PROSPERITY/SEED GOSPEL. YOU HAVE MIXED FEELINGS?

Mixed feelings arise when something that would  otherwise be noble is corrupted. Something like giving. The Prosperity/Seed gospel as currently presented has this effect on many people who want to give but have questions on how/where/who. 

These are all genuine questions.

Some preachers will use the old testament laws on giving when it beneficial to them, and ignore it when deemed unfavourable, mostly to enforce their greed. But...in the old testament, where offering was and could only be expressed by works of the flesh, there were rules of sanctifying the gifts.

The Levite's had no land/heritage like the other tribes. There was a limit to their prosperity:

Joshua 13:33
But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of  Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

For survival, they were dependent on the peoples gifts - actually, a portion of their gifts offered FIRST TO GOD, which was also a portion of their food and livestock...any offering purportedly for God has to go through God before the priest/pastor. God was their portion/inheritance too. Is the "seed" of of the prosperity gospel offered to God or to men?

Joshua 13:14
Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Currently, most pastors/shepherds have their own portion in this life(in all forms of that word,) - investments, while some of their sheep are disinherited, have nothing to their possession ... because of a predatorial social/economic system, a system modern pastors are using to further oppress their followers by using the power - money, Mammon, the god of this age, this civilization, as a tool of oppression even within the Christian congregation.

There is also a very important ingredient of offerings that is currently ignored. A cheerful heart. If the gift is given to God, it CANNOT be forced, otherwise it becomes an abomination. When you look at how someone is dressed and order them to pay a certain amount of money depending on what status you perceive of them, it is not a free will offering. Neither is cursing congregants who have nothing to give. That is use of the spirit of fear for personal ends. God did not receive anything that was not of free will;

Exodus 25:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

The shepherds have turned predators, as prophesied:

Jeremiah 12:10
Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness

And the sheep are getting fattened, with the powers/cares of this world. Remember how the devil works; 

1 John 2:16 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
...for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of .. Father, but is of the world.

Nothing wrong with prosperity, but when it becomes your religion, its because you have made it your god. So even more by the laws/standards of the old testament, the seed/prosperity gospel in its modern, emphatic form (which is mainly prospering the pastors) is in error. In fact, they are causing people to sin, by giving with unwillingness, without joy. That's what happens when people give out of fear. And fear is from the devil. They are behaving like the two sons of Eli: 1 Samuel 8;

The sons of Eli used to take the sacrifices(which belonged to the anyway) with contempt and pride. They like ours, felt entitled, and forgot the gifts/offerings were for worship, for God. 1 Samuel 2:14.And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

This is what is happening in our age. The alter, once again, is defiled, because of greed, selfishness and pride of a priesthood that has imposed itself upon men, and made men to abhorr the offering of the Lord.

UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPHECY OF THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Mathew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand...)

This is what Daniel prophesied:

11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Our many topics have delved into this topic thus far from many different angles: 

1. The point of worship. where is the temple, where do we worship in

Abomination was used in reference to worship. When there is a problem with the offering, or when the offering is tainted, it is an abomination.

Deuteronomy 17:1 | View whole chapter | See verse in context

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evil favouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

The good sacrifices are pleasant and of sweat smelling odour while the bad sacrifices after an abomination:

2.Then we delved into worship. In modern, new testament terms. What is worship in the spirit as foreshadowed by the old testament? There we analyzed the various types of offerings, then and now.

3. Now that we understand worship in the new testament, what is an abomination in the new testament? What is accepted? What is not? What did the old laws on abominations foresee?

4. And desolation.

Meaning and use of the term in the old testament with reference to the place of worship. Relate it to the present. How would a modern temple become desolate? How would we know?

This is how it was used in the old;

Leviticus 26:31 | View whole chapter | See verse in context

And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.

A time of desolation is a time when the Sanctuary and the place that would otherwise be of safe habitation of the chosen ones become destroyed. And defiled sacrifices would abound therein, when the sacrifices/sweet smelling odours of the chosen ones are no more, God refuses to accept them as sacrifices.

Psalms offers an insight: It is caused by the enemy.

Psalms 74:3 | View whole chapter | See verse in context

Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.

A desolate place is a place left without inhabitants. The dictionary meaning of the word offers great insight into the circumstances that would surround a time of desolation.

des·o·late

adjective

adjective: desolate

ˈdesələt/

1. 1.

   (of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.

   
   

   "a desolate moor"

   
   

   synonyms:

   bleak, stark, bare, dismal, grim; More wild, inhospitable; deserted, uninhabited, godforsaken, abandoned, unpeopled, untenanted, empty, barren; unfrequented, unvisited, isolated, remote "the desolate prairie"

   antonyms:

   populous

   • feeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness.

     
     

     "I suddenly felt desolate and bereft"

     
     

     synonyms:

     miserable, despondent, depressed, disconsolate, devastated, despairing, inconsolable, broken-hearted, grief-stricken, crushed, bereft; More sad, unhappy, downcast, down, dejected, forlorn, upset, distressed; informalblue, cut up "the news of Rudolph's disappearance left them desolate"

     antonyms:

     joyful

verb

verb: desolate; 3rd person present: desolates; past tense: desolated; past participle: desolated; gerund or present participle: desolating

ˈdesəˌlāt/

1.

make (a place) bleakly and depressingly empty or bare.

"the droughts that desolated the dry plains"

synonyms:

devastate, ravage, ruin, lay waste to;

With these, any Christian would know when the time of desolation. Is the place of worship still accomodative? Are sacrifices being accepted? Is it a time to run away from Jerusalem, because the enemies are upon it? Is there a desolation in our place of worship?

THE CHURCH AUTHORITY VERSUS THE STATE: THE DILEMMA OF OUR AGE

Our age makes an interesting one due to the relation that has been over time between the Christian Church and the political governance of the state. Let us here consider both spiritual and physical leadership that has existed, as these two powers expand and explore the dilemma, which exists since the Church was established by Christ. 

The book of Daniel offers insight into the spiritual atmosphere that pertains immediately after the Kingdom of God is established on the earth. ...

2:31 ... This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Daniel

Interpretation:

2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. Daniel

That time of the inception of the Kingdom of God over the Principalities of our current age came through the immaculate birth of Christ....the prince of the principality of peace, in a world of which He severally confessed - is under the sway of the wicked one. He was quick to explain to His followers that His Kingdom was unique, not according to what they were used to. It was not "of this world." He had ushered in a new Kingdom, one that would grow, flourish, expand, right in the presence of the principalities and powers of this world, and as we see in Daniels interpretation of the King of Babylon's dream, and to break apart the powers of the age - in one hour.

You see, Christ's birth came under the reign of a Principality, physically, a Roman captivity, Spiritually, an outgoing age for which purpose God had prepared men before Him to destroy - People like John the Baptist, among others. People who prayed and dedicated their lives to the coming of the Kingdom as had been prophesied. Christ ascended, after His inception of His fathers Kingdom upon the rule of men, at which point he spoke of the principality that was coming immediately afterwards. There was a vacancy, filled by another power.... That he, that came thereafter was the god - the power of the next age, this age, when the Kingdom of God thrives in the presence of darkness all over the earth.

The effect of the presence of the Kingdom of God has had effect on the glory of the powers and principalities, as can be seen by the demonstrative dream: But not that as the glory fades, strength increased to Iron, then to a more fragile consistency, but with bits of strength. This is our age, inconsistent, but with bits of streghth that surpass the preceding ones. Less glamourouss but do not be fooled, for the strength in it is more destructive to men than even the preceding...

2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

Note that the power of the Church grows..

2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The powers of the age have to acknowledge the new power over the earth, Christ's, and the Kingdom of God. As it grows, the splendor of the lords of the age decrease, and the powers of the age have to accommodate it. That is when the clash, sometimes suspicious marriages between the church and the state begins. But these two have diverse foundations. One is born of the pride of man, the other is against the flesh, the pride of man. This is why successive powers of this age have tried to absorb the church or to usurp its powers, and it ended up bringing destruction of their Kingdoms. 

The two - church and state - are based on contrary laws, and one is fashioned to destroy the other. And the kingdom of God shall be the coming age. This is the dilemma. As those at the helm have to acknowledge the kingdom of God, they are aware of its growing power and politics have changed gradually since its inception. It is the struggle to remain relevant in an age where the coming King is already seated in His throne, waiting. And we all wait with Him.

This is how the Kingdom of God works in a practical example; If you find yourself before any power\ ruler, speak in gentleness, as Christ would, of the word of God, in love, kindness, Godliness, righteousness ....and see Christ's power triumph over evil, because this age, is poised to give way to the age of the righteous Kingdom of God.

THE ROOT OF EVIL....AND GOOD IN THE SPIRITS OF MEN..

We have seen how evil, the seed of wickedness came to be in the spirits of men. It was out of choice, by the firstfruit of humanity. Remember that power is not a mystery. It is the character of its bearer. God is good, and his power is thus known - goodness, gentleness, joy, righteousness, peace...seemingly simple concepts, but that is where the greatest of powers hide. In simplicity.

You would appreciate peace as a power of God if you lost the little peace that you retained, and violence brewed from your spirit deep to the extent that even a brush of calm wind against your skin would make you anxious. That is the power of violence. An evil characteristic of the powers of darkness. And it takes just a simple peaceful thought of peace deep in the spirit to obliterate it, to vanquish it and to start a journey of the recovery of the lost peace of mind.

Thus in many of their characteristics these powers are manifested upon the earth. The characteristics, both of good and evil are principalities in themselves, dominions, and hence can be referred to as spirit of this and that according to what they manifest. Christ for example is the Prince of peace. He reigns over the entire principality, the dominion of peace. This is a giveaway of His presence, His power, peace.  And peace is a sword too. Because Christ is a judge, an avenger,

Violence too can be borne in man, and just as peace can be shared, imparted from ones spirit to another's, and a spirit that has violence pouring out of it is full of violence. Just as a spirit with peace pouring out is full of peace.

Kinds of Spiritual Power

Spiritual Power is of two kinds: evil, and good. This is what the fall of man is all about. Man who knew good chose to know evil too. Knowledge in the since of intimate association with these two kinds of powers.

Its easy to tell apart the two kinds of power. Based on the source. The character of the source is the powers of the source. Note how the distinction between what is of God and what is of the devil is made below;

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Those affections and lusts that need to be crucified are actually powers that are destroyed by that which comes from God. Those powers are spirit. That means ability to control. Its why fear and anxiety, lust,  can exist without reason and seem to control man. And the writer implores man to walk in the way of righteousness...

Verse 26: Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Gods power, unlike the powers of darkness, will not take over the will of man. The grace to overcome will be present, without pressure, and it is easy to ignore this Spirit that is many a time referee to as the quiet voice, a voice that fades away gradually when its ignored, till its mute. See, that's because when ignored, the powers of darkness gain ground, strength in the spirit of man, and the resultant silence is as a result of the ability of the powers of darkness - the powers of this age to blind the eyes of men. So watch out...this is the power of the gods of this world...wickedness.

That would call for a definition of wickedness- refer to the earlier topic, "What is Wickedness"

This is what it means to walk in the Spirit. To utilize the grace, the power of God against the powers of darkness;

V.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

THE POWER OF OUR PRINCE, THE SON OF MAN

The Son Of Man, Our Prince

There is a son of man who came down from heaven and lived as men, a short while, and he was bound, by the great men of the earth, tormented and killed. He bore the grief of men of the earth, and death arose against Him, the Son of God, unrepentant and still, yet another time, again and again, arising against the sons of peace, the brethren of Christ, swallowing and biting in and not getting satisfied.

But there is a time set, a time for the completion of the works of death, and for life, yet again, to triumph, to rule over death. That is what our Christ did on that day, when he descended to the depths of the earth, held captivity captive. That which holds the sons of men captive, that is in itself captive in the hands of our Lord. The son of man.

That is how He rules over principalities. It is the principalities that hold men captive, and by holding principalities(powers, and rulers of this world), he has in fact control, authority over them. That is why His place is above all of them. That is why, in his name, He who rules over the principalities, we triumph over the same principalities, rulers, and powers of the age. It is the name of a principality that is greater, higher than the principalities of men. The principality of peace, it is called, as is written.

That is the power of the Son of Man. Our Lord.

THINGS SHALL BE DIFFERENT FROM NOW ON

I have been distressed for a while and the sound of the word of God was a relief. In my night dream we were in a huge open landscape and there was a wave, a glorious coloured light and wind at the same time. It swept, more like danced, across the landscape swiftlyi and the same time took over the landscape. I was watching a change of times. One season was overtaking the other. Yet the season was a sword,  one in a series that had run over a period of time. I understood that it was another sword, yet a brand new season full of hope and comfort,  a very welcome time for those who were hoping for it.  I could see celebration and singing and dancing too, and the Lord said, "Things are going to be different from now," This was in reference to a new chapter in our lives...Rejoice¡¡¡¡ A new season has been ushered in.