Continued from FAQ Page...
A dispensation is a specific period of time that has both a starting point and an ending point, during which span of time there are specific divine objectives to be fulfilled. Each dispensation in the time line of God's master plan is characterized by specific principles and activity that is unique in that they are unlike the activity and principles of past dispensations and future dispensations to come. There are some principles that apply to all dispensations, such as the need for one to believe that there is one true God and that each human soul enters into and secures an "eternal" relationship with the one true God via faith (believing) in what God has revealed about Himself as of that dispensation (Gen 15:6/John 3: 18).
For example, the coming of a savior was made known in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15), but the significance and the name Jesus would not be known or announced for thousands of years to come (Luke 1:31/Acts 4:12).
We are presently living in the dispensation of the Church Age. It began at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2) in the approx. year 30-33 AD and will come to its appointed end time (Matthew 24: 14) with the manifestation of its Rapture (1Thess. 4: 15-17).
The divine objective for the dispensation of the Church Age is the fulfillment of the Great Commission which is to proclaim the TRUE Gospel to unbelievers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who are "born again (John 3:3)". The diabolical objective of the Church Age is to oppose its fulfillment. Knowing what it is that the devil desires to accomplish will go a long way in discerning how he plans on achieving it.
It is the how part that the Bible is referring to when it speaks of the schemes of the devil. As we will see, there are changes is what the specific objectives are during each dispensation, but the means and tactics remain essentially the same. One might think that Man would have figured it out by now, but since the fallen nature in Man has changed, neither will Man be changed as long as it dominates our thoughts and actions.
Long before Man was created, the devil failed to do is own thing (Isa. 13; 14), and now can only try to impede the progress of the plan of God that will eventually bring about the devil's end (Rev. 20: 10). By "end", I am referring to the his final and permanent incarceration in what the Bible calls the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 10) that will also be the "end" location and environment for all unbelieving human souls (Rev. 20: 15), as well. The one thing that all created (spiritual) beings have in common is that once they are created, the spiritual part of them lives on forever throughout all of eternity in one environment or another. The lake of fire is not a place of extermination, but one of continuous and never ending conscious suffering without ANY hope of release.
Satan's initial approach was primarily to persecute the Church by attacking the lives and the testimony of the initial apostles during its infancy and developmental period by infiltrating and undermining its foundation (The True Gospel). For those who would choose to respond to the TRUE Gospel, the devil would attempt to raise doubts as to the security of the salvation received, and then pollute the material (post salvation doctrine) that its members were using to construct their individual soul structures (Matthew 7: 24-27).
Satan promotes the retention of many of the rituals (e.g., circumcision) and past practices (e.g., animal sacrifices) of worship from previous dispensations, knowing that old habits die slowly and that religious practices have the deepest of all roots. Satan, better than most of the earliest converts, understood the symbolic significance and fulfillment of these past practices and how they no longer are to have a place in the spiritual activity of the Church Age.
Satan wasted no time (Gal. 3:1) when it came to attacking the "foundation" (confession of faith -Mathew 16:18)" on which the Church at large was being built and/or the accurate post salvation doctrine needed to build the soul structures (Matthew 7: 24-27) of the individual souls that were coming into the early Church.
However, it would not be until several centuries passed before a suitable political climate would avail itself, affording Satan the opportunity to bring into the Christian Community several pagan and former Old Testament Biblical concepts that would forever dominate a large (but not all) portion of the Christian Community throughout the duration of the Church Age.
It was by no coincidence that Satan chose the local assemblies in Rome as a base of operation to carry out the next phase of his plan to destroy, or at least impede the progress, of the Church at large. The alternative Church" that the devil designed would have the endorsement and power of the Roman Empire that would continue on long AFTER the Roman Empire itself would come to its inevitable demise. The devil was fully aware of the recorded in Daniel that spoke of both the rise and the fall of the Roman empire, but his usage of the Roman Empire was only a stepping stone along the path to his intended objective.
Satan's initial persecution and infiltration of the Christian Community failed to accomplish its intended diabolical objective, as for the first few centuries, the Church at large continued to, "grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3: 18). The Church of the Bible continued to expand geographically. As it did, there were serious disputes among the apostles over more than one doctrinal issue, but for the most part, the Church avoided the traps that Satan had set for its demise.
Like any other great institution, if plan of God (Matthew 16: 18) was going to thwarted, the Church of the Bible had to be deviated from the united, but independent format that God laid down for it, and come under ONE central earthly authority that the devil could also infiltrate and control via deception.
In order to pull off this deception, Satan knew that his presence (2Cor.11: 14) and diabolical objective must be kept out of the picture.
It was through deception that the devil was able to convince the woman (later named Eve) that God was holding something back , and that she could secure it if she were to take the devil's advice. After doing so, Adam followed suit, but in his case he did so willingly, favoring his relationship with the woman over his relationship with God (Gen 3:17). With the Lord Jesus Christ being the ONE exception (Matthew 4/ Luke 4), this diabolical strategy has worked well down through the ages, including the Church Age in which we are living. I have not met a single believer yet who has not been under demonic deception that has come his/her way in the name of religion.
Peter's (Acts 1:22) requirement that apostolic candidates to have been an eye-witness of the risen Lord, in itself, confirms that the office and function was NOT intended for the entire duration of the Church Age, but only for a specified period of it. Time alone would make it impossible for anyone here on Earth to comply with it. Take note of the divine intervention involved with the calling and ordination of Paul (Acts 9) as God's chosen "instrument". This discontinuation of the apostolic authority was by divine design. Its continuation is a product of the very religion that it would produce.
Once what we now know as The Bible was completed, it (2Timohty 3: 16) it was designed to replace the apostolic system and its authority . It was designed to be the one tangible source of edification of the Church at large.
The administrative authority of each pastor teacher was not to go beyond the walls of his own ministry where local believers would gather to celebrate the Lord's Supper (1Cor. 12: 24, 25) and/or be trained in discipleship (Matt. 28:19). These "gathering places" included private homes, market places, outdoor scenarios, and secret hiding places during times of great persecution. It was from within these local assemblies that future Biblically qualified evangelists and pastor teachers would come (2Tim. 2: 2, 24). Some would replace the existing pastor teacher with his passing, whereas others would be called by God to establish a new local assembly elsewhere (1Cor. 12: 18). Local assemblies may choose to endorse and provide financial support to evangelists and newly forming local assemblies, but the long term objective of Scripture is for the each local assembly to become independently functional. The "unity" of the Church was/is to be based on shared doctrine, and not ot build an earthly empire.
Scripture calls for NO "holy" buildings, altars, or "officiating" priests during the Church Age, as it did in past dispensations. The ONE ritual for celebrating the Lord's Supper (Communion) was practiced in all of the above scenarios, and did not (and does not) require a clergy member to engage in it. These Biblical principles that were practiced during the first few centuries of the Church Age had to be changed if the devil was to get a handle on the "changes" his desired to make WITHIN the Christian Community. The devil did so, largely through the power and influence of the Roman Empire while giving it the overt appearance of promoting the Church throughout the Roman Empire.
I do not believe that Constantine knowingly played into the devil's hand. I believe that Constantine's motives were more political than religious, percveiving the kind of unity that like-minded political and religious bonds can bring to a fragmented society. Constantine desired to have a strong and united empire and saw the bed -partnering with the religious authorities of the Roman Church as the means to achieve this goal. Without a doubt, there is no stronger or more determined power that Man can muster than the force behind a political-religious system of authority.
The alleged need for an altar and an officiating "priest in order for the Lord's Supper to be celebrated are both teachings and practices that are the products
of religion that were (and is some cases) remain to be the means of religious bondage and control for which the "religious" world are infamously known.
Pastor-teachers, in their capacity as administrative leaders and the primary speaker in the local assemblies/ministries often serve as the one who leads the congregation in this ritual, but this role can be performed by any male (1Timothy 2: 12) Church Age believer.
The gender (male) pre-requisite for serving in roles of leadership is a Biblical principle that has been ignored in more recent history, but has not been erased from the epistles that were/are to govern the Church during the ENTIRE dispensation of the Church Age. The Church Age and the validity of such regulations were designed for the entire duration of the Church Age that does not conclude until the Rapture. The presence of the TRUE Church here on Earth is evidence in itself that the Rapture has not yet taken place.
The prophecy of Joel (Joel 2: 28-32/Acts 2: 17-21) was citied by Peter to point out that it was not unusual for grand activity to accompany the manifestation of the work of God (Exodus 19: 18/Mathew 3:16/Matthew 28:2/Luke 23:44/Matt. 27: 52). The congregation at Pentecost were largely of a Jewish background and were well aware of the past and more recent activities of God and the accompanying activity surrounding them.
With a few exceptions (Jude 1:6), until the restricting event of Rev. 12: 10 takes place, the devil and his Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil still have access to the throne room of God in the 3rd Heaven (Rev. 12: 10), the stellar universe (Daniel 10:13), the earth's atmosphere (Eph. 6: 12), and the earth (Job 1), but never did have the divine attribute of omnipresence. Omnipresence is the ability to be anywhere and everywhere at the same time.
Accordingly, t he devil he carries out much of his agenda through the various spiritual beings cited in Ephesians 6: 12, and through human souls that he can deceive. It has only been when the task was so critical to his agenda that he personally got involved (Gen. 3/Job/Matthew 4/John 13:27). This does NOT mean that we can take a relaxed stance when combating ANY of the Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil. While the devil's forces have their own hierarchy of authority and power, even his "pawns" have power and ability that far exceed human power. Most humans who choose to knowingly engage in demonic activity have no perception of what they are entertaining.
God assigns guardian angels to watch over human souls (Matthew 10:18/Hebrews 13:2). Satan counterattacks by assigning spiritual beings under his command.
Being under frequent observation by both fallen and elect angels is what gives ALL of us the DAILY opportunity and responsibility to glorify God by ALL that we think, do, and say in the course of our DAILY lives and activities. This phase of spiritual combat is what gives purpose, meaning, and definition to ALL that we do (or don't do) on a daily basis.
Satan's army has spiritual beings that covertly observe and gather intelligence (personal information) so that in the event we are approached with the TRUE Gospel during our pre-salvation time, or with an edifying principle of doctrine during our post-salvation spiritual life, the devil will have a plan to counter-attack designed just for you. Satan has other beings with the capability to possess, control, and/or influence the thoughts, words, and actions of human beings who, in many cases, unwittingly do the devil's bidding.
Other beings, of both divine and of demonic nature (Gen.19/1Chron.21: 16, 20/ Job/ Revelation) have great power to inflict mass destruction, to the extent that God directs or allows. Most Christians will never have to be concerned with a direct encounter with the devil or any of the more powerful spiritual beings of the spirit world, as the devil will not waste an " A-Bomb" on what/who he can take out with a pea-shooter.
The overt, divine activity at Pentecost was the ability of peoples of divers languages being able to understand speakers who were speaking in their own familiar language. Peter made the reference to Joel's prophecy in response to the errant assumption of some that the apostles were drunk and attributing their activity to intoxification at the Feast of Pentecost. Peter was not teaching that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled.
The fulfillment of Joel's prophecy does not take place until the last few years of the Great Tribulation that precedes the Second Advent. The fulfillment of Joel's prophecy takes place when such things as the "moon turning blood red and the sun turning to darkness (Joel 2/Acts 2)." This stellar activity clearly did NOT take place at Pentecost!
Advocates of female Church Age believers being ordained to serve in positions of authority within the Christian Community roles often misapply Joel and also cite Galatians 3:28 in support of their position. However, As we just noted, Joe's prophecy will NOT be fulfilled until AFTER the Church is raptured, and the phrase "in Christ" of Galatians 3:28 is speaking of gender not having any impact on the eligibility for salvation.
Man has a l-o-n-g and infamous history of trying to "improve" what God has ordained that dates back as far as the Garden of Eden. It is by no coincidence that it is now in the END TIMES that false doctrines and practices are so wide-spread WITHIN the Christian Community (1Timohty 4: 1).
We could forever debate WHY God chose males to assume the place of authority in the Church, but none of this would change the fact that this IS what God ordained for the duration of the entire Church Age. Satan endorses any activity within the Church that suggests that Man can improve his environment by altering AYTHING that God has otherwise ordained.
Man has an equally l-o-n-g history of the willingness to take his religious convictions to the extremes. It was the rejection of one's "religious" activity that was behind the first recorded murder in human history (Genesis 4: 3-5, 8). Man, in the name of religion has been murdering each other over religious differences ever since Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4: 3-5,8), often believing to be doing the will of God in the process (John 16:2).
The Christian Community was/is NO exception!
L-o-n-g before the First Advent, secular empires under the guise of religion (Psalms 96) self-justified the oppression, dominance, and tyranny of their politics. Many ancient rulers were promoted as being divine in nature and worthy of all praise and adoration, as will the Anti-Christ do in the end times. There is no greater potential for tyranny than when secular and religious powers become bed partners. Non-compliance with one places one's liberty and/or natural life in harm's way, whereas non-compliance with the other results in being threatened with such things as excommunication, shunning, and the fire of Hell. The fear of either scenario becoming a personal or familial reality has always been a great motivator to secure at least a public submission to the powers that be.
It can be more accurately stated that many of the earliest migrants to the New World came seeking freedom FROM religion, not so much freedom OF religion. Prior to July 4, 1776, the colony of Rhode Island declared its independence from England. Following the general declaration of independence and resulting revolutionary war, Rhode Island refused to join the USA as its 13th state until such assurances of religious freedom were granted.
Many of Rhode Island's leading citizens were outcasts from surrounding colonies who encountered the same religious-political intolerance that many migrants from Europe had fled. For many in the Christian Community, then and now, the freedom of religion means that others are free to think as they do! Religious tyranny begins with the denial of the God-given freedom to make choices without fear of retaliation.
Satan gladly endorses any and all systems of authority, secular and/or religious, that he can use to promote his agenda. It matters not if the form of government/authority is theocratic, papal, a monarchy, dictatorship, or democratic, he has consistently found a way to infiltrate and to inevitably use ALL of them for his own purposes.
Although national, localized, and individual persecution (2Tim. 3:12) will always be a part of satanic strategy, it was becoming evident by the 3rd century that the Church was not going away (Matthew 16: 18) and that a more sophisticated strategy had to be designed to impede the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Constantine is accredited with the bringing the Christian Community throughout the Roman Empire out from under political oppression and elevating it to become a global body that was endorsed and promoted by empirical authority. The concept of uniting Church and State for mutual gain was generally received with open arms on both sides of the fence, even though the Lord Jesus Christ taught a mutually independent coexistence of the two (Matthew 22:21). The unwillingness of the Lord Jesus Christ to become politically involved in the issues of HIs day was what motivated MANY of His initial followers to no longer follow Him, and yet is was on the basis of a false accusation of rebellion that the alleged violation of Roman Law was made that led to Him to the cross!
To this day, where political activism on the part of the citizenry is permitted, many sectors of the Christian Community continue to use its political clout to either establish or to retain a "Christian" presence in the political arena. Sounds noble enough, but in many cases, involving itself in secular politics and social engineering through through such secular means has only opened the door to its own demise, affording counter-groups the opportunity to secure their own ideas as the pendulum of conservation and liberty swings back and forth in the inevitable cycle of moral decline and spiritual revival.
While having a notion of "unity", bed-partnering of political and religious forces opened the door infiltrating the Christian Community throughout the Roman empire with a host of doctrines and rituals that were of pagan origin and practice. It established a central point and individual source of control and a hierarchy that would enforce its precepts on a global level, playing right into the devil's hand.
The combination of the false doctrines and practices, coupled with the establishing of a hierarchy of religious authority and control that was/is not endorsed by Scripture, Satan now had the means to inevitably promote his agenda while giving the appearance that such things had come from God. Satan would no longer have to contend with all the individual local assemblies under the independent leadership of Biblically qualified pastor teachers, as prescribed in Scripture, and could now focus his attention on this single source of authority and how it could be used to promote his agenda on a global level.
As the power and influence of papal authority increased throughout the Roman empire, so did the extent of influence of Satan and the Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil , bringing the Church to and through what has been appropriately named, The Dark Ages (1John 1: 5-7).
Here we see the critical difference between the Christian Community and the Church of the Bible. The Christian Community, then and now, consists of every individual and groups of individuals who associate their religious beliefs with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in one form or another, whereas the Church of the Bible consists of every individual and groups of individuals who have been born again (John 3:3), and as a result, have received a (Titus 3;5) regenerated spirit and (John 3:16) eternal life. WITHIN the Christian Community, The Church of the Bible always was and always will be, but will consists of only a minority of each generation of the Church Age. Within the Church of the Bible, there is even a smaller minority who have chosen to enter into and remain in post salvation discipleship, fulfilling their individual part in the Great Commission given to the Church at large.
The appointment of bishops to serve as leaders of the Christian Community within temporal empires, and as spiritual "advisers" to the monarchs of what would become the nations of Europe, played a major role in what would take place in the spiritual realm behinds the scenes of history for centuries. This connection assured the Roman Church of both political and financial support to continue the building and the maintaining of its temporal empire, aka as the Holy Roman Empire. In the end of this relationship, the temporal Roman Empire would fade into the pages of secular history, but the Roman Church would continue on and have considerable influence over many rulers and peoples for centuries to come.
Satan endorsed the building of elegant basilicas and cathedrals with marble and gold altars and placing its grandly adorned clergy on large seats on elevated platforms, giving these who observed such persons and buildings majestic appearance, and contributed to the delusion that they & their developing "religion" were of God. Such passages as Luke 14: 16 / Isa 64:6 say otherwise. It would not be long before the appearance of seminaries would come on the scene to train and to prepare "priests" for a "religious" life and for the sustaining of the religion they represent. This same practice would be continued by many of the Protestant "religions" as the Christian Community would continue to divide and sub-divide over doctrinal differences.
Unquestioned loyalty to the Pope, in both doctrine and practice, was foremost on the list of pre-requisites to be ordained and to remain an official of the developing hierarchy of the Roman Church. The concept of loyalty and unquestioned obedience to the Pope would soon become a major concept of Roman Catholicism. To the extent that Papal authority could be controlled, the devil knew that the developing false doctrines and practices within this area of the Christian Community would be secure. To bolster this concept, the devil promoted the concept of the "infallibility" of the Pope concerning the interpretation and application of Scripture, even though the track record of even the initial apostles refuted this concept that anyone ever had all the right answers, all the time.
The final answer to any questions as to the validity of doctrine and/or practices that came out of the Vatican or our of any of the Protestant centers of religious authority was, that "this is our faith" with the admonition that disobedience/dissention would bring about the wrath of God.
It should be noted that there were other sectors of the Christian Community that never did acknowledge Papal authority or many of the prime precepts of Catholicism, but they too, like many of the descendants of the Protestant "reformers" would come to adapt their own false doctrines and practices that are not a part of the plan that God had for the "Church of the Bible". With spiritual discernment, one can see the hand of the devil as well as the hand of God contending with each other as the dispensation of the Church unfolds.
Whenever there is a large division within a sector of the Christian Community, there is always a piece of the former that is brought into the newly founded "religion(s)". Even Martin Luther, who will forever be known for his taking the position of basing one's theology exclusively on what (and only) what can be Biblically substantiated did not, for example, discontinue the practice of "baptizing" infants, even though such traditions can not be found or endorsed in Scripture.
The diabolical object here is clear. By bringing infants under the "religious" umbrella, it sets the mold that will direct the "religious" course of one's lifetime, as well as the inclination to continue on with receiving and participating in the remaining rituals and products of religion.that Man has established and the devil endorses.
Dissidents are threatened with the fire of Hell, but advancing disciples (John 8: 32) have been set free from such religious bondage.
While being held in high esteem by Man, God sees our ALL human attempts to make or to keep oneSELF "right" with God, as detestable (Luke 14: 16) rags (Isa.64:6).
The baptism that takes place at salvation involves the "regenerating work of God the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)" and MUST be distinguished from such things as water baptism rituals of religion. The association with the baptism and the proclamation of the Gospel is that one is immediately baptized by God the Holy Spirit at the moment one believes in a presentation of the Gospel. This baptism consists of the regenerating of one's dead human spirit (Titus 3;5) and the sealing (marking for identification) the believer for the day of redemption (Eph.4:30).
Many sectors of the Christian Community have instituted a water baptism ritual that identifies the individual with a particular body or denomination of believers.
Being identified as being a member of ANY body or denomination of believers is meaningless if one has is not been born again (John 3:3). The plan of God does NOT offer family or group coverage! Denominational (or non-denominational) choices will impact the quality of one's post salvation spiritual life, but one's post salvation spiritual life is NOT for the purpose of retaining one's salvation.
Water baptism, during the period of our Lord's earthly mission meant that one was identifying himself with something. For example, many were baptized by John in recognition of John's message concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized to publicly identify Him with the Work that He came to do, just prior to the beginning of His public ministry. It is the baptizing work of God the Holy Spirit that regenerates (Titus 3:5) the dead human spirit (at salvation) and marks (seals) for identification the recipient as being a child of God (Ephesians 4:30). The documentation of Gentile (non-Jewish) believers by Peter () was to affirm the acceptance of gentile believers into the developing Church without regard for Old Testament compliance with the Law, an issue that would come between Paul, Peter, and James.
Every "water" baptism recorded in Scripture involved adults who had just or had already been saved, and not for the means to become or to remain saved!
Note that no one baptized (with water) the condemned man on the cross next to our Lord, yet he was never the less assured by the highest of authority (Luke 23: 43) that he would be with the Lord in the Paradise of Hades that very day! This believer's "post salvation" spiritual life consisted of only a few hours, but the documentation of his confession of faith (Luke 23: 42/Matthew 16: 18) has been used to demonstrate the eternal significance of making that one time decision to believe the in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (and nothing more) in order to be saved for all of eternity.
Paul, who became the Lord's "instrument" for establishing much of the Church outside of Jerusalem made it clear that he had NOT been called to baptize (1Cor. 1: 17). Paul, himself, was "baptized" (Acts 9:18) AFTER he had #1 acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and #2 AFTER he had his natural sight restored by the laying of hands by Ananias, and AFTER he was filled by God the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Paul's baptism IDENTIFIED him as a believer, and IDENTIFIED him as God's chosen instrument, and IDENTIFIED him with a specific mission from God Acts 9:16.
John 3: 5 speak of the need to be born of water and the Spirit in order to receive eternal life. Eternal life is the life of God and must be distinguished from everlasting life that every human soul as of the moment it is created by and in the likeness of God.
Everlasting life is "like" eternal life in that neither one will ever come to an end, but differ in the sense that (#1) everlasting life does have a beginning and (#2) spending eternity with God in Heaven requires that one receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Accordingly, one's humanity that was (past tense) conceived at conception and biologically sustained and developed in the womb, must receive a soul (God's job-John 3:6b) when the body comes forth and receives its first breath of natural life, (Gen. 2:7/John 19:30). The natural life of the body is destined to come to its end at the divinely appointed time (John 19: 30). The everlasting life of the soul, created in God's likeness (Gen. 1: 26), is destined c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e to live on for all of eternity in ONE of TWO potential locations and environments when it departs the body at the moment of natural death (or the Rapture). In order for the soul with its everlasting life to live with God in Heaven, one's "dead" human spirit must be regenerated (Titus 3:5) by the baptizing Work of God the Holy Spirit that is an automatic and immediate response of God IF and when a soul chooses to BELIEVE in a presentation of the Gospel. This "regenerating" and "baptizing/sealing" Work of God is what John3: 5 means to be born (again) by the Spirit.
The devil has inspired divisions within the Church from the very beginning (Gal. 3:1) and will continue to do so, playing on the ignorance of some and the arrogance of others.
The present day "schemes" of the devil include everything and anything from outside or from within the Christian Community that the devil and the Ephesians 6: 12 forces of evil can muster that will impede the true Church from fulfilling the Great Commission through its individual, born again, believers. It matters not (to the devil) if this diabolical objective is achieved through temporal blessing (Luke 4:6), distraction (Mark 4: 19), deception (Gen 3: 4,5), religion (Isa. 64:6), or adversity (2Timothy 3:12), as long as the desired outcome can be secured.
Knowing exactly what the devil desires to accomplish concerning the Church at large and in the events of our DAILY lives will go a long way in developing the post salvation spiritual life to which God has called ALL of His people.
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A dispensation is a specific period of time that has both a starting point and an ending point, during which span of time there are specific divine objectives to be fulfilled. Each dispensation in the time line of God's master plan is characterized by specific principles and activity that is unique in that they are unlike the activity and principles of past dispensations and future dispensations to come. There are some principles that apply to all dispensations, such as the need for one to believe that there is one true God and that each human soul enters into and secures an "eternal" relationship with the one true God via faith (believing) in what God has revealed about Himself as of that dispensation (Gen 15:6/John 3: 18).
For example, the coming of a savior was made known in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15), but the significance and the name Jesus would not be known or announced for thousands of years to come (Luke 1:31/Acts 4:12).
We are presently living in the dispensation of the Church Age. It began at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2) in the approx. year 30-33 AD and will come to its appointed end time (Matthew 24: 14) with the manifestation of its Rapture (1Thess. 4: 15-17).
The divine objective for the dispensation of the Church Age is the fulfillment of the Great Commission which is to proclaim the TRUE Gospel to unbelievers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who are "born again (John 3:3)". The diabolical objective of the Church Age is to oppose its fulfillment. Knowing what it is that the devil desires to accomplish will go a long way in discerning how he plans on achieving it.
It is the how part that the Bible is referring to when it speaks of the schemes of the devil. As we will see, there are changes is what the specific objectives are during each dispensation, but the means and tactics remain essentially the same. One might think that Man would have figured it out by now, but since the fallen nature in Man has changed, neither will Man be changed as long as it dominates our thoughts and actions.
Long before Man was created, the devil failed to do is own thing (Isa. 13; 14), and now can only try to impede the progress of the plan of God that will eventually bring about the devil's end (Rev. 20: 10). By "end", I am referring to the his final and permanent incarceration in what the Bible calls the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 10) that will also be the "end" location and environment for all unbelieving human souls (Rev. 20: 15), as well. The one thing that all created (spiritual) beings have in common is that once they are created, the spiritual part of them lives on forever throughout all of eternity in one environment or another. The lake of fire is not a place of extermination, but one of continuous and never ending conscious suffering without ANY hope of release.
Satan's initial approach was primarily to persecute the Church by attacking the lives and the testimony of the initial apostles during its infancy and developmental period by infiltrating and undermining its foundation (The True Gospel). For those who would choose to respond to the TRUE Gospel, the devil would attempt to raise doubts as to the security of the salvation received, and then pollute the material (post salvation doctrine) that its members were using to construct their individual soul structures (Matthew 7: 24-27).
Satan promotes the retention of many of the rituals (e.g., circumcision) and past practices (e.g., animal sacrifices) of worship from previous dispensations, knowing that old habits die slowly and that religious practices have the deepest of all roots. Satan, better than most of the earliest converts, understood the symbolic significance and fulfillment of these past practices and how they no longer are to have a place in the spiritual activity of the Church Age.
Satan wasted no time (Gal. 3:1) when it came to attacking the "foundation" (confession of faith -Mathew 16:18)" on which the Church at large was being built and/or the accurate post salvation doctrine needed to build the soul structures (Matthew 7: 24-27) of the individual souls that were coming into the early Church.
However, it would not be until several centuries passed before a suitable political climate would avail itself, affording Satan the opportunity to bring into the Christian Community several pagan and former Old Testament Biblical concepts that would forever dominate a large (but not all) portion of the Christian Community throughout the duration of the Church Age.
It was by no coincidence that Satan chose the local assemblies in Rome as a base of operation to carry out the next phase of his plan to destroy, or at least impede the progress, of the Church at large. The alternative Church" that the devil designed would have the endorsement and power of the Roman Empire that would continue on long AFTER the Roman Empire itself would come to its inevitable demise. The devil was fully aware of the recorded in Daniel that spoke of both the rise and the fall of the Roman empire, but his usage of the Roman Empire was only a stepping stone along the path to his intended objective.
Satan's initial persecution and infiltration of the Christian Community failed to accomplish its intended diabolical objective, as for the first few centuries, the Church at large continued to, "grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3: 18). The Church of the Bible continued to expand geographically. As it did, there were serious disputes among the apostles over more than one doctrinal issue, but for the most part, the Church avoided the traps that Satan had set for its demise.
Like any other great institution, if plan of God (Matthew 16: 18) was going to thwarted, the Church of the Bible had to be deviated from the united, but independent format that God laid down for it, and come under ONE central earthly authority that the devil could also infiltrate and control via deception.
In order to pull off this deception, Satan knew that his presence (2Cor.11: 14) and diabolical objective must be kept out of the picture.
It was through deception that the devil was able to convince the woman (later named Eve) that God was holding something back , and that she could secure it if she were to take the devil's advice. After doing so, Adam followed suit, but in his case he did so willingly, favoring his relationship with the woman over his relationship with God (Gen 3:17). With the Lord Jesus Christ being the ONE exception (Matthew 4/ Luke 4), this diabolical strategy has worked well down through the ages, including the Church Age in which we are living. I have not met a single believer yet who has not been under demonic deception that has come his/her way in the name of religion.
Peter's (Acts 1:22) requirement that apostolic candidates to have been an eye-witness of the risen Lord, in itself, confirms that the office and function was NOT intended for the entire duration of the Church Age, but only for a specified period of it. Time alone would make it impossible for anyone here on Earth to comply with it. Take note of the divine intervention involved with the calling and ordination of Paul (Acts 9) as God's chosen "instrument". This discontinuation of the apostolic authority was by divine design. Its continuation is a product of the very religion that it would produce.
Once what we now know as The Bible was completed, it (2Timohty 3: 16) it was designed to replace the apostolic system and its authority . It was designed to be the one tangible source of edification of the Church at large.
The administrative authority of each pastor teacher was not to go beyond the walls of his own ministry where local believers would gather to celebrate the Lord's Supper (1Cor. 12: 24, 25) and/or be trained in discipleship (Matt. 28:19). These "gathering places" included private homes, market places, outdoor scenarios, and secret hiding places during times of great persecution. It was from within these local assemblies that future Biblically qualified evangelists and pastor teachers would come (2Tim. 2: 2, 24). Some would replace the existing pastor teacher with his passing, whereas others would be called by God to establish a new local assembly elsewhere (1Cor. 12: 18). Local assemblies may choose to endorse and provide financial support to evangelists and newly forming local assemblies, but the long term objective of Scripture is for the each local assembly to become independently functional. The "unity" of the Church was/is to be based on shared doctrine, and not ot build an earthly empire.
Scripture calls for NO "holy" buildings, altars, or "officiating" priests during the Church Age, as it did in past dispensations. The ONE ritual for celebrating the Lord's Supper (Communion) was practiced in all of the above scenarios, and did not (and does not) require a clergy member to engage in it. These Biblical principles that were practiced during the first few centuries of the Church Age had to be changed if the devil was to get a handle on the "changes" his desired to make WITHIN the Christian Community. The devil did so, largely through the power and influence of the Roman Empire while giving it the overt appearance of promoting the Church throughout the Roman Empire.
I do not believe that Constantine knowingly played into the devil's hand. I believe that Constantine's motives were more political than religious, percveiving the kind of unity that like-minded political and religious bonds can bring to a fragmented society. Constantine desired to have a strong and united empire and saw the bed -partnering with the religious authorities of the Roman Church as the means to achieve this goal. Without a doubt, there is no stronger or more determined power that Man can muster than the force behind a political-religious system of authority.
The alleged need for an altar and an officiating "priest in order for the Lord's Supper to be celebrated are both teachings and practices that are the products
of religion that were (and is some cases) remain to be the means of religious bondage and control for which the "religious" world are infamously known.
Pastor-teachers, in their capacity as administrative leaders and the primary speaker in the local assemblies/ministries often serve as the one who leads the congregation in this ritual, but this role can be performed by any male (1Timothy 2: 12) Church Age believer.
The gender (male) pre-requisite for serving in roles of leadership is a Biblical principle that has been ignored in more recent history, but has not been erased from the epistles that were/are to govern the Church during the ENTIRE dispensation of the Church Age. The Church Age and the validity of such regulations were designed for the entire duration of the Church Age that does not conclude until the Rapture. The presence of the TRUE Church here on Earth is evidence in itself that the Rapture has not yet taken place.
The prophecy of Joel (Joel 2: 28-32/Acts 2: 17-21) was citied by Peter to point out that it was not unusual for grand activity to accompany the manifestation of the work of God (Exodus 19: 18/Mathew 3:16/Matthew 28:2/Luke 23:44/Matt. 27: 52). The congregation at Pentecost were largely of a Jewish background and were well aware of the past and more recent activities of God and the accompanying activity surrounding them.
With a few exceptions (Jude 1:6), until the restricting event of Rev. 12: 10 takes place, the devil and his Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil still have access to the throne room of God in the 3rd Heaven (Rev. 12: 10), the stellar universe (Daniel 10:13), the earth's atmosphere (Eph. 6: 12), and the earth (Job 1), but never did have the divine attribute of omnipresence. Omnipresence is the ability to be anywhere and everywhere at the same time.
Accordingly, t he devil he carries out much of his agenda through the various spiritual beings cited in Ephesians 6: 12, and through human souls that he can deceive. It has only been when the task was so critical to his agenda that he personally got involved (Gen. 3/Job/Matthew 4/John 13:27). This does NOT mean that we can take a relaxed stance when combating ANY of the Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil. While the devil's forces have their own hierarchy of authority and power, even his "pawns" have power and ability that far exceed human power. Most humans who choose to knowingly engage in demonic activity have no perception of what they are entertaining.
God assigns guardian angels to watch over human souls (Matthew 10:18/Hebrews 13:2). Satan counterattacks by assigning spiritual beings under his command.
Being under frequent observation by both fallen and elect angels is what gives ALL of us the DAILY opportunity and responsibility to glorify God by ALL that we think, do, and say in the course of our DAILY lives and activities. This phase of spiritual combat is what gives purpose, meaning, and definition to ALL that we do (or don't do) on a daily basis.
Satan's army has spiritual beings that covertly observe and gather intelligence (personal information) so that in the event we are approached with the TRUE Gospel during our pre-salvation time, or with an edifying principle of doctrine during our post-salvation spiritual life, the devil will have a plan to counter-attack designed just for you. Satan has other beings with the capability to possess, control, and/or influence the thoughts, words, and actions of human beings who, in many cases, unwittingly do the devil's bidding.
Other beings, of both divine and of demonic nature (Gen.19/1Chron.21: 16, 20/ Job/ Revelation) have great power to inflict mass destruction, to the extent that God directs or allows. Most Christians will never have to be concerned with a direct encounter with the devil or any of the more powerful spiritual beings of the spirit world, as the devil will not waste an " A-Bomb" on what/who he can take out with a pea-shooter.
The overt, divine activity at Pentecost was the ability of peoples of divers languages being able to understand speakers who were speaking in their own familiar language. Peter made the reference to Joel's prophecy in response to the errant assumption of some that the apostles were drunk and attributing their activity to intoxification at the Feast of Pentecost. Peter was not teaching that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled.
The fulfillment of Joel's prophecy does not take place until the last few years of the Great Tribulation that precedes the Second Advent. The fulfillment of Joel's prophecy takes place when such things as the "moon turning blood red and the sun turning to darkness (Joel 2/Acts 2)." This stellar activity clearly did NOT take place at Pentecost!
Advocates of female Church Age believers being ordained to serve in positions of authority within the Christian Community roles often misapply Joel and also cite Galatians 3:28 in support of their position. However, As we just noted, Joe's prophecy will NOT be fulfilled until AFTER the Church is raptured, and the phrase "in Christ" of Galatians 3:28 is speaking of gender not having any impact on the eligibility for salvation.
Man has a l-o-n-g and infamous history of trying to "improve" what God has ordained that dates back as far as the Garden of Eden. It is by no coincidence that it is now in the END TIMES that false doctrines and practices are so wide-spread WITHIN the Christian Community (1Timohty 4: 1).
We could forever debate WHY God chose males to assume the place of authority in the Church, but none of this would change the fact that this IS what God ordained for the duration of the entire Church Age. Satan endorses any activity within the Church that suggests that Man can improve his environment by altering AYTHING that God has otherwise ordained.
Man has an equally l-o-n-g history of the willingness to take his religious convictions to the extremes. It was the rejection of one's "religious" activity that was behind the first recorded murder in human history (Genesis 4: 3-5, 8). Man, in the name of religion has been murdering each other over religious differences ever since Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4: 3-5,8), often believing to be doing the will of God in the process (John 16:2).
The Christian Community was/is NO exception!
L-o-n-g before the First Advent, secular empires under the guise of religion (Psalms 96) self-justified the oppression, dominance, and tyranny of their politics. Many ancient rulers were promoted as being divine in nature and worthy of all praise and adoration, as will the Anti-Christ do in the end times. There is no greater potential for tyranny than when secular and religious powers become bed partners. Non-compliance with one places one's liberty and/or natural life in harm's way, whereas non-compliance with the other results in being threatened with such things as excommunication, shunning, and the fire of Hell. The fear of either scenario becoming a personal or familial reality has always been a great motivator to secure at least a public submission to the powers that be.
It can be more accurately stated that many of the earliest migrants to the New World came seeking freedom FROM religion, not so much freedom OF religion. Prior to July 4, 1776, the colony of Rhode Island declared its independence from England. Following the general declaration of independence and resulting revolutionary war, Rhode Island refused to join the USA as its 13th state until such assurances of religious freedom were granted.
Many of Rhode Island's leading citizens were outcasts from surrounding colonies who encountered the same religious-political intolerance that many migrants from Europe had fled. For many in the Christian Community, then and now, the freedom of religion means that others are free to think as they do! Religious tyranny begins with the denial of the God-given freedom to make choices without fear of retaliation.
Satan gladly endorses any and all systems of authority, secular and/or religious, that he can use to promote his agenda. It matters not if the form of government/authority is theocratic, papal, a monarchy, dictatorship, or democratic, he has consistently found a way to infiltrate and to inevitably use ALL of them for his own purposes.
Although national, localized, and individual persecution (2Tim. 3:12) will always be a part of satanic strategy, it was becoming evident by the 3rd century that the Church was not going away (Matthew 16: 18) and that a more sophisticated strategy had to be designed to impede the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Constantine is accredited with the bringing the Christian Community throughout the Roman Empire out from under political oppression and elevating it to become a global body that was endorsed and promoted by empirical authority. The concept of uniting Church and State for mutual gain was generally received with open arms on both sides of the fence, even though the Lord Jesus Christ taught a mutually independent coexistence of the two (Matthew 22:21). The unwillingness of the Lord Jesus Christ to become politically involved in the issues of HIs day was what motivated MANY of His initial followers to no longer follow Him, and yet is was on the basis of a false accusation of rebellion that the alleged violation of Roman Law was made that led to Him to the cross!
To this day, where political activism on the part of the citizenry is permitted, many sectors of the Christian Community continue to use its political clout to either establish or to retain a "Christian" presence in the political arena. Sounds noble enough, but in many cases, involving itself in secular politics and social engineering through through such secular means has only opened the door to its own demise, affording counter-groups the opportunity to secure their own ideas as the pendulum of conservation and liberty swings back and forth in the inevitable cycle of moral decline and spiritual revival.
While having a notion of "unity", bed-partnering of political and religious forces opened the door infiltrating the Christian Community throughout the Roman empire with a host of doctrines and rituals that were of pagan origin and practice. It established a central point and individual source of control and a hierarchy that would enforce its precepts on a global level, playing right into the devil's hand.
The combination of the false doctrines and practices, coupled with the establishing of a hierarchy of religious authority and control that was/is not endorsed by Scripture, Satan now had the means to inevitably promote his agenda while giving the appearance that such things had come from God. Satan would no longer have to contend with all the individual local assemblies under the independent leadership of Biblically qualified pastor teachers, as prescribed in Scripture, and could now focus his attention on this single source of authority and how it could be used to promote his agenda on a global level.
As the power and influence of papal authority increased throughout the Roman empire, so did the extent of influence of Satan and the Ephesians 6:12 forces of evil , bringing the Church to and through what has been appropriately named, The Dark Ages (1John 1: 5-7).
Here we see the critical difference between the Christian Community and the Church of the Bible. The Christian Community, then and now, consists of every individual and groups of individuals who associate their religious beliefs with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in one form or another, whereas the Church of the Bible consists of every individual and groups of individuals who have been born again (John 3:3), and as a result, have received a (Titus 3;5) regenerated spirit and (John 3:16) eternal life. WITHIN the Christian Community, The Church of the Bible always was and always will be, but will consists of only a minority of each generation of the Church Age. Within the Church of the Bible, there is even a smaller minority who have chosen to enter into and remain in post salvation discipleship, fulfilling their individual part in the Great Commission given to the Church at large.
The appointment of bishops to serve as leaders of the Christian Community within temporal empires, and as spiritual "advisers" to the monarchs of what would become the nations of Europe, played a major role in what would take place in the spiritual realm behinds the scenes of history for centuries. This connection assured the Roman Church of both political and financial support to continue the building and the maintaining of its temporal empire, aka as the Holy Roman Empire. In the end of this relationship, the temporal Roman Empire would fade into the pages of secular history, but the Roman Church would continue on and have considerable influence over many rulers and peoples for centuries to come.
Satan endorsed the building of elegant basilicas and cathedrals with marble and gold altars and placing its grandly adorned clergy on large seats on elevated platforms, giving these who observed such persons and buildings majestic appearance, and contributed to the delusion that they & their developing "religion" were of God. Such passages as Luke 14: 16 / Isa 64:6 say otherwise. It would not be long before the appearance of seminaries would come on the scene to train and to prepare "priests" for a "religious" life and for the sustaining of the religion they represent. This same practice would be continued by many of the Protestant "religions" as the Christian Community would continue to divide and sub-divide over doctrinal differences.
Unquestioned loyalty to the Pope, in both doctrine and practice, was foremost on the list of pre-requisites to be ordained and to remain an official of the developing hierarchy of the Roman Church. The concept of loyalty and unquestioned obedience to the Pope would soon become a major concept of Roman Catholicism. To the extent that Papal authority could be controlled, the devil knew that the developing false doctrines and practices within this area of the Christian Community would be secure. To bolster this concept, the devil promoted the concept of the "infallibility" of the Pope concerning the interpretation and application of Scripture, even though the track record of even the initial apostles refuted this concept that anyone ever had all the right answers, all the time.
The final answer to any questions as to the validity of doctrine and/or practices that came out of the Vatican or our of any of the Protestant centers of religious authority was, that "this is our faith" with the admonition that disobedience/dissention would bring about the wrath of God.
It should be noted that there were other sectors of the Christian Community that never did acknowledge Papal authority or many of the prime precepts of Catholicism, but they too, like many of the descendants of the Protestant "reformers" would come to adapt their own false doctrines and practices that are not a part of the plan that God had for the "Church of the Bible". With spiritual discernment, one can see the hand of the devil as well as the hand of God contending with each other as the dispensation of the Church unfolds.
Whenever there is a large division within a sector of the Christian Community, there is always a piece of the former that is brought into the newly founded "religion(s)". Even Martin Luther, who will forever be known for his taking the position of basing one's theology exclusively on what (and only) what can be Biblically substantiated did not, for example, discontinue the practice of "baptizing" infants, even though such traditions can not be found or endorsed in Scripture.
The diabolical object here is clear. By bringing infants under the "religious" umbrella, it sets the mold that will direct the "religious" course of one's lifetime, as well as the inclination to continue on with receiving and participating in the remaining rituals and products of religion.that Man has established and the devil endorses.
Dissidents are threatened with the fire of Hell, but advancing disciples (John 8: 32) have been set free from such religious bondage.
While being held in high esteem by Man, God sees our ALL human attempts to make or to keep oneSELF "right" with God, as detestable (Luke 14: 16) rags (Isa.64:6).
The baptism that takes place at salvation involves the "regenerating work of God the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)" and MUST be distinguished from such things as water baptism rituals of religion. The association with the baptism and the proclamation of the Gospel is that one is immediately baptized by God the Holy Spirit at the moment one believes in a presentation of the Gospel. This baptism consists of the regenerating of one's dead human spirit (Titus 3;5) and the sealing (marking for identification) the believer for the day of redemption (Eph.4:30).
Many sectors of the Christian Community have instituted a water baptism ritual that identifies the individual with a particular body or denomination of believers.
Being identified as being a member of ANY body or denomination of believers is meaningless if one has is not been born again (John 3:3). The plan of God does NOT offer family or group coverage! Denominational (or non-denominational) choices will impact the quality of one's post salvation spiritual life, but one's post salvation spiritual life is NOT for the purpose of retaining one's salvation.
Water baptism, during the period of our Lord's earthly mission meant that one was identifying himself with something. For example, many were baptized by John in recognition of John's message concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized to publicly identify Him with the Work that He came to do, just prior to the beginning of His public ministry. It is the baptizing work of God the Holy Spirit that regenerates (Titus 3:5) the dead human spirit (at salvation) and marks (seals) for identification the recipient as being a child of God (Ephesians 4:30). The documentation of Gentile (non-Jewish) believers by Peter () was to affirm the acceptance of gentile believers into the developing Church without regard for Old Testament compliance with the Law, an issue that would come between Paul, Peter, and James.
Every "water" baptism recorded in Scripture involved adults who had just or had already been saved, and not for the means to become or to remain saved!
Note that no one baptized (with water) the condemned man on the cross next to our Lord, yet he was never the less assured by the highest of authority (Luke 23: 43) that he would be with the Lord in the Paradise of Hades that very day! This believer's "post salvation" spiritual life consisted of only a few hours, but the documentation of his confession of faith (Luke 23: 42/Matthew 16: 18) has been used to demonstrate the eternal significance of making that one time decision to believe the in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (and nothing more) in order to be saved for all of eternity.
Paul, who became the Lord's "instrument" for establishing much of the Church outside of Jerusalem made it clear that he had NOT been called to baptize (1Cor. 1: 17). Paul, himself, was "baptized" (Acts 9:18) AFTER he had #1 acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and #2 AFTER he had his natural sight restored by the laying of hands by Ananias, and AFTER he was filled by God the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Paul's baptism IDENTIFIED him as a believer, and IDENTIFIED him as God's chosen instrument, and IDENTIFIED him with a specific mission from God Acts 9:16.
John 3: 5 speak of the need to be born of water and the Spirit in order to receive eternal life. Eternal life is the life of God and must be distinguished from everlasting life that every human soul as of the moment it is created by and in the likeness of God.
Everlasting life is "like" eternal life in that neither one will ever come to an end, but differ in the sense that (#1) everlasting life does have a beginning and (#2) spending eternity with God in Heaven requires that one receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Accordingly, one's humanity that was (past tense) conceived at conception and biologically sustained and developed in the womb, must receive a soul (God's job-John 3:6b) when the body comes forth and receives its first breath of natural life, (Gen. 2:7/John 19:30). The natural life of the body is destined to come to its end at the divinely appointed time (John 19: 30). The everlasting life of the soul, created in God's likeness (Gen. 1: 26), is destined c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e to live on for all of eternity in ONE of TWO potential locations and environments when it departs the body at the moment of natural death (or the Rapture). In order for the soul with its everlasting life to live with God in Heaven, one's "dead" human spirit must be regenerated (Titus 3:5) by the baptizing Work of God the Holy Spirit that is an automatic and immediate response of God IF and when a soul chooses to BELIEVE in a presentation of the Gospel. This "regenerating" and "baptizing/sealing" Work of God is what John3: 5 means to be born (again) by the Spirit.
The devil has inspired divisions within the Church from the very beginning (Gal. 3:1) and will continue to do so, playing on the ignorance of some and the arrogance of others.
The present day "schemes" of the devil include everything and anything from outside or from within the Christian Community that the devil and the Ephesians 6: 12 forces of evil can muster that will impede the true Church from fulfilling the Great Commission through its individual, born again, believers. It matters not (to the devil) if this diabolical objective is achieved through temporal blessing (Luke 4:6), distraction (Mark 4: 19), deception (Gen 3: 4,5), religion (Isa. 64:6), or adversity (2Timothy 3:12), as long as the desired outcome can be secured.
Knowing exactly what the devil desires to accomplish concerning the Church at large and in the events of our DAILY lives will go a long way in developing the post salvation spiritual life to which God has called ALL of His people.
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