2 Thessalonians 2: 3 Commentary

Angel,

Neither Candace nor I are suggesting that God has stopped speaking through the mouths of prophets in the present Age. However, I find nothing in the NT to even suggest that God has given anyone the “office” of a prophet. Prophesy takes place in the churches all the time but it is wrong to conclude that certain people possess the “office” of a prophet. Such a notion is akin to the gross error in the Catholic church that says the Pope speaks Ex Cathedra (as the mouth of God). Besides that, such prophets would have to be stoned by congregants if/when the “official” prophet speaks in error.

The coming of Elijah and the Two Witnesses will definitely speak the words of God with great authority and power but the “office” of a prophet has gone the very same way that the “offices” of King and Priest have gone (and surely, we don’t need any kings or priests in the churches)! That being said, I firmly believe that all three of these “offices” will return to Israel just prior to or during Daniel’s 70th week.

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/27/2012 15:51 pm

TO ALL:

you say the office of the prophets is over; yet there must be a prophet to come in the gentile dispensation to lead us back to the one true father in heaven and also to reveal GOD’S one true word so that we may be taken back to the original faith of the apostles and the prophets. for this gentile prophet must reveal all the mysteries within the holy bible that man made dogmas of the world have injected into every church to lead us a stray from GOD.

for the gentile church age has two word prophets; paul who started the gentile church age and it shall end with a word prophet; in our gentile church age. two prophets after the death of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. the two witnesses to our gentile dispensation.

malachi 4:5-6:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

for you see this is before the great tribulation which is clearly our time; the gentile dispensation; the laodicean church age. when our LORD JESUS CHRIST comes; for his bride in the gentile church age; in the air before that horrible and dreadful day of the great tribulation.

just as candace said; and just as GOD’S HOLY LIVING WORD SAYS; every word of GOD is two sided. for there are the black words of GOD for all to see and then there are the white words of GOD that must be revealed through the holy spirit of GOD.

for GOD’S order of things must follow the same for the jews as well as the gentiles; hence the scriptures that state that the old testament is a shadow of the new testament. for GOD is true, faithful, and unchanging. doesn’t the holy bible; GOD’S HOLY LIVING WORD; state this as well.

and also lets review revelations 10:7:

revelations 10:7:
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel ( gentile prophet ), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he ( GOD ) hath declared to his servants the prophets.

so this is a prophet in our church age just as the HOLY WORD OF GOD has stated. and in case you have not noticed; this is the seventh angel; of the seventh church age; which is the laodicea church.

lets see if we are also this church age spoken of in revelation 3:14-22.

revelation 3:14-22:
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

so this is a prophet in our church age just as the HOLY WORD OF GOD has stated. and in case you have not noticed; this is the seventh angel; of the seventh church age; which is the laodicea church; which is a gentile prophet from GOD.

for the truth is; the very message of this hour is this prophecy of a gentile prophet to the laodicean church age which is our time. and this prophet shall and will be as the days of old. a vessel and a voice of GOD with all the signs and wonders.

revelation 1:20:
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

and when this laodicean church age is through; which is the gentile dispensation age; the rapture shall then take place of meeting our LORD JESUS CHRIST in the air ( church with oil ) while the rest of the gentiles( the rest of the church with no oil ) trod down at the outer gates of the temple.

then the two witnesses ( moses and elijah ) come down to minister during the great tribulation to the bride within the jews who shall and will accept the atonement of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; and then we return back with our LORD JESUS CHRIST from the marriage feast at the second coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; on earth once again to establish the millennium.

did you know the spirit of elijah gets used 5 times. count for yourself that the spirit of elijah gets used 5 times if you don’t believe me. i will show you and you research it yourselves.

1. elijah himself
2. elisha the double portion of elijah’s ministry
3. john the baptist; he who cries out from the wilderness; stated by our LORD JESUS CHRIST that john was the spirit of elijah
4. the gentile prophet prophesied by malachi for the laodicean church age; the gentile dispensation
5. elijah himself once again on earth as one of the two witnesses with the same ministry for it never changes

and as for the scripture of the day of the prophets being over, that was for the jews for a brief time; for the LORD JESUS CHRIST was at hand. but it shall return back to the jews once the two witnesses return to minister of the atonement made for them.

think about all this for a moment and truly study it. be open and see whether it is true to GOD’S HOLY LIVING WORD.

By angel (wrote 245 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/27/2012 08:20 am

Where has this Scott Dale been????

By Candace (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/27/2012 06:59 am

THE WORDS OF A MAN WHO WAS SIDETRACKED FROM THE BIBLE, JESUS AND GOD. Here Charles! Here Charles! A rich supply of poisonous spirits to make you happy! Would you agree with Mark Twain, hmm Charles? The athEIsts thinks he is with them, are you with them?
source: http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/twain.htm

To trust the God of the Bible is to trust an irascible, vindictive, fierce and ever fickle and changeful master; to trust the true God is to trust a Being who has uttered no promises, but whose beneficent, exact, and changeless ordering of the machinery of His colossal universe is proof that He is at least steadfast to His purposes; whose unwritten laws, so far as the affect man, being equal and impartial, show that he is just and fair; these things, taken together, suggest that if he shall ordain us to live hereafter, he will be steadfast, just and fair toward us. We shall not need to require anything more.
– Mark Twain, from Albert Bigelow Paine, Mark Twain, a Biography (1912), quoted from Barbara Schmidt, ed,

God’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.
– Mark Twain, Notebook

What God lacks is convictions — stability of character. He ought to be a Presbyterian or a Catholic or something — not try to be everything.
– Mark Twain, Notebook, quoted from Barbara Schmidt

There has been only one Christian. They caught him and crucified him — early.
– Mark Twain, Notebook (1898)

. the swindle of life and the treachery of a God that can create disease and misery and crime — create things that men would be condemned for creating– that men would be ashamed to create.
– Mark Twain, quoted in Isabel Lyon’s Journal (February 2, 1906), quoted from Barbara Schmidt, ed

When one reads Bibles, one is less surprised at what the Deity knows than at what He doesn’t know.
– Mark Twain, Mark Twain’s Notebook

It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies.
– Mark Twain, Letters From the Earth (1909?; published in 1962)

God, so atrocious in the Old Testament, so attractive in the New — the Jekyl and Hyde of sacred romance.
– Mark Twain, Notebook (1904)

Comment: When I was a boy I think like a boy but becoming a man…i must now think as a man…as a boy I thought of crocodiles, mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches as pest and nuisance…but becoming a man I now see they those pest like Athiest-are neccesary for the balance of things! the balance of the ecosystem-( both physical…and now spiritual?).So here is a song for fools like me and probably you, from Russ Tuff “Farther On”.

I hear you have a soft spot
For fools and little children
And I’m glad
‘Cause I’ve been both of those
I shook my fist up toward the sky
And at most of those who love me
A frightened angry boy
In grown-up clothes

Chorus:
But a father’s eye
Can always see right through
And a father’s heart
Can tell when tears are true
Now I’m standing on this road
Your hand has brought me to
Your faithful love will lead me
Farther on

Life sure has its choices
You left those choices to me
And I’m glad
But sometimes I feel caught
It’s hard to know which bridge to cross
And which bridge I should be burning
I long to learn
But I’m so slow at being taught

By TIUCHE (wrote 2827 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 11/26/2011 04:58 am

Scott……Well said….exhilarating even! I so enjoy the way you process & deliver your thoughts. You possess a great understanding of the trial, tribulations, elation & lonliness of this gift as though you have walked in it? I try to be extremely cautious & careful….maybe too much at times. Thank You, Lord, I’m not required to engage too often.

Rick Joyner recently had a dream that he found quite distribuing. As he wrestled w/ the Lord to understand, he knew it was for the Body of Christ. W/ trepidation, he released it. You might want to look that up.
Rick has had many visions & dreams from the Lord that have come to pass so his track record is good.
Another one I trust is John Paul Jackson because he truly does have a tender heart toward God’s people & for the lost. His testimony is quite incredible. He released a very hard word the end of 2008 as God had given him a very clear vision for the next few yrs. These are starting to come to pass now. More is on the way. I feel if the Lord is warning His people for some very difficult times ahead, it behooves us to listen. If Joseph had not been obedient to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, all, including his family would have perished.
I believe there is a monsterous Jezebel spirit in the Church today which drives the prophet of God out & refuses to hear. Most want a message that will “tickle their ears” & refuse repentance or coming to terms w/ secret sin etc. I slso believe that’s part of the reason the Church, for the most part, is so impotent. Father, have mercy on us.

I am pleased that you recognize that any saint is a “candidate” to hear God’s word & speak it as He wills. Being tuned into the voice of God through humility can powerfully change lives. Step out of that humility & true anointing & it becomes somewhat a sideshow. And I have witnessed the hoopla & ceromoney surrounding the coming of a “big name” prophet to a local church. Few are really changed & many become conference junkies seeking another & yet another “word” from God.
But I am extremely grateful to those God IS using in this hour & I’ve been blessed to hear these moving in motivating admonishments on occassion. I pray God will never be silent & will always have a trusted servant that will speak “His” heart to a desperate people. There is much fear taking root all over our nation. Many w/out jobs & homeless & recent tragedies such as Japan has them just plan scared. I am so thankful for God’s Word & His prophets of old that have told us ahead of time & the prophets He has raised up now to comfort & admonish. I am also grateful too, that we aren’t walking in fear & the Lord is using us to help those that are.

Thank you for the concise explanation about distant & future peophecies that didn’t result in that prophet being put to death. Very well said. And I do agree on prophecies like Jer 31:31 being for the Jew but wasn’t Luke 22:20 for them as well as we Gentiles who have been grafted in? So many of the Jews did & still do reject their Messiah.
And I have found that a number of prophecies have a dual fulfillment. Just “one” example is in Matt 24….Jesus was discribing the the destruction of the temple (not one stone left upon another) That would be happening in the near future but then he went on to warn of great trib. like has never been seen & the abomination of desolation which Daniel speaks of for the “last days”. The Word of God is mighty & awesome thing! I hate to call it a “thing”. It was made Flesh & dwelt among us after all.

My prayer is as yours…..have mercy on us, Father, that we continue to really “hear” what the prophets of old are speaking to us yet today. May we have spirtual ears to hear & may our spiritual eyes be open.
Write the book Candace

By Candace S (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 4/2/2011 08:04 am

Candace,

Our conversations regarding prophecy and prophets will only touch the tip of the iceberg. Our theme verse above is about the avoidance of deception; therefore, we have great latitude on the subject but it’s impossible to be exhaustive. Hopefully, between the two of us, we will answer more questions than we raise!

Regarding modern day prophets; you mention babies and bathwater and rightly so. It is no more prudent to carelessly “throw them out together” than it is to impulsively unsheathe the sword of God’s word just because you’re in possession of it. A prophet who lacks this kind of discernment will likely be stoned before his time! I trust you are more careful than that. What I have said regarding these modern prophets, I say in generality. Surely there are men and woman prophets of like mind and spirit and we need each other for mutual encouragement because it is such a lonely road; but the dominion of the prophets and the prophetic are Satan’s playground more than any other in the Church. Everything common to human power and pride dwells in it and he dances and skips along laughing through most of it.., that is, until he runs into a truly anointed prophet who bears the scars.

Perhaps it would be good to distinguish a couple of things. Are all the gifts of the Spirit still in operation today? I believe they are. Are there counterfeits? Always. Even the gift of hospitality can be counterfeited. But as mentioned previously, the spiritual Gift is only part of the equation. The proper time and place are the other part and they are equally important. A person possessing the gift of Hospitality who goes around imposing her “gift” on others is clearly abusing it; “See how hospitable I am?” So in reality, the True gift is not displayed at all. Each gift must be in the proper place and time and void of hypocrisy in order to be tested as genuine. How much more this is true of prophecy. Counterfeit hospitality may make me somewhat uncomfortable for a brief time; but counterfeit prophecy may change my entire life!

You mention the “office” of a prophet. I’m glad you personally reject this notion. I believe the gift has been given because the office is gone. The unique trinity (small t) of the prophet, priest and king was given to a chosen family with an incredible destiny among all the nations of men. Even the “office” of a prophet in the context of national Israel was really only in existence for a particular part of their history and during that time there were many unnamed prophets who never even “graduated” from “high school”. I’m fairly sure that some of these immature prophets were stoned right along with the genuinely false prophets because their word did not come to pass. The point is, the time and place was unique. If you speak a word into someone’s life personally, are you going to do it where others can overhear it? No. Are you going to do it at a time when that person is vulnerable and attentive? Hopefully, yes. In other words; you are not going to speak your word from a Sunday School podium; nor are you going to publish it in a book that you will promote on the next Prophecy Tour. If God gives you a word for an individual or even a church body, you must always and only give it in the context of your relationship. If the prophet has nothing to lose, I question the motivation and therefore the source.

In this age, there is no need for an “office”; each individual saint is a candidate for carrying a prophetic word. This is what disturbs me about the many “free spirited” Christians who see no need for affiliating with a local church by actually becoming a member and developing a deep relationship to it. It disturbs me also that the churches tolerate and even cater to these “regular attenders”. How often are these individuals tempted to criticize the very church they are only attending! They will “identify” with the church when it is to their advantage but when it comes to bearing any of the collective burden they prefer to stand aloof yet are often quick to offer unsolicited “advice”. To me, these individuals are merely gossips of which I’m certain there is neither “office” nor “gift”. Yet, many modern “prophets” function the same way. They claim “anointing” but reject “accountability”. Our churches are only weaker because of this.

On the other hand, if these individuals were to walk in true commitment and love before their brethren, I believe the gift of prophesy that Paul speaks of would return and idle words of gossip would be exchanged for words that edify. The tongue controlled by the Spirit WILL prophesy (edify); without the Spirit it will only gossip for the tongue MUST speak.

Lastly, concerning the prophets who were not stoned yet whose words did not come to pass, a couple of things come to mind. First, the crowd is always “fickle”. A prophet can be stoned whether his words come to pass or not. It’s one of the intrinsic hazards of the job. However, there is also a difference between prophesying near events and distant events. Daniel’s 70 7’s were clearly future and beyond the span of his lifetime; plus, it was a prophecy couched within much symbolism making the interpretation much more difficult to discern. But a “this time tomorrow” declaration would certainly land a prophet in hot water if he were wrong. Also, we need to learn the language of the prophets before attempting to judge them. For instance, when they preface their prophecy with “In that Day..,” we should understand that it is a reference to the future Day of the Lord and NOT a day concerning their immediate context; therefore, the timing is significantly different. Even Jeremiah 31:31 is NOT a reference to the new covenant we have in Christ; rather it is referencing a covenant with the Jews that is STILL future.

As I’ve said before, the prophets of old are still speaking but do we have ears to hear what they are saying? If I were to ever write a book, it would not be a commentary on ancient prophecies; tempting as it is. Rather, it would be on HOW to hear what the prophets have already spoken. But even that would get twisted

God bless

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/30/2011 15:34 pm

Oh…Scott, I have one more question/comment that is bothering me. About prohets of the OT being stoned if their prophecy was deemed false. The “proof” is that the prophecy comes true. My question, & believe me this has gnawed at me for quite some time, many, most of the prophecies have taken yrs, decades & centuries even to come to pass. We are Still waiting on ancient prophecies to reach their fulfillment. How then could these false prophets be stoned?????? I’m quite perplexed!

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/30/2011 09:00 am

Scott….I weep now. Your words hold such wisdom, power even. I don’t take them lightly & I cherish the truth they bear. I’ve never uttered a “word” w/out the sacrifice it requires before a Holy God. Many words I haven’t wanted to give & the struggle ensues. I am very wary to release anything lest it not be of God. The turmoil is great & more than I can explain to you. Do I claim to hold the office of a Prophet? NO, I do not nor do I think I want to. The responsibility is humongous!
What I do think I’ve experienced because of it’s episodic nature, is the willingness to be “used” of God for ones He’s put in my path that have need. Am I perfect in it’s execution? No, not always but I am obedient.

You didn’t really answer my question about Paul’s admonition to desire spiritual gifts, but especially to prophesy. (I Cor 14:1) Are these gifts not still in operation for the edifying, building up etc of the Church today? Don’t we need all the gifts in operation?
I agree that many, maybe most have misuse their gift or office for the accolades of men & to profit from such giftings. But I refuse to throw the baby out w/ the bath water & deem them all as false prophets & being used of Satan. I would much rather extend them grace, pray for them & heed the words of warning as I seek the Lord myself & His word for guidance.
Yes, that Word is sharper than any two-edged sword & most definitely one must learn to wield it w/ humility, love & accuracy before one can truly be trusted & used by God.
Again, I have thoroughly enjoyed your giftng in so eloquently articulating your thoughts & God’s Word. And now I must say….you need to write 2 books. Thank you, Scott….I am well edified
In His Grip, Candace I am most deeply touched by your sentiment concerning God’s silence….it’s been most painful to bear.

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/30/2011 08:40 am

Candace,

Your last two posts (49 and 50) are begging for a response. I hope I’m up to the task but where to begin? I suppose I should begin with the one addressed to me (#50).

First of all, I’m sure I don’t have to instruct you regarding the importance and significance of Matthew 5:11-12; but let me refresh us both. These brief, succinct verses are both a comfort and a warning to those who have been gifted to not only have ears to hear the voice of God but who have also been given a mouth to speak in his name. The comfort is in the form of a wonderful promise of great reward in verse 12. But this comfort is only given because of the nature of the warning that precedes it in verse 11. A warning that speaks of the great evil that must be endured if the reward is to be realized. And, I might add, if the given prophecy is to accomplish God’s purpose.

In other words, the life of a prophet is at once terrifying and edifying; destructive and redemptive. It is marked by mourning and singing; dying and rising. No prophet who is mature in Christ would deny these things for they are the very language of the Spirit of prophecy. To know these things qualifies no one to be a prophet. The qualifications belong only to those who actually embrace them. But there is much more.

The preceding was for the purposes of foundation only. At this point I presume we are on the same page. But the practical outworking of this Gifting is neither easy to understand nor does it find consensus among the body of Christ. Therefore, I believe it is prudent to examine the lives of the OT prophets because through them we can glean many helpful principles of which we can only consider a few.

To begin, Isaiah 55:11 will always be true of the prophet who has really heard the voice of God AND speaks it at the proper time and place. God’s word is a double-edged sword and no matter which way it is sent or which way it is received, it will cut! The very same word that is intended to bring life to the believer will also bring death to the unbeliever. Always remember that each of the prophets suffered rejection at one time or another. (The testimony of Jonah was exceptional; but then, he wasn’t prophesying to God’s stiff-necked people either)!

But consider the care the prophet must have in order to truly hear the voice of God. Carefulness in the word and prayer; careful to not grieve the Holy Spirit; careful to have pure motives and be attentive to the times and seasons; and careful to know the message of God beyond a shadow of doubt because the message is a great sword that has the power to slay; therefore it must be wielded very wisely.

This is the point of greatest difficulty for the prophet of God: How and when to unsheathe the sword? We could learn a few things from James on this point for if the “tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body” for the average Christian, how much more can it be a “world of evil” in the mouth of a prophet among the Body of Christ? In other words, if the prophet has been careful to hear the voice of God; how much MORE careful must he or she be to speak the word of God? For if you think Satan can lay a snare for the prophet in hearing the voice of God; he can lay ten times that many for speaking the word of God.

(I’ll end on the following point because this post is getting too long). This is where the so-called prophets today fail to convince me of their calling. They speak in the wrong places and at the wrong times. They claim to speak with authority but they betray their authority through their lack of responsibility and accountability. A “prophet” who goes about publicly proclaiming and publishing the “word of God” is no different than a bull in a china shop. A sword is NOT for indiscriminate slashing. It is for specific and surgical cutting. If God has prepared the prophet to speak, He has also prepared an audience to hear. How often the prophecies are cast like pearls before swine! Why were the prophets of old stoned to death if their prophecies failed? Because they dared to speak in the place of God Himself! And why did go put his reputation at risk in the mouths of certain men? Because those men had fully and completely identified with God AND the people of God! In other words, if the prophet spoke judgment to the city or the nation; he included himself in that judgment! The first credential of a true prophet is the evidence of an intercessor! I’m sick of the plethora of modern day “prophets” who stand apart from those they prophesy against. Those who have their pictures and profiles plastered on slick promotionals advertising the next sensational prophecy conference blah blah blah! If these conferences were simply calls to repentance and intercessory prayer I would commend it; but they have become far more than that and Satan loves it just like he loved the vastly more popular prophets of Baal.

Candace, you ask if I “truly think you are on a dangerous path”. I will ask you; don’t YOU know that you are truly on a dangerous path? Don’t you realize that a prophet of God is a dead man? He must be dead to himself that God may use him for if he is not, God will kill him. Is not an intercessor by definition a dead man? Yes, you are on a very dangerous path; especially if you give much attention to the modern day prophets. Please believe me, they will not build you up; rather, they will water you down to their level. Reject them. Go into your closet and shut the door. You have a gift from God regarding these things; don’t let it get corrupted. If you hear, then cherish that word and let it incubate. God will ordain the time to speak it. If the word is rejected and not met with faith, you must be able to accept it and go back into your closet. If it is accepted, you face a greater temptation toward pride and the only safe thing to do is turn and run back to your closet yet again.

The modern day prophets are too well known. They love the attention. But you must be unknown except to the One who dwells with you in the sanctuary of prayer.

BTW; if God is currently silent in your prayer closet, I can only imagine it’s because he too is weeping. A prophet must be able to accept not only the voice of God by faith; but the silence of God as well. The veil will soon be lifted.

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/30/2011 05:25 am

Scott……….I too have heard the voice of God’s direction & now when I need it the most….He is silent. Maybe it’s the grief? Maybe I haven’t heard Him at all??? A hard time of testing.

My other thought was if you hear & get direction & I think I’ve heard & obeyed, why can’t these other men of God be hearing Him speak to the Body of Christ for these hard days ahead???? Paul said in (I Cor 14:1) “follow after love & desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy”. & (ICor 14:39)…”Wherefore, brethren, COVET to prophesy & forbid not to speak in tongues.” Is Paul not admonishing us to seek the best gift & prophesy? Does not the Church desperately need direction in perilous times?
God has appointed apostles, prophets, pastors & teachers, miracle workers, gifts of healing, helps etc. for the equipping & building up of the Church.(ICor 14:12) I do not discredit the prophets of old in any way….we need every word God has given & will give.

I know many teach & believe all these gifts have ceased & we don’t need them anymore, but to me we need all these gifts & offices more than ever! They are for our children & our children’s children & all those afar off & as MANY as the Lord, God will call” (Acts 2:38.39) And why do I feel so strongly that these gifts are still very active today & the sign of the infilling of the H.S is tongues??? Because when I asked God for more of Him, not knowing of tongues, I began speaking in this heavenly language & it has only grown in my yrs walking w/ the Lord.( this is NOT the same tongues as in “the gift of tongues & interpretation”) I was given the gift of prophecy several yrs ago & every word, I stepped out on water & gave, has come to pass. We walk in agape & treat our brethren w/ a supernatural love that I KNOW is not from me! I’m not capable of that kind of love especially when wounded to the core by so called brethren. I thank God that He liberally gives to those that ask. These signs shall follow those that believe. (Mk 16:17)

I also know I gave a list of “many” that claim to hear from God so you would see it’s not just one or 2. I feared you’d reprimand me if I quoted only 1 maybe 2 & say…what validity is that?
I don’t feel I am going astray, following after every false prophet. We try each & every spirit, ask God for His direction, line all up w/ His word etc, etc. And as my husband said….if we’ve heard wrong & there’s no need to prepare for the hard times coming, then our “sin” is we’ve stock piled some food, water & necessities. Not that we’re deceived & in danger of falling into great deception & apostasy.

Scott, if you truly think I’m on a dangerous path, will you pray for me???
I have another suggestion that I think might be from the Lord for you. Over & over, I was receiving this word until my precious sister died. Here it goes……….”Ask Scott, when is he going to write that book? His increase & provision will come from his obedience to trust Me & write it.”
Scott, I’ll be 1st in line to purchase a copy. Ask God for the title. Everyone is curious about endtimes & many more will be in fear & they will find comfort & truth. In His Grip…..Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/23/2011 07:27 am

Jayant………..I’ve got a few minutes & thank you for your patience:)
Good questions, you’re a thinker.
Very little of our religious ritual we’ve inherited from the Catholic Church, instituted around 400AD, resembles The Word of God given to the Jews including God’s Holy Convocations.(appointments w/ God). In it’s hatred of the Jews or antisemitism, the Catholic Church managed to eradicate our Hebrew roots & replaced God’s Feasts with pagan holidays & all these centuries later, we’re still crawing out from under that deception & the dark ages themsleves.
If we can get back to God’s Holy Convocations, we, as the Church will have so much more revelation concerning His times & seasons.

For the Jews, Passover is “remembering” how God delivered them from bondage. They are to remember every year on Nisan 14 through the 22nd these 4 things: 1)I will bring you out. 2) I will deliver you. 3) I will redeem you. & 4) I will take you as My people. Ex 6:6-7
The 3 feasts of Passover are the types & shadows fulfilled when Y’shua came as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, The Bread of Heaven & the Firstfruits i.e. “the firstbotn of many brethren” (Ro 8:29) This is our “legal” forgivenesss of sin & our reconciliation back to the Father. We’re legally saved but we don’t walk in experiencial sinlessness.

Next Feast is Pentecost i.e. 50 days after firstfruits. 1st Pentecost, Mt Sinai the law was given. Antitype: Y’shua’s command 40 days after His resurrection………”you are to wait in Jerusalem until you are endued w/ power from on high” (Luke 24:49) On the 50th day they were filled w/ the H.S. & spoke in new tongues…..now we walk in “the Spirit of the Law”.

None can enter into the Last & most Glorious Feast until we’ve come thru the previous. God’s feasts are progressive & we are being matured & changed as we embrace each one. There’s no Pentecost w/out Passover No Tabernacles w/out Pentecost…we MUST be baptized with the Holy Ghost or we don’t walk in the power. In Hebrew this baptism is liturally our engagement ring…”the earnest or down payment of our inheritance” to come & it’s when we are “sealed” as a Bride to her Bridegroom.(Eph 1:13, 4:30; Song of Sol 8:6)

About your question concerning “why do we need the Feast of Atonement if we received Passover? The 3 feasts of Tabernacles are the only feast left that have not had the antitype.
The Feast of Trumpets is the ingathering of the Bride of Christ. The Feast of Atonement or At-ONE-ment is the true coming together as the mature Body of Christ(a Bride w/out spot of wrinkle) befitting His perfect Head, walking in unconditional love & doing the greater works He spoke of in (Jn 14:12)
Atonement in the O.T. bought the Israelites forgiveness of sin for the coming yr. In it’s fulfillment it will bring the Bride into “Experiencial Sinlessness” forever. This is the Fruit Harvest (grapes & olives; wine & oil) A sweet fragrance unto God & the walking in perfection just prior to the Rapture.(Matt 5:48; IPet 1:16) A fragrance our Groom can not resist & the Father tells His Son…go fetch Your Bride.(Song of Sol 4:1 & 1:4) Only the Father knows the day & hour He sends His Son to collect His Bride(Matt 24:36) BUT we DO KNOW the Season if we understand God’s Feasts!

The reason for not knowing the “day or hour” is because The Feast of Tabernacles could not begin until the 1st sliver of the new moon became visible.(no one knows the day or hour that first sliver will appear) Two witnesses sat on the wall during the “season” or month of the antiscipated feast & at it’s first sign, they began to call ALL of Israel, blowing the trumpets (the Feast of Trumpets) to come to Jerusalem for God’s Great Feast is beginning! We are to come into the Issachar anointing (I Chron 12:32)understanding the times & seasons.

So it shall be w/ the fullness of Atonement or At-One-ment & Tabernacling w/ the Father & the Son in the Feast of Booths i.e. temporary dwelling which sigifies we are sojourners, pilgrims…in the world but not of the world.(Jn 15:19)
Hope this helps, God’s Blessings……………Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/22/2011 07:29 am

Thank you, Candance. Take your own time.

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/20/2011 13:13 pm

Hi Jayant, I’ve been consumed w/ a myriad of obligations. I promise you, I have the answers to your questions & as time permits, I will address them. I ask for grace. Soon, my brother, I will engage. Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/19/2011 19:00 pm

Well, I am eager to have some response to my post #43

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/19/2011 08:47 am

Scott…….I’ve missed you & your expertise in debate. I’ll get back to you when I can. Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/19/2011 06:47 am

Candace,

You said; “I was wondering if you ever feel you hear the voice of God & if you’ve ever received direction from Him?”

The short answer is yes and yes.

A longer answer is dependent on just what you are specifically getting at because the essence of your question is seeking a fundamentally subjective response and there are many aspects to consider. In what aspect were you wondering? Why do you ask the question?

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/19/2011 04:00 am

i have a point on Candance post # 4 and 5:

Candance has pointed out that since Jesus sacrificial death took place exactly on 14Th of the Nisan and that the coming of the Holy Spirit took place on exactly the 50Th day, the other feasts should likewise be fulfilled.The other feasts in the sequence are the feast of trumpets, feast of atonement ( When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once in a year for making propitiation of the sins of the people)and then the feast of tabernacles. Now if we take the first two feasts of passover and the Pentecost fulfilled on the exact days of 24 hrs, how are to apply the same calculation to the last remaining feasts?

Secondly, Jesus did go to the Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood before His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. But the feast of the atonement is after Pentecost or even after the feast of the trumpets, How are we to explain this?

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/18/2011 16:49 pm

Scott, I was wondering if you ever feel you hear the voice of God & if you’ve ever received direction from Him?
Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/18/2011 06:49 am

Chris……….thank you for the sweet spirit I sense. I will comment when I can. Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/15/2011 06:14 am

“@Scott: Without at all wanting to sound confrontational, don’t reject the possibility that God may indeed begin raising up true modern-day prophets once again.”

Chris,

You don’t sound confrontational and I certainly don’t take it that way; however, the point is worth discussing.

I have no doubt that God will raise up “true” modern day prophets. Revelation 11 pretty much indicates that He will. But as yet, I only see visionaries; and I don’t see where visionaries speak with the authority of God. If Rick Joyner and company are functioning as true “prophets”, then we can expect to see the power of the prophets resting on them. Again, I appeal to Rev. 11 as an example of what that would be like. But even Revelation 11 is a poor example because the two “witnesses” (prophets) are raised up during Daniel’s 70th week specifically for the nation of Israel; NOT THE CHURCH!

The office of the prophet was far more than just making predictions about what is to come. Like I said before, the collective voices of ALL the prophets are still speaking today; so why do we need a modern day “prophet” to tell us what the ancient prophets have already said? Where are the credentials of these modern day prophets? Are they prophets because a lot of people say so? Are they prophets because they speak with undeniable power and authority? Are there not demons who speak with great power and authority as well?

If the church today has trouble understanding what the ancient prophets have said about the age we are now in; then keep your modern day prophets and just give us good BIBLE TEACHERS filled with the Holy Spirit who know how to rightly divide the word of truth.

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/12/2011 08:28 am

Greetings, all! I was brousing the internet looking for that endofamerica38 site, and came across yours in the process.

@Roland G: I agree, Roland. There are still a LOT of things that need to take place before the rise of the Antichrist, and return of the Lord.

@Candace: I wouldn’t put any of those other names you mentioned on the same parallel with Rick Joyner, but he IS one man I do consider to be a true modern prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. The things he put in print in the book “The Harvest” over 30 years ago are proving to be extremely accurate now, and I believe they will continue to do so all the more in the future. Since you are familiar with him, read through that entire book. Many, MANY prophetic events he outlines in the book have not even come close to being fulfilled yet. Just draw confidence from the fact that all the signs prove out we are indeed getting CLOSER to that day (though it is still a long, long way off yet).

@Scott: Without at all wanting to sound confrontational, don’t reject the possibility that God may indeed begin raising up true modern-day prophets once again.

God bless you all. And if I never have the chance to post again, I hope to see you all in Heaven.

Chris

By Chris (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/11/2011 23:35 pm

Let no one deceive you. The day of Christ shall not occur except that a falling away from one’s Christian faith occurs first. And, the man of sin, that is, the Antichrist, the son of ruin and damnation, reveals himself. Paul, Silas, and Timothy tell us not to worry about the return of Jesus Christ in the previous verse. Certain events must take place before Jesus returns.

By Roland G (wrote 1441 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/10/2011 21:14 pm

You heard & you answered. These words are the most comforting that have been spoken in these past difficult days…………….thank you

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/7/2011 15:52 pm

Dear Candace,

I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister in Christ. Sufferings come through many things not the least being the sufferings of others; and so we share each other’s burdens. Your sister’s sufferings are now over and she is at rest but your suffering continues and you will no doubt carry it until you are re-united with her again; though the pain will diminish in time.

Psalm 116 says; “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”. Although you and others are suffering loss through this; God will NOT suffer loss; rather, He will use your sister’s passing for great gain and His own glory. As John 9 says; “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed”.

I know you will endure this trial; indeed we are all destined for more of the same, yet we shall also grow stronger as we persevere looking forward to That Day. Cry your tears dear one, and continue to wait on God. He will comfort you until the crushing loss is behind you. Then, allow yourself to be comforted by your own loved ones as you had been a comfort to your dear friend and sister.

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/7/2011 14:18 pm

Hi Scott…sorry I didn’t read more carefully who had posted #32.(so sorry Martha) We’ve been in the fire as well on many levels. I’ve just lost my dearest most delightful friend & sister in the Lord. She’s battled the most ruthless, aggressive form of Leukemia known to medicine & all through her battle she just knew she had destiny yet to be fulfilled & she rested in “by His stripes you were healed”. 1 Pet 2:24 We had prayed, fasted, interceded & did all we knew to do….but today she has slipped into the arms of her Beloved. I am devastated, feeling quite hopeless & very much like an orphan. Eventually I will right myself & truth will prevail but right now……..
I will always have an ear to hear the wisdom you bring. I have come to know & appreciate your knowledge & love of God’s Word. I appreciate your input & would dearly love to know more about the “real” fulfillment of Matt 24:32-34. I’ve not come across this teaching in my 30 yr walk w/ Y’shua.
I would also like to comment on following false prophets etc but not right now….this is just too hard to bear at this time. Much Agape….you can count on me.

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/7/2011 07:05 am

Candace,

Your last post #33 is addressed to me but it sounds like you’re responding to post #32 which I did not write. However, I don’t think you’ll mind if I respond now.

True enough that times are getting tougher. Everyone I know is feeling it in some way; even to the testing of their faith. Our own business has suffered considerably and nearly every cushion, save Jesus, is gone. But I must say that I’m a little taken aback by your posting. You seem to be placing an inordinate amount of attention on what certain men are saying. I counted more than 10 different names in your post. I’m not suggesting that you should ignore any promptings to “be prepared” but I fear by doing so, you may fall into the very trap that our verse above is warning against:

“Let NO man deceive you by ANY means..,”

Candace, I implore you to get back into the study of eschatology ON YOUR OWN. These so-called “prophets” that you say God has raised up will only lead you down the path of destruction. Let them GO. They have no anointing whatsoever as spokesmen for God. Who do you think Paul was referring to when he said; “NO man”? Do you not know he was speaking of those IN THE CHURCH? I promise you that it won’t be those OUTSIDE the church that will try and deceive. The deceiver’s themselves are deceived! Turn the radio and TV off; stay away from the Christian bookstores and tear up the flyers for the next “Anointed Prophets Conference”. These are nothing but distractions intended to keep you from hearing the voice of God. You say:

“it’s truly coming to pass & we will go through the 1st 3.5 yrs of tribulation. Let us watch & pray that we be counted worthy to “escape” the last 3.5 yrs of God’s Wrath.”

This statement tells me that you have swallowed a very serious error concerning what is to come. Apparently, you’ve been feeding on this diet for quite a while. There is no shortage of purveyors of this tripe; but they are very good at making it appetizing. I grant you that there are many signs taking place right now but there is not a single one that suggest Revelation 6:1 is at hand.

Please take a deep breath and get back into this study because if I were a prophet, I would warn you that you are in danger of experiencing the very thing you so hope to avoid.

You have also quoted a very popular interpretation regarding the blossoming of the fig tree; but this interpretation, as popular as it is, is terribly wrong. Do you not know that national Israel is yet destined to lose the land again BEFORE messiah comes? The fig tree has NOT YET BLOSSOMED! The nation “born in a day” has NOT YET OCCURRED. The things that are currently happening in Israel ARE fulfilling prophecies; but not the ones most people think. Perhaps you’ve written me off at this point; but if you haven’t, I invite you again to continue investigating. You have rightly said that;

“God does nothing unless He tells His prophets first. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secrets to His servant, the prophet.” Amos 3:7.

But it seems that you are applying this verse to modern day “prophets”. This would be a dreadful mistake! Amos is STILL speaking today! So is Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Moses and ALL the others including Jesus. Does God need ANOTHER prophet in our day to interpret what his TRULY anointed prophets have already proclaimed?? NO!

Please consider what I am saying to you. You are attempting to enter through the wide gate and you are missing the narrow gate. Keep in mind that the vast majority of Christians are totally apathetic to these things. They are not trying to enter AT ALL. But those Christians who ARE trying to enter most often get caught in the flow leading to the wide gate. You must purposely swim AGAINST this current and find the narrow gate. Keep in mind that the gateway Jesus is speaking of is NOT the gate to salvation; it is the gate to the Kingdom and these are NOT the same thing.

By Scott Dale (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/7/2011 06:29 am

Scott, good to hear from your. Yes, we believe this to be very accurate & on target. It has “everything” to do w/ God’s Word & the wrap of this age. We’ve been following Fox News Channel for over 4yrs now & all of what this guy is telling us on “end of America 44.com” is exactly what’s been unfolding on FOX. Very few news channels have been willing to present us w/ the real facts & FOX get’s plenty of resistance. I would suggest you start listening to “The Glenn Beck” show, Bill O’Riley & “Hannity”. Everything they are broadcasting has already been spoken by God’s prophets for these last days. “God does nothing unless He tells His prophets first.”Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secrets to His servent, the prophet.” Amos 3:7.

If you’ve listened to any of the prophets God has raised up for these last days, you will have been hearing all of this & more. Why or how can these things be happening you might say…….”the generation that sees Israel restored as a nation will not pass away until all these things have come to pass.” Matt 24:30-34. We ARE that generation!

If I may & you haven’t already, I’d like to suggest listening to or purchasing DVDs or books from John Paul Jackson (The Coming Perfect Storm); Rick Joyner just had a troubling dream & experience & it’s available on his DVD (Will America Survive 2011); Perry Stone & or Bill Cloud discus the coming tribulation & the Islamic Mahdi being revealed… (anitchrist)2 Thes 2:3. Joe Vancovering hosts a yearly conference called “International Prophetic Conference”. That is loaded will awesome teaching about the days we’re entering into. Gary Kah has some of the best information on the Middle East & the trouble brewing. Check into Randy DeMain for taking dominion in these last days. His book “Dominion Surges” is quite wonderful & is an easy & fast read full of decrees & declarations to “take the Kingdom by force”!
Tribulation is bearing down upon us & our economy is about to cave. Our government has been pushing for a one world order for many decades now & we’re about to see it. The world is clamoring for a one world currency & when we go down w/ our worthless money, the new currecy will be ushered in. China is demanding a new currencey because they don’t trust us to pay even our huge interest due them let alone pay our trillion dollars of debt!
Not only is the total collapse of our nation fast approaching but weather, geology & the demonic is escalating just like Y’shua has warned in Matt 24.
I offered a website for you to check out about the coming solar storms. NASA has predicted they will begin in 2011 & go through 2013 w/ the largest flares hitting our electro-magnetic sphere in recored history & they will wreck havoc on both hemispheres, knocking out satelites, transformers & electricity, battieris etc. for up to 3 yrs. It’s not an IF it’s a WHEN! Look up solar storms & NASA. They said think of it as living back in the 1800s. The Discovery Channel put out an awesome documentary on DVD called Solar Storm Reality/Damatization. It’s excellent. I made a 3 DVD set for family & friends dealing w/ reputable documentation on The Economic Collapse, The Solar Storm Warnigs & weather disturbances & lastly, The Blessed Hope, why we’ll see tribulation. I’d love to get it to you if I had a way to keep your info private????

There is already many crops that have been destroyed due to excess flooding, freezing & drought. Fresh produce is starting to escalate in price & many items we’ve taken for granted will be too expensive to purchase or not available at all. (local news report) The cocoa bean crops have failed & our local news has reported a sharp increase in chocolate prices & eventually no chocolate will be available.

Gasoline prices are continuing to go up & they will not come down…that will effect every area of our economy. See Glenn Beck’s 15 Days to Economic Collapse.

3 yrs ago the Lord began giving me this silly fable about the grasshopper & the ant. If you don’t now it, I’m sure you can find it online. Every morning I awoke, there it was, every night as I drifted off to sleep…again, there it was. I saw this non-stop for almost 6 monthe until I OBEYED & told my husband. By then I knew what God was saying…put away food, water & barter. He made it clear, we were not to panic, hoard or be selfish. It was to be a tithe unto Him in obedience for what was coming & in the time of tribulation He would multiply it according to our faith as we shared w/ those that would come to our door destitute, sacred & lost. When I finally told my husband, he looked at me, said let’s pry & immediately the next day he began to stock up on evrything the Lord had make clear to have on hand.
When we started to tell our friends, family & home church group, most just laughed at us & called us fear mongers. No matter how much we tried to convince them hard things were coming & they needed to prepare before it was too late…. none would. Now we are well supplied & every news broadcast is confirming what we heard 3 yrs ago. They are coming to us now & asking what & how can they prepare. Many have been & many still won’t. Listen to what Larry Bates, financial adviser, has to say about that. He’s a Christian & has spoken often on GOD TV about being prepared for the collapse of our currency. You can find him on youtube. He said…”for those of you that have been obedient & put aside food & water, be warned…those who refused to prepare will be at your door when they’re starving”.

Do I believe what Stanberry has shared in his “end of America” video? Yes, every word of it. He’s just bringing the “secular side” of this issue. Time is running out & many of the prophets I’ve mentioned including Glenn Beck have said….”we won’t recognise the US by the end of 2011″. John Paul Jackson has warned our currency will be totally worthless by the end of 2011.
I pray you start now while you have a little time. Think it silly & all of us are just fear mongers…but, dearest, precious brother, it’s truly coming to pass & we will go through the 1st 3.5 yrs of tribulation. Let us watch & pray that we be counted worthy to “escape” the last 3.5 yrs of God’s Wrath. The four horsemen are about to ride & it will be the most glorious time for The Bride/Manchild Co. Is 60:1-5
Much Agape….I care, Candace

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/4/2011 08:28 am

Candace, you mentioned endofamerica44.com What has End Of America 44 to do with Gods Word the Bible. This is a mystery for me. What is endofamerica44.com. It’s all so vague? Are you behind it?

By Martha (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/3/2011 21:45 pm

Welcome back, Scott. I too am playing catch-up. Too much going on & pain slows me down. Feeling better:) We went to an awesome conference w/ Paul Keith Davis & Randy DeMain. Both prophectic men of God w/ a right now word. Get ready….the shaking will get worse.

By Candace S. (wrote 234 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/8/2011 06:18 am