“ARE YOU MERCHANDISE?” “IF SO WHY?”

 

2John 1:9, 10, 11: v9). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Yeshua, he hath both the Father and Son. v10). If there come any unto you, and bring, not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him, Godspeed. v11). For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.

PREAMBLE by Robert  
In our last article, the Holy Spirit lead me to the Apostle John’s letters arming us with the truth Yeshua was the Word showing us God’s mind and the Light who will guide our steps through this world. John equipped us with the most potent weapon there is God’s word as the two-edged sword and instructions on how to use it properly. He showed us we would be able to discern the false teachers and prophets within the “Den of Wolves” and encouraged us to seek them out and bring His children out of their grasp one by one.
In this article, the Holy Spirit revealed 2Peter 2, where we will find Peter identifying in this book and the chapters the basis for some of the false teachings in the Worldly Churches of today. In a previous article, I mentioned [isms] coming into the churches but didn’t identify them then. I believe Peter did just that in 2Peter.

His second letter was directed against the gnostic and antinomian philosophies. The Gnostics were teaching in addition to believing in Yeshua, one must also receive the gnosis or estoric knowledge (esoteric defined as only taught to or understood by members, of a select group. Limited to a small number of people.)
Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. (1922 – 2009) commented: The Gnostics separated matter from thought. They concluded that matter was evil, and formulated the idea that the possession of knowledge was the only requirement for salvation. This is why they did not want to attribute humanity to Yeshua because to them, material things were evil.
Docetism resulted, (a belief opposed as heresy in early Christianity that Yeshua only seemed to have a human body and to suffer and die on the cross.), which taught that the body of Yeshua was something that just appeared material, but in reality, it was only spiritual. Such a belief led to an immoral life, for since the spirit was separate from the physical body, they ignored their responsibility for the actions done in the body.

As a result of the philosophical concept of the evil of the body, the Gnostics ignored or diminished the significance of the historical facts of the ministry, death, and resurrection of Yeshua as not being real but merely apparent. To them, all the secrets of God were in mind or appearing in an immaterial identity. The result was a complete denial of sexual and other bodily appetites (i.e., one being virtual asceticism (defined: relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure) and the other a practice of unrestrained indulgence of the body.) (Col.3:20 – 23).

Antinomians believe that salvation was by grace alone, the requirements of the moral law were irrelevant. This belief leads to a licentious lifestyle that naturally resulted among those who held this belief. Peter addressed this in the second chapter of 2Peter. The Apostle Paul addressed it in Romans 6 and was accused that he held this view (Romans 3:8).

OPENING PRAYER by Robert 

Heavenly Father we ask you to hear our cries for your guidance, strengthening, discernment, and understanding. Bring onto us your words that we may stand against the evil present in your flock. Place before us your secrets of heaven that we may be filled with your compassion and love. Present your patience before us through the many tasks you desire for us so we will grow in your wisdom. Father give us vision which is bright and sharp to identify the physical evil operating among your lost children. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.   

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert  

These are the questions most predominant before me as the Holy Spirit brought me to 2Peter.”How, did God’s children become merchandise?” “Why did God’s children become merchandise?” 

The first question I looked at was “How.” What did the enemy have or use which would allow his minions to operate in our assemblies so successfully? My research brought me to this commentary from Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) “The way in which God recovers and secures his interest in men is by giving them an understanding, for by that door he enters into the soul and gains possession of it (2Samuel 22:31).

Now we also know the enemy will and does counterfeit all of our Fathers moves with an opposite effect. In this case, I speculate the enemy would using the same doorway to Yeshua’s followers, for his purpose, subjugate and bring the individual or the Eklessia into the passivity of their conscience.

So with this knowledge, I brought Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) comments forward to shed some light on this subject of how Satan’s minion’s as Impure seducers and their abandoned followers, give themselves up to their own fleshly minds. Refusing to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ, they act against God’s righteous precepts. They walk after the flesh, they go on in sinful courses and increase to higher degrees of impurity and wickedness. They also despise those whom God has set in authority over them, and requires them to honor. Outward temporal good things are the wages sinners expect and promise themselves. And none have more cause to tremble, than those who are bold to gratify their sinful lusts, by presuming on the Divine grace and mercy. Many such there have been, and are, who speak lightly of the restraints of God’s law and deem themselves freed from obligations to obey it. Let Yeshua’s followers stand at a distance from such. 

As a second witness, the Holy Spirit brought me to Jesse Penn-Lewis’s (1861 -1927) description in her book ” WAR ON THE SAINTS” pg. 71 where she identifies “The Class of Believers Who Are Open to Passivity”  Now keep in mind I believe she is describing how the enemy is overtaking some of the leaders who are at the pulpits of today’s churches. 

“The persons open to “passivity,” of whom the evil spirits take advantage as the ground for their activity. Are those who become fully surrendered to God, and are brought into direct contact with the supernatural world by receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are some who use the word “surrender,” and think they are surrendered fully to carry out the will of God. But are only in sentiment and purpose, for actually, they walk by the reason and judgment of the natural man. Although they submit all their plans to God, and because of this submittal sincerely believe they are carrying out His will.“

“But those who are really “surrendered,” give themselves up implicitly to obey, and carry out at all costs, what is revealed to them supernaturally as from God, and not what they themselves plan and reason out to be the will of God.” As Peter did right after Pentecost bringing 3000 to the flock through his sermon. We move on further into Ms. Penn-Lewis’s writings and find on pg 77 of “WAR ON THE SAINTS” her description of how these leaders bring “PASSIVITY OF THE CONSCIENCE” to their flocks through their strategic guidance believing it is from God. “ As for the passivity of the reasoning powers, when such believers have taken words spoken to them supernaturally, as God’s expressed will, they become law to them. So that they cannot be induced to reason over them. If they receive a “commandment” (supernaturally) about anything, they will not examine it, or reason or think upon that point. And they steadfastly determine to close themselves absolutely to any further light in this particular direction. This brings about, what may be described as, “PASSIVITY OF CONSCIENCE.” The conscience becomes passive through non-use when believers think that they are being guided by a higher law of being told to do this, or that, directly from God; that is, by direct guidance through voices, and texts.

We find through a little more investigation Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) following commentary supporting Jesse Penn-Lewis’s statement. The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them.

With this information, I then approached the second question, “Why did God’s children become merchandise?” The Holy Spirit lead me to Galatians 1 and Pauls teachings showing the mistakes which they followed which I believe are being reflected in today’s Assemblies who are in error.   Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) explains: “Some would set up the works of the law in place of Christ’s righteousness, and thus they corrupted Christianity. The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, everyone who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of Christ, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, or more favorable to worldly lusts, are devices of Satan. And while we declare that to reject the moral law as a rule of life, tends to dishonor Christ, and destroy true religion, we must also declare, that all dependence for justification on good works, whether real or supposed, is as fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them in place of Christ’s righteousness, and not to advance anything which may betray others into so dreadful a delusion. “

The Apostle Peter in 2Peter 2 describes what is really in the hearts of those who have been turned into merchandise which is not a glowing report of their spiritual condition before God.  Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) commentary reveals the WHY ” These walk after the flesh, they follow the devices and desires of their own hearts. They give up themselves to the conduct of their own fleshly mind, refusing to make their reason stoop to divine revelation, and bring every thought to the obedience of Yeshua. They, in their lives, act directly contrary to God’s righteous precepts and comply with the demands of corrupt nature. Evil opinions are often accompanied by evil practices. And those who are for propagating error are for improving in wickedness. They will not sit down contented in the measure of iniquity to which they have attained. Nor is it enough for them to stand up, and maintain, and defend, what wickedness they have already committed. But they walk after the flesh, they go on in their sinful course and increase unto more ungodliness and greater degrees of impurity and uncleanness too. They also pour contempt on those whom God has set in authority over them and requires them to honor.  These, therefore, despise the ordinance of God, and we need not wonder at it, for they are bold and daring, obstinate and refractory, and will not only cherish contempt in their hearts but with their tounges will utter slanderous and reproachful words of those who are set over them.” 

Jesse Penn-Lewis (1861 -1927) further explains the “Why” with these comments from pg. 78 in “WAR ON THE SAINTS.” She calls it Passivity of the Spirit. “ Passivity of the spirit is closely associated with the passivity of mind because there is a close relationship between mind and spirit. A wrong thought generally means an evil spirit and a wicked spirit a wrong thought.

The human “spirit” is often spoken of in the Scriptures as having activities and is described as being in various conditions. It can be moved, or be inactive, it can be “loosed,” bound, depressed, faint, free, and moved from three sources. God. The devil, or the man himself. It can be pure or “filthy.” (2 Cor.7:1) Or in a mixed condition, in the sense of being pure up to a degree, with other degrees of impurity to be dealt with by the cleansing power of the blood of Yeshua (1John 1:9), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The spirit is brought into union with Yeshua (1Cor. 6:17), and should actively dominate the man in full co-operation with the Holy Spirit. But passivity of spirit can be brought about by so many causes, that believers may be scarcely conscious of having any “spirit” at all, or else, through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which release the human spirit into freedom and buoyancy. The man may become acutely conscious of the spiritual life for a season, and afterward sink into passivity of spirit, unknowingly. This, then, means absolute powerlessness in the warfare with the power of darkness. For full liberty, and usage of the spirit in co-working with the indwelling Holy Spirit is a supreme essential for personal victory, and wielding the authority of Yeshua over the powers of evil. 

The Apostle in (2Peter 2:11) confirms what Jesse Penn-Lewis has revealed Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) interprets this information “Unlike seducing teachers are to the most excellent creatures, he proceeds to ( 2Peter 2:12) to show how like they are to the most inferior. They are like the horse and mule, which have no understanding. They are as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed. Men, under the power of sin, are so far from observing divine revelation that they do not exercise reason, nor act according to the direction thereof. They walk by sight, not by faith, and judge of things according to their senses. As these represent things pleasant and agreeable, so they must be approved and esteemed. Brute-creatures follow the instinct of their sensitive appetite, and the sinful man follows the inclination of his carnal mind. These refuse to employ the understanding and reason God has given them, and so are ignorant of what they might and ought to know, and therefore observe.“

Peter then brings, forward the information I believe the Holy Spirit is providing for today’s modern Disciples as a tool to be applied to God’s sheep who strayed. 

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) elaborates it for us “By setting forth the very different conduct of more magnificent creatures, even the angels, of whom observe, 1). They are more significant in power and might, and that even than those who are clothed with authority and power among the sons of men. And much more than those false teachers who are slanderous revilers of magistrates and governors. The good angels vastly exceed us in all natural and moral excellence, in strength, understanding, and holiness too. The next commentary I believe is an example of how we are to use our tools when approaching and dealing with the strayed sheep.
2). Good angels are accusers of sinful creatures, either of their own kind, or ours, or both. Those who are allowed to behold the face of God, and stand before his throne, cannot but have a zeal for his honor, and accuse and blame those who dishonor him. 3). Angels bring their accusations of sinful creatures before the Lord, they do not publish their faults, and tell their crimes to their fellow-creatures, in the way of calumny and slander. But it is before the Lord, who is the judge, and will be the avenger, of all impiety and injustice. 4). Good angels mingle no bitter revilings nor base reproaches with any of the accusations or charges they bring against the wickedest and worst of criminals. Let us pray that, “Gods will be done on earth as it is in heaven,“ imitate the angels in this particular. If we complain of wicked men, let it be to God and that not with rage and reviling, but with compassion and composedness of mind, that may evidence that we belong to him who is meek and merciful.

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert 

Salutations and blessings for Yeshua’s followers coming together in prayer, Heavenly Father, we place before your throne our spirit and soul which you have filled with your living water and light. We thank you, Lord, for all that has been bestowed upon us your strength, courage, patience, wisdom understanding and discernment. As we stand on you as our rock, we ask Father for your guidance that we may use these tools to bring forward your everlasting love and compassion. Guide us, Father, that we may be your living examples so those trapped in the darkness of evil may see your greatness. Use us so they may look at our examples of placing them before your throne Father so they may hear the truth through our prayers of praise and exaltations of your love bringing joy, peace, health and extended life into our journey to eternity and our togetherness with you Yeshua. This we pray in your name Father. Amen and Amen.

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert

How can you not know you have been touched by our Father through the Holy Spirit and equipped suitably to go out into the “Den of Wolves.” At first when I realized what Yeshua was asking and saw each stage of His teachings unfolding it became quite apparent the depth of the task. This calling is for everyone within the flock, who has drawn close to Yeshua on a personal relationship. I through that relationship now believe I feel the pain God has for those who have been deceived, and through delusion been drawn away from the flock. I also now recognize the depth of where Yeshua has and is drawing us gently into the secrets of heaven. As well giving us an opportunity to understand the difference between the Wolves and  His lost sheep and slowly digest and put into practice those tools needed to draw His lost children back to the flock. I eluded in an earlier article that it will take special care understanding and skills to complete God’s task. I also know that through God and with a solidly based personal relationship with Yeshua all things are possible. With that statement in mind, my closing question is “Are you merchandise or a true soldier of God committed to doing His bidding?” If you’re not then, “Why not”? You can see there is an abundance of strays who need to be shown the way back which is the real challenge of being a follower.

Remember I am just the “Watchman” sounding the Trumpet bringing the warning about the dangers facing the flock. I will again state that once you have received understood and discerned the warning and message pray and ask the Lord for the guidance of how to use it and how to share it. May you all be blessed in the days to come. 

Robert