THREAD OF FAITH -

What are the Elements of the Coming Worldwide Move of the Spirit of God?

The church systems and so-called Christian television have their ideas of the coming events. Millions of dollars are being spent on multitudes of books and movies. All of them seem to apply the wisdom of the world with their views of the scriptures. However, they have missed out on church history and the ways of the Spirit of God. All of these self-proclaimed prophets have different views of what is coming and all believe they have a special anointing. I turned on a Christian television channel and saw more witchcraft and idolatry than I would have believed possible, and the people loved it. Unfortunately the believers are marked for destruction.

What about church history? In the 17th century the Lord raised up multitudes of men in Great Britain to preach the Truth to a lost world of people sitting in churches and dead in their pews. These jewels - such as George Fox, Francis Howgill, Leonard Fell, Robert Barclay, William Penn, and many others - began to tell the Truth to the church and national leaders of their day, and many were thrown in prison, beaten, their property seized, and many died in prison. Many of these friends of Jesus traveled all over Europe and the colonies of America. Many of these friends of Jesus were even hanged by the Christians in America! What were they teaching that got them into so much trouble? Some of the main points were:

Ÿ You need not any man teach you, because in this dispensation the Holy Spirit is inside of us and He will teach you, not your bishop, priest or pastor. Your Teacher is within you. (John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27)

Ÿ That paying tithes to a church with hireling pastor is Old Testament and is over. George Fox said, "I was sent to you to tell you that, if you have received the gospel freely, you would minister it freely without money or price; but you make a trade and sale of what the prophets and apostles have spoken; and so you corrupt the Truth."

Ÿ The whole church systems of the world were filled with the spirit of antichrist

They taught many other things and paid a big price for it at the hands of organized religion and the State. Over 70 notable men, known as the 'Valiant Seventy', were raised up in Great Britain to be a witness for the Truth, and some lived and taught into the 18th Century. In the 19th century the Lord raised up men in Great Britain who also came out of the systems of the church world and made a stand for Truth. The 20th century saw great men such as T Austin Sparks from Great Britain who threw off his robes and taught the Truth for many decades. All of these men of the past centuries spread the gospel truth to other nations and had great messages of truth for the world in this dispensation.

Well, we are here in the 21st century. I like the pattern of church history which has been enacted by the Spirit of God. We see a great pattern of truth coming to the different nations of the world through men of God.

I believe the elements of the coming worldwide move of God are the same ones already given by previous men in church history. However, few have heard their message. It may be that the Spirit will again visit the nation of Great Britain and raise up men of vision like George Fox to warn the Christian world of their folly.

It may be that the warning given to the town of Ulverston, England, is still valid for them today, as well as for us: "O people consider, who be within the parish of Ulverston; I was moved of the Lord to come into your public place to speak among you to the directing of your minds to God, being sent of the Lord that you might know where you might find your Teacher; that your minds might be stayed alone upon God, and you might not gad abroad without you for a teacher; for the Lord God alone will teach His peoples, and He is coming to teach them, and to gather His people from idol’s temples and customary worships, which all the world is trained up in."

This word is still good for today. God’s plan for the church age has not changed. The coming work of the Spirit will surely include the outpouring of what was given for the last few centuries in this new 21st century that is upon us. The Spirit is moving in men currently, and the greatest persecution in history is yet to come. And, as always, it will be outside of men’s organized self-made denominations.

If you look for the answers, as to what is coming, in the church systems or from their prophets, you will miss them just as the people of the past.

Jim

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The long picnic table stretches from Washington to Florida and across the seas. Wanted to bring up the song from the previous thread to remind us that "money won't". Jim

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Acts 12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

12 About that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict and oppress and torment some who belonged to the church (assembly).

2 And he killed James the brother of John with a sword;

3 And when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded further and arrested Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week].

4 And when he had seized [Peter], he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers of four each to guard him, purposing after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly).

6 The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

7 And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared [standing beside him], and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, Tighten your belt and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your outer garment around you and follow me.

9 And [Peter] went out [along] following him, and he was not conscious that what was apparently being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city. Of its own accord [the gate] swung open, and they went out and passed on through one street; and at once the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting [to do to me].

12 When he, at a glance, became aware of this [[a]comprehending all the elements of the case], he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where a large number were assembled together and were praying.

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An old memory: It was about thirty years ago that two of us wanted to get some of the scriptures in the local daily paper. So we placed an article saying "PREACHER THROWN IN PRISON" , with a post like the one above. We knew that even the unsaved would love to read what they thought was a current event.

I was attending an old FGBMFI meeting in a new city. The meeting seemed o.k. and we had some great fellowship. After the meeting was over, I was walking to my car and a tall gentleman recognized me and wanted to talk. He then introduced his son and wife to me.

The son told me that his life was in trouble and he needed advise and help. I just listened and he said something like: "I have made some awful investments in my life. I bought metals, stocks and lost all of my savings and we are in trouble." From a outwardly view, a strong Christian family. The problem came in his rant where he began his blasting the Lord in his rage. As if the Lord had driven him into these investments.

I knew as I listened that he wanted investment advise. I told him that I understood his bad investments and I had done the same. I was just beginning to explain to him that he had lost more than his money while investing in the world, he had lost his Way, the narrow road that leads to Life. His real problem was his lack of repentance and returning to the Lord.

Yes I really had this dream last night and hope it is for someone. Jim

Go Hide thyself- By: Leonard Ravenhill ; MUST WATCH

"HELL HATH NO EXITS"!

In 1517 a prominent salesman of Papal indulgences, Tetzel, showed a

shamelessness and buffoonery in his business which, more perhaps than

anything else, impressed on people its inherent charlatanry. When he

came to Wittenberg, Luther, failing to arouse the Elector of Saxony to

action, and encouraged by Stanpitz, himself nailed on the church door

the Ninety-five Theses which set Europe in a blaze, as men realized that

a voice had at last been raised to utter what most felt–that the whole

system of indulgences was a fraud and had no place in the Gospel. A poor

monk now faced and fought the whole vast Papal power; his “Address to

the Nobility of the German Nation on the Liberty of the Christian Man"

and his “Babylonian Captivity of the Church" appealed to all Europe.

The Pope issued a Bull excommunicating him; he burnt it publicly at

Wittenberg (1520). Summoned to Worms before the Papal authorities,

he braved all dangers and went, and none was able to harm him. When

he left, his life being threatened, his friends carried him off secretly to a

castle, the Wartburg, and let it be supposed that he was dead. There he

translated the New Testament into German, following it later by the Old

Testament. The effect of increased reading of the Scriptures, and that in

a time when questions of religion were violently agitating masses of the

population, was to change the whole aspect of Christendom. The dull

hopelessness with which men had seen the ever-increasing corruption

and rapacity of the Church, was exchanged for a vivid hope that now,

at last, the time of revival had come, the time of a return to Apostolic,

primitive Christianity; Christ Himself was seen afresh, revealed in the

Scriptures as the Redeemer and immediate Saviour of sinners and the

Way to God for a suffering humanity.

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Are we ready to "return to Apostolic, primitive Christianity, with Christ seen afresh and revealed in the scriptures as the Redeemer and immediate Saviour of sinners and the Way to God?"

When we were working in the Ukraine during the early '90's, I met a local grade school teacher who was teaching the scriptures in the public schools. I was a bit shocked and told her that it was illegal in America. Then there was the time in Zululand where I was able to address the entire school, and taught the basics of Christianity. The principal of the school thanked us and said that they, the students, were the future of the Zulu nation and they needed to hear the message of Jesus the Christ.

This last week, I have been asked to help some of our local youth, who are in public schools, with their evangelism programs. They all need big funds to go into their third world nations. Not to testify of their faith and trust in Christ alone but to build steeple houses and homes. This has been happening for decades. They actually think that they are missionaries but some will find out that the third world youth may be light years ahead of them. There is nothing wrong with building homes for people.

I have met many youth who first want to attend some S.H. bible college and become a pastor. I tell them to stay home and work in the field in their home area which is white unto harvest. That is not what they want to hear. It is an exciting thing for Americans to be sent out from their divisions as missionaries, however, many are not prepared for what they will encounter in those foreign fields and come home.

We still like "Go unto all the world and preach the Gospel".

This topic may stir some, however, I have been in that foreign field to see what America has sent into their field and it is not the living book of Acts. jmo

I just talked to Carol's daughter in California. Carol was just rushed to the hospital and things are not looking very good. It would be good for those at table to pray for Carol, even tonight, as her future life here is in need of Help. jim

The Condemnation of Huss

On the morning of July 6th, 1415, the council met in the cathedral. Huss, as a heretic, was detained in the porch while Mass was celebrated. The bishop of Lodi preached from the text, "That the body of sin might be destroyed." (Rom. 6:6) It would be difficult to say, whether from gross ignorance or malice he perverted the word of God to the purpose of the council. It was a fierce declamation against heresies and errors, but chiefly against Huss, who was pronounced to be as bad as Arius, and worse than Sabellius. He closed with adulatory praise to the Emperor. "It is thy glorious office to destroy heresies and schisms, especially this obstinate heretic," pointing to the prisoner, who was kneeling in an elevated place and in fervent prayer. About thirty articles of accusation were read. Huss frequently attempted to speak but was not allowed. The sentence was then passed: — "That for several years John Huss has seduced and scandalized the people by the dissemination of many doctrines manifestly heretical, and condemned by the church, especially those of John Wycliffe. That he has obstinately trampled upon the keys of the church and the ecclesiastical censures, that he has appealed to Jesus Christ as sovereign judge, to the contempt of the ordinary judges of the church; and that such an appeal was injurious, scandalous, and made in derision of ecclesiastical authority. That he has persisted to the last in his errors, and even maintained them in full council. It is therefore ordained that he be publicly deposed and degraded from holy orders as an obstinate and incorrigible heretic." Huss prayed for the forgiveness of his enemies, which called forth derision from some members of the council; but in the midst of it all he lifted up his hands, and exclaimed, "Behold, most gracious Saviour, how the council condemns as an error what thou hast prescribed and practised, when, overborne by enemies, thou committedst thy cause to God thy Father, leaving us this example, that when we are oppressed we may have recourse to the judgment of God. " In his closing remarks he turned and looked steadily at Sigismund, and said, "I came to this council under the public faith of the Emperor." A deep blush passed over his face at this sudden and unexpected rebuke.

The Degradation and Execution of John Huss

The archbishop of Milan and six assisting bishops performed the inglorious ceremony of degradation. Huss was clothed in priestly garments, the sacramental cup was put into his hand, and he was led to the high altar as if about to celebrate Mass. The devoted martyr calmly observed, "that his Redeemer had been arrayed with royal robes in mockery." The bishops appointed then proceeded to the office of degradation. He was stripped, one by one, of his sacred vestments, the cup was taken from his hand, the tonsure was obliterated by the scissors, a paper crown, daubed over with demons, was placed on his head, and with the superscription, Heresiarch. The prelates then piously devoted his soul to the regions of eternal woe. "Accursed Judas, who, having forsaken the counsel of peace, art entered into that of the Jews, we take this holy cup from thee, in which is the blood of Jesus Christ." But God stood by His faithful servant in a remarkable way, and enabled him to cry aloud, "I trust, in the mercy of God, I shall drink of it this day in His kingdom." "We devote thy soul to the infernal demons," said the prelates. "But I," said Huss, "commit my spirit into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ; unto Thee I commend my soul which Thou hast redeemed."

In the most awfully solemn mockery and daring hypocrisy, the false church thought to rid itself of the stain of blood by declaring Huss to be cut off from the ecclesiastical body, released from the grasp of the church, and consigned as a layman to the vengeance of the secular arm. The Emperor now took charge of the outcast, and commanded his immediate execution. The Elector Palatine, with eight hundred horse, and a great multitude from the city, conducted the martyr to the stake. They stopped before the bishop's palace, where a heap of his books which had been condemned by the council were burning. He only smiled at this feeble act of vengeance. He endeavoured to speak to the people and the imperial guards in German, but the Elector prevented him and ordered him to be burned. But nothing could disturb the peace of his mind: God was with him. He chanted the psalms as he went along, and prayed with such fervour, that the people of the town said, "What this man has done, we know not, but we hear him offer up most excellent prayers to God." On reaching the place of execution, he kneeled down, prayed for the forgiveness of his enemies, and commended his soul into the hands of Christ.

Even after Huss was tied to the stake, and the wood piled around him, the Elector asked him if he would not now recant and save his life. He nobly replied, "What I have written and taught was in order to rescue souls from the power of the devil, and to deliver them from the tyranny of sin, and I do gladly seal what I have written and taught with my blood." The faggots were then lighted; he remained firm and suffered with unshaken constancy, but his sufferings were brief. The Lord permitted a rising volume of smoke to suffocate his faithful martyr before the fire had scorched him. With the last feeble accents of his voice he was heard singing the praise of Jesus who died to save him. His ashes were carefully collected, and thrown into the lake, but his happy soul was now with Jesus in the paradise of God. The faithful piety of his affectionate followers tore up the earth from the spot of his martyrdom, carried it to Bohemia, moistened it with their tears, and preserved it as a relic of one whose name is never to be forgotten, but ever to be loved.

Thus died, thus slept in Jesus, one of the true harbingers of the Reformation. (Miller's Church History - P. 669-670)