* God says to Ezekiel: "Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against ME: they and their fathers have transgressed against ME, even unto this very day."

As the children of Israel were rebellious against the Word of God, the New Testament church today rebels against specific scriptures which conflicts to that which they have learned at their churches.

But God today sends HIS prophets to the church ministers and individuals though they often harden their hearts today to that word of God that is carried to them and continue in their own preferences.

Ezekiel 2:3-8

And HE (God) said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against ME: they and their fathers have transgressed against ME, even unto this very day.

4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

7 And thou shalt speak MY words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

*****

After Jesus ascends into heaven, HE sets up the New Testament church.

Ephesians 4

8 ...When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11-12   And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

***

God taught me the following concerning the work of apostle and prophet to which I am called and set in the New Testament church today.

* apostle:  God took me to Acts 15 to show me the basic work of an apostle.  

A question concerning "doctrine" arose in the church.  "Do the Gentile believers have to be circumcised?"  The elders and apostles met at Jerusalem to discuss this matter and to make a ruling for the other churches to follow.

Peter spoke.  Paul spoke.  James heard what they said and then he pronounced the ruling concerning the Gentiles. 

They wrote this ruling and sent it to the other churches in writing.  (There was no NT Bible in those days of the early church.)

Today we have the New Testament Bible which the early church did not have.  

Basically what God showed me is this:  apostles are ordained by God in dealing with church doctrines.  

Churches today fall away from New Testament Bible rulings and we try to turn individuals back to what the Bible says. 

***

* prophet:  In the New Testament Bible we have these examples of the work of a New Testament prophet. 

Agabus: Acts 11:27-30   And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

***

Acts 21:7-11  And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.  8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.  11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

***

Other New Testament prophets cited in the New Testament Bible:

Acts 13:1   Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 15:31   And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

I Corinthians 12:28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

I Corinthians 14:29  (Paul says concerning the gathering of the New Testament Church)   Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

***

Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of God using prophets to carry messages of correction and instruction to the church.  Prophets of God are not sent to the world but to the church.

Ezekiel 3:4-7 And HE (God) said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with MY words unto them.

5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel;

6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto ME: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.

***

Matthew 23   Jesus says:

37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see ME henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

***

Matthew 23:29-35   Jesus says:

29  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

*****

 

* Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. (James 3:16)

One of the works of the flesh of man is "emulations" (Gal. 5:20).

It is the nature of man to exalt himself above other people.  People do this in different ways.  By physical appearance, by achievements, by the clothes worn ... It is natural for us to do this one way or another.

The apostle Paul says:  They that do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (I Cor 6:9-10 and  Gal. 5:19-21)

We once did these things but now we are born again, given by God HIS Spirit, so we learn to go another way.

Galatians 5:22-25   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

In 1960, I moved to Dallas, Texas, to be orchestra director at Kimball High School.  One of the high school teachers invited me to go to a college football game.  I was shocked that anyone actually chose to do this.  In college, I played in the band and we were forced to go to football until after the halftime performance and then they let us leave.  My friends and I left!

The teacher at Kimball said, "It only costs $6."  

I replied, "You mean you pay to go?"

For the next 60 years I hated the opposing team and was a fan.  

Then God began to wean me away and modify my life in this activity.

We learn the way of this world.  Then the Spirit of God pulls us away from that way and takes us another way.  And in the end we come to see all that matters is God's way.

And we then feel sorry for those who are trapped in the ways of this world.  But we are very grateful to God that HE showed us the truth.

*****

Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made Himself of no reputation,

I once played duplicate bridge.  At the bridge center, as my partner and I were trying to beat the other people, I often thought of Jesus and Paul.  I couldn't imagine them doing what I was doing.  I asked God to get me loose from this.  God did.

God answers our prayers when they are according to the will of God.  (I John 5:13-15)

***

The apostle Paul was very highly skilled in the Jew's religious, even above many other men:

I Corinthians 3:3-10   For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know HIM, and the power of HIS resurrection, and the fellowship of HIS sufferings, being made conformable unto HIS death;

(I used to pray verse 10 over myself frequently.  God was pleased to answer that prayer also!)

***

Like Paul, God changes us day by day into the image of Jesus as we are given the Word and as we make adjustments which are appropriate to the Word.

I Corinthians 15:30-31   And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

(We die "to self" as God calls to our attention an adjustment which we need to make to that which we have been doing on this earth.)

On January 4, 2021, I realized it would be better for me to make a change in our Podbean heading and instead of identifying myself as Jesus Ministries, Dr. Joan Boney, I now identify myself by the following: 

Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney, called to be an apostle and prophet of Jesus Christ according to Ephesians 4:11-12. 

Although I do have an earned doctorate, the important thing for anyone to know about me is that I am called by God for the work of apostle and prophet. 

(No doubt this identification will bring me some shame and even persecution from church goers.)

*****

* When GOD turns them over to a strong delusion.

 

Sometimes we meet a church goer who is totally irrational to the truth.  Even when facts from the Bible are presented to him he insists on clinging to that which is taught at his church group. 

 

Why can't he repent?  Why does he continue to hold to a lie? 

 

The answer to this is in II Thessalonians 2. 

 

These people were once enlightened to the truth from God but then "fell away" and chose to go with another doctrine which was opposite to doctrines of Christ in the Bible.

 

In such cases we see the following: 

 

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When God sends that person "a strong delusion" there is nothing we can do to make that person understand even when we present many godly exhortations, for that person has been deluded by God.

We just have to walk away and leave him alone.

Acts 28

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

*****

Even when all of the plagues of the great tribulation come to this earth, none of the wicked will understand but the wise will understand.

Daniel 12

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.


Revelation 9

20  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 16 

 

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 

 

11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. 

 

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

John 8    Jesus says:

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 12

37  But though HE had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 HE (God) hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

God turns them over to "a reprobate mind" because they refuse to keep the "knowledge of the truth of God" before their minds.

Romans 1

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

***

They would not continue with truth from God, so God gave them over to believe a lie that they could not repent and be saved.

Even when the plagues came, and it was obvious only God could bring those plagues, they blasphemed God instead of falling down before God in repentance.

God had turned them over to "a strong delusion" to believe a lie that they all might be damned who rejected the truth from God and clung to lies.

***** 

* We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (2 Cor. 13:8)

 

When we are born of God, the Spirit of Truth lives in us.

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.  (I Cor. 3:16 & I Cor. 6:19) 

Hebrews 8:10   For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to ME a people:

We know the truth.

After I was born again, I went to a non-denominational church.  I would shudder at some of the things the pastor and members of the congregation said.  I knew the truth.  But I didn't know then that I knew the truth.  What they were speaking was not the truth and I was grieved, though I didn't even understand that I was grieved.  

Later God would show me truth about a scripture and often God reminded me of the bad feeling I had when these pastors taught opposite to that which God was showing me.

We learn to recognize and to trust the Spirit of Truth when HE speaks to us.

Many of those things taught today in our churches are not truth.

And we know this because we are of truth.

Jesus even says the voice of strangers we will not follow.  (John 10)

That is the reason we are troubled by many things spoken today at our churches by both pastors and by people in the congregations.

In this Podcast I share some of those things.

*****

II John 2

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of HIM abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in HIM.

28 And now, little children, abide in HIM; that, when HE shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming.

29 If ye know that HE is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of HIM.

*****

* In their hearts, people "boasted" over that which they would do "next year". Then Coronavirus came!

James 3

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

And what is that which is coming?

* The great tribulation of God:  The 14 plagues  (Rev. 8, 9, 16)

* God shakes the power of heaven before Jesus comes through the clouds:  (Mt. 24:29)

* Then comes Jesus and gathers HIS elect, removing them from this earth. (Mt 24:30-31)

* Last, God destroys this present heaven and earth. (II Peter 3:10-14)

By thinking on these assured things, boasts concerning what we will do in the future might change considerably.

Also those things we thought to be so important might diminish greatly as we think on that which is coming according to the Bible.

*****

* Who is right and who is wrong. Appoint God to judge the situation.

 

Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.  (James 3:16) 

 

Recently I turned to God to ask HIM to judge a situation.  God knows the exact truth.  I don't know though I might think I know. 

 

There can be so much confusion if we get involved and try to straighten things out. 

 

I find it better to let the money go and protect my soul. 

 

A few years ago, God showed me this:  "You will never make this world righteous or fair no matter what you do.  It is the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." 

 

II Peter 3:13   Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

 

God provides for me and God always sees that I have an abundance on this present earth. 

 

God takes me in a way whereby I will be cared for and protected.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.

So when there is strife, turn to God and let God judge.  Just appoint God as judge and end the matter doing that which brings the worldly situation to an end.

(Sometimes God will choose to give us a word or a dream to show us HIS view of the issue, but unless God gives us a word on the matter at hand, we just turn it over to God and rest in the assurance that God will sort it out and judge justly.)

Don't we know that it is only a matter of time before we are removed from this present world and this world is destroyed by God?

*****

God sets a situation up whereby HE can judge the wrong doers:

I Kings 21

1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:

10 And set two men, sons of Belial (the devil), before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.

13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.

16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? 

And he (Elijah) answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked ME to anger, and made Israel to sin.

23 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

26 And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

27  And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before ME? because he humbleth himself before ME, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

All the words God spoke against Ahab and evil Jezebel came to pass.

I Kings 22

19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

(God determined the death of Ahab.)

20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 

And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.

And HE (The Lord) said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

So the prophets of Ahab told him to go forth to battle.  Ahab was killed in the battle.  God brought about that which God wanted to do concerning Ahab.

Concerning evil Jezebel:

II Kings 1

(Time passes after the death of Ahab.)

Then God sends a prophet to anoint Jehu so HE can use Jehu for the destruction of all the house of Ahab and fulfill the prophecy which HE spoke over Jezebel.

6 And he (the prophet of God) arose, and went into the house (of Jehu); and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him (to Jehu), Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.

7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her.

***

The death of Jezebel:

II Kings 9

30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.

33 And he said (concerning Jezebel), Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

34 And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.

35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.

36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which HE spake by HIS servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.

II Kings 10

10 Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.

11 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

17 And when he (Jehu) came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which HE spake to Elijah.

***

God always judges justly and God always accomplishes HIS purpose concerning individuals.

*****

* Ministers of Satan spoken of by Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Jude in the Bible.

 

Jesus warned us about the last days when false ministers and false Christians would come in HIS name deceiving many:

 

Matthew 24  

 

3 And as HE sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 

 

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 

 

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

 

(Ministers and individuals in churches will come saying "Jesus is Lord" and because they say that, many will accept them and they will deceive "many".) 

 

Paul calls them "angels of light": 

 

II Corinthians 11 

 

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

 

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

 

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

 

12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 

 

13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 

 

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

 

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

 

The apostle Peter says: 

 

2 Peter 2 

 

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

 

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

 

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

 

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 

 

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 

 

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

 

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 

 

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 

 

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 

 

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

 

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

 

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 

 

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

 

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

 

*****

Jude

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

 

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

(They deny Jesus as they explain away "The Word" who is Jesus.) 

 

 

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

(A cloud without water gives you a promise of rain but produces dryness, stealing your hope.)

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 

 

 

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 

 

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

 

18 How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators/copying others) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 

 

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

***

Jesus says concerning the scribes and Pharisees:

Matthew 23

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

(They ask you to give to them but they will give no money themselves to pay for their works.  They put a burden on you for their works.)

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

(They love to make their garments great to show themselves to be of God.)

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

(Today they call themselves "Reverend" causing men to give them respect.)

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

***

Paul warns us that it will be even worse in the last days:

II Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(They explain away the scriptures and will not allow certain scriptures to rule over their own lives.)

 

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

***

Jesus says:

Matthew 24

12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

***

II Timothy 3

14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

(That we have learned spiritual things from God.)

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

***

The apostle Paul says:

II Corinthians 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

We see by this that many were deceitful in their presentations of the Word of God in the days of the apostle Paul.  

And Paul said it would get worse in the last times before Jesus returns.

II Timothy 3:13   But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

And Jesus said:

Matthew 24:4-5   Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

We have been amply warned in the Bible to beware of both ministers and individuals who come to us saying "Jesus is Lord" for there will be many deceivers in the last days.  They usually show themselves rather quickly by that which they say and by that which they do.  Pay attention.

*****

* How can we live the way of this world, and not go down with this world when troubles come upon this world?

 

During Coronavirus, I watched TV reports for several months.  People drove up to the food banks in their new cars to get the free food.  Never once, I did see anyone in the line in an old, beat up car or pickup. What does this show us about the way people live today?  (A life where they drive a new car, which is likely not paid for, to pick up free food?)

If we, as the church, live by the way of the world, we will greatly suffer with the world when the world is affected.

This world sets up all sorts of "special" days whereby they celebrate one thing or another.  None of these days are prescribed by God in the Bible.  They are all ideas of men, and other men thought it would be a good thing to celebrate these days, so they do.

What happens when that "special" day fails to live up to our expectations?  (sadness, depression, disappointment)

We bring the failures of the plans of this world upon ourselves when we yoke ourselves to these plans which are not set forth by God.  (such as:  Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day)

I've heard women brag about what they received from their husband on various holidays.  Later the same women are depressed, for their husband is no longer living to give them these things they lusted after, and the women remember the past with longing, pulling themselves down by their own lusts.

God's way is as follows:

Colossians 3

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with HIM in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

If we live the way of this world, we will go down with this world.

*****

* Paul, called to be an apostle.

 

When did the New Testament church begin?  How did the church become established?

There was no New Testament church when Jesus walked on this earth in the form of a man.  There was only the synagogue of the Jews.

As HE lived on this earth, Jesus appointed 12 apostles to be His disciples, including Judas who betrayed HIM.

After Jesus was resurrected, the 11 apostles selected 2 men over which they drew lots to see who would replace Judas.  

Acts 1:26   And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

(So Matthias became the 12th apostle.)

As this was happening, Paul (Saul) was busy persecuting the followers of Jesus.  From heaven Jesus called Paul and spoke to Paul making Paul an apostle.

Paul tells us this story in Acts 26 as he testified before king Agrippa.

Acts 26:9-19   I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.  And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

So where does Paul fit in the church?  They already have 12 apostles.  

Here is the story of the New Testament church and our calling today as "saints".

*****

* How much do you really know? Do you want to find out?

 

There are 14 plagues during the great tribulation that God is sending upon this earth.  Seven come when the seven angels sound trumpets, one by one.  Then after this seven angels are given vials containing the wrath of God which they pour out one by one.

These plagues could go on for months or some even for years.  We know for sure one plague will last 5 months.  But we don't know how long the other plagues will last.

We read about these plagues in Revelation 8, 9, and 16.

Here are some questions by which you can examine yourselves to see how much you really know?

* Here is one of the plagues.  Which of the 14 plagues is this?  Why would it matter?  It might matter a great deal if you are still on this earth when it happens because Jesus told us those who "endure" to the end will be saved.

"and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell:"  (such as:  NYC, Paris, London, Rome, Moscow and other cities fell)

So if you should see such an earthquake over the entire world and cities of the nations falling, which plague would this be in the great tribulation?  

(You will find the answer to this in Revelation 16.)

Other things that will happen with this plague:  

"And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."

"And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

* Does Jesus return for the church before or after the powers of heaven are shaken?

This is a critical point in showing us exactly where we are in the plagues that come during the end times.

(The answer is in Matthew 24.)

* In one plague, grievous sores come upon some men but not on other men.  Why?

(The answer is in Revelation 16.)

* What do we do that we may be accounted "worthy" to escape all these things that are coming on this earth and to stand before the Son of Man?

(The answer is in Luke 21.)

*****

* The antichrist people will not repent.

 

I was looking for a church to attend and at a service I visited pastor was speaking of the woman in John 8 who was brought before Jesus after she had been taken in adultery.  

 

Pastor said, "She was naked from the waist up." 

 

I was so shocked!  I have read John 8 many times and had never seen that before.  I grabbed my Bible even as pastor continued speaking and read John 8.  What pastor said was not in John 8.

 

The next morning, I called this pastor.  I told him I had been in his congregation the previous day when he spoke about the woman who was taken in adultery being naked from her waist up when they brought her to Jesus.  

 

I told pastor I couldn't find that in the Bible and I asked pastor where that is in Bible.

 

Pastor said,  "I can't recall where that is in the Bible." 

 

I said, "It is very important for me to know where this is in the Bible, so would you please look it up and tell your secretary where it is in Bible and have her call me and tell me where it is?" 

 

Pastor grew very silent for a few moments. 

 

Then with great anger, pastor shouted at me over the phone, saying, "Alright.  It's not in the Bible.  Where do you go to church?" 

 

Though pastor admitted what he said was not in the Bible, pastor showed no shame at all.  Pastor did not repent.   

 

How could this be?  I wondered.

 

Later I realized, "Antichrist people do not repent."  Even in the great tribulation, they did not repent.

 

The plagues came upon them and they cursed God, but they did not repent of their own works.

 

Revelation 9

6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

20-21  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. 

Those people in churches who fall away from scripture and go by another doctrine are antichrist, opposite to Christ.

II Thessalonians 2:3-4

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day of the Lord shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

In 1982, God said to me:  "The "falling away" are not people leaving the churches.  The "falling away" are the churches leaving the scriptures."

The apostle Paul explains to us in II Thessalonians 2, that Jesus could not return until this happens.

We have seen this happen and are seeing this happen in today's churches where scripture is abandoned in part and other doctrines are set up in the church groups.

I've never seen any of these pastors or individuals in churches repent after they have accepted the doctrine of antichrist.

Further concerning these people who will not repent:

II Thessalonians 2

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

 

*****

* Paul says: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God. (II Cor. 2:17)

 

Paul told the elders at Ephesus that he knew that "after his departing", many of the elders among themselves would arise "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:30)

The apostle John told the church group there were already "many antichrist" who had come among their church group.

II John 2:18-19   Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Some of them went out and started other church groups, and preached "another doctrine".

Hereby all these denominations began.  And many other denominations came later through the centuries, between the early church set up by Jesus from heaven at the time Jesus was taken into heaven, until now in the time where we live.

But we have only one doctrine and that is the doctrine of the New Testament Bible by the Holy Spirit of God.

And we have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.

But there are many church denominations and many diverse doctrines in these groups.

How do we know the truth?

We read the New Testament Bible and when we are of God, HE opens our eyes to see the truth and the doctrines of Christ.

II Timothy 3:16-17    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

When we see a church teaching something opposite to the doctrine of Christ which we read the in Bible we leave that church group, knowing it is "antichrist" opposite to the doctrine of Christ, the Word.

*****

Shortly after I was born again in 1975, I attended a church group with my best friend and her husband.  The pastors were professors from Dallas Theological Seminary.

The pastor was teaching "tongues" were of the devil.

But one day I was reading I Corinthians 14 and saw the following scripture in the Bible:

I Corinthians 14:39   Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

That church I had been attending was teaching something exactly opposite from that which Paul said in the New Testament Holy Bible.

I chose Bible and never went back again to that church group.

***

In looking for a church to attend, I went to a small non-denomination church group.

Pastor was teaching.

That night he took us to John 8, where the woman, who was taken in adultery, was brought before Jesus.  Pastor said when the woman was brought before Jesus she was naked from the waist up.

I was very shocked!  I'd never seen that before in John 8.  I grabbed my Bible and began reading John 8.  That which pastor said was not in John 8.  I looked about the room to see if others were reading Bible.  I didn't see anyone reading the Bible.  I saw men sitting with very big grins on their faces.  I knew they were picturing this naked woman.  

The next day, I called the pastor.  I told him I had been in his service the night before when he spoke of John 8 and he said that woman taken in adultery was naked from waist up.  I told him I could not find that in the Bible.  I asked him where it was in Bible.  

Pastor was very silent.

Then pastor said, "I can't remember where it is in the Bible."

I told pastor that it was very important to me to know where it was in the Bible and I asked him to please look it up and tell his secretary where it says that and have her call me and tell me.

Pastor became very silent.  And then pastor became very angry and shouted into phone:  "All right!  It's not in the Bible.  Where do you go to church?"

I was hunting a church to attend but I couldn't go to a church where pastor taught things not in the Bible as he was doing.

2 Corinthians 2:17   For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

***

Then I went to another non-denominational church.

Pastor was teaching concerning Abraham and Sarah.

Pastor said:  "Sarah and Hagar were 1/2 sisters."

I'd never read that before (or even heard anyone say that before).

I went home and read my Bible.

I could find no scripture which stated that Sarah and Hagar were 1/2 sisters.

So I called and spoke to the pastor, asking him where that is in the Bible.

Pastor said:  "I can't recall where it is in the Bible."

I asked pastor to please look it up and tell his secretary and have her call me and tell me where it is in the Bible.

Amazingly this pastor said exactly the same thing as that previous pastor.

He became angry and shouted into phone:  "All right ... it's not in the Bible."

Neither pastor showed any shame at all for teaching things at church which were not in the Bible.

***

Approximately 15 years later, in 2017, God explained what was happening in churches when pastors taught things not in Bible and they did not repent from doing this and were not ashamed of the way they mishandled the Word of God.

"These pastors are antichrist."

These pastors teach things not in Bible and their congregations accept things not in Bible, this is the falling away, anarchy which had to come into the churches before Jesus could return.

Then I understood.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4   Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

God said to me:  "The falling away are not people leaving the church group.  The falling away are the church groups falling away from the scriptures."

And God said to me the word "restraint".

I knew this was in a scripture and I found it in the following:

2 Thessalonians 2, NASB

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

I said to God, "What is the restraint?  Who restrains antichrist?"

Immediately God opened my eyes to see.

The restraint was Jesus, The Word of God, the Holy Scriptures.

As soon as the scriptures were removed at the church group, antichrist came in to that church group speaking doctrines that are opposite to the New Testament Bible and adding to the Bible.

Now I understood why those pastors who had perverted the Bible did not feel shame nor repent.  They were antichrist.

Since this time, I have encountered many antichrist in those many men who write emails to me from all over the world and say they are pastors.  I have seen many antichrists who attend churches.

Antichrist is not one man as many churches have taught in the past.

Antichrist is a spirit in many men and women in religious groups.

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  (2 Thess. 2:4)

*****

* "What do we call you? Reverend?" a woman said to me.

 

In the setting up of the New Testament church, Jesus, from heaven, gave to the church the following: 

 

Ephesians 4:11-12   

 

And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

 

No man in the Bible called himself "Reverend" ... No person called another man "Reverend." 

 

Psalm 111...  Holy and reverend is HIS name.  (God's name) 

 

You may think it doesn't matter.  

 

But to call that minister "Reverend" not only violates the Holy Bible, but it causes idolatry in the church as that man is put in a place whereby the congregation worships him.

 

In 1980, God put me on radio to exhort the church.  A woman came to me telling me she was one of my listeners.  And she said to me,  "What do we call you?  Reverend?"

I was very shocked!

 

I replied, "No, call me Joan ... like you would call Paul, Paul." 

 

I did not have to think before telling her this because in me is the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, and I knew we were not to be called "Reverend."

I would never permit this.

And neither should they. 

 

It's not just my opinion.  It is just not done in the Bible and that is what we go by when we serve God.

*****