IT IS GOD WHO KNOWS, DECIDES, ALLOWS, DISALLOWS, CONTROLS AND LEADS!

Did Job end up suffering because he brought it upon himself by doing wrong or sinning? Or was it God who allowed Job to suffer for His purpose?

The Bible gives the following answer:

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

“All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. Job 1:8-12 NLT

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

“All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.”  So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot. Job 2:3-7 NLT

So, it is God who allows what will happen to people, whether good or bad!

That is why the Scripture says;

“So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.” Romans 9:16-18 NLT

Therefore, it says that, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him!” Philippians 2:13 NLT

THE ART OF DISCERNING

Jesus said: “Not everyone who calls out to Me, Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to Me, Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.  But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7:21-23 NLT

This passage also applies to many of the well-known Televangelists, pastors, prophets, and ministers who all preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, prophesying in His name, casting out demons in His name, and performing many miracles in His name. And yet all these ministers are not God’s true chosen followers of Jesus Christ, and will not enter heaven! These ministers are like what the Bible describes them; false apostles of Christ, deceitful workers who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. (See 2. Corinthians 11:13-15) Or, they are false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. (See Matthew 7:15)

The Scriptures warn us not to believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit, but we must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world! (See 1. John 4:1)

The way we identify and test these ministers whether they are good or evil is by their fruit and that is by the way they act, their motivation! (See Matthew 7:16-20)

As I said before, many of these false ministers do preach about Christ, but not with pure motives. They preach with selfish ambition, to make money, make a name for themselves, to control and have power over people, out of jealousy and rivalry. (See Philippians 1:15-17)

A true minister of God is supposed to care for people not for what he or she can get out of it, but because he or she is eager to serve God. And never should a minister of God lord over or control the people assigned to his care, but lead them by his own Christ-like example of pursuing righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness! (1. Peter 5:2-3, 1. Timothy 6:11)

LET’S CUT THROUGH THE BULL! By Edwin Christiaan

When Jesus was rebuking the Thyatira Church for allowing Jezebel to rule over them, He was talking about a WOMAN, NOT a MAN!

Jesus clearly said: “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that WOMAN—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray.” Revelations 2:20 NLT

Jesus was comparing this woman in the Thyatira Church to the infamous, wicked woman, Queen Jezebel, from the Old Testament days, who was known for undermining the authority of her husband, King Ahab, by controlling and manipulating him, and taking over his leadership. (See 1. Kings 21)

I have heard many women, especially those who have the Jezebel spirit, cleverly confusing this issue and shifting the focus off from themselves, by saying that the spirit of Jezebel also operates in men! You will find these women in prophetic church circles, many times leading the gatherings. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus emphasized that Jezebel calls herself a prophet, who “leads My servants astray”? During our many years of traveling for the ministry, we have encountered so many women – too many to count - who are self-proclaimed prophets. These women are always, very shrewdly and undetected, leading people away from Christ into deception, with false teachings and false prophecies!

As part of His rebuke to the Thyatira Church, Jesus also said that Jezebel is a false teacher, who teaches ‘deeper truths’ - revelations that in actuality explore the ‘depths of Satan’! (See Revelation 2:24) This is exactly what is going on in these prophetic gatherings, where the Jezebel women flock.    

So, let’s cut to the chase: The Jezebel spirit only pertains to women, simply because of the fact that men have been given natural authority from God - it’s not something they would need to fight to get, they already have it! Women, on the other hand, have not been given that same authority! But they feel they should have it, and feel treated unfairly by God. That is why the purpose of this particular demonic spirit of Jezebel is to take the position of leadership authority that the man has in marriage and church, by using manipulation, control, domination, and seduction to achieve this! They’re trying to force nature and God, but they will always experience God resisting them in this area, adding to the offense they feel.

www.jezebelspirit.net

www.instituteoflove.net

THE OVERWEIGHT DILEMMA By Edwin Christiaan

Being overweight is probably one of the most depressing problems plaguing Christians today. It has become an epidemic! They greatly struggle with low self-esteem, self-rejection, and self-hatred. Many are also jealous and even scoff at those who are slim and look good. Just telling them to consume fewer calories than their bodies burns over the course of a day or week, does not cut it for most of them. Beside health issues that can cause weight gain, most of these people are comfort-eaters, meaning they compulsively eat because of unresolved pain or traumas caused at some point in their lives. They just cannot control the urge inside of them for the need to medicate themselves with food, and in doing so, easing the pain!

And yet the Bible says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control! (See Galatians 5:22-23)

In other words, anybody who is chosen by God, will be able to overcome being overweight or obese by exercising self-control!

As the apostle Paul said: “I am allowed to do anything, but not everything is good or beneficial for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything! (See 1. Corinthians 6:12, 1. Corinthians 10:23)

“For you are a slave to whatever controls you!” 2. Peter 2:19 NLT

Amazing new book by Edwin Christiaan: "TITHING - Exposing One Of The Biggest Lies In The Church"

 NEW BOOK BY EDWIN CHRISTIAAN

May 13, 2015

"TITHING - Exposing One Of The Biggest Lies In The Church"

Author and preacher Edwin Christiaan explains, in easy to understand language, why the Church needs to STOP imposing the false doctrine of TITHING on its parishioners – the obligation to pay 10 percent of their gross income to the church as a rule from God.
Discover why this “rule” in the Church is actually an Old Testament command that has been misinterpreted and misused by Modern-day pastors and preachers to impose an obligation on people that was only meant for the Israelites who lived under the Law of Moses.

• Have you ever been manipulated, bullied, or controlled in the area of tithing?
• Are you really robbing God and coming under a curse?
• And do you truly understand the Scriptures, apart from what you are being told?

It’s time to expose perhaps the biggest lie in the church today! Dowload the e-book here!

ORDER THE BOOK HERE (Paperback):

TITHING Exposing ...

Edwin Christiaan

$9.99

THE NAR AND THE SEVEN MOUNTAIN MANDATE JUNK! By Edwin Christiaan

The NAR, which stands for the New Apostolic Reformation, is a collection of non-denominational and independent churches rallying around a particular set of false biblical interpretations.

Popular teachers associated with the New Apostolic Reformation include C. Peter Wagner, co-founder of the World Prayer Center at New Life Church, Rick Joyner of the MorningStar Fellowship Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bill Johnson of the Bethel Church in Redding, California, Che Ahn, of the Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California, Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, Chuck Pierce of the Glory of Zion Church in Denton, Texas and prophets Lou Engle, Bill Hamon and Kim Clement, to name a few.

NAR churches can be found across the United States, in virtually every large city and small town.

According to the New Apostolic Reformation, God began to restore prophets and apostles over the last thirty to forty years. The idea is that when the church is properly guided by the appropriate spiritual leaders, it can fulfill its commission. This commission is seen as more than spiritual, as it includes cultural and political control.

The New Apostolic Reformation teaches that God’s intended form of church government is that the apostles and prophets are the ones who hold leadership over evangelists, pastors, and teachers. It is also being upheld very strictly that all churches and individuals who have the privilege over being overseen by an apostle, must make sure to tithe to their apostle, thus enabling the apostle to continue his ministry. Being part of the NAR includes a required commitment to tithe to its leaders, a minimum of ten percent of all their monetary income. This is also why they are always promoting their various business networks for Christian businessmen, making business a spiritual work, so all in their business networks also tithes to their leaders.

In the New Apostolic Reformation, apostles are seen as the highest of all spiritual leaders, being specially empowered by God. True maturity and unity is only found in those who submit to the leadership of their apostles. According to this teaching, as the church unifies behind the apostles, these leaders will develop greater and greater supernatural powers. Eventually, this will include the ability to perform mass healing's and suspend the laws of physics. These signs are meant to encourage a massive wave of converts to Christianity. These apostles are also destined to be recipients of the so-called Great Wealth Transfer (in the End Times), which will enable the church to establish God’s kingdom on earth. (See our teaching on the “Great Wealth Transfer” http://instituteoflove.net/?s=wealth+transfer)

Prophets in the New Apostolic Reformation are almost as important as apostles. These prophets have been empowered to receive “new” revelations from God that will help the church in establishing dominion. According to the New Apostolic Reformation, only prophets, and occasionally apostles, can obtain new revelations. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers cannot. The prophets’ new revelations are crucial to overcoming the world, and the success of the church depends on the apostles following through on the information prophets provide. Most of their prophecies are extremely vague and easy to re-interpret, and the New Apostolic Reformation is willing to modify them, since they set no standard of infallibility for themselves.

The thinking behind the New Apostolic Reformation is that, mankind lost its dominion that God has given them over the earth as part of the fall of Adam and Eve. And now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, it not only resolved our sin debt, but it empowered mankind, specifically Christians to retake control of the earth, as commended in Genesis 1 verse 28.

“Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:28 NLT

The New Apostolic Reformation sees seven areas, also known as the “Seven Mountain” theology, in which believers are supposedly empowered and expected to dominate in the areas of government, arts, finances, education, religion, family, and media. Of these, the New Apostolic Reformation sees government as the most important because of its ability to influence all of the other facets of life. For this reason, they unsuccessfully tried very hard to have fellow Christian believer, Senator Ted Cruz be elected to become the next president of the United States.

In some ways, this is not unusual, as people should be expected to vote and lobby according to their convictions. But the New Apostolic Reformation’s true agenda is for its main leaders to have power, influence, and notoriety!

The New Apostolic Reformation goes so far to say that the church must take control of the seven major spheres of influence as described in the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” written by Johnny Enlow, in order for Christ to return to earth. Once the world has been made subject to the kingdom of God, Jesus will return and rule the world.

In an attempt to support their view, these false teachers of the NAR movement use the Old Testament verse in Isaiah 2:2, which mentions mountains:

 “In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth. 
It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.” Isaiah 2:2 NLT

But this passage is about a vision that the prophet Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. The “last days” in this verse has the meaning of the time of Israel’s restoration following an exile of the land and has nothing to do with the “Seven Mountain” mandate which requires all Christians to create a worldwide kingdom that controls the seven major spheres of influence in society before Christ returns.

The NAR and proponents of the “Seven Mountain Mandate” have abandoned biblical teaching on the end times, choosing to believe that Christians must set the stage for Jesus’ second coming by achieving dominion over the world’s systems. According to the “Seven Mountain Mandate” theology, Jesus will only return to a world that mirrors the kingdom of God. This idea parallels to the New Age teaching that anticipates a cosmic spiritual shift when man becomes a co-redeemer of Planet Earth.

Okay, now to the truth. There is absolutely no biblical requirement for Christians to take control of all the world systems in order to usher in Christ’s kingdom! None whatsoever! As a matter of fact, the Bible says that the world will grow worse, not better, in the last days! And it even warns us to stay away from certain sinful people!

“In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2. Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

“But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.” 2. Timothy 3:13 NLT

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.” 2. Peter 3:3 NLT

Jesus said that His followers are called to be the light of the world!

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

The “Seven Mountain Mandate” is very deceptive and dangerous! It puts a tremendous burden on believers to perform, make progress in their relative spheres of influence, encouraging perfectionism. Little emphasis is placed on the gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This movement is more about staking claims and taking control.

The New Apostolic Reformation and the Seven Mountain Mandate movements are led by false prophets! These false prophets denigrate the Bible and emphasize experience-oriented theology and the promotion of mysticism. It should be avoided and exposed whenever Bible-believing Christians encounter it!

The Bible specifically warns us not to believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit, but to test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God, because there are many false prophets in the world! (See 1. John 4:1)

Otherwise we will be immature like children who are being tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching and be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth! (See Ephesians 4:14)  

HEY PASTOR! YOU ARE NOT A SHEPHERD! By Edwin Christiaan

A pastor is supposed to follow the example of Jesus Christ who is a good shepherd that sacrifices His life for the sheep! But instead, you are unfriendly and prideful, and you don’t really care for the people God has entrusted to you. It is all about what you can get out of them. You control every aspect of their lives, and you make sure that they all pay their tithes and much more to you. You love money, and you are well trained in greed! You use false doctrines and make up all sorts of clever lies to get hold of the people’s money.

To you, everybody that comes in your church represent dollar signs. You like to put up a show of godliness, but it is just a way for you to become wealthy. You commit adultery with your eyes, and your selfishness is never satisfied as you lure unstable people into sin!
You are not managing your own family well. Your wife, just like yourself, is manipulative and controlling. She loves gossip and slanders others. It is no wonder that you have rebellious children who don’t respect and obey you.
The Bible is clear about this: For if a pastor cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
Pastors are supposed to be remembered as leaders who taught you the Word of God and the good that comes from their lives and the example of their faith in Christ!!!

John 10:11, 1. Peter 5:1-4, 2. Peter 2:3+14, 1. Timothy 6:5, 1. Timothy 3:2-5, 11, Hebrews 13:7