The Lord Will Rejoice Over You

My oldest daughter Charity recently shared with us that one morning last week as she was laying in bed in the morning before it was time to get up, she was in a light sleep and sort of half awake. Suddenly she began to hear this beautiful melody start to play. She then became fully awake and realized that there was nothing in the natural realm that she could have heard, since there was no possible source in or around our home for that music. And she knew that the music was not a dream either, because she had not been dreaming at the time in that half-sleep state that she was in.

As she recounted this experience to us, it was my opinion that what she heard were the holy angels in the room as the girls slept, who were playing their instruments in worship. I believe that when we are asleep, the veil between us and the spiritual realm becomes thinner, and it becomes easier to have spiritual encounters with the Lord and his holy angels in that state. Likewise, it is also easier to have unwanted encounters with demons, too. But if we are serving the Lord, He's got us covered, especially if we pray before going to bed and ask Him to encamp His angels around us to protect us while we sleep.

I'm reminded that the Scripture says the Lord rejoices over His holy people. This is such an amazing truth! Let’s look at some of these verses in the Bible.

"Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers;”  (Deu 30:9)

This promise in Deuteronomy is for the people who “return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul.”

Another beautiful verse is found in Isaiah, which is said to the righteous saints. “For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.” (Isa 62:5)

But perhaps the most amazing verse is found in Zephaniah, regarding the lowly and humble people of God with purified lips, who take refuge in the Lord, who do no wrong and tell no lies. It says, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing.” (Zep 3:17 KJV)

The Darby version says, “He will exult over thee with singing,” and the ESV says, “He will exult over you with loud singing.”

The word for “singing” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word “ranan” meaning “cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, triumph.”  (Strongs)

Since His voice is more beautiful than any other voice in the entire universe, and since He sings more sweetly than any other, it’s going to be an awesome experience in glory to hear the Lord rejoice triumphantly over His beloved people with singing, as a bridegroom rejoices over His bride. I don’t think there will be one single person who is able to remain standing when He does that. It will be so wonderful that I believe that one experience alone will make it worth all the hardships, trials, and difficulties we have to endure in our heaven-bound journey on earth.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, unless noted otherwise. Homecoming painting © 2015 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist. 

Author's note: I invite you to visit the Main Directory for Seeking the Lord, especially Walking in the Perfect Will of God, The Love of Jesus, Pleasing the Lord, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Praying for the Lord Jesus, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Lifting Hands in Prayer, Lifting Your Face in Prayer, Praise the Lord!, Inquiring of the Lord, and Hearing the Lord's Voice. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer

"Communing with the Lord," C.V. Lacroix

There are those who teach the heresy that some saints are merely saved believers while others are disciples. They make a false distinction between the two.  This separates the church and divides the Body into two different classes.  The following study is a refutation of that destructive heresy.

Easy Believing vs. Saving Faith
This error comes because people think it is easy to believe on Jesus unto salvation. But is it really easy?

In the eighth chapter of John's gospel we read, “Even as He spoke, many put their faith in Him.” (John 8:30). Were these people all going to be saved, who put their faith in Him?  The very next verse says that the Lord had some words for them. “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.'" (Joh 8:31). He laid out conditions for being a disciple and it is clear from His words that if they do not continue in His teaching, they are not His disciple and will die in their sins!

Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do." (Joh 8:39-40). Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God." (Joh 8:44-47)

Following Jesus and Becoming a Disciple

"At the Cross" by C.V. Lacroix

Listen to what Jesus said about “coming after Him” in all three synoptic gospels:

"And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'"  (Mar 8:34).

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'" (Mat 16:24)

"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" (Luk 9:23).

Now compare that to what Jesus said about "being a disciple of His."

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luk 14:26-27)

"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions."  (Luk 14:33)

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; (Joh 8:31).

We must continue in His word in order to truly be His disciples.  This is working out your salvation. The same words used in Jesus’ criteria for “coming after Him” are found in His criteria for “being His disciple.”  The criteria are cross bearing, denying self, following Him, etc. Following Jesus and being a true disciple are the same thing in Jesus’ teachings.  He laid out the same criteria for coming after Him as He did for being a disciple.  Therefore it is not possible to follow Him without carrying a cross and still be saved.  It’s not possible to ultimately be saved in the end without becoming His disciple.  While you may initially be justified, if you fail to become a disciple of Christ, you will ultimately be disqualified for heaven.

Jesus commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to do everything He commanded them to do. He did not command them to go and make "believers." He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mat 28:19-20).  Do you see how Jesus defined "making disciples"? He said it included baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that He commanded His first Twelve disciples.

Salvation vs. the Lordship of Christ
We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ as the LORD, not just the Savior.  The Scripture says of the Philippian jailer, "And after he brought them out, he said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'  (Act 16:30,31).  The jailer was told to believe in the Lord Jesus.  Salvation is through our LORD. "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Th 5:9)

We were called into fellowship with the LORD, not just the Savior. "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."  (1Co 1:9). Paul the apostle was “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Act 20:21).  Paul preached Jesus as Lord, not simply Savior. He said, "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake." (2Co 4:5).

Both Peter and Paul’s epistles are addressed to those who have acknowledged Jesus as our LORD, not just Savior (Eph 1:3; Phil 1:2; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1,2; 1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2; Philemon 1:3; 2 Peter 1:2). The whole church is in the Lord.  There is not one part in the Lord and one part just in the Savior.

We are baptized in the name of the LORD not just the Savior. "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Act 19:5). We have peace through our LORD, not just our Savior Jesus. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 5:1). We have reconciliation through our LORD, not simply our Savior. "And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation." (Rom 5:11)

We escape the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the LORD. “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”  (2Pe 2:20). It is the LORD who by His great mercy caused us to be born again. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1Pe 1:3)

God’s grace is for those who love the LORD, not for those who simply accept Him as their Savior. "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love."  (Eph 6:24)  It is the LORD who has given us eternal comfort. "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace." (2Th 2:16)

We are saved by receiving the LORD from the first moment, and we continue in our salvation by walking in Him. "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." (Col 2:6). This continuing in His word and walking in the LORD are how we work out our salvation. "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."  (Phi 2:12)

We have eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD, not simply by accepting Him as our Savior. "So that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Rom 5:21).  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Rom 6:23).  You were washed, sanctified and justified all in the name of the LORD. “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1Co 6:11)

Salvation is impossible without making Jesus Lord.  The one who seeks to save His own life has not surrendered it to Jesus’ Lordship and therefore cannot be saved.  Paul said "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom 10:9). Jesus said, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” (Mar 8:35).

Repentance Implies Lordship
The very fact that we must repent to be saved implies that Jesus is now Lord of our lives. If we repent as Jesus commanded us to, we will do what our Lord commands, not live as we please. From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat 4:17).  This is the same thing the disciples preached – that men should repent. (Mk 6:12).  Jesus denounced the cities that did not repent after seeing His miracles (Mt 11:20). Jesus taught that unless you repent, you will perish (Lk 13:3). According to brother Yong-Doo Kim, pastor of the Lord's Church in South Korea, it is possible to repent and to know you have repented, yet, have no fruits of repentance. In that case, you have repented with no evidence. There is no broken heart, no sincerity! Believers must realize once again the seriousness of sin. We must realize how serious the consequences are for sin! Even the smallest sins are as just as severe. They are all traps. The gospel is a message of repentance, spiritual freedom, being free from sins, and enjoying freedom from sickness. You need to fervently repent with tears and true contrition.

Those who only listen to His word and do not do what it says are not submitted to His Lordship.  I have news for those who think these people are saved.  He says they are like a house built on sand. They will be destroyed. "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." (Mat 7:26-27). They may call Him Lord, but it still makes no difference. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" (Mat 7:22-23)

This is why we must continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD, and not simply “accept” Him as Savior. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."  (2Pe 3:18)  Those who turn the grace of our LORD into a license for sin actually deny our Master and LORD. “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jud 1:4). For those carnal believers in the Corinthian church, Paul explained what needed to happen so they could be saved.  It was not that they just needed to say a prayer once. "I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."  (1Co 5:5)

All Ten Virgins Going to Heaven?

"Communion with the Lord", C.V. Lacroix

Those with a liberal perspective believe that all ten virgins go to heaven. But that is not true. The five foolish virgins who were not ready when the Bridegroom returned were shut out of His presence.  In this parable, these five foolish ones have no part in the wedding. 

Some believe that all ten virgins are saved but only five were part of "the Bride." However, the words of the Bridegroom to the five foolish virgins were that He never knew them, even though they called Him Lord. We can observe a similarity between this parable and other parables in which certain people who called Jesus “Lord, Lord” were told to depart from Him. "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'"  (Mat 25:10-12).  Also see Matt 7:22-23; 25:44.

Is it possible to have dead and fruitless faith?
Do you think you can get to heaven with a dead and fruitless faith? James tells us about a faith that is dead.  Dead means it produces no life at all.  (James 2:26). It is a faith without works. Jesus said that if we do not abide in Him, we are like a branch that is cut off from the tree that cannot produce fruit.  Such branches are thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15:2,6).  There is no such thing as believers in Christ remaining in the vine throughout their entire lives without bearing fruit and then entering into heaven for eternity.  We must bear fruit for the Father's glory during our lives on earth.

Areas where Christians often Disobey the Lord
I'd like to mention some common areas where we as Christians often disobey the Lord without realizing it. One of them is keeping Sundays holy.  According to brother Yong-Doo Kim's book series, Baptize by Blazing Fire, some are in hell, because they treated the Sabbath or Sunday carelessly. On Sundays they would spend money for their pleasure. These people are in hell for not keeping Sundays Holy. There are some who ran businesses and assumed that the Lord would forgive them. They were deceived. Brother Kim said, "The Lord had commanded us to keep Sundays Holy in every way. He rebuked watching television, dining out with family, and other secular activities."

He continued, "Furthermore, the Lord did not permit Christians to run any business of any kind for profit on Sundays. He also did not approve Saints to do any shopping on Sundays." You should avoid personal activities on Sunday such as fishing, outdoor activities, watching secular television, surfing on the internet, playing games, and etc. This is not legalism.  Even though the gospel was introduced into the world, the Law has not been abolished (Matt 5:17-18; Rom 3:31).

Another common area where Christians disobey the Lord carelessly is tithing. Yet people who do not properly tithe are ending up in hell. Another area is grumbling and complaining. Some saints publicly appear to be devoted and obedient, but they are grumblers and complainers behind closed doors.  If they die in this state, they will go to hell.  Hot tempers is another big pitfall. There are no reasons to fight or argue.  There are many other Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, as I said in my article by that name, including smoking cigarettes, partying by drinking alcohol, listening to non-Christian music, dirty thoughts, using profane language, being ashamed of the Lord in front of your friends, sexual immorality, etc.

Putting it All Together
There are some who claim that it is possible to be saved without making Jesus LORD of your life, without putting Him on the throne of your heart.  This is false.  We are called into fellowship with our Lord.  We are saved, we are baptized, we are reconciled, and we have eternal life all through our LORD Jesus. Paul preached Jesus as Lord.

There are some who claim to believe in Jesus but whose faith is dead.  There are so-called disciples of Jesus who do not believe and who turn away from following Him. The requirements of coming after Jesus for salvation and being His disciple are the same and are very strict.  There is no easy and comfortable believing in Jesus.  The cost of discipleship is high.

Those who have believed unto salvation evidenced by a living, fruit-producing faith in Christ, they are disciples.  To be saved is to be a faithful and obedient disciple and to be a faithful and obedient disciple is to be saved.  We must all continue to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the LORD. As we go, we must make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded us to do.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.  "Communing with the Lord," "At the Cross," and "Communion with the Lord" by my sixteen-year-old daughter, C.V. Lacroix.  You can find more of her Christian artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note: If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You are invited to read Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus, Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, A Warning for Married Christian Couples, Rachael Mushala Testimony of Hell, Rachael Mushala Second Testimony of Hell,  Zipporah Mushala's testimony of hell, Zipporah Mushala’s Third Testimony of Hell, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Separation from the World, Life Transformation Groups, Was Jesus Seeker Friendly?, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols	Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies	Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire	Taken to Hell	Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

A Peculiar People

We are a peculiar people, according to God’s Word.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1Pe 2:9, KJV)

What does it mean to be a peculiar people?  Does it mean we are weird or different?

The English word “peculiar” comes from the Latin word, “peculiaris,” which is derived from “peculium,” meaning “one's own property,” which was taken from “pecus,” meaning cattle.  According to Webster’s dictionary, peculiar means:  1. Appropriate; belonging to a person and to him only. Almost every writer has a peculiar style. Most men have manners peculiar to themselves. 2. Singular; particular. The man has something peculiar in his deportment. 3. Particular; special. 4. Belonging to a nation, system or other thing, and not to others. (Webster’s).

The Greek word translated as peculiar in English is “peripoiesis,” meaning “acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation: - obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.” (Strong’s). Therefore, when the Scripture says we are a peculiar people, the NASB correctly translates that verse to say “a people for God's own possession.”  We are a people belonging to a God and to Him only.

Since we belong to God and Him only, our characteristics should also be like His, which are not the characteristics belonging to other people or nations. So in that sense we are completely unique and unlike anyone else in the world.

In the context of the passage, one thing that makes us quite unique is that we are a holy nation.  We proclaim and practice holiness, which shows on the outside. For “ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

The expression “shew forth” means to “show forth” (Webster’s).  It comes from the Greek word “exaggello,” meaning “to publish, that is, celebrate: - shew forth.” (Strong’s). This is not just something we do with our mouths. The Scripture tells us that if we only love with words and not with deeds, then our faith is incomplete. 

That is why in the context of the passage, Peter said, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Pe 2:11-12). 

As aliens and strangers in this world, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles. 

Peter also said in this passage that “He [Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1Pe 2:24).  That means the cross of Christ was not just so we could be saved and healed, but so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  If the cross has not resulted in you dying to sin and living to righteousness, then you have believed in vain, because that is central to the purpose of the cross.

At the Cross by C.V. Lacroix

Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that you could simply be forgiven, become a Christian, get your free ticket to heaven, and then go on living like the world as one who is alive to sin.  Rather, he died so that you might live to righteousness.

We must each hate our own lives and carry our own cross!  Jesus said, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luk 14:26-27)

"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Luk 14:33-35)

You are not your own any more. You were bought with a price. The apostle Paul said, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1Co 6:20).  Notice he said, glorify God in your body.  It’s not just with your heart that you glorify God, but also with your body.

Peter exhorted us in his epistle, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;” (1Pe 1:14-17).

So let me leave you with that same exhortation today.  Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.  Be holy in all your behavior like the Holy One who called you. You shall be holy, for the Lord is holy.  Let us prepare in holiness for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is coming right away.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Holiness" calligraphy and "At the Cross" artwork is the property of my sixteen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix.  You can find more of her fine artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note: You are invited to read Holy Living in a Perverted World, Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus, The Straight and Narrow Path, Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, A Warning for Married Christian Couples, Rachael Mushala Testimony of Hell, Rachael Mushala Second Testimony of Hell,  Zipporah Mushala's testimony of hell, Zipporah Mushala’s Third Testimony of Hell, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, A Trip to Hell -- in pictures, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Separation from the World, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

A Trip to Hell	Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies	Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness	Taken to Hell	Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

Dear God-seekers, greetings once again in Jesus Name!

As we begin a New Year of seeking the Lord, I would like to pose a very astute question that was originally asked by the psalmist:

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psa 24:3-5; cf., Psa 15)

Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart may ascend the Lord’s mountain or stand in His holy place!  Nobody with unclean hands or an impure heart of any kind may ascend.  Nobody who has engaged in falsehood or deceit may ascend.  Nobody who has bowed to any idol may ascend. The standard of heaven is high! And although the Lord still loves us, He is not going to lower His standard for anyone. Therefore, we need to find out how we can ensure we have clean hands and a pure heart.

Clean Hands
What does it mean to have clean hands in God's sight? The word “clean” in Psalm 24 comes from the Hebrew word naqiy (pronounced, naw-kee') which means- "innocent: - blameless, clean, clear, innocent, free, guiltless, exempted, quit." (Strongs)

It means you have done nothing wrong, like the way Joseph, son of Jacob, said to His brothers that only the one caught with the silver in his pouch would be his slave, but all the others would be free (naqiy).  Likewise, this Hebrew word, naqiy is used when a person is liberated from slavery or released from an oath they made.  Moreover, naqiy may also be used to refer to "innocent" blood is shed, which is the blood of a person, who is not guilty of wrongdoing, such as the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was completely innocent. “Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’" (Luk 23:47).  The Greek word for “innocent” here is “dikaios,” meaning “holy, just innocent, or right.” (Strongs)

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’" (Mat 27:3-4a)  The Greek word for “innocent” here is “athoos,” meaning “not guilty, or innocent.”

All throughout Scripture, we find that God hates the shedding of innocent blood.  Yet it was His good will and purpose that the innocent blood of His only Son be shed for sinful humanity.  God was pleased to do this, because He so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life.

“For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;” (Heb 7:26). The Greek word for “innocent” here is “akakos,” meaning “innocent or (subjectively) unsuspecting: - harmless, simple.” (Strongs).  The Greek word for “undefiled” here is “amiantos,” meaning “unsoiled, that is, (figuratively) pure: - undefiled.” (Strongs).

“But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1Jn 1:7).  The Greek verb for “cleanses” here is “katharizo,” meaning “to cleanse (literally or figuratively): - (make) clean (-se), purge, purify.” (Strongs).

"Jesus said to him, 'He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.' For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, 'Not all of you are clean.'" (Joh 13:10-11).  The Greek word for “clean” here is “katharos,” meaning “clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure.” (Strongs).  The noun katharos here is directly related to the verb katharizo in 1 Jn 1:7.

"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” (Joh 15:3)

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.--” (Col 1:21-22)

I have previously explained in my article, “The Keeping Power of God,” that because of the atonement paid for by the shedding of the innocent blood of Jesus Christ, there is something like an “atonement banner” or “arch” over all who obediently follow Him in faith.  The Lord showed this to brother Roland Buck, which he wrote about in Angels on Assignment.  As long as you remain in His love, keeping His Word, you remain under the covering of that arch.  When God the Father looks at you, He sees you as holy blameless, and without reproach.  But if you walk in rebellion or idolatry, you come out from under that protection, and God sees your sin.  That’s a dangerous place to be, because the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.  (Please see Keeping Power of God).

But it is not enough to be clean in God’s sight from only a positional viewpoint.  The apostle Paul said you must do something.  He said, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” (1Co 5:7)

Paul also taught that you must prove you are blameless and innocent, saying, “So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (Php 2:15)

The seven angels who have the seven last plagues are clothed in linen, clean and bright. “After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes.” (Rev 15:5-6)

“Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.’ It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Rev 19:6-8)

“And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.” (Rev 19:14)

In order for our filth to be washed away, and the bloodshed to be purged from our midst, we need the Lord to do a deep work in us. 

“In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy--everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, then the LORD will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” (Isa 4:2-6)

This deep work requires that the Lord send us the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning.  We need to cry out desperately for the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, particularly the Holy Fire Baptism.  Our very lives depend on it!  Only then will we experience a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night, and a canopy over all the glory.

A Pure Heart
What does it mean to have a pure heart? The word “pure” in Psalm 24 comes from the Hebrew word “bar” meaning “beloved, pure, empty: - choice, clean, clear, pure.” (Strongs)

All the gold used in the tabernacle, its furnishings and utensils has to be pure.  In heaven, the Holy City and its streets are made of pure gold.  It’s as clear as glass, because it is unmixed with any impurity.

“The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.” (Rev 21:18)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.” (Psa 119:9)

“Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.” (Psa 119:140)

“My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.” (Pro 4:20-27)

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Mat 5:8)

“Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin’?” (Pro 20:9)

“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1Jn 3:3)

“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb 10:22)

“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2Co 11:2-3)

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1Ti 1:5)

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2Ti 2:22)

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (Jas 1:27)

Putting it All Together
Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart may ascend into the hill of the LORD.  The only one who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin” is the one who has been washed in the innocent blood of Jesus, and who continues to keep His Word. The Word is pure, and the Lord Jesus is pure.  You are all clean, if you have bathed in the blood of Jesus and continue to walk in obedience to the commandments of Jesus.  Our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.

However, we must purify ourselves, just as He is pure. Now is the time that we must cry out desperately for the Lord to wash away our filth and purge the innocent bloodshed from our midst, by the spirit of judgment and the Spirit of burning.

We must prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent. We must flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. We must draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.  We must have love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. In God’s sight, pure religion is to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

The Bride of Christ must now make herself ready for the wedding, when she will be married to the glorious Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Indeed it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  The saints will live in heaven with the Lord Jesus forever, where the Holy City and its streets are made of pure gold. The pure in heart shall see God, which is the greatest blessing of all.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Purity" painting © 2012 is by Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, I recommend reading my articles Called to be Blameless, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Aim for Perfection, Called to be Blameless, Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell,  Holy Living in a Perverted World, and Holy Fire Baptism. You may also like the other posts in this blog available through the main directory for Seeking the Lord, or my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Is a Woman's Hair Her Head Covering?

Up until about a year ago, my wife and I had always believed the woman’s covering was just her hair. However, through some of the divine revelations the Lord has given to the Church through His sons and daughters, He has shown us that women should wear a head covering. 

For example, I have written about Claire Andoun from Cameroon in my articles, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations and Garments of Godliness. Sister Claire once lived a life of sin and disobedience to the Lord, but now she lives holy for Jesus, and she also wears a head covering.  In the seven divine revelations I have written about, if you watch the videos of sisters Linda and Ayo, you will see they are wearing head coverings.  In that article, I also wrote that sister Olga from Russia said, “My dear sisters…when you come before the Lord, please cover your heads. How can you stay in God’s presence with your heads uncovered?  And you’re not ashamed? Don’t defend yourselves by saying, ‘The Lord says this is only for wives. It’s not for me.’ Sisters, when you come before God, you must cover your heads.”

The apostle Paul wrote:

“But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.”

“A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.” (1 Cor 11:3-11).

If our hair is our covering, then why do we men take off our hats when we pray?  Even Paul refers to this, saying, “A man ought not to cover his head.”  He meant that men must not cover their heads when they pray or prophesy.  He said, “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.” If a man’s covering was his hair, then how could he avoid having his head covered when he prays or prophesies? He would have to shave his head.  However, it’s not speaking about a man’s hair, when it says he ought not to cover his head. Paul was speaking about a man wearing something on his head. 

My parents taught me as a child to remove my hat when I entered a church, and I learned in the military to remove my headgear before I began praying or eating.  What would you think if your pastor wore a baseball cap or a cowboy hat while he prayed or preached? I have only ever seen one preacher wearing a hat while he preached, and he looked very strange to me.  It just didn’t seem right. 

Therefore, if we apply the same thing to women, we must admit that her hair is not her only covering.  That is the God-given one for sure, but she should have a sign of authority on her head when she prays or prophesies.  Paul said, “Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head.” If you think he is referring to her hair, then you believe he meant that she should not cut all her hair off.  But let me show you why it would make no sense for him to say that. He said, “For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off.”  So if the only covering a woman needed were her hair, then in order for her to have her head uncovered, it would mean her head was shaved.  Put differently, if the covering were hair, he wouldn't say, “Let her also be shorn,” because for him to refer to her as uncovered, she'd already have a shaved head! Yet Paul could not have meant that, since he said, “If a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off.”  He referred to cutting her hair off as something distinctly different from not wearing a head covering.

And speaking of cutting off a woman’s hair, it’s very common today for women to wear short hair like men.  But Paul wrote, “It is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved.”  He was using the natural order of things regarding men and women’s hair, in order to teach a spiritual lesson. As is the natural, so is the spiritual.  Just as it is a disgrace for men to wear long hair and women to wear short hair, so men must not cover their heads when they pray or prophesy, while women should in fact cover their heads during these special times in the Lord’s presence.

Michael Thomas Sambo teaches:

“Christ is the Head of the man and man is the image and glory of God. The man is the head of the woman and the woman is his glory. During worship: prayer, prophesying or preaching, the man should not cover his head. During this formal period, Christ is the One in headship and God's glory is to be seen. If a man covers his head at this period, it shows he has covered the headship of Christ and the glory of God. During this formal period, man is not in focus, he is not in headship and the glory is not his but God's, hence his headship and glory are to be covered. This is visibly done by the veil on the woman's head. Angels who minister to the saints during worship expect submission to this rule by Christ's followers. Outside this formal period, the wearing of any kind of veil by man is not an offence as long as it befits a believer and does not transgress the law of decency.”

“Similarly, outside this formal period, the woman is not under obligation to be veiled. This is because her long hair ‘Is a glory to her for her hair is giving her for a covering.’ Covering her head with a veil is only required during worship, after which she is at liberty to leave her head uncovered by a veil. Her hair could be seen on her to her glory in her normal living. Her hairdo must be decent and befitting to a believer. She must avoid hairdo that changes her hair from the natural to unnatural. That will be lying against the truth and grieving the Holy Spirit. She must not plate gold or items of beauty and fashion into her hair. She should avoid the use of jewelry and the art of dressing for show.”

I agree with brother Michael’s view on this.  My wife and our daughters have found a place called Garlands of Grace, that makes beautiful head coverings for women, like the ones pictured in this article, and all the ladies in our house look pretty in them.

An evangelist named brother Ezekiel Moses has been to heaven and hell and back, and received many revelations from the Lord.  I have published his testimony in my article Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell and spoken with him by phone. The Lord also said something to him, which is not mentioned in this video.  He said to brother Ezekiel, "Can a woman pray without covering her hair?  Think about it."  That is essentially the same question the Holy Spirit asked through the apostle Paul, who wrote: "Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?" (1 Co 11:13).  Ezekiel says the Lord specifically told him women must cover their hair when they pray, and honor God, as it says in 1 Corinthians 11:3-11.

I once shared these verses with a sister in Christ, who had asked me why my wife and daughters cover their heads, and the next day she wrote to me saying, “I read the verse you gave me and now I understand, that there should be another covering other than the hair. Then when I went to bed, I kept dreaming of someone telling me over and over that woman should cover her head when praying. And the person quoted 1 Peter 3 as the other verse I should read. Whether this was from the Lord or my mind, I don’t know. But today for the first time in my life, I covered my head when I went to church and it just felt right.”

Each person has to hear from the Lord on this.  But if you really want to know what pleases Him, and you seek Him about it, He will lead you into all Truth.  So please prayerfully consider these things.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. Photos of the woman  and the girl with head coverings, courtesy of Garlands of Grace.

Author's note: Also see Godly Attire & Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Is it a Sin for a Woman to Cut Her Hair?, Sister Ayo - a Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Restored Truth, The Highest Form of Slavery, and Walking in the Perfect Will of God. I also recommend Ten Articles on Modest Apparel by Free Grace Broadcasters.  You can find my complete collection of blogs at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Three Elijahs

Elijah Oil Painting by Boris Vallejo

Today I’d like to look at three "Elijah" prophets in Scripture.  You probably knew there was at least one Hebrew prophet Elijah, who lived on the earth and served God during the reign of King Ahab.  He is the Elijah whom the three disciples saw with Moses there on the Mount of Transfiguration, talking with Jesus (Mt 17:3).  In addition, many of you are aware that a second Elijah has already come.  But I want to show you that there is still another Elijah.

“And He [Jesus] answered and said, ‘Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.”  (Mat 17:11-13)

Note that Jesus said, “Elijah already came,” and “Elijah is coming.”  By this He showed that there are two prophets.  In addition to the original prophet Elijah, there are two prophets who come in the spirit of Elijah, but do not necessarily have his name.  He acknowledged that Elijah had come, which the disciples understood that He meant John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah (see Lk 1:17).  But He also said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things.”  Since Herod had already beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:8), who did Jesus mean when He said that Elijah is coming to restore all things?

This is what the prophet Malachi spoke of when he said, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal 3:1).  This is a double prophecy, referring to both the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.  There is yet to come in the spirit of Elijah a prophet who will prepare the way for the Lord before He returns.

Malachi prophesied for the Lord: "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." (Mal 4:5-6).  That was the end of Malachi's book of prophecy and the final portion of Scripture written before Christ.  I believe this final Elijah will restore the hearts of God’s children to the Heavenly Father before Jesus come.

I believe that just as the first Elijah had a holy fire ministry, as did John the Baptist, so will the final Elijah have such a ministry.  Elijah called down holy fire upon the sacrifice on top of Mt Carmel (1Ki 18:37-38), when  he prayed, “'Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.' Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." Later on another occasion, he also called down fire upon the captains and their fifties (2 King 1:10).

John the Baptist was a fiery preacher like that, who said, "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Mat 3:10-12)

So we know that the final Elijah will also have a holy fire ministry.  Just take a look at the coming ministry of the two, last-days witnesses in Revelation. “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.” (Rev 11:5). 

As we look at the prophets Elijah and John the Baptist, we can see that the only people who were hurt by them were the wicked and the ungodly.  The poor, the humble, and those who repented of their sin were not harmed in any way.  The same can be said of the last-days witnesses.  The only people who will be harmed are the ones who want to harm them.

My wife and I have pondered whether there will be just two such witnesses, or a whole company of people who will move in the spirit and power of Elijah.  We tend to believe that while these two witnesses in Revelation 11 will operate in Jerusalem, there will be many others operating like that around the world.

An Important "After-Word"
I originally posted this article on September 13, 2013, when the Lord gave me this message.  However, today on October 30, 2013, I received further revelation, as I read the book of Revelation.  I had just read the verse that says, "Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, 'Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!'" (Rev 8:13)

And having read that verse, I was actually looking for a prophetic word that John Paul Jackson once received and shared in an interview with Sid Roth, in which he said that 2012 would be a year of woes. However, the Lord led me to the following video recording of an interview between Paul Keith Davis and Terry Bennett, a prophet of the Lord.

Amazingly, this interview was conducted on September 3, 2013, and covers the same subject that I have covered in this article.  They discussed the coming days along with the subject of Elijah and the Bride of Christ.

From 4:00 to 5:10 in the video, Terry Bennett mentions that Elijah has appeared to him in person on numerous occasions.  At 7:45 he says that in at least one instance, Elijah appeared to him with the Lord and the angel Gabriel.  He was told that the Bride must be made ready for the Lamb, and that Elijah is being released.  This means the actual, original prophet Elijah is being released by the Lord to carry out his end time ministry.  In a recent conference, brother Terry said he has seen Elijah return to earth in a chariot of fire. This explains why he has been appearing to brother Terry and others.

Brother Terry was also told by Gabriel that the time for the release of the Spirit and power of Elijah has arrived.  It was explained to him that this Spirit and power will be upon a worldwide company of men and women, whom God has invited to operate in the Spirit and power of Elijah.

He said that God's invitation to be the Bride extends to all, but it requires total consecration. As James says, the double-minded man must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Note that the Scripture says the Bride must make herself ready, and one primary reason the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church is to enable this.  "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." (Rev 19:7)

The ministry that will occur in connection with the the Spirit and power of Elijah, and the Bride making herself ready will be a very atypical (unusual) time for the Church in most arenas.   This is not going to look like business as usual in the Church. 

The Lord did give a warning to brother Terry that this ministry is not about drawing attention to Elijah or any man.  There must be great humility in all of this, just as Elijah had during his original ministry.  The Lord said that if the message is not about pointing people to the Lamb who is coming, it's going to be judged. The message must direct people to the Lord. 

Brother Paul Keith said at around 16:00 in the video that he believes it's not OK not to believe the Word regarding fullness.  I agree completely.  Some have rejected what the Word says about fullness in Christ, which includes healing and holiness, as well as the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  The Lord paid a great price at Calvary to make these possible, and it's not OK with Him if people reject these.

This all reminded me of what brother Neville Johnson said in a conference I attended exactly one year ago, on October 31, 2012 in Sheffield, England.  He said that on June 22, 2012, the Lord woke him at 3:00 AM.  He started to pray. Suddenly, people came into his room. It was the Lord and other people -- Elijah and Moses.

The Lord said to Neville, “The day has now come when you will see great anointings come to the earth. Tell my people they are the sent ones to this generation. I am about to release my true apostolic anointing. Many angels are about to come to the earth. They will come and bring this anointing.” Truth will come like never before.

The prophet Elijah said to Neville, “The Spirit that was upon me when I was on the earth will be upon men once again, and He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."  He quoted Malachi 4:6 about this. The church is to reveal the heart of the Father to this generation and show them what God is like." He spoke about redemptive judgments coming to the earth. When God’s judgments are in the earth it will bring righteousness.

God showed him some of the terrible things coming to the earth, and Neville emphasized that we must be there to tell people why they are happening.  Neville said the foundations have been eroded: holiness and the baptism of fire. When a person is baptized in fire, there is an absolute change in their life. The old is burned right out. They need a baptism of Holy Spirit and fire. This is exactly the same message the Lord has been speaking to me and my wife, and which I have been preaching, so this bears witness to my spirit.

I would like to encourage you to watch the Paul Keith Davis and Terry Bennett interview at this link.

Putting it All Together
My friends, it’s time to seek the Lord. Consecrate yourself wholeheartedly to Him. Let the holy, Refiner's fire do its perfect work in you.  Ask the Lord to purify you from everything that will not pass through the fire as purely from Him.  Love the fire of God!  Ask the Lord to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, as John the Baptist said He would do (Mt 3:8).

If there is anything in your life that is not right with God, get it right with Him.  Clear the way for the Lord, because He is about to return in the glory of His Father with His angels, and he is coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle.  He will reward every person for his own deeds (Mt 16:27).  Without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14)

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Boris Vallejo Elijah Oil Painting Original Art (1981). Boris Vallejo presents this stunning vision of Elijah, the prophet of Israel during the ninth century B. C.

Author's note:  I invite you to also read these related articles of mine: Holy Fire Baptism, The Burning Ones, Baptized by Blazing Fire, The Refiner's Fire, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, The Fiery Sufferings of the Believer, Healing is in the Atonement, Covenant Prayer, Baptized with the Spirit, and Your Rewards Are Based on Your Practice. You can also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.