Contemporary Gospel Deceptions

[Download MP3]

Dr. Brown will discuss some of the major errors that have crept into the Church today — in the name of the gospel! — and are causing great damage in many lives.

Hour 1:

 

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: The foundations are shaking all over the world and society. The stability will come from God’s people when we are stable, grounded, and when the Word of God is our foundation.

Hour 2:

 

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: When we see chaos in our society and compromise in the church, that is a warning sign for us to look at our own lives more carefully, to live with more circumspection, and to say, “Lord I am going to please you heart, soul, and mind, strength, body, and spirit.”

 

Special Offer! This Week Only!

Power of God/Rock the Boat by Dr. Michael Brown

AND

Holy Desperation [CD]

ONLY $20, PLUS FREE SHIPPING!

Call 1-800-278-9978 from 2-4 pm EST, or ORDER ONLINE!

Other Resources:

Is the Church Changing the World or Is the World Changing the Church?


The End of The American Gospel Enterprise
by Dr. Brown: This book is for: Everyone hungry for more of God… Everyone jealous for the true glory of God… Everyone who knows that something great is missing from the American Church.

Revolution in the Church by Dr. Michael Brown In a dynamic and lively writing style, Michael Brown expresses erroneous practices and beliefs popular today, challenging you to make some radical transformations.

 

 

Country a Mess? Blame the Church online article by Frank Turek:

As our great country accelerates its slide into economic and moral Hell, be careful whom you blame. The present boldness of liberals and timidity of conservatives are only the secondary causes. Much of the blame can be placed at the foot of the church. […]

 

62 Comments
  1. I hope statements like ‘Jesus could come TONIGHT’ (‘PRE-Tribulationism’) and anything suggesting salvation gives folk an irrevocable ‘ticket to heaven’ (OSAS) will be discussed.

  2. Ben from Kansas City brought up the subject of Matthew 7:21-23.
    21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but /only/ the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.
    22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’
    23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’

    I am guessing that neither Ben nor Dr. Brown will interpret this verse in the context in which it is written. These words were spoken to Jews by the Jewsih Messiah. What did they and He think of when using phrases like: “the will of My Father in heaven” and “Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!”?

    I am thinking that the Jews of 2000 years ago thought of keeping YHWH’s law…the Torah. That is what they thought the will of the Father in heaven was. Why do we think that we can interpret this differently? Maybe because it justifies our sin…our law breaking. Christianity as a whole does not want to keep YHWH’s law. They think that it is obsolete or void now that Messiah has come, though Y’shua and Paul declare otherwise.

    Matthew 5
    17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
    18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.
    19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches /these commandments/ will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    Romans 3
    31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

    The torah is not voided or made obsolete. Who is it that casts out demons, etc. and yet refuses to keep YHWH’s Torah? It is not the heathen. It is not the Jews. Hint: the people group that fits the description above starts with a capitol “C” and that rhymes with “D” and that stands for deceived.

    James 1
    22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    1 John 3
    4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
    5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
    6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
    7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

    Breaking YHWH’s law is still sin. Righteous people confess their sins and stop living in them. The are doers of the perfect law of YHWH.

    Shalom

  3. Bo,
    On the contrary, it is more likely that it is those who “disobey the Gospel” [2 Th 1:8] and “disobey the Truth” [Gal 5:7], such as those (and all those who obey them) those who destroyed the work of the Spirit, when they “bewitched” the Galatians — with a “persuasion” which was “NOT FROM HIM WHO” called them — in convincing them they needed to go back to the Law of Moses to be justified before God (which is precisely what you are insinuating in that you put forth the idea that those “lawbreakers” who disobey the Father will be those who disobey the Law of Moses): you are a false teacher, and have been disproven many times.
    If you destroy the Work of the Spirit, you will be judged, accordingly — both, in this life, and the ages to come. Romans 14 should be enough of an answer for you; but, you keep bucking, pushing, and forcing your way. Your hard and impenitent heart are laying up wrath for you in the Day of the revelation of righteous judgment of the Son of God [Rom 2].

  4. Please don’t go another 100 rounds.
    Sign of the New Covenant, as seen by the Prophets:
    THE LAW is written on our hearts.
    So where’s the Freedom? In the Fulfillment that is Yeshua Messiah. His yoke is eas(ier) than the old yoke, because we don’t have to perform all the ritual necessary to show the world GOD’s holiness. THAT standard is far above us anyway.
    So it’s not “cheap grace”, and it’s not “salvation by works”.
    Even Paul modified his doctrine a few times before he was done. But not Jesus. If you want the Absolute, follow Jesus.
    In Him, Ron M.

  5. Dan1el,

    Lets read a bit from Romans 2

    4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
    [Repentance from what? From breaking YHWH’s law, that’s what. The hard and and impenitent heart keeps breaking YHWH’s law. It cannot subject itself to YHWH’s law. (Rom.8:7)]

    5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
    [We will be rewarded according to our deeds. Lawbreakers will not fare well.]

    7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
    8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
    9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
    10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
    11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
    [Paul told Timothy to be fully furnished in knowing what good works were from the Torah. The one that “worketh good” is the one that subjects his mind to the law of YHWH. (2 Tim.3:16-17; Rom.8:7) Those that are contentious are the ones that refuse to do the will of the Father in heaven…His Torah. That is what the list in Romans one describes…Torah breakers. Obeying unrighteousness is disobeying Torah.]

    12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
    13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
    [If our faith does not produce law abiding citizens of the kingdom of heaven it isn’t the kind of faith that Abraham had.(Gen.26:5) It may be the kind that James says the devils have. (Jam. 2:19) Those that do what the law says shall be justified. Those that only hear it without putting it into practice will not be.]

    14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
    15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
    [If we do not obey the Torah, it is not written on our hearts. If we remain law breakers after coming to the knowledge of the truth, we at least prove that we are carnal minded and possibly that we are outside the New Covenant, because the New Covenant is supposed to include YHWH’s writing His law upon our hearts. (Heb. 10:26; Rom. 8:7; Jer.31:33)

    16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
    [Paul’s gospel includes:Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. And:Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.]

    26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
    [If we do not keep the law, our uncircumcision is not counted as circumcision. This proves that our heart is not circumcised.]

    Shalom

  6. Ron,

    If we follow Y’shua, we will obey the Torah, and we will be rewarded for it.

    Matthew 5
    19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    Those that come to YHWH must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

    Hebrews 11
    6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

    Real faith produces obedience.

    Shalom

  7. Romans 8
    7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

    This is the reason that people do not obey YHWH’s Torah.

    Shalom

  8. Unsaved people start out with carnal minds…why would a believer want to keep his that way? Why not renew their minds in YHWH’s perfect law and become doers of the word? (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:22-25; Psalm 19:7-14) Why would we want to continue in secret faults and not want great reward?

    Shalom

  9. Hello to you again Dr. Brown!

    Just wanted to say thanks again for having me on the show today. My husband and I look up to you so much…we know that you are a true man of God and that you are all about proclaiming God’s truth to others. We have only been listening to you for a few weeks now, but we have enjoyed every minute of it and cannot wait until the next day comes to hear your radio broadcast again. We learn so much by listening to your show. And thank you for breaking things down so that people can understand everything! You are awesome and dear to our hearts! Keep on Keepin on and know that you have our deepest prayers! 🙂

    Blessings to you, your family, and staff!

    Tiffany & Cody

  10. Michael said he is not willing to call someone he regards as a brother ‘a false teacher or prophet’. I go along with that,and for me the ACID TEST is whether Jesus baptises advocates of some doctrine in the Holy Spirit ; I have heard that Jesus has baptised Catholics in the Holy Spirit,along with Calvinists and Dispensationalists. That indicates to me (although I’m not sure why) that although some things they believe are wrong,the individuals concerned DO have enough pieces of the narroy Way jigsaw,so to speak,that the living God says ‘OK’ !

    On the down side,on this show again,baptism in the Holy Spirit was declared to be SUBSEQUENT to salvation. As said on the 20/1/2012 thread,I believe that view stems not from Holy Scripture,but from men of violence known as the Magisterial Reformers,who perhaps,(sincerely or insincerely,and figuratively speaking)threw out the spiritual phenomena with the Catholic bathwater,leaving themselves,and millions today,with a dry intellectual faith. Unfortunately,Pentecostals have adopted certain beliefs from prior centuries to Azuza,and thus made a conclusion of subsequence.

    David Pawson was converted around 1947,aged 17,but it was not until 1964 that he understood what it was to RECEIVE and be BAPTISED in the Holy Spirit,in the Acts 2:4/8:18/10:44-47 manner.

    In the ebook link,and by clicking through on ‘Beginning’ in Amazon’s LOOK INSIDE facility,you can read the foreword and prologue of the book for free – the prologue contains his TESTIMONY in this regard.

    Do get the book,but even if not,do read his testimony – a well spent 10 minutes.

    David’s ebook (paperback also available):

    http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Baptises-Holy-Spirit-ebook/dp/B00514II68/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327314475&sr=1-13

  11. @Mark, I love David Pawson.

    But @Everyone,
    ‘Jesus could come TONIGHT’? Jesus can’t come until the AntiChrist is revealed, and the AntiChrist can’t be revealed until the ten kings comes because the AntiChrist is the eleventh.

  12. David,I agree,I meant that I hope Michael discusses those who CLAIM Jesus come come tonight (an idea I feel leads to emotional,shallow conversions and leaves the Bride unprepared for the 42 month warfare of the Beast) – an idea that does not come from an Objective view of Holy Scripture,but from Dispensationalism.

    Great to find someone who likes David Pawson on here,I soooo want Michael to get him on the show.
    —————————–

    This was supposed to be a bitesize piece against ‘Once Saved Always Saved’ – but it grew,and grew,and grew! Perhaps you could bite into a few opening sentences,and see if it grabs you! May anything I say here that is not true be flushed out of a reader’s mind by the living God and His Holy Scripture before it does any harm ; fallible nobody though I be,may anything I say here that is close enough to plumb-truth,be given an OBJECTIVE hearing. (BOTH SIDES of the Second Covenant truth can set you free,but,the SWEET/’Gerizim’ side alone (so to speak),could see you back in the behavioral SWAMP !)

    ———————————

    I am only an unregenerate Gentile who has some familiarity with Holy Scripture,as well as with some matters (and wineskins) that (intentionally or more likely,unintentionally) serve to divide,derail,desalinate and disempower (and leave unprepared) the British and American contingent of the Bride – but,and with those matters in mind,I have a comment on what is believe to be the most pernicious teaching among the British and American contingent of the Bride : ‘Once Saved,Always Saved’.

    Scripture does say a backslider can return to Jesus.but also discusses a point of no return – if someone builds their understanding of the narrow Way on the SWEET/’Gerizim’ side of the coin (so to speak),without equal regard to the SOUR/’Ebal’ side,their understanding will be distorted and unbalanced (‘Gerizim’ – Galatians 6:1,’Ebal’ – Hebrews 10:26).

    Having been SAVED out of the land of Egypt (Jude 5) ; having been baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-11),all but two Israelites failed to INHERIT the land flowing with milk and honey (but why ? – see Numbers 32:11). Now,during this Second Covenant phase of history,Paul,speaking to Gentile brethren who are BORN-FROM-ABOVE (i.e. not ‘visible church’,’churchgoers’ or ‘churchianity’ folk who ‘are not really saved’ as Calvinists are inclined to say) likewise warns them of failing to INHERIT the Kingdom of God for reasons of CONDUCT/FRUIT (Galatians 4:26,28-29 and 5:13-21),and Jesus warns His bondservants (of whom the Bride is comprised) of the same fate (Revelation 21:7-8). A NEW Covenant,a BETTER Covenant (and grace not law),but the SAME God. By not following God wholeheartedly,REDEEMED,PURCHASED(Exodus 15:13-16)and SAVED(Jude 5) Israelites failed to inherit a land flowing with milk and honey : Canaan. Likewise,REDEEMED,PURCHASED,SAVED but lukewarm,soiled bondervants of Jesus will fail to inherit a jasper-walled City of pure gold : the new Jerusalem.

    Mistaken and pernicious understandings of salvation and grace have been around since the early days of the Bride (note Jude 4 and Revelation 2:20 ) ; teaching that leads bondservants astray and STRENGHTHENS HANDS ; that undermines the call to PURITY and godliness of lifestyle,and perseverence through the consequent persecution such a walk brings on ; teaching that serves to lure disciples back into the (sometimes subtle) materialistic,hedonistic and antagonistic FILTH from which they were being purified ; back into behavioral harlotry while the Bridegroom is away,in the deadly misunderstanding that Jesus will marry someone who has followed after their own desires in His absence (note 2 Corinthians 7:1,Ephesians 5:5,Hebrews 10:23-31,Revelation 3:4-5 and Revelation 21:27).

    Such teaching is nothing new : COMPARE Genesis 2:16-17 with Genesis 3:4 ; COMPARE Deuteronomy 28:15,47-50 with the First Covenant HAND-STRENGTHENING message of Jeremiah 23:14-17 ; and COMPARE the Gentile salvation passage of Romans 11:11,17-22 with ‘Once saved,always saved’. The COMMON FACTOR between what the serpent said in the Garden of Eden,what false prophets said in Jerusalem,and what preachers are (sincerely or insincerely) teaching in ‘pulpits’ today (OSAS),is a dismissal of the warnings of the living God ; a denial of the full consequences of disobedience.

    OSAS stems from a distorted,ONE-SIDED understanding of salvation (and Almighty God’s sovereignty) : as John Wesley put it,people are saved FROM sin,not IN sin ; as I would put it,people are saved FROM behavioral filth,not IN behavioral filth ; FROM the swamp,not IN the swamp ; FROM sin-shackles,not IN sin-shackles.(Figuratively speaking,if you take a look at the sin-shackles of any believer who claims they cannot conquer certain habitual sin in their life,I think you will see,in many cases,the shackles are hallmarked ; indented with four capital letters – OSAS !).

    I think the typical OSAS adherent in Britain and America is unaware of the REPULSIVE fruit (if a spade is still a spade) of the ‘fathers’ (so to speak) of OSAS – namely the so-called ‘Magisterial Reformers’.

    Here is a free article by Daniel Corner,on the fruit of John Calvin,entitled ‘His Ashes Cry Out Against John Calvin’.

    http://www.revivaltheology.net/1_cal_arm/ashes.html

    ‘If he [Michael Servetus] comes [to Geneva] I [Calvin] shall never let him go out alive,if my authority has weight’.

    As you read those words of Calvin,remember Matthew 12:33-37 and Psalm 94:20. (Given those repulsive words,and,if a spade is still a spade,who was enthroned as sovereign in Geneva,who was boss,at that time ? God who is AGAPE ? God who said ‘agape your enemies’ ?) When you consider what Calvin wrote in 1546,did in 1553,and defended twice in 1554,ask yourself,noting Galatians 5:19-23,which fruit is that ? Is such a man fit to teach ?

    For a more in-depth account of the repulsive methods used to populate the camp (and deal with the opponents) of the ‘Magisterial Reformation’,read ‘The Reformers and Their Stepchildren’ by Leonard Verduin :

    http://www.amazon.com/Reformers-Their-Stepchildren-Dissent-Nonconformity/dp/1579789358/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325147580&sr=1-1

    Consider the following fruit information Leonard provides :

    ‘They [the leaders of the Magisterial Reformation] constantly urged the magistrate to draw the blood of the opposition’ (Chapter 1).

    ‘The burning of Servetus….was a deed for which Calvin must be held largely responsible….He [Calvin] maneuvered it from start to finish’ (Chapter 1).

    Zwingli’s successor,Henry Bullinger,said this : ‘It is wrong,say they [opponents of the Magisterial Reformation],to compel anyone by force or coercion to embrace the faith,or,to put anyone to death because of erring faith’. (Chapter 2).

    If Leonard has his facts straight,and if a spade is still a spade,what is to be OBJECTIVELY made of that fruit information ? Should such men be regarded as ‘heroes’ of the faith ? As SOUND and reliable interpreters of Holy Scripture ?!
    As adherents of Zechariah 4:6 ?

    Note Genesis 6:13,Proverbs 6:16-17,Psalm 11:4-5 and Ezekiel 28:16. Is Jesus likely to build His church by the very means God cited for bringing on the flood : VIOLENCE ?!

    Hopefully,in the light of such repulsive imformation,many OSAS adherents will walk away from Calvinism and OSAS in godly revulsion,and be prepared to OBJECTIVELY listen to a more balanced account of the narrow Way – a Way with no place for (subtle behavioral) harlotry,let alone violence to anyone.

    I can understand OSAS adherents having a hard time accepting this from an unregenerate like myself.

    With that in mind,Michael L Brown is somewhat familiar with David Pawson : Michael has in the past recommended two of David’s Books – ‘Once Saved ,Always Saved ?’ and ‘When Jesus Returns’.

    http://www.lineoffireradio.com/?s=David+Pawson

    (Furthermore,IHOP,where Mike Bickle is based,has described David Pawson as ‘one of the world’s finest Bible expositors and prophetic preachers’.) David Pawson,i’m pleased to say,knows the Holy Spirit,consciously,and the Holy Scriptures,objectively.

    Here is a talk on OSAS,given by David in May 2011 at IHOP : he begins by discussing his book ‘ The Road to Hell’.

    http://www.ihop.org/resources/2011/05/17/once-saved-always-saved/

    Here are two books written by David on this primary facet of the Way that is highly unpalatable and inconvenient to the flesh – plus,a greatly needed book on predestination by Roger Forster,entitled ‘God’s Strategy in Human History’. As Roger would say,certain individuals are not predestined to BECOME believers – rather,HAVING BECOME believers (of their own free will),they are then predestined [to be conformed to the image of God’s Son]. The difference is important. In the appendix Roger discusses the fruit of the ‘OSAS-grandfather’,so to speak – Augustine ; the man whose own version of predestination,I believe,has eclipsed the eye-gates of many,many (sincere or insincere) Bible-reading folk ever since.

    ‘The Road to Hell’,at Amazon :

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Road-to-Hell-ebook/dp/B004W4M6LQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325518974&sr=1-3

    David’s ebooks at Amazon :

    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=david+pawson&x=0&y=0

    David’s book on OSAS from IHOP :

    http://store.ihop.org/store/product/3495/Once-Saved%2C-Always-Saved%3F/

    ‘The Road to Hell’ from IHOP :

    http://store.ihop.org/store/product/10314/The-Road-to-Hell%3A-Everlasting-Torment-or-Annihilation%3F/

    Roger’s book ‘God’s Strategy in Human History ‘ at Amazon :

    http://www.amazon.com/Strategy-Human-History-Roger-Forster/dp/1579102735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325519211&sr=1-1

    May authentically (grafted and) saved Gentile OSAS adherents consider the Romans 11 statement by Paul on SALVATION that has come to Gentiles ; may they OBJECTIVELY ask themselves the following : God did not spare the natural branches – will He spare ME ? (Romans 11:11,17-22.)

    Will God spare Gentile branches who wallow in (sometimes subtle) materialistic,antagonistic and hedonistic filth ? Consider Revelation 3:4-6. What did Jesus say about a few names (NKJV) ? What is the destiny of the other names if they carried on as they were ? To put it in slightly different terms,if a man,on returning from elsewhere,discovered his bride-to-be had spent her nights with Tom,Dick and Harry in his absence – would be still go through with the wedding ? ‘I know your deeds’ said Jesus (to flocks in Revelation) : will any Western believer who has spent their days in antagonism,materialism and hedonism (i.e. in filth) in His absence,be part of the pure spotless Bride ?

    May many OSAS adherents humbly and OBJECTIVELY watch or read Daniel,Leonard,Roger and David’s stuff ; may they (in the light of Jesus’s ACID TEST,and after discovering the behavioral fruit of the ‘OSAS-grandfather/fathers’) walk out of the OSAS-wineskin as a result (a wineskin,remember,built with the use of VIOLENCE) ; denying themselves thereafter of any behavioral filth OSAS had STRENGTHENED their hands to commit,and bearing,if need be,potential embarassment,ostracization and the reproach of Christ ; may they be among those who have made themselves READY for the Bridegroom (Revelation 19:7),among those who have REMAINED in the true vine with no need to shrink away from Him in shame at His coming (John 15:1-2,6 and 1 John 2:28) ; may they finish up in the new Jerusalem.

    Once saved,always SPARED ?!

  13. The closer a counterfeit is to the real thing,the more deadly it is. Although the teachers concerned may be regenerate,sincere and well-intentioned,Calvinists and Dispensationalists plant subtle blends of truth and error into people’s minds. Just as newborn babies are soon vaccinated against deadly diseases they could otherwise contract from the world,alas,newborn disciples need to be vaccinated against deadly sugar-coated deceptions they can contract from the Body – Reformation-inspired OSAS being chief among them.

    The longer a deception is given to take root in someone’s mind,the harder it is to remove it – especially if it licenses sin,and/or gives them comfort ; the more likely it is that the person concerned will say ‘the old [wine/teaching] is better’ (Luke 5: 39). Furthermore,the easiest time to vaccinate someone against flesh-friendly deception,I believe,is during the initial ‘honeymoon period’,so to speak,of their disciplehood ; the longer you leave it undone,the more their flesh is likely to reassert itself and welcome ticklish deception.

  14. Dr. Brown,
    I am just listening to the audio right now; seems I missed my opportunity!! There is terrible heresy going on in a ministry I am in no small way connected to (yet, they refuse to listen to correction).

  15. Dr. Brown,
    You said you didn’t believe Baptism in the Spirit is for salvation.
    How can you believe this, since it is “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ”, and the man without the “wedding garment” is thrown into the outer darkness?
    And Revelation 16:15 says those who do not persevere in prayer, the shame of their nakedness will be seen — these are they who are not clothed with the Spirit of Christ; who are not “being found in Him”…
    How, then, can one say that it is not necessary to be overflowing with the Holy Spirit, continually ?

  16. As far as Matthew 7 false prophets go…

    1. “They will ALL know Me, from the least to the greatest” is the hallmark of a true believer; therefore, the people spoken of in Matthew 7 cannot be believers (1 John speaks directly to the children [the least], telling them that even they know the Father; if it wasn’t the case, they could not be believers. ALL.

    2. The false prophets are described as being “wolves in sheep clothing”.
    Rev 13 says the false prophet as two “horns like a lamb” (that is, they appear as if and put forth the idea that they are doing these things in the name of and the Spirit of the Lamb — “horn” is symbolic of a “spirit” [human, or otherwise]); John chs 15 & 16 talk about people who will kill saints and think they are serving God.
    It is very possible that the “wolves” of Matt 7 are the “false prophets working powerful signs, so as even to mislead the very elect” of Matthew 24, which thing occurs only after the abomination of desolation.
    2Th2 says God will give them a powerful spirit of delusion (so that they will even work false signs and wonders, even using His Name [Rev 13 false prophet with horns like a lamb; Matthew 24 false prophets and false messiahs work powerful signs and wonders in the Name of Christ] — which is possible for a false prophet to do, according to Deuteronomy 13).
    The spirit of delusion has already been sent to those who “did not receive the love of the Truth” in past times (such as in 2Ch18:23).
    Those who carry this spirit (false prophets) have a characteristic — they do not know God (just as the false prophet who prophesied to King Ahab under the spirit of a powerful delusion — which pretends to be the Spirit of Christ [“horns LIKE a Lamb”– not that they ARE Lamb’s Horns] — did not know God, nor come out to speak on His behalf, having not come out from His Counsel).

    2Ch 18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the YHWH go from me to speak to you?”

    (This, he did, after falsely prophesying that the king would “gore” his enemies under the spirit of delusion, pretending to be the Spirit of YHWH [the horns, symbolically speaking of how his spirit would thrust through his enemies; be victorious]).

  17. Dr. Brown,
    However, I’d never heard the information you presented before — that it was an ancient Jewish ex-communication phrase; that is interesting, and I am inclined to believe it.

  18. Dan1el, the baptism in the Spirit specifically has to do with empowered for witness. Yes, we should put on the Lord Jesus and walk in the Spirit and bear fruit in the Spirit — but there are people who do all this and yet have not been Spirit-baptized.

  19. Dr. Brown,
    Jesus said “do not go and do the work I called you to until you’ve received the Spirit”. It is puzzling to think people would try to disobey Jesus, and be blessed; however, maybe you see it better than I do. Thanks.

  20. I doubt we’ll resolve this (probably) centuries-old discussion, here and now. Personally, I still struggle with understanding salvation; this is not something that directly affects me. Thanks again.

  21. If we follow Y’shua, we will obey the Torah, and we will be rewarded for it. – Bo

    Is the desire to obey Torah essential for salvation? Or is it just for extra credit?

  22. I think I am starting to see something. This is both within Christian salvation, so excuse the terms for lack of better understanding.
    The Legalists see following the Law as EVIDENCE of Salvation, the Spiritists see baptism in the Spirit as EVIDENCE of Salvation.
    GOD has told you what is good. What does He require? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8)
    In my daily walk with Jesus, if I don’t fall off into the new age ditch, and I don’t fall into the Pharisee ditch, I believe I am doing well. I have seen the ugly snakepits of both; yuch. I still complain too much; I still seem to see more suffering than reward; but somehow I have made it this far, and want to continue on.
    In Him, Ron M.

  23. No Ben,not a member,
    What makes IHOP interesting is they appreciate the boat-rocking ministry of David Pawson.

    From Jeremiah’s day to this,true and faithful representatives of God have been iconoclasts,boatrockers and misfits ; men who boldly declare the sour/EBAL side of the coin,come what may (not merely the sweet/GERIZIM side alone),men who call a spade a spade. And from that day to this,(sincere or insincere) misrepresentatives of God have been status-quoers,popular men who toe the party/wineskin line ; who strengthen the hand of God’s people to continue in antagonistic,materialistic or hedonistic filth,by their (sometimes sophisticated or subtle) dismissal of His solemn warnings.

    The closer a man gets to an infallible,wineskinless,plumb understanding of the narrow Way,the further his feet will be from the gates of any wineskin-denomination,and the more annoying his views will become,to those who will not objectively consider any information that violates their wineskin-tenets,as well as to those who want teaching in accordance with their own desires. God’s words can,at times,be a hammer.

    That makes David Pawson,fallible though he be,one of the most annoying people in the Body of Christ !

  24. Derek Prince taught that the elementaries of the faith INCLUDE baptism in the Holy Spirit ; David Pawson teaches baptism in the Holy Spirit as an INTEGRAL facet of authentic regeneration.

    Michael,to a caller on the subject of water baptism on Jan 31/2012,you said ‘we [meaning I guess,many believers today] do not understand the full aspect of New Testament salvation’. By way of paraphrase,you also said on the show that you realize some Bible Teachers are particularly strong and insightful on certain facets of the narrow Way – thus recognizing the interdependent nature of the members (and even teachers) within the Body. You are perhaps the Body’s JEWISH champion,so to speak,AGAINST ‘Replacement Theology’ ; David Pawson meanwhile,is perhaps the Body’s NON-CESSATIONIST champion AGAINST the idea of ‘subsequence’.

    (Something to ponder : if baptism in the Holy Spirit is primarily related to EMPOWERMENT for WITNESS,why then are there many Spirit-baptised Pentecostals in America living out their lives mostly in their local community,while some (sincere but uninformed)Cessationists travel the globe trying to declare and defend the faith ? Surely,if baptism in the Holy Spirit is for empowerment to witness,it is the globe-trotter who needs it ?! )

    You say on your show you welcome people who differ with you,and you mention your fallibility from time to time – with that in mind,and in an effort to get the horse before the cart in regard to the elementaries of the narrow Way,do get David’s book on this matter ‘Jesus Baptises in One Holy Spirit’ (plus his other related book ‘The Normal Christian Birth’ – paperback only at this time I think),and TEACHABLY put yourself through the kind of boat-rocking challenge on ‘subsequence’ (in love),that you would quite rightly want to put Replacement Theologians through via ‘Our Hands Are Stained With Blood’. (And,get David on your show please.)

    David Pawson was converted around 1947,aged 17,but it was not until 1964 that he understood what it was to RECEIVE and be BAPTISED in the Holy Spirit,in the Acts 2:4/8:18/10:44-47/19:6 manner. In the ebook link,and by clicking through on ‘Beginning’ in Amazon’s LOOK INSIDE facility,you can read the foreword and prologue of the book for free – the prologue contains his testimony.Well worth 10 minutes.

    Ebook (also in paperback form) :

    http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Baptises-Holy-Spirit-ebook/dp/B00514II68/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327314475&sr=1-13

    Paperback :

    http://www.amazon.com/Normal-Christian-Birth-Believers-Proper/dp/0340489723/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325512834&sr=1-1

  25. Mark,
    I see it as Caesar’s coin: greed heads, lust tails, on a medallion named Pride. But Jeremiah states: “Idols can do neither good nor evil”; so there is a POSSIBILITY of using money for the cause of Justice, Lovingkindness, and Righteousness. But I believe “prosperity faith teaching” is as dead as the luxury cruise liner on its side by the coast of Italy, even if most of the Church leaders still spouting this are propped up by the lie, and are blind to the destruction of the old wineskin.
    I see the Ebal curses as physical good (AShR) that can’t produce Spiritual fruit like the blessings of Gerizim (BRK). I have several extensive studies on this over the years; it is one of my foundational teachings (though I am not accepted in any particular ‘circle’).
    In Him, Ron M.

  26. Hello Ron,I believe OSAS is a MASSIVE problem in Britain and America : I believe it affects how a believer behaves from the time they get out of bed until the time they get back in.

    Watching immoral television shows and films,listening to immoral music,dressing immodestly or expensively,storing up treasure on earth,and so on,is fruit and effect,not root and cause.

    The root and cause,I believe,in many cases(perhaps the vast majority),is the one-sided/dimensional,deficient distorted form of salvation taught today – a form of salvation that even had the Magisterial Reformers thinking they could use violence.

    If things are going to improve,the OSAS-root has to be dealt with.

  27. Jaun G.,

    You wrote: “Is the desire to obey Torah essential for salvation? Or is it just for extra credit?”

    We will never get into the military by marching, practicing belly crawling, and saluting people. Just because we wear camouflage, and army boots does not get us a pay check from the government either. We get in by signing a contract. Is it extra credit to obey the rules of conduct? Is it optional to obey our superior officers? Doesn’t the contract (covenant) that we have signed (agreed to) include obedience? If law breakers will be told, “depart from me, I never knew you” and those that keep and teach men to keep all the commandments will be great in the coming kingdom of YHWH, is it really extra credit to apply ourselves to doing YHWH’s Torah? Our actions display our hearts. Are we fully committed or just trying to get in by the skin of our teeth? If the new covenant includes YHWH’s law being written on our hearts, what does it mean if we do not love and keep YHWH’s commandments?

    Luke 17
    7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
    8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
    9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
    10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

    If it is our heart to please YHWH, why would we balk at obeying his instructions? Shouldn’t we go beyond what is asked of us? Are we profitable servants if we reject His commandments and somehow think that we should only do those things that we think please Him?

    1 John 3
    18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
    19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
    20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
    21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
    22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

    Doesn’t our diligence in keeping His commandments prove that we really love Him and our brothers?

    1 John 5
    1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
    2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
    3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

    How true is our faith if we do not love by commandment keeping?

    Shalom

  28. Are we profitable servants if we reject His commandments and somehow think that we should only do those things that we think please Him? – Bo

    I got married and my wife only did things for me that she wanted to do, not the things that I asked her to do. Eventually she left as I was too sad and disappointed to keep her entertained.

    I certainly don’t think your obedience is ugly or evil as many around here seem to, but I am still out of line and ignorant.

  29. One caveat on the emphasis of Michael Brown on empowerment as received by the early Acts churches and fellowship gatherings, it simply was not directly given without qualifications of other cousel. At Pentecost it was the Counsel of the Lord to assemble, pray, and wait the Promise. In the other cases of Acts, in each instance of receipt what Council was established along with the receipt of emvowperment to be witnesses? Ignoring this to simply seed empowerment for the sake of empowerment is to proceed without certain harbor and anchor for His Ship of State. How does this relate too to the given charge of the Commission? How too to what the Lord instructed the churches establishments of decency and order through Paul’s letters? It is simply too problematic to turn up the volume on one attribute of the phenomena of the spread of the Gospel at the expense of a balanced understanding and presentation of the condtions of the others shown by the charges of Yeshua to His future witnesses, and the correlations of other qualifiers present when the Gospel took life in the book of Acts by its affirmations of instructed affiliations with instructions given by the bearer of the announcement and provisions of the Kingdom and its heaven seated King.

  30. Throughout Acts, in the instances recorded of Michael Brown’s allsuion to empowerment, other conditions akin to counsel were also necessary. Jesus counseled, assemble, pray, wait for the Promise. Other instances of gatherings experiencing direct Holy Spirit involvment and inward affirmation also met other criteria for belief, acceptance of the Gospel, assertion and agreement with the Commission, water baptism, and other Counsel of assembly and our Lord. To turn up the volume on receiving empowerment must involve counsel to achieve what was achieved and focused in intention by those sowing the Word in Acts. Empowerment for empowerment accomplishes little without these other indicators of alignment with Council, and having counseled.

  31. More descriptively, “on hearing…”, then accepting the counsel, the Holy Spirit came,baptized, healed, or whatever. There is a receipt by received heart belief in the Word coming prior to receiving an enablement for witness. This means a conversion of the heart, and an almost instantanious acceptance in the soul or mind.

    As the apostles were out and about as all linked in the community of faith for bringing the Word of the Commission of the Messiah-King were so going into the world, on receipt, whether specifically spoken about or not so, the Holy Spirit affirmed the counsel given in each place, among each hearer or hearers. The need for such a direct informed of Christ counsel stemming from the Lord then was in the mix, as well as any resulting empowerment action or request for action.

    Holy Spirit baptism-empowerment for what??? Not for empowerment, but for witnessing and enlarging the community of lving faith so that others too might also hear, accept, and receive. The Lord Himself was being magnified to hearer/receivers of the Good News. The famous oft used passage of Acts 2:38 and 2:39 to emphasize a Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by each announced admonition to receive the New Covenant counsel in each recorded context, as received as the living word as that coming from the Apostle(s) on each scene.

    The chosen eyewitnesses of resurrected Jesus, as were called by Name by Him too, spoke the essential beginning of the Commission charge, about King Jesus, which was received as godly counsel, then the Spirit could be received.

    That this has already occurred for most believers is the case. We do not need another such experience, but the clarifications given by Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jpel, Zech., and others about the intention of Jesus from heaven to affirm for the hearing his Good News. What do the churches and people of God of North America need to hear and receive to gain such devotion to task and effort as had the Apostles of the First Century?
    What council is threaded throughout the New Testament that we may declare among our own hearing, for our own witness?

  32. Consider the greater exemplary passage…

    Acts 236 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

    37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

    The emphasis here then as to results is not about the supernatural gifts but is about the ever enlarging community of faith, as came of the hearers accepting Christ in them, their new hope, where all then knew Him from the least to the greatest among these conversts.

  33. IS THE PROMISE in the passage, according to the Greek the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, orequally both stemming from the hearing of the Word of Christ, and is not the result adding to the number in resulting community??? The Apostles then were not devoted to sharing the word of baptism or baptisms, but the Word of Christ having come.

  34. Consider the matter this way, in Mt. 18 when Jesus leaves the sheepfold, as Shepherd, to go after a lost and wsndering sheep, does he propell himself after that soul to bring him empowerment for witnessing, or forgiveness and reconciliation? What then is the essential ministry of Jesus as Lord Messiah, and Shepherd of the Sheep? What do hearers of Him receive, and how are they changed for knowing Him for a newly aligned devotion and adoption? What then is the essential truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (as Paul outlined it to be)>

  35. Multitudes, multitudes…
    in the Valley of decision, or,
    in a Valley of empowerment???
    Decision on hearing the Word for what end and
    purpose? And numbers were added to their
    communion daily.

    Beloved, These are the final hours of these
    last days, where, we must look to a maturing
    model for founding our own loyalties,
    alignment, and a faithful reproduction of His
    discipleship–according to His Commission,
    in force until the End of the Age. To light
    our lamps, and keep them trimmed, we receive
    Him, we acknowledge our community of service
    to others as not the Message of ourselves, but
    of Him and His life and Way. There is no new
    revelation greater than making ourselves ready
    for His Return, and appointed disclosed
    advent.

    These are critical days to make disciples unto
    Him, according to His Commission, teaching of
    all He shared, was, and instructed. This is
    the person of chosen light we have received,
    let us go after no other, no matter what is
    supposed of experience, suggestion, or
    highlight. It is time for the full stature
    of the Bride to be joining with the Bridegroom
    to be.

    We do not preach ourselves, or special
    experience, or new language and rhetoric for
    what is established, given, and appointed for
    each, for refreshing and faith, love and
    honor, for focus of devotion, purpose and
    regard of the coming joining ahead, as He is
    in us now, for His sake.

  36. Evangelicals,whether Pentecostal or Cessationist,have failed to notice RECEIVE has been transfered from Jesus to the Holy Spirit – they keep saying ‘receive Jesus’.

    Secondly,although Pentecostals rediscovered a bibilical Acts 2:4/8:18/10:44-47/19:6 BAPTISM,they have failed to notice that RECEIVING and being BAPTISED in the Holy Spirit,are the same event – note Acts 1:8,Acts 2:4,Acts 8:18,Acts 10:44-47,Acts 12:16 and Acts 19:1-7.

    Thirdly,they overemphasize Acts 2:8 : they speak of POWER for WITNESS as if it were the PRIMARY facet,rather than A FACET of baptism in the Holy Spirit. If POWER for WITNESS was the main purpose of bapstim in the Holy Spirit,who needs this power ? Surely if,as Pentecostals believe,baptism in the Holy Spirit is for some believers (but not necessarily all),and if,furthermore,it is primarily for POWER TO WITNESS,then why is it for someone staying put in San Diego,for instance,but not for sincere but uninformed Cessationists travelling to Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth,to declare and defend the faith ? Who needs warm clothing – someone in the Arctic,or someone near the Equator ? Alas,different wineskins get unbalanced about different things,Pentecostals are no exception – it was a TREMENDOUS step in the right direction when the Acts 2:4 baptism was rediscovered early last century,but the ‘power for witness’ idea needs adjustment.

    If anyone would like to rigorous mental workout on this matter of IMMENSE importance,do get David Pawson’s book ‘Jesus Baptises in One Holy Spirit’. David was converted around 1947,aged 17,but it was not until 1964 that he understood what it was to RECEIVE and be BAPTISED in the Holy Spirit,in the Acts 2:4/8:18/10:44-47/19:6 manner. In the ebook link,and by clicking through on ‘Beginning’ in Amazon’s LOOK INSIDE facility,you can read the foreword and prologue of the book for free – the prologue contains his testimony.Well worth 10 minutes.

    From the prologue : ‘I had neither a conscious relationship with the Holy Spirit nor any direct experience of his power…most of my hearers were in the same boat.’

    Ebook (also in paperback form) :

    http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Baptises-Holy-Spirit-ebook/dp/B00514II68/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327314475&sr=1-13

    Michael and David are ‘facet champions’,so to speak,against subtle errors in the Body : Michael AGAINST Replacement Theology,David AGAINST ‘subsequence’. The sooner they have a radio show together,the sooner the Body benefits.

  37. Just to add this to the first point made in the previous post :

    Jesus was SENT by His Father to the lost sheep of Israel. In John 1:9-13,John is speaking HISTORICALLY of the period in history when Jesus walked among those lost sheep ; His people could physically welcome Him into their homes (and lives) ; they could put food before Him – they could RECEIVE Him. But John is not speaking ONGOINGLY : Jesus has GONE BACK to His Father (John 16:28),another PERSON – the Holy Spirit – has now taken His place (John 14:16-17,and Acts 2:32-33) ; it is the Holy Spirit who is to be RECEIVED. Jesus is to be believed INTO,remained within,and followed (John 6:29,John 15:1-6,Luke 14:25-35).

  38. What did Jesus speak of He and His Father sending to those who had followed Him those years on earth, why, and wherefore? What are you suggesting, M.P.?

  39. “And He shall bear testimony of Me”? Why did Jesus say this if, according to M.P. something other is going on when receiving faith in Jesus as Messiah?

  40. David and Michael have major areas of agreement,I am glad to day : neither is deceived by Calvinism,Cessationism,PRE-Tribulation rapture,a/post-millennialism or Replacement Theology.

    With regard to baptism in the Holy Spirit,however,Michael currently seems to hold a classic Pentecostal stance – a stance I believe,with due respect,to need adjusting.

    Given Michael’s expertise on matters of Judaism,i believe if they would build a friendship,it would be mutually enriching. Personally,I would be delighted if they were to heavily promote each others stuff to their respective listeners,for the benefit of the Bride : ‘Our Hands Are Stained With Blood’ and ‘Revolution in the Church’ (haven’t read the church one myself yet mind !) to David’s ; ‘Jesus Baptises in One Holy Spirit’ and ‘The Normal Christian Birth’ to Michael’s – a mere dream situation at the moment,but I keep hoping !

    For purely selfish reasons,I am hoping David will be here for some years,but he is approaching 82,so every day that goes by without Michael and David getting together for the sake of truth(and in love),is a day wasted.

    Another quote from the prologue : ‘It is not easy to pray for the healing of someone you’d rather see confined to bed for another week or two !…led to an argument with the Lord …My Prayer dried up. Quite suddenly….The words simply poured out – only not in English.

    Do read the prologue one and all.
    Do get the book.
    Share the dream too !

  41. M.P,

    So you seem to be saying my other questions would be answered in reading the site you posted?

    It seems only natural that believers, regardless of leadership status, would be highly interested in matters of the Holy Spirit, and it is clear that the Spirit testifies about Jesus, and Jesus and the Father send the Spirit to believers, so, it remains unclear what all this parcing is for.

  42. It’s interesting how one’s beliefs about the present regarding the nation of Israel, whether or not Gentiles are grafted into Israel by faith through Yeshua (remember there’s only gates in the New Jerusalem for Israelites. There’s no thirteenth gate for Gentiles), and the Torah effect one’s eschatology.

    No more nation of Israel = Postmillennialism

    No Torah until the millennium = The “Church” is on earth while the age of grace is here, but as the age of Law returns, the “Church” is raptured out of the way, because there’s no way the “Church” would come back under that bondage of the Jews after receiving grace.

    Those who deny that Gentiles are grafted into Israel by faith in Yeshua, would hold that Jewish Believers leave the nation of Israel and thus escape the tribulation and the coming age of law to enter heaven during the millennium.

    Because I believe the nation of Israel still exists according to God and that Gentiles are grafted into Israel and that the Law is still valid and useful for day. I therefore see the Messiah coming back to set up the tribal borders for the nation of Israel and the Gentile believers living in the promised land too, all going up to Ezekiel’s temple in Jerusalem.

    “From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me, says the LORD.” Isaiah 66:23

    “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened. The Messiah is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening. On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to worship in the presence of the LORD at the entrance of that gateway. The burnt offering the Messiah brings to the LORD on the Sabbath day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect. The grain offering given with the ram is to be an ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs is to be as much as he pleases, along with a hin of olive oil for each ephah. On the day of the New Moon he is to offer a young bull, six lambs and a ram, all without defect. He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he wants to give, along with a hin of oil for each ephah. When the Messiah enters, he is to go in through the portico of the gateway, and he is to come out the same way.

    “‘When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. The Messiah is to be among them, going in when they go in and going out when they go out. At the feasts and the appointed festivals, the grain offering is to be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and with the lambs as much as he pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.

    “‘When the Messiah provides a freewill offering to the LORD—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

    “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect for a burnt offering to the LORD; morning by morning you shall provide it. You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the LORD is a lasting ordinance. So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.

    “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: If the Messiah makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance. If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the Messiah. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs. The Messiah must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that not one of my people will be separated from their property.’”

    Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end. He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people.”

    He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court. In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the courts in the four corners was the same size. Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge. He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people.”

    Ezekiel 46

Comments are closed.