Friday, August 27, 2021

Cut Down and Thrown into the Fire

QUESTION RECEIVED:
(I have inserted the scriptures)
Matthew 7:19 says "Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." When does this happen?  Perhaps the elephant in the room here is the Watchtower organization.  It claims to be solely producing fine fruits.  There's no doubt that it has stated "truths" that they have walked back on... which would not be considered "fruit that remains." 
(John15:16; Matt.24:35; James 1:17; Rom.3:4; John1:14; 17:22,8; Matt.10:20; John7:16-18; 8:47) 
However, they still produce fruit and have not been "cut down and thrown into the fire."  What does this speak to the WT's validity as a tree producing fruit?"

MY REPLY:
Please read the scriptures as you come to them. 

Remembering that these trees and fruit are symbolic;
Their being "cut down" and "thrown into the fire", is also symbolic.

Matt.7:19; John15:6

The Bible tells us what this punishment means, how it happens, and even when.
If we understand these symbols of being "cut down and consigned to fire", 
we become equipped to discern, if and when, that judgment is taking place.

Mercy and patience can first be shown: Luke 13:6-9
The cutting down and being thrown into the fire can be a healing discipline, 
to those humble enough to respond (Heb.12:11)
2Kings17:13; Hosea 6:5,1; Zech.13:9; Eze.33:10-11
... to God's discipline, and repent:
Jer.6:6; Nahum 3:15; Joel 2:1-2,25; Rev.9:1-4,18; Zech.13:9; Rev.9:18,20
The unsealed "third", repent -Zech.13:9; Rev.9:18 ...proven by their martyrdom for truth 
(Rev.9:18; 6:9,11; Mark 8:35; Rev.12:10-11; 11:7; Rom.6:5), 
by which they become sealed/gain their soul.

Being "cut down", is done, through the testimony of God's prophets (Hosea 6:5). 
That loss of standing in God's favor, 
is a verbal, public exposure that contains God's condemnation from scripture and spirit.
  Being "thrown into the fire", is similar (Jer.23:29; 5:14; Rev.11:5; 20:9; Matt.10:20). 
God's condemnation can come from prophets on earth, 
even while that condemnation comes "from heaven", 
because that is where the sealed and faithfully active anointed, reside in spirit 
(Rev.3:21; Eph.2:6; Col.3:1-2; Rom.8:9).

So, the unfaithful trees that bear rotten fruit, are "cut down and thrown into the fire",
by their receiving divine condemnation (Ps.80:16)... 
...sent through God's prophets who expose and condemn 
(Eph.5:11; 2Thess.2:8)(John20:22; Zech.4:6,11,14; Rev.11:3-4), 
...by means of scripture (God's word of fire -Jer.23:29; 5:14; Rev.11:3-5). 

If you read Rev.19:20; 20:10, you may note that the false prophet (rotten tree) and its Gentile beast organization, are "still alive" when being thrown into the Lake of Fire. This reveals that these entities can still be in existence to onlookers, even while receiving the condemning fire/judgment of God's Word, through God's prophets... which rebuke when unheeded, consigns them to spiritual death (Ps.80:16; Jer.26:4-6).
(Jer.5:14; Rev.11:5; 3:2,1; 2:21,20-21).


I have done my best to simplify and condense an answer for you,
but as you learn more of the whole picture and examine all the prophecies regarding this era 
(as well as the Bible's interpretation of those prophecies and symbols);
you will see the reality of all these circumstances in greater and clearer detail.
The more you learn, 
the more the whole picture of prophecy will fit harmoniously together, and make sense, 
and the clearer it will become in your perception.

I hope this reply helps.
Love in Christ,
Pearl

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Preaching to Demons

 A QUESTION:
What announcement or proclamation did Jesus make to the spirits or demons in prison – 1 Peter 3:19
Was it their impending judgement?

MY REPLY:
1Pet.3:19-20 reads; "19 After being made alive in the spirit, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water".


First, the Greek does more than say, "spirits". It describes those spirits with the word, "apitheho" (Strong's G-544). That word means, non-compliant, and to not allow oneself to be persuaded. 
The word that describes the proclamation Jesus gave them, is kerysso (Strong's G-2784). That word describes a formal, weighty, and authoritative proclamation, being heralded. 

At this point it is good to read Acts 10:42 and 2Tim.4:1 NKJV
There we learn that Jesus Christ is appointed by God to be the determinant and judge of the living and the dead. We know that this designation is spiritual, not physical (Eph.2:1,4-5; Col.2:13).

We must look closer at 2Tim.4:1 NKJV which reads; 
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead AT HIS APPEARING and His kingdom."
This seems to be telling us that the judgment comes at the appearing of Christ.
When does that judgment take place, and therefore, the appearing of Christ? 
Jude 1:6 clarifies... 
"6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains FOR JUDGMENT ON THE GREAT DAY
There we learn with clarity, that the time of judgment, at the appearing of Christ, is on the great day of God the Almighty.
Rev.16:14 tells us, when that is;
"For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, 
to gather them to the BATTLE of that GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY."
Zeph.1:14; Joel 2:11; Mal.4:5; Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; Rev.6:16-17; Jude 1:6; Rev.16:14

So, the demons are kept in their prison (where Jesus preached to them -1Pet.3:19) until the great Day of Judgment, which coincides with their release, and the battle Armageddon (Rev.20:7-8; 16:14,16; 17:14).
If they are kept in the prison of the abyss until Judgment Day (Jude 1:6)..., 
...then their judgment is determined upon their actions, after they are released.

We know from Rev.16:13-16, the demons are used to put the devil's lying doctrines, into the mouths of the false prophet and its' beast. 
As a whole, they help to surround the encampment of the saints to captivate and destroy them, and they gather the nations into spiritual conflict with Christ and his messengers of divine truth.
(Rev.20:7-10; Luke 21:20,24; Rev.13:7,10; Col.2:8; Matt.24:24-25; 1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:14)

So then, what authoritative proclamation did Jesus make to the demons... prior to Judgment Day, and prior to their release? 
Upon Jesus' faithful death and resurrection, all authority was given to him (Matt.28:18; Eph.1:22; Col.1:18; Phil.2:9-11) both in heaven and on earth. He was made judge of the living and dead, both of spirit and of flesh. 
Jesus said that the gates of Hades would not overpower his disciples (Matt.16:18). 
Even less-so, could those gates hold Jesus in Hades/the abyss (Acts 2:24). 
The demons were having declared to them, the basis for their judgment, the authority to judge given to Jesus by the Father,
...and then they would have displayed before their own eyes... Christ released from the power that held them in chains.
The demons would witness God reaching down into Sheol/Hades, to lift Christ up from out of their midst (Rom.10:7; Acts 2:24)... the first human ever, to receive everlasting life (Rev.1:18,5; Acts 13:34; Rom.8:29).
(Rom.8:34; Eph.2:6; Col.3:1)


Jesus let the demons know that their future judgment was certain, and would occur based upon their choices upon their release. He was letting them know the authority that now belonged to him from God, and giving them full warning about the immovable ultimatum they were facing. 


So, yes, the demons were having declared to them the details of their impending judgment, as well as who would judge them, when they would be judged, why Jesus had authority to judge them, and what the basis of their judgment would be.
2Pet.3:9
They were also being warned of the test that lie ahead for them, upon their release.
That test would involve the unforgivable sin against holy spirit, which they had previously, not committed.
The demons were not judged at that time Jesus preached to them. 
     [To read about the unforgivable sin, please see the link to follow]:

Again, the character description given to the spirits in prison, was G-544, as meaning "unpersuaded" and "non-compliant". That is how those rebels were acting, previous to their being thrown into their dark prison in Noah's day, when they were guilty of fornication (Gen.6:1-2,4). 
As to whether or not any of them changed upon their recent release, I do not now know.


Thursday, August 12, 2021

Whose is the Delicate, whispering Voice?

 In 1Kings, chapter 19; we find the account of Elijah the prophet. He is fleeing from the death sentence decreed by Jezebel.
After a day's journey, he is in the wilderness (Matt.4:1-2;  1Kings 19:8), and as a result of his torment, he is praying for death (1Kings 19:4; Rev.9:5-6; Job 14:13).
The circumstances of Elijah, are pointed to in the book of Revelation (Rev.2:20),
as is also, the Elijah role (Rev.11:3; Matt.17:3,11; Mal.4:5).

I will now copy 1Kings 19, verses 9-12...

"9 And there Elijah went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; 
and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have 
forsaken Your covenant (2Chron. 13:5; Num.18:7,9,19; Matt.5:13; Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2), 
torn down Your altars (Dan.8:11-13; 11:31; Mark 13:14;  2Thess. 2:4), and killed Your prophets with the sword (Rev.11:3,7; 13:10,7). I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” (Mark 8:35; Rev.6:9-11)

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” 
(Rev.11:4; Zech.4:14,7; Mark 11:22-23; Rev.8:8) (Rev.6:15-16)
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, 
but the Lord was not in the wind; (Job 37:9; Zech.2:6; Joel 3:2; Jer.23:2)
and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake
(Joel 2:10,1-3,17; Rev.9:2-3; 6:12)
12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; (Ps.74:3,7-8; Joel 1:19; Rev.8:7)

.......and after the fire a delicate, whispering voice."

It is clear that God was not the source of the wind, quaking, or fire.
His spirit was not in these destructive forces.
Many wrongly assume that unlike the wind, earthquake and fire... God is in the voice...
and that the source of this still, soft, delicate, groveling, weak voice that is whispering from the dust, 
is God, speaking to Elijah.
In the context of this vision that Elijah is given in the cave (1Kings 18:22; Num.12:6), no explanation of what the voice says, or who it is that is speaking, is given.
We are given, Elijah's situation.
Verses 13-14 continue...
"13 So it was, when Elijah heard it (the weak voice),  he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.
Suddenly the word of the Lord came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

The treacherous tyranny of Jezebel and Ahaz, is killing God's prophets and fostering idolatry throughout God's nation. That corrupt leadership is defiling the land and oppressing the faithful with great persecution, just as was depicted by the wind, quaking, and fire, described above. As a result of this corrupt leadership; God's land has apostatized. The leaders are seeking the deaths of their fellow Israelites, even of the messengers of God, His prophets. For a time, God allows it
Often, when God merely allows something to take place by means of Satan the Destroyer (Ex.12:23; Isa.33:1) (1Kings 22:21-22;  2Chron. 18:20-21), He is credited with the event (Ex.12:12,29) (1Kings 22:23;  2Chron. 18:22). This is the case with Isa.29:2,3, which you will soon read. 
By God allowing these trying circumstances to come upon His wayward nation, it will make manifest, the faithful from the unfaithful... the repentant from the unrepentant (Mal.3:18).

How do the scriptures give us understanding of this voice that occurs, after the onslaught upon God's people, by their powerful apostate leaders?
How does the Bible, identify this voice?
Isa.29:1-4 NKJV ...

“1 Woe to [a]Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt!
    {[a]="Lion of God/Jerusalem}
Add year to year;
Let feasts come around.

2 Yet I will distress Ariel;
There shall be heaviness and sorrow,
And it shall be to Me as Ariel (an altar hearth for sacrifice).

3 I will encamp against you all around, (Rev.20:7-9; Luke 21:20; 19:43-44)
I will lay siege against you with a mound,
And I will raise siege-works against you.

4 You shall be brought down,
You shall mumble out of the ground;
Your speech shall be low, out of the dust;
Your voice shall be ghost-like, out of the ground;
And your speech shall whisper out of the dust."

Jezebel and Ahaz ruled over their fellow Israelites. They became oppressive and corrupt, even seeking the deaths of their brother Jews. We saw that also occur, when Jesus was killed 
(John 18:3,7,12-14,28-31,35; 19:6,11; Matt.16:21; John 1:14,11)
We are warned against hypocrisy (Matt.5:20; Luke 12:1 B)
Christ has ordered his genuine followers, to love their brothers (John 13:34-35; Gal.6:2; James 2:8).
Those who don't, are hypocrites (1John 4:20-21; Matt.25:40; 7:21-23,26).

(see 1Kings 19:12; Gen.4:10;  1John 3:12; Luke 12:45; Matt.23:37,34-36,32; Rev.18:24; 17:6)
(Ps.113:7; James 4:10;  1Pet. 5:6; Isa.52:2)


Both 1Kings 19 and Isa.29, point ahead to the Great Tribulation... the assault unleashed by Satan against the remnant (Rev.12:15; 20:8; Dan.9:26), which God allows for their discipline and refinement (Zech.13:9; Rev.8:7,12; 12:4). 
There will be war by the unfaithful wicked steward/false prophet (and it's Gentile beast), against their faithful brothers, who awaken and repent over the corruption being promulgated by their leaders (Rev.13:11,15)
(Rev.2:5,16,20-22; 3:3,19; 9:20; 16:9,11; Matt.11:21; Rev.11:3) 
(Rev.16:13-16; 17:14; 20:7-9;  2Cor. 10:3-5)
God allows the wind, quaking, and fire, due to the idolatry that is rife in His land 
(Rev.13:8,15; 2:20; 17:2,13) (Rev.1:5-6; 5:9-10).

The vision given to Elijah, regarding the voice that whimpers from the dust,
is a prophecy depicting the prayer of the remnant that repents, after their discipline causes them to turn back to God 
Isa.26:16-17 NIV ; John16:20-22 NKJV 

Additional Pages for Study (coming soon)