Not Seeing Him

"If My people cannot understand
that My kingdom is not a land of this world,
how can they keep their swords in their place?

"If My people cannot love their enemies
as I loved you while you were My enemies,
how can they avoid becoming enemies of the Cross?

"If My people cannot extend their love
to the guilty as well as to the innocent,
how can they profess to be My disciples?

"If My people cannot discern the spirit of things
but count external success and prosperity as My approval,
how can they hear My Spirit speaking in the end times?

"If My people look to earthly authorities
to establish and prepare the way for My kingdom,
how will they not follow after the beast?"

*****

Art: "Halting Us..."

Following the Image

"My people have turned to an image instead of to Me!
They have set up an image of the circumcision
as My unconditionally chosen and favored people.
They turn their eyes from the sins of the circumcision
and see only their righteousness among the nations:
righteous in heart and action, lacking only a belief in Christ.

"My people prophesy My favor for those who bless the image
and judgments for those who curse the image.
Instead of declaring that My heart is My Son,
My people declare that 'Israel' is the center of My heart!
Instead of teaching the commands of My Son,
My people preach honoring the circumcision as My command!

"Woe! Woe to My people who have become prostitutes!
"Woe! Woe to My people who give authority to the circumcision
and put themselves under the image they have made of them!
Woe to My people who pressure others to join in their adultery!
Return! Repent and return, My people!
Leave Babylon and return to the everlasting gospel!"

*****

Art: "Adultery"

Replaced!

"The Cross has been replaced with Israel!
My Chosen One has been replaced with 'the chosen people'!
Seeing the holiness of Calvary has been replaced
with seeing the holiness of 'the Holy City'!
The law of Christ—love one another, even your enemies—
has been replaced with loving and protecting Israel!
The gospel of the kingdom has been replaced
with a gospel of 'the millennial kingdom'!
Teaching all nations obedience to Christ has been replaced
with teaching all nations to honor and yield to Israel!"

*****

Art: "Replacement Theology"

Filled With Flesh

"My children! My children have been deceived!
Instead of letting Me redeem and carry them on My wings,
they rejected the words of My prophets;
they lifted themselves up in their own strength
and sought to carry themselves to the place they desired,
following the heart of man instead of the mind of God.

"When their children were being devoured,
and when they cried out for help and for justice,
the elders across the sea laid down on their side,
only willing to rise up to pursue their own agenda.
They stood by as their own were devoured,
and in standing by they devoured their own young.

"When the suffering of their young was finished,
in the name of the devoured the elders finally arose.
They fought as fierce as a bear robbed of her cubs
to win the home they had set their heart on.
No flesh was able to stand against them;
they devoured their enemies and their neighbors.

"Those who appeared to be like the Lamb cried out,
'Who is like this nation? Who can make war against them?'
Those who had ridden away from the Lamb prophesied and declared
that 'God' had healed the nation's wound and given them dominion,
and they used political power to coerce others to honor the nation
regardless of the unchanged hearts and sins of the nation.

"Who has put My children in the cooking pot?
Who has built a city in My name with bloodshed?
What 'God' is pleased by these things?
Will I let this beast go unpunished?
I will destroy its idolatrous image
and I will put the beast in the fire.

"But before the Son of Man comes,
the beast will devour, crush and trample even more,
and its boastful words will increase.
I have counted its days and numbered them;
this calls for patience and love from the saints."

*****

Art: "In the Fire"

Overtaken

"Heartache is coming!
Many of My people will be
caught by surprise when I come
because they took My words to heart
only enough to confirm their own righteousness
to their neighbors and to the world!

"Like the five foolish virgins,
they have been confident that they knew
the signs of the time of My coming.
They are trying to discern the times
by light which they do not know is fading—
the light of the old covenant.
They are trying to discern signs in the world
and My will outwardly, by the appearance
of righteousness and the profession of My name.

"And so they have put their faith in expecting to see:
a literal 'antichrist' arise from among their political enemies,
a literal 'mark of the beast' limiting their freedom and prosperity,
144,000 literal Israelities who will be the 'right side' to stand with,
and two literal witnesses who will strike their enemies with plagues.

"Many will wake up at the cry of My prophets
only to find that they have not known Me or My word.
They will suddenly want to see by the light of the the new covenant
only in order to discern the signs and the time of My coming.
But their hearts will not be moved with compassion
for the 'least of these' whom they abused in My name.
They will not repent of their disobedience
to the command of the new covenant—
'love one another as I have loved you.'

"But the wise know that they do not know
the signs of the time of My coming.
They know that they may fall asleep during the night,
and that their old 'oil' may not be enough.
They have prepared to see by the light which lasts
—the light of the new covenant—
and they keep watch as I commanded:
by loving as the 'least of these',
including your enemies.

"With faith in My righteousness and My love,
the wise walk by the Spirit instead of by sight,
hearing My cries in the dark and awakening to My call.
They discern the spirit of antichrist among them
and the 'marks' of idolatry in beliefs and actions.
They know that I know My own children
by My seal—My own Spirit, who is invisible.
And they know the manner of My Spirit
is to seek and save the lost.

"Let those who have ears hear
what My Spirit says to the churches!
Walk in the light of the new covenant
before darkness overtakes you!
Not everyone will enter the kingdom
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!'
Do not merely be hearers of My word
but be doers of My word!"

*****

Art: "On The Steps"

Understanding the Scroll

"My child, feel My hand on your face,
folding you to My breast.
I am telling you what is coming
and what is written in the scroll—
and I know the pain is overwhelming at times.

"I am with you, and I will be with you
in all of these things to the end
Be strong and courageous,
for I am leading many to My righteousness.
I am unfolding My broken heart,
and I am calling you to share My broken heart.

"I will use your words and your tears,
and I will bring about an end
more wonderful than you can imagine.
Be comforted and know that I have overcome!"

*****

Art: "Unfolding the Heartbreaking Truth"

"Not As You'd Envisioned"

"My children, when I open your eyes
to understand what is written in Revelation,
it will not be what you had envisioned.
Much of what you had believed to be important
will suddenly be revealed as spiritual adultery.
You will see what you have helped build,
how far you have fallen away from My grace,
and you will know that I have seen even 'Babylon'
through eyes of infinite love and grace.
I am waking you up, My beloved."

*****

Art: "Taking Away Terror"

"I Am Coming"

"I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash
and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare...
I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands,
and they will no longer fall prey to your power.
Then you will know that I am the Lord.

"By lying to My people, who listen to lies,
you have killed those who should not have died
and have spared those who should not live...
Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies,
when I had brought them no grief,
and because you encouraged the wicked
not to turn from their evil ways...
I will save My people from your hands."
(Ezekiel 13:14,21,19,22-23)

"I will pour out My Spirit on My people,
and I will bring life to those who are thirsty.
But I will destroy what has been built with whitewash.
Do I delight in positive appearances? Do I look on the outside?
I am He who sees hearts, and I am He who knows what is kept secret.
And I judge in love—in the love I gave you on the Cross.

"I am sending messengers to the shepherds of My house,
to tell them when My people are hurting, and why.
I am rescuing My children from the abuse they have suffered
under the watch of shepherds who neglected and rejected them.
I am healing them from the wounds they received
when they were dismissed by proud shepherds
who do not want to change their ways.

"But will the shepherds acknowledge Me and listen to Me?
Will they reject Me as they have rejected My messengers?
Won't they only continue to punish their spiritual children?"

"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord,
because My flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered
and has become food for all the wild animals,
and because my shepherds did not search for My flock
but cared for themselves rather than for My flock,
therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for My flock.
I will remove them from tending the flock
so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves...

"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
I Myself will search for My sheep and look after them...
I will rescue them from all the places
where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness...
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.
I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.
I will shepherd the flock with justice."
(Ezekiel 34:8-16)

"Don't Die On Me!"

"Will you turn away at My rebuke?
Behold, I will pour out My spirit to you;
I will make My words known to you."
(Proverbs 1:23)

"I am pushing the hearts of My hardened and absent people.
I am pouring out My Spirit on all of My children,
but many will not recognize My Spirit because
they refuse to hear My rebuke—
not knowing that My rebuke gives life.

"I am calling some of My servants
to speak My words which may seem 'hard',
but which will soften some whose hearts are hardened,
and which will bring back to life some who are almost gone.
Other hearts will hear and will grow harder,
and some will choose to die by clinging to pride
rather than submitting to My resuscitation.

"I love My peoples' hearts too much to abandon them:
I will push until they respond one way or another."

Altar of Abuse

"Slain! The messengers I send are being slain!
I see the slain beneath the 'altar'
that many are preparing in My name.

"Many believe they have received the divine 'blueprint'
for building My kingdom in the last days.
They believe they are called to exercise authority over My people
in order to prepare the way for My return.

"When My witnesses testify that the 'blueprint'
is built on assumption instead of being rooted in the new covenant,
My witnesses are told that they are in danger of My judgment
because they are rebelling against 'authority'.

"'How long will You let this continue?' they cry to Me.
How much longer will I allow My words to be used
as instruments of control and abuse?
How much longer will I tolerate this 'altar'?

"Behold! I am sending more witnesses into Babylon
carrying My heart and My words for those who build the 'altar',
who believe they wear a 'mantle' of prophetic authority
but who do not know they are naked before Me.

"I am calling My witnesses to patient endurance
in My truth and in My love—even for those who slay them.
Woe to those who build their city with bloodshed!
Hear the cries of the slain under your altar, and repent!"

*****

Art: "Revealing the Slain"

"The Fifth Seal"—Revealing Spiritual Abuse

Part 12 of "Unsealed By the Lamb: Revelation Through the Lamb and His Love"
________________________

There is no great secret we must know in order to be moving with the Spirit; there is no 'revelation' or knowledge of the end times that we need other than the testimony of Jesus (the gospel) and the commands of God ("Love one another as I have loved you").

The testimony: "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 Jn.1:5,7)

The commands: "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters... [remembering] those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Heb.13:1,3)

'PROPHESYING' AS THE CENTER

The four riders show different stages of the church's history when believers have taken in hand aspects of the truth of Christ and ridden away from the center with them—when they have sought to reign, fight, judge and prophesy apart from the Lamb and His love. The coming of the fourth rider completes the departure away from the center (the Lamb).

When the fourth seal opened, a movement came forth in the church in imitation of the fourth living creature, the flying eagle, which reflects the prophetic role of Christ.

However, unlike the flying eagle (the fourth living creature), the movement of the fourth rider does not have the Lamb and His love at the center. Instead the movement centers on the power and authority of prophesying. It seeks deeper understanding and greater power not from the Lamb and His love, but from the Old Testament instead. Rules and principles are created from the words of the old covenant—from "the ministry of death" (2 Cor.3:7)—erecting new standards that must be met in order to receive God's favor and blessings.

Instead of God's judgments being about the testimony of Jesus and His command of agape love, His judgments are proclaimed based on other standards—old covenant laws, "spiritual" principles, correct profession and confession, politics, acknowledgment of authority, or supporting a chosen nation. The pursuit of authority, spiritual power and prophesying sets aside the testimony of the Lamb and His agape love, and gradually comes to oppose it.

KILLING 'THE FOURTH'

The fourth rider completes the riders, but the power and authority of the fourth rider is limited to its area, to its own fourth, instead of to the whole. (When the Lamb opens the fourth seal, the fourth living creature announces the coming of the fourth rider, who in turn exercises power over a fourth.)

The movement 'slays' those in its quarter of the church and the world by exercising its "authority". With principles taken out of context from the old covenant, the movement sets forth standards which it judges the world by—and which it judges its own members by, as well.

The 'lawless one' comes from inside and sets up inside the temple—from among God's people (2 Thes.2:3-4), deluding with signs of power those who do not find enough delight in the testimony of Jesus and His law of agape love (2 Thes.2:9-12). Those who accept the authority and its power are themselves accepted. But those who question the authority are "killed" with accusations—they are said to be "in rebellion" against God's authority and in danger of His judgment.

In order to prevent challenges to the movement's authority, rules are constructed which are said to be for the benefit of the members but which are in place to protect authorities from being questioned and keep them safely 'above' others. Those who lead and display spiritual power are exalted, and members are urged to serve them without question, reversing the teaching of Christ:

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." (Lk.22:25-27)

By reversing Christ's order and using authority to keep members from questioning, the movement slaughters many of its own.



CRYING OUT AGAINST THE ALTAR

The movement believes it is restoring the prophetic ministry in the church, and that it has understood the 'blueprint' (so to speak) of how God is building His kingdom on earth, just like Moses received the plans for how to build the tabernacle in the desert. Claiming authority from God to build "the altar of the Lord", the movement exercises its authority to support those who help build the altar, or to chastise those who question the altar.

When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, He reveals the spiritual abuse under the 'altar' being built in His name by the movement of the fourth rider:

"When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed." (Rev 6:9-11)

Many question or challenge the underlying assumptions of the movement, simply wanting to maintain the testimony of Christ. They see that just as an "altar" is part of the old covenant, the movement has made patterns based largely on assumptions taken from the old covenant. Blessings and curses are preached based on adherence to old covenant laws and 'principles' taken from the old covenant. A hierarchy is created with levels of authority which members are encouraged to climb to receive more power from God. Instead of proclaiming fullness in Christ (Col.2:9-10), an "altar" is put between members and Christ, by which members can please Him and receive more from Him.

The movement desires power and authority; the foundation of Christ and His love is not enough. And just as a lying spirit came to the prophets of Ahab (1 Kg.22:19-23), a powerful and addictive delusion has come to the movement—often performing signs and wonders (2 Thes.2:11). As a result, proclaiming that believers have sufficiency in the new covenant, in Christ alone, is taken as a challenge to what the movement is building.

Like Jeroboam, the authorities in the movement attempt to seize and chastise those who cry out against their 'altar' as the man of God from Judah did (1 Kg.13:4). Just like the prophet Micaiah was pressured to prophesy favorably to King Ahab, the movement pressures its members to speak favorably, agree with the authority, and prophesy success for it (1 Kg.22:13). Those who do not submit are slain with words accusing them of being in rebellion and hating authority.

THE STUMBLING STONE

Proclaiming God's judgments based on criteria other than Christ and His love, the movement subtly refocuses attention on earthly things instead of heavenly: God's blessings are material prosperity, and lack of material prosperity is because of curses or judgment. Christ's heavenly inheritance is not as attractive as earthly prosperity, and His law of agape love (even for enemies) seems impractical.

In response to the two witnesses, the movement chooses to go its own way in order to 'prosper', and in its heart declares:

"What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only are those who do wickedness are raised up, but also those who challenge God go free." (Mal.3:14-15)

Reminding the authorities of the movement that Christ Himself is our fullness exposes the rebellion at the heart of the movement. And so 'authority' is exercised to remove or force into submission threats to the 'altar' or exposure of the pride that builds it. Exercising power over dissenters becomes inebriating, and so Babylon is "drunk with the blood of the saints" (Rev.17:6).

The Lord looks in His vineyard for justice, but He sees bloodshed; He looks for for righteousness, but He hears cries of distress (Isa.5:7). The blood of the spiritually abused cries out to Him from underneath the altar, "How much longer must this continue, Lord?"

The Lord responds with comfort:

"Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers and sisters who were to be killed as they had been was completed." (Rev.6:11)

The white robe of Christ's righteousness is a comfort in times of persecution—whether spiritual or physical persecution. The robe says, "I give you My peace... you will have tribulation, but take heart, for I have overcome the world" (Jn.14:27, 16:33). He reminds us of His righteousness—that He has finished everything for us on the Cross—to let us know that we are not forgotten, no matter what kind of rejection or persecution we endure:

"A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. 'They will be mine,' says the Lord Almighty, 'in the day when I make up my treasured possession, I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.'" (Mal.3:16-17)

THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS

"Wait a little longer," He says. Patiently endure in testifying to Jesus (Rev.13:10), just as your brothers and sisters like John and Peter have (Rev.1:9, 1 Pet.5:9). Patiently endure in His testimony and in His command of agape love (Rev.14:12), because He wants His people to understand that His "slowness" is because of His love: He is patient because He wants people to come to repentance! (2 Pet.3:9)

And so His witnesses wait, filled His agape love, even for those who are slaying them. Today they continue to testify, they continue to endure, and they continue to be slain.

Although many 'prophetic' voices speak and claim "authority", yet in their own ranks many souls can be found who have been wounded in the name of building the altar. God's witnesses are being slain—accused and rejected—but God Himself has not abandoned or rejected them. He hears their cries and feels every pain they suffer (Mt.25:40).
________________________

Part 13: "The Harvest"—Brought In By His Love

"Choose Your Righteousness"

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar
and His word has no place in our lives.
(1 John 1:9-10)

"I am not blind! You have loved and stood for 'freedom',
but you have also used it as a cover for evil.

"My eyes see the good you have done,
but My eyes also see the evil you have done.
You want to see only your good deeds,
but you don't want to admit to evil deeds.
When your evil is brought out into the open,
you either justify it or put forth your good deeds
as if enough good deeds will cancel out your evil deeds.

"You are just and righteous in your own eyes,
and you want the world to acknowledge it;
you want the world to praise you for your justice
but not to question you with the same standards.

"If your good deeds outweigh your wrongs,
and your wrongs are justifiable,
why do you need My Son's righteousness?
Shall I judge you according to your deeds?"

*****

Art: "Whose Righteousness?"

"I've Got a Better Idea"

"Trust Me; I am leading you in ways
that will not always seem to make sense to you.
But have faith in Me,
for even if I lead you into a desert,
you will be more fruitful
than if you had gone the way
that looked more fertile.

"I am the vine,
and if you abide in Me
—even following Me to the desert—
you will bear much fruit.
Trust Me: I will fill you with My joy!"

*****

Art: "My Will"

"Be Patient"

"I will give you strength to be patient in the last days.
You will have great need of patience and love—
for I am calling you to endure not only in truth,
but to endure in My command of love.

"Be patient and bear with one another
just as I have loved you.
I am not going to come as quickly as you would like,
because I want many to come to repentance.
Ask Me for My love for them and for My patience."

*****

Art: "Preach the Gospel!"

"The Fourth Seal"—A Powerful Delusion

Part 11 of "Unsealed By the Lamb: Revelation Through the Lamb and His Love"
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The testimony of Jesus: "The Father...has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Col.1:12-14)

The commandments of God: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 Jn.4:11)

Each part of the book has the testimony and command at its heart; each part of Revelation points to the Lamb sent from the Father because He loves the world so much. In the same way, the "four living creatures" which surround the throne reflect aspects of Christ, but at the center He is the Lamb—the One who comes from the agape love of God, and who commands us to give agape love to one another just as He gave to us.

But when we take hold of things that are about God yet do not have the Lamb and His love at the center of our hearts, we 'set out to conquer', we bring suffering
instead of peace, and our values become twisted. If we speak and testify in His name without the Lamb and His love enthroned in the center of our hearts, then our words become death and condemnation, and we end up preaching a different 'Christ' and preaching lawlessness (preaching a different 'law' than His command of agape love).

THE HEART OF THE FLYING EAGLE

"When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature..." (Rev.6:7)

The fourth living creature looks like a flying eagle, showing that Christ is the Prophet, the One who leads His people out of the wilderness, instructs them, protects and carries them (Dt.32:10-11). He builds and uproots, plants and tears down, exalts and brings low, declares and revokes, blesses and curses (Ezk.17, Rev.8:13).

When the Lamb and His love is in the center of the throne, the 'flying eagle' testifies of the Word—Jesus Christ—and the gospel of God's grace to us in Him. He is the Prophet, the One who speaks words that "are spirit and life" (Jn.6:63). Even His words of discipline, though painful at the time, bring a harvest of righteousness and peace for us (Heb.12:10-11), because He always speaks out of His love for us, for our good.

When God leads any of His people to prophesy, the heart and 'spirit' is the same—testifying to Christ and His agape love (Rev.19:10). They know that prophesying in His name is nothing without His heart (Mt.7:21-23); what is important is doing the Father's will, which is believing on His Son (Jn.6:28-29) and obeying His Son's command to love one another as He loved us (Jn.15:8-17).

WITHOUT THE LAMB AT THE CENTER

The fourth living creature testifies of a time when believers began to prophesy in His name without the Lamb and His love at the center:

"When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come!' And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with plague and by wild beasts of the earth." (Rev.6:7-8)

God's prophets are spokespersons—people who speak on His behalf at His command. In themselves they have no supernatural power, and neither do their words, but rather the true power is in God Himself. Their authority isn't in themselves, but in the Master whom they are serving.

False prophets also do not have any power except what God has allowed. In His sovereignty, God has allowed believers to 'set out to conquer', to take away peace with the sword, to abuse and devalue each other in greed, and to prophesy falsely in His name. While God has allowed this to happen, it does not mean that the false prophets are 'doing His will' or that it is His desire (Mt.7:21-23).

When false prophets speak in His name, it appears authoritative, as if they are speaking for God. In other words, it does not appear to be "false" prophecy, but instead appears to be true prophecy. The only way to identify the true and the false is if the Lamb and His love are at the center. The Lamb and His love reveal the difference between the fourth creature (the flying eagle) and the fourth rider.

DECLARING "JUDGMENTS"

"Sword, famine, plague and wild beasts" are referred to by the prophets as God's "four judgments" (Ezk.14:21 & 5:16-17). In the times of the Old Testament, when God's prophets declared and prophesied these four things, it meant that God was moving in judgment. God spoke through His prophets to confirm and explain His judgments, and most of all to call people to repentance because His judgments are always redemptive! His judgments always lead to the testimony of Christ and His command of agape love.

But when the Lamb and His love are not in the center of prophesying and interpreting prophecies of Scripture, declarations and pronouncements judgments are made in His name that do not point to Christ and His agape love. Instead believers declare that God sends terrible judgments because His demands are not being met. Their declarations are based on law instead of God's grace:

"Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: 'The man who does these things will live by them.' But the righteousness that is by faith says... that if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved... as the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.'" (Romans 10:5,9,11)

"The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, 'The man who does these things will live by them.'" (Gal.3:12)

Being in God's favor or disfavor depends on whether nations perform the correct works, have the right laws and favor those whom God favors. The testimony of Christ—the gospel of God's grace—is set aside and another 'way' is proclaimed, a 'law' which brings God's favor when obeyed or judgment when disobeyed. When 'law' is proclaimed in Christ's name, the result is that the 'word' kills instead of brings life.

"The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor.3:6)

Turning away from the grace of Christ and returning to 'law' is taking up the "ministry of death" and "the ministry of condemnation" (2 Cor.3:7,9). Though the 'fourth rider' rides forth in Christ's name, he ministers condemnation—his words kill instead of bring life. He offers a salvation and righteousness that comes by keeping a law instead of the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ alone. He does not point to true righteousness (to Christ), but by proclaiming "God's judgments" he points to law instead—to the ministry of death—and so his name is Death.



KILLING WITH WORDS

The fourth rider is when the church took up the prophetic word without the Lamb as the center, believing that they were restoring a part of Christian ministry that had been missing. They searched the Scriptures to learn more about prophesying and became enamored with the "power" of how God used prophecy in the Old Testament:

"I cut you in pieces with My prophets,
I killed you with the words of My mouth;
My judgments flashed like lightning upon you." (Hos.6:5)

Focusing on "prophesying", they didn't see the heart at the center of God's prophesying in the Old Testament. They didn't see that prophesying was done in accordance with the terms of the old covenant, and that nations were judged based on their dealings with Israel because of the old covenant. They didn't see that the prophets of the Old Testament led forward to the Lamb who was slain for all nations, and that judgments are now given at the end of the age based on the New Covenant instead of based on alignment with Israel or old covenant laws.

Seeking to prophesy to the nations and declare God's judgments without the Lamb and His love in the center, in His name they spoke death. Using words that He had spoken in the past out of their covenant context, and speaking new 'words' apart from the Lamb and His love, the church under the fourth rider "killed" with words.

EARTHLY INSTEAD OF ETERNAL

The message of the church under the fourth rider is not that those in Christ have eternal life and do not come into judgment (Jn.5:24). The message is not that our kingdom is above, nor is it that we are saved even if we face tribulation and lose our lives.

Instead the message is that suffering in this life is God's judgment, and that it comes because we haven't aligned ourselves with the right politics, laws and nations. Prosperity is blessing from God, but great tragedies are divine judgments. The focus is on earthly rewards and punishments instead of what is in heaven and is eternal.

The 'kingdom' is made to be external—physical blessing, prosperity and freedom—instead of being "within you" (Lk.17:21) and "not of this world" (Jn.18:36). Instead of our deliverance, qualification and kingdom being in Christ (Col.1:12-13), being 'rescued from the domain of darkness' means having physical freedom and prosperity. Instead of being qualified and delivered because of what Christ has done for us on the Cross, we have to earn our qualification and deliverance by supporting the right nations, laws and agendas.

'SIGNS' INSTEAD OF HIS LAW

The heart of the prophesying of the fourth rider is not the Lamb and His agape love. Rather than leading people to His righteousness and His agape love, the fruit is that people will "run here and there" looking for His favor. They will look for outward signs, miracles and wonders to discern the kingdom instead of knowing it through the testimony of Christ and obedience to His command of agape love (Mt.24:23-26, Lk.17:20-23, 1 Jn.3:14, 4:13-16).

Christ said that many signs and wonders would come in the last days, but that doing the Father's will is more important than any prophesying or miracle (Mt.7:15-23).

"We have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them." (1 Jn.3:22-24)

Signs and wonders come from the church under the fourth rider, distracting and turning them away from God's law of agape love:

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in unrighteousness." (2 Thes.2:9-12)

SIDING WITH HADES

The delight of the fourth rider is not in the righteousness of Christ, but in the righteousness of what is earthly—earthly kingdoms, earthly prosperity, earthly freedom and earthly power. Seeking these things, the fourth rider prophesies according to them, and works against Christ's law of agape love.

Signs, wonders and prophecies appear to show that God is on the side of the nation and the agendas that the false prophet supports (Rev.13:13-14). The "power of God" seems to be with the church under the fourth rider, who seems to preach the way for the 'kingdom' to grow and 'advance' in the world.

But the purpose of the strength and might of God is patience and endurance (Col.1:11). In the face of a movement of false prophecy that claims to declare God's judgments among nations, and which declares curses in His name on those who do not stand with the nation it worships, God's call to His people is to ask Him for power to patiently endure and remain faithful (Rev.13:10).

The church under the fourth rider comes with Hades trying to overcome the church which is founded on the Rock (Rev.6:7-8, Mt.16:18), but the church overcomes by holding to the testimony of the Lamb, even to the point of death (Rev.12:11), and patiently enduring in obedience to His command of agape love rather than letting it grow cold (Rev.14:12, Mt.24:12-13).

POWERFUL DELUSION GIVEN

When the fourth seal was opened, the fourth rider came forth—a 'prophetic' movement in the church which believes it discerns God's judgments in the world, and which proclaims an agenda among the nations that is not based on the testimony of Christ (not based on the Cross), nor based on His command (love one another as He loved us).

Instead the movement proclaims that we qualify for favor or judgment based on our politics, our laws, and our support for a certain nation. It is a ministry boasting signs and wonders, speaking words that appear to show the way to favor and prosperity, but which ministers death instead.
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Part 12: "The Fifth Seal"—Revealing Spiritual Abuse

"Do Not Be Led Astray"

"Inside the church! Do not be distracted
by the darkness coming from outside,
but discern the darkness coming from inside!

"Stay awake and do not stand
in any other righteousness than Mine.
Do not let anyone persuade you
to let your agape love grow cold.
Look to Me instead of to trying to
identify potential threats from outside.



"Hold to My love, which I gave to you
on the Cross while you were all My enemies.
Do not be led away from blessing those who curse you
and praying for those who persecute you.
Anyone who leads you away from My agape love
speaks from the spirit of antichrist.

"Do not be carried away by the error of lawless men—
those who do not obey My law of agape love."

*****

Art: "Called For Her"

Keeping Lukewarm

"I see the love you have for Me in your hearts,
but My beloved, I do not always feel it
because you do not always love Me enough
outside of loving Me in your heart.

"I know you love My name and My truth,
but if you withhold your love
from your fellow wandering sinners,
then you withhold your love from Me.

"If you claim to love Me and follow Me
but do not give grace to your enemies
as I gave you grace while you were My enemies,
have you truly received My grace?

"What is it that you are offering to Me—
the profession of your lips or your whole heart?
How will I judge you if you judge others
as unworthy of the love I gave you?

"Abiding in My love for others
is how I commanded you to abide in Me.
If you do not abide in My agape love,
are you truly abiding in Me?

"I am the treasure of heaven,
and all of you are My treasures.
I died to purchase all of you—
even your enemies.

"If you despise those whom I treasure,
aren't you despising My sacrifice and My blood?
Do not try to keep My love for yourselves alone,
or your love will become cold.

"My love is for your enemies
just the same as it is for you!"

"Become Ministers of Peace"

"War! War is coming! War is coming because of
the 'preparations' My people have made for My return!

"My people have sacrificed lives to try to speed up My coming!
They have helped bring about the evil they decry in their enemies.
My name is blasphemed because My people have used it
to support their war, discrimination and greed.

"Repent! Repent, My people!
Go to the nations and repent for fanning
the flames of war instead of peace.
Go to your enemies and repent in My name!
Call out to Me to heal the wounds
you have given the nations in My name.

"Proclaim the gospel of peace and repent
for proclaiming your flesh and blood as your enemies
instead of as your brothers and sisters.
Go! Preach this gospel to the nations!"

*****

Art: "Therefore Go!"

Preparing The Way For Another

"Have I called you to 'prepare the way' for My return?
Have I looked to you to conquer governments
and take dominion on My behalf?

"Haven't I commanded you to instead
to love one another—even your enemies—as I loved you?
Haven't I called you to a city that endures forever,
to the Jerusalem that is above?

"But many of you have given yourselves
to arranging the world as you believe it must be
in order for Me to be able to return.
You enter and support sides in conflicts in the Middle East
not in obedience to My commands, but because
you believe one side must keep land and defeat its enemies.
I called you to be peacemakers and ministers of reconciliation,
but you have set aside My commands
in order to 'prepare the way' for My return!

"You are not preparing My way!
Instead you are preparing the way of the beast,
and in My name you are prophesying on his behalf!
You are leading My people to turn away
from My command of agape to cold love instead!
You are vying for conquest of your governments
to establish My 'law'—but you are building Babylon.

"Repent! Repent and return to My grace—to the gospel alone!
Return to My commands instead of your 'preparation'!"

Preparing For Another Lover

"My beloved! My beloved!
I am your Husband! I am your Lover!
Why are you searching to know mysteries?
Why am I not enough for you?

"You don't need to know what
'needs to happen' in the world before I return.
You don't need to try to arrange things
'so that I can come'—for I am already with you!
The kingdom of God is within you—
I want your heart instead of your 'preparations'!

"If you search prophecy for mysteries
and give yourselves to 'preparing' My way,
then you are not listening to Me or doing My Father's will.
If your preparation is not simply resting in My testimony
and obeying My command of agape love,
then you are not preparing for Me,
but instead are preparing the way for another.

"Come out of Babylon—do not love mystery!"

*****

Art: "Given To Mystery"

Sacrifices To 'Prepare The Way'

"Watch out for false prophets.
They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them...
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only
those who do the will of My Father who is in heaven."
(Matthew 7:15-16,21)

"Woe! Woe to those who have left the ministry of reconciliation
by attempting to create the circumstances they believe
are necessary to fulfill prophecy!
Woe to those who build and strengthen walls of division
instead of teaching My commandments!
Woe to those who set aside My ways to 'prepare the way' for Me!
Woe to those who sacrifice lives to gain land in My name!

"I am the Defender of the alien and the outcast,
and I show partiality to no one."

*****

Art: "Helping The Messiah Come"