIAN-ity”)

•WHY PAUL? former Pharisee who had been “un-pharisee-ized”) – would have had his “leaven” removed. 3 years in “Damascus” (Essenes)

Prophecy found amongst the Dead Sea Scroll

Testament of Benjamin - “I will no longer be called a ravening wolf on account of your ravages, but a worker of the Lord, distributing food to them that work what is good. One will rise up from my seed in the latter times, beloved of the Lord, hearing His voice on the earth, enlightening with new knowledge all the Gentiles, bursting in on Israel for salvation with the light of knowledge, and tearing it away from them like a wolf, and giving it to the synagogue of the Gentiles. Until the consummation of the ages, he will be in the synagogues of the Gentiles, and among their rulers, as a strain of music in the mouth of all; and he will be inscribed in the holy books, both his work and his word, and he will be a chosen one of God forever; and because of him my father Jacob instructed me, saying, ‘He will fill up that which lacks from your tribe.’” 

Paul learned of his “Prophetic destiny” - Life & Ministry, Writings = Scripture, Gentile MissionTribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5)/ “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11) - His Epistles – expound the new law, the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 – “…so fulfill the Law of Christ) = the Law of the New Covenant. 

Ephesians 2:12-21 - 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

NEW COVENANT'S INTENTION (continued) - UNDOING the Effects of the Tower of Babel and the 3rd Angelic Fall

Genesis 11:1-9 – Tower of Babel incident, God’s judgment = disinheriting the nations (i.e. the Gentiles) - disinherited/divorces the nations (before this God was in covenant w/ ALL of Noah’s descendants (Gen 9:1) – God’s judgment. Gen 12 – calls Abram OUT OF MESOPOTAMIA.

3RD ANGELIC FALL – the Fall of Sons of God put over the Nations  – (Deut. 32/Psalm 82) 

Deuteronomy 32:8–9 - When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God/angels of God. 9 - But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.

“Deuteronomy 32:8–9 informs us that the act of judgment enacted on humanity at Babel resulted not only in dividing and scattering them but assigning them to members of Yahweh’s heavenly host-council.”

“In terms of a human perspective, while Yahweh’s judgment was harsh, it was not final. When God chose to raise up a new human family (Israel) in the wake of Babel, he left room for the salvation of the forsaken nations in his covenant with Abram. It would be through Abram’s descendants that all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:1–3). The promise would, of course, be fulfilled in Christ (Gal 3:16: “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to off-springs,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ”). Prior to the coming of the Promised One, gentiles had to join themselves to Israel (i.e. proselytes/circumcision), forsaking other gods, to be in right relationship to the true God. Israel was to be a kingdom of priests bearing witness to the goodness of life with Yahweh as their God, but there was no overt attempt to evangelize the inhabitants of the nations. They were under judgment.” 

NEW COVENANT'S INTENTION - Dealing with the 3rd Angelic Fall

Psalm 82:1-6, 8 – the corruption of those Gods! (Describes their fall!)

1 God [elohim] has taken his place/stands in the divine council; in the midst of the gods [elohim] he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods [elohim], sons of the Most High [beney elyon], all of you;  7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”  8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Through Messiah!)

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Commentary - “The gods charged with the rule of the nations became corrupt administrators and, in so doing, sowed chaos in the heavenly realm as well. Yahweh created a world characterized by righteousness (ṣedāqâ) and well-being (šālôm). In Psalm 82, “The gods are condemned to death for their failure to carry out justice in the human realm.…”

The concept that the nations of the world were allotted to lesser gods as a punishment at Babel and that those gods sowed chaos on earth and were hostile to Yahweh and his people can be seen in a variety of Second Temple [Jewish] texts.”

God disinherited humanity (the Gentiles) at the Babel event, assigning the nations to ‘lesser gods’ (angels/sons of God) who sowed chaos amongst their charge. “The notion that different nations were allotted to different gods or heavenly beings was widespread in the ancient world…The origin of this idea is to be sought in the ancient Near Eastern concept of the Divine Council.

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW COVENANT

1. New Covenant – for who? Displaces the Old Covenant, obsolete (AD70 – End of Temple Judaism) – Why the Apostle Paul? 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 - 31 “…I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant [Mosaic] that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke,…33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,… (Why it took them so long to get the “gentile part” of the memo?)

Ephesians 2:15 - 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances – Now? Christ’s commandments…“a new commandment I give you”

Hebrews 8:13 - 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one [Mosaic] obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (AD 70 approaching)

Hebrews 9:9-10 - 9 According to this arrangement [the Mosaic Covenant], gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

God thus shows that the ancient covenant [Mosaic] is temporary only, when He indicates its change. Also, when He promises that it will be followed by an eternal one [New Covenant]. …The epistle that we also allow to be the most decisive against Judaism, is that in which the apostle [Paul] instructs the Galatians. For we fully admit the abolition of the ancient Law. We hold that it actually proceeds from the dispensation of the Creator. ...Christ marks the period of the separation when He says, “The Law and the Prophets were until John.” [Lk. 16:16] He thus made the Baptist the boundary between the two dispensations of the old things that were then terminating and the new things that were then beginning.  Tertullian (AD 207)

**Not Replacement Theology – “One New House (Man) under the Priesthood and Law of Christ” Theology**

2. Reversing the Tower of Babel Judgment on mankind – from disinheritance to remarrying the nations (the Gentiles)! - Testimony - “God wants to put a ring on your finger”

3. Disempowerment of those “gods” over the nations – = our empowerment - prayer, EVANGELISM - preaching the Gospel (setting captives free), exorcism, healing, gifts of the Spirit, discernment, enforcing their original (pre-fallen) mandate (justice, etc.)  - Where? in the 1st Heavens (on Earth)

In early June, an Air Force officer and former intelligence officer named David Grusch came forward as a protected whistleblower and testified that the U.S. Government is in possession of 12 crafts/vehicles (made by "non-human intelligence") that either landed or crashed and had also recovered "non-human bodies". Additionally, he claimed the secret Pentagon program has been working on reverse engineering of the technologically advanced "spacecraft".

The US Government tried to take control of the "narrative" by denying the veracity of the report both a week before and a week afterward including from the agency that Grusch had previously worked for. 

In this podcast, I look at the modern history of the UFO phenomenon which began in the 1940s. I then look at the modern "Occult History" which is directly related to the modern UFO phenomenon. A Christian perspective MUST factor in the occult/spiritual dynamics that have characterized the modern era. 

I next go back into the Ancient History of the UFO phenomenon - looking at the Fall of Angelic beings. We look at and consider many of the relevant Biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments.

I argue at the end of the podcast that we must interpret the Biblical Passages correctly if we hope to explain the modern UFO/Alien phenomenon. Many Christians do not interpret the key Biblical passages according to their ancient and Apostolic understandings. This will result in an inability to respond to any "evidence" that emerges pointing to "non-human" craft and entities. If it is simply "all spiritual, all demonic" as many Christians superficially claim, then how will they explain what a man like David Grusch is claiming?

Finally, we look at why we should we care? What, if any application, is there for Christians? The Bible rightly understood/interpreted in fact can explain ALL of the paranormal phenomena that is so ubiquitous in modern Western Culture. The Church must be prepared and sadly, right now, much of it is entirely unprepared to "give an answer" to the questions that millions are now asking! 

#ufos, #uaps, #aliens, #disclosure, #spacecrafts, #flyingsaucers, #roswell, #deception, #abduction, #grusch, #whistleblower

Are we under the Law of Moses (Mosaic Law/Sinai Covenant/Old Covenant) today? There is so much confusion amongst followers of Jesus as to what from the Old Testament

In this podcast, we will look at Acts 11:1-18 where Peter explains what happened with Cornelius and a group of Gentiles in Acts 10. We will also look at Acts 15 where under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, we learn exactly what God required of Gentile believers. We will also see that as the 1st century progressed there was in fact a shift from the Old Covenant (Mosaic/Sinai) to the New Covenant as there was no longer any way for Jews to carry out the requirements of "the Law" that was given to Moses because there was no longer a Jewish Temple. Jesus FULFILLED the Law and the Old Covenant was deemed "obsolete".

Summary of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

GENTILES DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP THE MOSAIC LAW – ceremonial, civic, dietary

NO SEXUAL IMMORALITY (moral law) – fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc. 

NO CIRCUMCISION (from Abrahamic Covenant)

NO DETAILED DIETARY LAWS (only blood, strangled animal meat, meat sacrificed to idols)

NO SABBATH OBSERVANCE COMMANDED (ceremonial)

NO FESTIVALS COMMANDED

What LAW are we commanded to obey today? The Law of Christ – His Teachings and His Apostles

“If you love me, you will keep/obey MY commandments” – John 14:15

(9 of the 10 commandments repeated in the New Testament – the MORAL LAW)

Confusion about Biblical Covenants

How many are there?  Who were they made with? Who did they apply to?  What were/are the conditions?

Which still apply TODAY?  Which commandments are we supposed to obey?

What commandments/regulations/ordinances are “perpetual”? (“everlasting”/ “forever”) 

Were any commandments “temporary”?

Seventh-Day Adventists / Messianic Judaism (*for Jewish background)

(Some) Word of Faith Prosperity Teachers – blessings, curses?

Hebrew Roots / Torah Observant – “Lawlessness”?

Biblical Covenants - Are there 4? 5? 6?

Adamic (?) / Noahic / Abrahamic / Mosaic/Sinai (Old Covenant) / Davidic / New Covenant 

1. Noahic – WHO? all mankind (Gen 8-9) / SIGN? Rainbow

2. Abrahamic – WHO? Abraham and his Seed (Gen 12, 15, 17, 22) / SIGN? Circumcision

3. Mosaic (Old) – WHO? Nation of Israel (Exodus 19-40, Deuteronomy) / SIGN? Sabbath

4. Davidic – WHO? David & his Son (2 Sam. 7, 1 Kgs. 2 & 9, Ps 2, 89) / SIGN? Throne

5. New Covenant – WHO? Jews & Gentiles (Jer. 31:31-34, Ez. 36) / SIGN? Baptism

Jeremiah 31:31-34 - 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

In this message, I synthesize the 2 messages I've recently posted about House Churches. 

I share my journey and prophetic history with how God has led us and spoken to us. 

I discuss the issue/question "What about the Big Church?" - the way we have been doing church for so long. 

I then look at 4 points:

1. Church BEGAN in houses 
2. Revival REQUIRED/WILL REQUIRE houses 
3. Houses are KEY to evangelism - to reach the unreached/despised
4. Holy Spirit Ministry and House Churches
5. The future - will the Church that began in houses, END in houses?