6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. – John 14:6
The church in our midst today is being caused to believe what is not true or fail to believe what is true. The Book of Revelation talks about the coming of Christ and the messages that went out to the churches in the Province of Asia, which also manifests the subject on duplicity.
The understanding of the Word of God is most important in the walk with God.
The Revelation of Christ to Apostle John
In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, Apostle John was given messages to the 7 churches of the Province of Asia. Before given him the messages, Jesus Christ revealed himself to John. How can you send someone to speak about you without the person knowing you? You need to reassure them who you are by revealing to them your attributes.
The Lord revealed himself to John and ordered him to write his attributes down, because the seven churches would need to know who Jesus Christ is and his appearance.
A lot of people are going to appear to the world as Christ, the Messiah. And for the seven churches to know the truth, Jesus Christ had to reveal himself to Apostle John for him to pass the message on to his brethren in-case they come across anyone who claims to be the Messiah. Then with the knowledge you have of him, you would be able to differentiate between the false and truth.
A lot of people are going to be out there claiming to be the Messiah, but who do you claim the true Messiah is? You should be able to tell him from the crowd; that is Christ message to you.
9 I am John, your brother, and as a follower of Jesus I am your partner in patiently enduring the suffering that comes to those who belong to his Kingdom. I was put on the island of Patmos because I had proclaimed God’s word and the truth that Jesus revealed. 10 On the Lord’s day the Spirit took control of me, and I heard a loud voice, that sounded like a trumpet, speaking behind me. 11 It said, “Write down what you see, and send the book to the churches in these seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see who was talking to me, and I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among them there was what looked like a human being, wearing a robe that reached to his feet, and a gold band around his chest. 14 His hair was white as wool, or as snow, and his eyes blazed like fire; 15 his feet shone like brass that has been refined and polished, and his voice sounded like a roaring waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth. His face was as bright as the midday sun. 17 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the first and the last. 18 I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead. 19 Write, then, the things you see, both the things that are now and the things that will happen afterward. 20 Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars that you see in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. – Rev 1:9-20 GNT
Duplicity
The dictionary defines duplicity as “deception by pretending to feel and act one way while acting another.” Duplicity is related to deception.”
The end time church coming will be covered in thorns.
23 “When that time comes, the fine vineyards, each with a thousand vines and each worth a thousand pieces of silver, will be overgrown with thorn bushes and briers. 24 People will go hunting there with bows and arrows. Yes, the whole country will be full of briers and thorn bushes. 25 All the hills where crops were once planted will be so overgrown with thorns that no one will go there. It will be a place where cattle and sheep graze.” – Isaiah 7 23-25
17 Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth. – John 17 17
The planting of churches nowadays has become a fashion to man. The word of the Lord in the book of Matthew and Luke warns us against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
6 Jesus said to them, “Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They started discussing among themselves, “He says this because we didn’t bring any bread.” – Matthew 16:6-7 GNT
12 Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. – Matthew 16:12
12 As thousands of people crowded together, so that they were stepping on each other, Jesus said first to his disciples, “Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees—I mean their hypocrisy. – Luke 12:1
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. – 1 Corinthians 16:13
Do not let yourselves be led away from the Lord to worship and serve other gods. – Deuteronomy 11:16
Jesus was not talking about yeast making flour rise but was talking about their faith and how easily it is to be corrupted by the unbelief, hypocrisy, evil and godlessness of these two people (Pharisees & Sadducees) coming together with you.
The crowd is rising and a lot of people are getting into the religion of Christianity with their own faith, stepping on each other with their faith but watch out for their yeast. Their faith can corrupt you!
As thousands of people gather as being followers of Christ, watch out! Because they have come with their own belief and concept and would want you to buy into it but be on your guard as they will try anything to get you into their philosophy. That is why Jesus explained to you how he looks in the Book of Revelation (Vision of Christ). If anyone else comes in the name of Jesus Christ proclaiming to be him, you will know the difference because they can never be him due to their arrogance and deception.
He warned them to guard their hearts from sin. The heart is the entrance to the soul. “Be on your guard” he said, protect your heart from the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Protect it against the influence of the godless and evil. In those days, sin was a common identity and they were warned not to fall into company of sin. As in doing so, could easily influence you into sinning with them.
What message are you listening to?
What concept of Christianity are you following?
The last days are here and man is being exposed to different concepts of Christianity, but which one is the “truth”?
The Lord says I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except through me. What are you being taught?
The word of the LORD is being taught now in many concepts and the church is misleading people. The church is being deceived into believing many lies. Who are you following, the word of the LORD or the mass?
Let the word of the LORD be implanted in your heart, in that way you can tell the “truth” [which is Jesus Christ] from the lie. Let the Lord minister to you personally so that you will know him for yourself.
Deal with the Word of God the same way as you deal with everyone; listen to him and trust him for yourself. Take the word of God to heart and let him minister to you.
The end-time church is here!
Be mindful of who you follow and whom you believe in!
24 Kind words are like honey—sweet to the taste and good for your health. – Proverbs 16:24
In this world, there are 3 things you ought to watch out for:
- Deception
- Intercession
- Taking chances [Lottery]
Deception!
- Meaning: A misleading falsehood; Pretence.
- Trickery, deceit, hypocrisy, cunning, duplicity, craftiness, deceptiveness, lies.
All are the characters of the Devil.
Be careful of the people you put your trust in. Seek for the truth in the Word of God.
Deception is in the world!
Be mindful of the people you talk to, as they are not as worthy as you think!
Be mindful of those who claim the name of the Lord, as they come in different shades! They will deceive you into liking them.
The Devil is at work causing havoc in the world, so you will either give in to the enemy’s work or stand by the Lord you know and worship him.
The ten young women in Luke 12:35-40, woke up and trimmed their lamps implying they couldn’t stay up all night waiting and watching. The foolish ones found themselves with no oil and their lamps out. They have no oil in their lamps because the anointing that was given to them would be taken away from them due to deceit, unbelief and unfaithfulness.
Watch out for the hypocrites!
They will deceive you with their lie!
What is the truth?
This is what Jesus sought out from his disciples who they and the others out there say he is. In order to get them on the right path when the time comes, he needs to know their vision of him. As others will be claiming as being the Messiah, he needed to set them on the right path for such a time as this. He established in them [in their hearts], who he is, for someone will be coming to proclaim something differently. He asked them individually who he is, to negotiate in their mind what the Devil would be lying to them about.
The answers they gave are in Matthew 16:14; some says you are John the Baptist, a prophet, Elijah and while others say you are Jeremiah.
In Matthew 16:13, he asked them, who do people say the Son of Man is?
Jesus did not use the word “think” [-to have a belief or opinion] but used “say” [-to speak, pronounce, or utter]; meaning there are some people out there claiming him to be someone else.
Then he asked his disciples, but who do you say I am?
Simon Peter answers in Matthew 16:16 as “You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God”. Then Jesus confirms with them saying, remember this day because what you, Peter have just said has reveal the real identity of me – The Truth. And upon this truth (revelation) will I build my church, and not even death (Satan) will ever be able to overcome it.
He said watch out for this truth [the vision of Christ], because one day it will be upon the truth that you will be saved. Upon remembering the truth of whom Jesus Christ is, and not even Satan can claim this truth to him-self.
If that time comes, remember what he said to his disciples because it will be based on this truth that you will find your path to me. It will be upon this truth that you will be able to distinguish him from the others who claim they are the Messiah.
How is it that you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees! – Matthew 16:11
Intercession!
Who are you interceding with?
The Christ that we believe in is Jesus Christ, the Resurrected One. So, who do you believe in, because a time is coming when man would be made to believe in other Christ?
For whoever you intercede with are the one you worshipping.
Who are you believing in, the mass or the Son of God, Jesus Christ?
For the Christ you believe in, is the Christ you will intercede with. Walk in the ways of the Lord and you will intercede in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
He is the One to come and the One to rescue us from the hand of the wicked.
Interceding is the word to use in reaching to the LORD Almighty.
You will go to the old place where he normally is, to seek him, but will not find him there. He will be in your heart. The Word of God will be implanted in your heart.
Taking chances! [Lottery]
Playing the game with God!
Lottery is a way of winning through playing chances. You do not play chances with God. You live by his word and his word alone.
Do not play chances with God because playing chances will lead you to your grave. Playing chances with God will relieve your desire for the world.
You teach the world who God is and let the world decide on whom to choose.
Decide on whom you want to be the leader of your life; Jesus Christ or the world? You cannot play games on that. We live by the word of God and his word alone. Do not cast lots with his garment. (Read John 19:23-24)
Do not let the world deceive you as to whom to trust.
Jesus Christ is the One and Only true Messiah. He is love.
Live your life by His word. #Decision-making
Look out for who Jesus Christ is and be mindful of whom you believe in.
2 Timothy 3: 1-17
The Last Days
Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. 2 People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; 3 they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; 4 they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; 5 they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.
I pray that when that time comes, you would make the right choice and take the path of righteousness.
The Peace of the Lord be with you.
Written by
Eunice
