Friday, January 29, 2021

Valentine's Day - Babylon's Romantic Deception

Joseph Herrin

























NOTICE!: It was necessary in declaring the truth of the origin of Valentine’s Day, and the symbols associated with it, to include some material of a sexually graphic nature. The intent of this writer is not to be controversial, nor to stir up impure thoughts of a sexual nature, but rather to expose the deceptions of the enemy in order to lead the Elect of God to separate themselves from all that is impure.

We should not be surprised to learn that many symbols and traditions that have been handed down to us from former generations have their origin in some idolatrous practice or obscene source. Much that mankind deems to be innocent and harmless today was birthed in the mind of the one who is the adversary of God, and the adversary of man. The Scriptures declare the following concerning Satan:

I John 5:19-21
The whole world lies in the power of the evil one... Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world...

In recent months the Spirit of Christ has led me to put together a number of presentations that focus upon the spirit of Babylon. Babylon throughout Scripture is a symbol for the kingdoms of men under the direction of Satan. Babylon was marked by its extreme idolatry, as the prophet Jeremiah declared. As the end of this age draws near we find that Satan is seeking to restore his dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth, in effect rebuilding Babylon.

We can discern Satan’s present activity as we observe the judgment Yahweh brought on the first construction of ancient Babel. This was the Babel of Nimrod and Semiramis. The practices of this ancient city were very profane, as the idolatrous religion that sprang up there was focused upon fertility rites that included orgies and prostitution.

An excellent, and well documented book, that explores the origin and dispersion of what became known as “The Mystery Religions” is The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop. In this book it is demonstrated that Nimrod and Semiramis became the original pattern for a myriad of religions that spread throughout the world when Yahweh confused the language of the people at Babel. These people took their idolatrous practices with them, using many different names for the deities they worshiped, although all can be traced back to Nimrod and Semiramis.




















In this hour the Holy Spirit of Christ is proclaiming the following message:

Revelation 18:4-5
"Come out of [Babylon], my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

Yahweh judged Babylon the first time by confusing the language of the people there and bringing division among them. He judged Babylon a second time when He brought all the prophecies of Jeremiah upon her, drying up her waters, and making her a waste place inhabited by the jackal and the hyena. Satan, however, is seeking to make the earth into Babylon once more. This is observed by the efforts to bring forth a one world government, as seen in the activity of the United Nations. It is seen in the ecumenical movement that is seeking to merge all the religions of the world together into one great amalgamation where the holy and profane are thrown together in an abominable mixture.

Babylon was the last place where the people of the world were united, and Satan is seeking to unite them once again under his dominion. The number three is symbolic of completion and fulness. There will be a third judgment of Babylon when Yahshua returns, judges the world, and destroys this latest incarnation of Babylon.

Revelation 18:20
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her."

The whole world, including a carnal and sleeping church, lies in the power of the evil one. His power is deception. He has led even the saints of God to embrace and participate in festivals and holidays that were consecrated to idols, and which are filled with impure images and rites. He has hidden the understanding of these images and rites and has supplied false meanings for them in order to lead people to embrace that which is profane and vile.

Almost all Christians do so out of ignorance, but the Spirit is calling His children to separate themselves from all that is unholy and profane that He might not judge them along with Babylon. The practices and symbols spoken of here are disgraceful, and will certainly be shocking to some who will for the first time understand their origin. I am sharing these things in the spirit of the following command of Scripture:

Ephesians 5:11-15
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;  for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light... Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise...

These celebrations began in Babylon, and their symbols are directly related to the veneration of the sex act that was made the focus of idolatrous worship through Nimrod and his wife.

Valentine’s Day has been called many different things through the centuries, and even today it is called various names by the nations. The following information is taken from the website www.wikipedia.org
















In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine's Day is known simply as "Saint Valentin," and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries.

In Denmark & Norway Valentine's Day (14 Feb) is known as Valentinsdag... people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and... its celebration is recognized and sales of cosmetics and flowers for this holiday are only bested by those for Mother's Day.

In Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day..."

In Turkey, Valentine's Day is called Sevgililer Günü which translates into "Sweethearts' Day..."

According to Jewish tradition the 15th day of the month of Av - Tu B'Av (usually late August) is the festival of love. In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Judges 21:19-25). In modern Israeli culture this is a popular day to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers...

Valentine's Day has emerged in Japan and Korea as a day on which women, and less commonly men, give candy, chocolate or flowers. It has become an obligation for many women to give chocolates to all male co-workers...

By a further marketing effort, a reciprocal day called White Day has emerged. On March 14, men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day. Originally, the return gift was supposed to be white chocolate or marshmallows; hence "White Day." However, lingerie and jewelry have become common gifts...

In Chinese culture, there is a counterpart to Valentine's Day, called "The Night of Sevens"; according to legend the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid meet in Heaven on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar...

In Persian culture (Iran) Sepandarmazgan is a day for love, which is on 29 Bahman in the Jalali solar calendar. The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar is 17 February. Sepandarmazgan were held in the Great Persian Empire in the 20th century BC hundreds of years before its acknowledgment by western world.
[End Excerpt]

There are many sources that trace the observance of Valentine’s Day back to the Roman festival known as Lupercalia. This became such a debauched event that Pope Gelasius abolished it during his reign between 492-496 A.D.. Although the Lupercalia was a local event in the city of Rome, a wider festival was observed by the people of this time known as Juno Februa, or Juno the Purifier. Juno is a type of Semiramis. The month of February takes its name from this festival that celebrated purification and fertility.

The oldest documented celebration I have found on this date is that of Sepandarmazgan, which was celebrated as early as 2,000 B.C. in the Persian Empire. That it should be found there is to be expected, for Babylon lies in what is now the nation of Iraq, and Iran is its immediate neighbor to the East. The following quotes are taken from Iranian (Persian) websites.

Sepandarmaz is another name for mainyu (earth) meaning sacred, humble, and passionate. It is the symbol of love. It is humble, meaning it is modest toward the entire creation. These are the qualities attributed to Earth that spreads beneath our feet, thus the symbol of modesty and love. As human beings, there are creatures that we find unpleasant and repulsive even, but Earth is not like us. She embraces all creatures the same and loves them the same; like a mother who loves all her children alike, even when they are ugly. In our ancient culture, mother is symbolized by sepandarmaz or earth.

In the feast of Sepandarmazgan, Earth was worshiped and women venerated. On this day, Royal women and girls sat on the throne and men and boys had to obey them and bring them presents and gifts. In this way, men were reminded to acclaim and respect women.
[Source: http://www.tavoosmag.com]

In the mystery religions, the earth and celestial bodies were envisioned as deities. Nimrod, who also was known as Baal, was pictured in the Sun. Semiramis was at times pictured in the Earth, as well as the Moon, for both are linked to fertility. A woman’s menstrual cycles are based upon the phases of the Moon. The ancient Indo-European word menes denoted both Moon and Month, and serves as the basis for the words menses and menstrual. Thus, the moon became a symbol of fertility. Crops were planted according to the phases of the Moon, and people determined the best dates for conception by the same observances.

The earth also served as a symbol of fertility, and it is this relationship that has given rise to the name “Mother Earth.” Semiramis, therefore, being the origin of the goddess of fertility was associated with both the Earth and the Moon. Sepandarmazgan is a feast established for the worship of Mother Earth, whose bounty was entreated by bringing gifts to women. This is the origin of men presenting gifts to their female lovers on Valentine’s Day. Chocolates, roses, greeting cards, jewelry, and a variety of other gifts are all the modern enactment of this ancient idolatrous festival.

Doing a search on this ancient festival will lead one to discern its origins in the Zoroastrian religion, and its association with the god Ahura Mazda. Alexander Hislop reveals that both Zoroaster and Ahura Mazda are other identities of Nimrod. Understanding these things is reason enough for a Christian to choose to not have any participation in this festival. The Scriptures state:

II Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."
The thoughtful Christian should consider that the various festivals and holidays that the world celebrates all had an origin at some point, and many of them can be traced back directly to idolatrous worship. When we discern that an event has such an origin, we should separate ourselves from any association with that which was birthed in idolatry. Even more, many of these idolatrous celebrations were very obscene, having a focus upon the act of reproduction that was distorted into something contrary to Yahweh’s desire. Rather than sex being viewed as a sacred thing to be shared among a husband and wife in a relationship of fidelity, it became something promiscuous.

The symbol most widely associated with Valentine’s Day is the heart. As one looks at the shape of an actual human heart, they should wonder how it ever came to be depicted as it now is. Following is an image of an actual human heart, and the symbol now associated with it.
































Below is an image created by tracing the outline of the actual human heart above.







































Egyptian Ieb

The ancient Egyptians when wanting to symbolize the human organ had a much different image that they used. It is called the Ieb. This is a much better graphic as it reflects the valves and arteries of the heart. This image pre-dates the heart graphic that has become commonplace today. One must ask, “Where then did the shape we now draw as a heart originate?” Following is one account.

What the traditional "heart shape" actually depicts is a matter of some controversy. It only vaguely resembles the human heart. Some claim that it actually depicts the hearts of cattle, a more readily available sight to most people in past centuries than an actual human heart. However, while beef hearts are more similar to the iconic heart shape, the resemblance is still slight. The shape does resemble that of the three-chambered heart of the turtle, and that of the human male prostate gland, but it is very unlikely that the image was patterned after either of these organs.

There are many claims that the "heart" shape actually depict features of the human female, such as the female's pubic mound or vulva. A Sumerian cuneiform symbol for "woman" closely resembles the heart shape, and is believed to directly depict the pubic mound. Others maintain that the heart resembles the shape of the female breasts or the female buttocks, especially when bent over in readiness for copulation. Any of these origins would indicate that the heart was originally a symbol of fertility and sexuality, explaining its current association with love.

The heart shape may also represent a perfectly formed and spread labia.

The piercing of a heart or valentine with an arrow, an obvious phallic symbol, then becomes a straightforward representation of "act of love" — penile-vaginal penetration.
[Source: burningtaper.blogspot.com ]

I believe the actual origin of the heart symbol can be demonstrated convincingly as one considers the source from which it arises. We must keep in mind that Valentine’s Day is simply the modern form of the ancient festival that worshiped Semiramis as the goddess of fertility. Her festivals were known for their impure sexual practices, and the act of sexual intercourse was an integral part of it.

Before I go further to show what the heart symbol actually represents, I want to first look at a common way in which it is depicted at Valentine’s Day. It is very commonly shown in association with Cupid shooting an arrow into it. Following is one such illustration.















It is commonly understood that the arrow is a phallic symbol, that is, it is an image that represents the male sex organ. This symbolism is used even in the internationally recognized symbol for the male sex.




















We can gain more understanding as we understand who Cupid is. Although Cupid is commonly depicted today as a winged baby, this is merely part of the deceit of Satan. He seeks to depict Cupid as something that is innocent, when historically he has been known as anything but innocent. Following are some common depictions.





































The actual identity of Cupid reveals an image that is not innocent at all. The website Wikipedia states this of his identity. “In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido) is the god of erotic love and sex. He is equated with the Greek god Eros, and another one of his Latin names Amor...” We can understand the true nature of Cupid as we observe some of the English words that have been derived from his Roman, Greek and Latin names.

Concupisence: illicit sexual desire, unlawful desire
Cupidity: covetousness
Eroticism: an abnormal emphasis of sex and sexual relations
Erotogenic: producing sexual desires
Amorous: showing, or feeling sexual desire

The Greeks and Romans viewed Cupid/Eros after the image that these words depict. The following words are found under the Wikipedia listing for Eros: “In Greek mythology, Eros was the primordial god of lust, love, and intercourse; he was also worshiped as a fertility deity.” Following is a picture of a statue of Cupid/Eros found in the ruins of Pompeii. It is dated to the first century B.C..

























It is evident that this is no cherubic baby. The citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were alike killed in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, were obsessed with sex. The paintings, sculpture, and other artwork found in these buried cities reveal the most explicit and excessive focus upon sex. That a judgment was brought upon these cities due to their sin is as likely as it was for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah who ran to the same excesses.

Knowing then that it is Satan’s habit to depict that which is vile in an innocent form; knowing that Cupid is the god of illicit sexual desire, and understanding that the arrow is a symbol of the male sex organ, what is it that is actually being depicted in the symbols associated with Valentine’s day?















It is actually a depiction of the act of intercourse. We have seen that the arrow is an image of the male sex organ. What then is the heart shape an image of? The writer cited earlier listed a number of possibilities. The correct one, I believe, is that it depicts the female organ with the labia pulled back. This accounts for both the shape, and the red, or pink color.

Following is a depiction of the female organ taken from the cover of an online magazine. In the following images the color and arrow are added. I came across this image while researching the article “Another Gospel” back in 2002. The originator of this magazine was a friend of Jay Bakker, son of Jim Bakker. By following a link on the ministry site of Jay Bakker, I was led to this image at a time when I had just begun to consider the origin of the heart symbol. I was immediately struck by the profound resemblance of the female sexual organ with the labia pulled back, and that image we now refer to as a heart symbol.















It is evident that although the heart symbol is a poor match for the shape of the human heart, it is a perfect match for the shape of the female sex organ opened invitingly for the act of sex. However, there is more evidence that this symbol was used for thousands of years in this manner.

In the ancient city of Ephesus a marble paving stone was found that is described as being the world’s oldest surviving example of advertising. On this marble stone is a picture of a prostitute holding a sign with the name of a sex house in ancient Ephesus. Along with the prostitute is the depiction of a man’s footprint, believed by some to indicate the direction to the house. There is also found on this same stone what we refer to as the heart symbol. Following are a few pictures of this marble paving stone.
































































This paving stone can still be viewed as it was originally laid out on a sidewalk of ancient Ephesus. The Ephesus brothel and public latrine were both located a short distance away. That you might be incredulous to think that the Ephesians would have a depiction of the female sex organ on their street is understandable. Yet just outside the brothel on a public well was found a statue of the god Bes. It is pictured below.
















The Ephesians openly flaunted their excessive focus on sexuality. It was a common thing to go to a brothel to engage in sexual activity. Many of the temples of the day employed prostitutes to engage with the devoted followers of various fertility gods and goddesses in sex rites. The statue of Bes pictured above is rather tame in comparison to much of the sexual paraphernalia and artwork found in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

It was not just ancient peoples who understood the significance of what we now refer to as the heart symbol. The female sex organ is often associated with this shape today. One slang reference to the female sex organ is a cherry. The images shown below reveal their great similarity of form.














The website “answers at Yahoo.com” gives the following information regarding the symbolism of the cherry.

Certain fruits have strong fertility symbolism, and a deep red, ripe, juicy cherry is no exception. The cherry has come to represent chastity and purity as the fruit ripens on the tree. Once plucked, a cherry represents the loss of innocence and virtue. A cherry tasted is a virgin no more.

A cherry surrounded in flames speaks of unquenchable desire or passion.
[Source: answers at Yahoo.com]

Another common depiction of the heart symbol at Valentine’s Day includes a picture of a lock and a key. Following are some common depictions.




















After recognizing that the heart is a symbol for the female sex organ, the lock and key then attain a greater meaning. Some have suggested that the key is another symbol for the male sex organ. The key also points to an unlocking of a female’s chastity so that she will become promiscuous with her male suitor. There were times when men so feared that their wives and daughters would engage in undesirable sexual conduct, that the women were forced to wear chastity belts.














The heart with a lock and key is simply another reference to the act of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. Valentine’s Day originated as a debauched festival that led to a great lack of restraint among mankind, including a profusion of prostitution and orgies. Satan has simply attempted to deceive those who would object to such overt imagery today by masking them in ways that appear cute and innocent.




















In a society where sexual fidelity is becoming hard to find, even among those in the church, is Valentine’s Day something that you want to participate in? And what of your children? Is it really an innocent thing when young boys and girls give one another cards and gifts on this day, and ask one another to “Be My Valentine”? Or is Satan setting our children up for a future life of sexual impurity? Will the childish request of today turn into the immoral proposition of the future? Is it proper to teach our children to flirt with the opposite sex in such a way? Do they need to be focused upon dating and sexual attraction while they are yet in elementary school? Consider the messages that children give to one another on pieces of heart shaped candy.




















I attended public grade school as a child. One of the annual events of school life was exchanging valentine’s cards with all the other members of the class I was in. Even as a young boy I found it exciting to receive Valentine’s cards from the girls in my class. We also got small cardboard boxes of heart shaped candy with messages on each one, similar to the image above. Boys and girls would huddle together and talk of giving a heart candy with a particular message on it to some member of the opposite sex.

As a Christian, we should understand the power of the thoughts we entertain. Every Valentine’s Day young children have their minds directed toward thoughts of sexuality in a context outside of Yahweh’s plan for them. They are directed to embrace a mindset of flirtation and sexual suggestion. These thoughts often take root during these annual events and begin to form channels for future thoughts toward the opposite sex. A very worldly mindset is embraced, where lust, or some romantic illusion, becomes the basis for contemplation of any relationship with the opposite sex. As children get older, these thoughts turn to action.

What many view as innocent suggestions, and harmless activity, such as that of exchanging Valentine’s Day cards in elementary school, is actually establishing patterns of thought that will impact the course of one’s life. Consider the message of the following cards.

















Message: “Why beat around the bush at all, or be afraid to show it? When on someone love wants to call, why not let someone know it?”

The message and the imagery of naked children is far from innocent.



















This Valentine’s card is typical of many of the works of Satan. He is a genius at suggestiveness. He often cloaks hidden messages in imagery. The very practices of the advertising world are the fruit of Satan’s fallen thinking. Ezekiel 28 speaks of Satan defiling his sanctuaries by the abundance of his trade. This is seen again in his leading the people of God to turn the Temple of God into a house of merchandise and money changers. Advertising is all about stirring up some desire in a person to make them covet the thing that is being sold. Stirring up the appetites of the flesh is one of the greatest areas of Satan’s work, and he is a master at it.

Many have heard of various forms of subliminal advertising. Images formed in the shape of a cloud, or the swirls of an ice cube, can all be used to evoke thoughts and emotions even when the conscious mind does not recognize what it is seeing. I have at times studied such marketing tricks, and the hand of Satan is clearly behind it all.

The card above with the boy at the pump and the girl holding the heart is an example of Satan’s usage of imagery to evoke emotions and thoughts that the person looking at it might not even consciously recognize. The heart, as we have shown, is a representation of the female sex organ. Notice that the pump associated with the boy is also an image of the male sex organ. Even the flow of water is symbolic.

Proverbs 5:15-18
Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. Should your springs be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be yours alone and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.

In this Proverb, a man’s seed is depicted as a spring of water. The reader is exhorted to share this spring only with the wife of his youth. The message of Valentine’s Day is to share this spring with whomever one is attracted to. Following is another Valentine’s Card with a not so subtle message.

























The word “Swing” is emphasized. Swing has become a word used to denote an open sexual lifestyle that includes wife-swapping and other forms of immoral sexual conduct. The messages that are associated with Valentine’s Day are becoming increasingly more overt as Satan finds it less necessary to disguise an open invitation to sexual promiscuity. Society is becoming more accepting of immoral conduct. There is less censorship, and even at the highest levels of government arguments are heard repeatedly that a person’s private life has no bearing on his/her professional life.

I will show one more Valentine’s Day card to lead into another item that is greatly associated with this celebration, roses.

























Florists around the world do a brisk business in flower sales at Valentine’s Day. Where did this tradition arise from? Roses were sacred to Venus, Diana, and Aphrodite, all of whom are various incarnations of Semiramis.

In searching for historical information on the artifacts associated with the various fertility goddesses, I came across a site posted by a pagan worshiper of Venus. Historical information was provided on the Veneralia, one of the chief festivals dedicated to the worship of Venus. The rose is mentioned frequently in association with Venus.

This pagan worshiper has made a room in her house into a shrine for Venus, which she describes in the following way:

I have a room at home which is specifically and only Venus's Temple. No one is even allowed in that room unless I know for sure that they will show respect for the Goddess (so basically all Pagans are welcome!). In her Temple I have many statues of Venus and her altar. Her altar is decorated with sea shells, rose quartz and rocks shaped like hearts, which I gathered on the beaches of Greece. I also have the altar decorated with fresh flowers (usually roses) which are sacred to her plus jewelry and other pretty trinkets which I find fitting for the Goddess of Love and Beauty.

It is no coincidence that the images associated with the worship of this pagan fertility goddess are the same images that are observed in profusion on Valentine’s Day. This day finds its origin in Babylon, in the veneration of Nimrod and Semiramis. Like Christmas and Easter, which still bear the distinct imprint of their pagan origins, so too does Valentine’s Day. Even as there is much that is debased and obscene in the idolatrous rites of Semiramis and Nimrod, so too do we find this same spirit associated with the observance of Valentine’s Day.

One of the people I asked to review this article commented with the following remarks.

A child that has been abused and beaten by his or her natural father has a very difficult time understanding or believing the love of Yahweh that is revealed in the relationship of father and child. 

Just so, the marital relationship has been trodden under foot. Even believers fail to recognize the spiritual significance of it and are thus unable to partake of what was meant as a gift to be treasured. As a living example to teach a message and a truth.

The language of symbols is a pure language - as long as the symbols remain untainted. When the symbols are corrupted the message does not come through clearly. It is garbled and misunderstood. That is why the Adversary will twist the meaning any way he can. His first appearance in scripture shows one method that he will use to blind humanity. Casting doubt on the expressed Word.

Gene 3:1 (KJS) Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 

When Yahweh says, "Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Hebr 13:4 (KJS) - the enemy says, "Did God really mean that?" Then he will cast up before the mind all the filth that he has managed to wrap around it - centuries of pornography, bestiality, perversion, pagan rituals, fornications, adulteries and more. He will say, "how can something holy come out of what is unholy?" 

But the answer to that is - the Holy came first.

Yahweh will eventually open the eyes of His chosen ones to see and understand. 

Zeph 3:9 (KJS) For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. 
[End Quote]

The point is well taken. Even as Satan has sought to distort mankind’s image of God as our Father by placing before our eyes a myriad of images and examples of distorted fatherhood, so too does he seek to distort mankind’s understanding of the marriage relationship. Generations have now been raised up with the television’s depiction of marriage. Over time the image in the minds of the young have become further confused in regard to what God has intended.

In a short span of time we have gone from the marriage relationship revealed in Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best to the wildly unfaithful relationships between men and women observed in such shows as Sex in the City. Our society has had pushed upon it by the great deceiver an image of the male/female relationship that is based completely upon selfishness. Men are seeking some never ending sexual fantasy that is seldom satisfied by one woman, and women are pursuing the man of their dreams through sensual dress and provocative language. All of these things are present in the rites and symbols of Valentine’s Day, but they have often gone unrecognized by a society who has lost the knowledge of Yahweh’s true desire for the lifelong unselfish union between a man and a woman, a relationship that basks in heartfelt communion while seeking the welfare of the other party.

Valentine’s Day not only is sowing confusion regarding male/female relationships, but it’s origin is in the idolatry of ancient Babylon. One brother who wrote a response to this article shared the following:

I do believe that this presentation is a word that the body of Christ would benefit from if we are ever going to move from mere babes and grow up into Him who is the Head, which is Christ. Most of us, including myself, do not fully realize how much the Babylonian system of worship is ingrained in our world and way of life, unless the Spirit reveals it to us...

If those with the light remain silent, then we are only companions to this delusion. We are not called to keep our light hidden. The Apostle Paul exhorts the saints in Philippians 2:15-16, "...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..."

Joseph, my exhortation to you is to hold forth the word of truth regarding this teaching whether or not it brings reproach. If the bride is to become without spot or wrinkle then it is necessary that all the idols (including blatant and hidden ones) be cast down and thrown into the fire. Idols, albeit those associated with Christmas, Easter, or Valentine's Day, are still alive and well in this present evil age. And just like Israel of old, His saints today are still, knowingly or unknowingly, clinging to those things devoted to destruction.  It is high time for the bride of Christ to awake from her slumber and let the light of Christ shine on them. "Truly, these times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." Joseph, you do well to admonish the saints in the words of the Apostle John, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."
[End Quote]

Babylon was both a place of great idolatry and great immorality. Satan is working ceaselessly to re-establish Babylon upon the Earth and to destroy everything that God has called holy. The Spirit of Christ is calling out, “Come out of her My people, lest you participate in her sins and partake of her plagues.” May He have an obedient people.

Heart4God Website:
http://www.heart4god.ws    

Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com    

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Evaluating These Times

Politics: The 2 Headed Monster

Many people have been writing to me and asking about my thoughts on the Presidential elections. I can only assume that these people do not understand the two party system in the way that I have explained it. I have testified that I have not voted since before Reagan was elected to the Presidency. At that time I realized that whether one was a Republican or a Democrat, that the candidates for President were chosen by the same men, and all were using the same methods to deceive the nation. I would recommend reading the following articles and book.






Take time to think about why Donald Trump was a democrat up until the time he ran as the Republican President. The political system is all the same system. Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud, said a century ago:

A presidential candidate may be “drafted” in response to “overwhelming popular demand,” but it is well known that his name may be decided upon by half a dozen men sitting around a table in a hotel room. 
[Source: Propaganda, Edward Bernays]

Politics is not real. It is fakery, to guide people to make the decisions that they are wanted to make. Some things that are fake: The Moon Landings, Covid 19, Vaccines, Television News, History as Taught in Schools, Evolution, Racism, etc.

Revelation 12:9
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world...

If you say you do not know where Satan is deceiving the world, then just look. Politics is only one area of a million. 

I Corinthians 6:9, 15:33, Galatians 6:7, James 1:16
Do not be deceived.

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws    

Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com    

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

Monday, January 25, 2021

The Gate and the Way - Part 11

























Suffering as True Worship

I can think of no better way to end this series on suffering and discipleship than to reveal the relationship between suffering and the worship of Yahweh. As with many of the church’s teachings in this hour, truth has fallen by the wayside. It is needful at this hour to re-establish the critical link between suffering and the worship of Yahweh.

I was visiting with a brother in Christ this past week when our conversation turned to the subject of worship. He shared with me that he had recently completed a study on the subject of worship and he uncovered a very important fact. The very first mention of worship in the Bible describes an act of profound sacrifice and suffering. When Abraham is taking his son Isaac up to the mount to offer him up as a sacrifice to Yahweh, he refers to this act as worship.

Genesis 22:3-5
So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."

The first mention of anything in the Bible is very significant. The meaning of a thing is often found in first occurrences. As we examine this passage we find that Abraham had a very different concept of worship than that which the church has in this hour.

I have often pondered this experience of Abraham, and I think it would be well for all saints to spend much time considering it. There was no act of man found anywhere in the Old Testament that was more pleasing to Yahweh than this costly obedience of Abraham, the friend of God.

Genesis 22:15-18
Then the angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares Yahweh, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

It is difficult to imagine the pain and conflict that was present in the soul of Abraham as he journeyed for three days on his way to the mountain to slay his beloved son. Surely this must have been Abraham’s Gethsemane moment where his soul was crushed as unto death.

I believe that during the three days Abraham journeyed to the mount he experienced great wrestling in his soul. It was possible that he could turn back and follow the counsel of his own soul rather than heeding the command of Yahweh. Yet, after three days of wrestling, and not shrinking back, Abraham laid the matter to rest. The will of God must be done no matter the cost. I believe the moment of Abraham’s victory is revealed in a small, often overlooked detail that serves as a parable of what has transpired. In the passage above we hear Abraham’s first utterance in this experience.

Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."

There are no details of God’s word that are without significance. Yahweh does not waste words. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey.” The donkey is a symbol of the stubborn and rebellious soul of man. Abraham at this point was freed of the donkey. It had been firmly resolved in his heart that he would carry through with that which Yahweh required of him. This resolution was spoken forth, “I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” The matter was settled. The cross had been embraced. Now there was a perfect yielding to the will of the Father.

Abraham trusted Yahweh who years earlier had promised to bless Isaac. Abraham fully anticipated having to slay his son, but he believed also that Yahweh would have to raise Isaac up from the dead, for Yahweh’s promises could not fail.

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Consider for a moment the attitude and actions of Abraham at this time. I do not believe that Abraham was marching along rejoicing aloud about the goodness of God. He was not singing loud praises to the God of heaven. The church associates worship with such things today, yet the first pure act of worship to Yahweh mentioned in Scriptures was not attended with these things. I believe Abraham was walking along quietly, speaking very little, as his soul was full of the contemplation of what he must do. The following verse gives a clue to Abraham’s silent introspection.

Genesis 22:7-8
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.

In these words we read of Isaac and Abraham walking silently together. A question is burning in Isaac’s heart. Isaac begins by getting his father’s attention. He says, “My father!” Abraham responds “Here I am my son.” Abraham likely seemed far away, lost in his thoughts. He was full of the pain that arose at the thought of slaying his beloved son whom he loved so much. As Isaac speaks Abraham responds tenderly, assuring him that he is present with him in both body and thought.

Examining this experience reveals that worship does not necessarily involve the tongue of man. Worship is not simply something we speak forth. True worship is much more profound. It involves the very depths of a man’s soul. Worship is revealed in both faith and obedience. 

Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...

It requires confidence in the faithfulness of Yahweh for a man to obey God when He directs him to some painful course that involves sacrifice and sorrow. A man must believe that Yahweh has his best interests at heart and will cause all things to work together for good. Though Yahweh should lead the man down an afflicted path, the man must trust the One who is guiding him, believing that God has all wisdom and power, and is motivated by a perfect love.

There is no more profound act of worship than for a man to demonstrate great confidence in the goodness and faithfulness of Yahweh. Yahweh is pleased by man’s trust in Him.

Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

The apostle Peter came to understand the value Yahweh places upon the faith of His saints. He wrote:

I Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Yahshua Christ...

Peter speaks here of “the proof of your faith.” In the churches there are many songs sung where people declare their faith and trust in Yahweh. There are also many sermons given and confessions uttered whereby men and women declare their trust in God. Words, however, are not proof. A man can speak forth things which are not reality in his life. Let the man be tested to an extreme degree; let his own life, or the life of those he loves be put on the line, then it will be proven whether he truly has faith in Yahweh.

Peter states that the proof of our faith is “more precious than gold which is perishable.” To whom is man’s faith precious? Is it not Yahweh that Peter has in mind? Yahweh finds faith to be an exceedingly valuable thing. As Paul said, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith, an active and practical trust in the goodness and trustworthiness of God, is an exceedingly precious thing in the eyes of Yahweh.

Peter compares faith to gold. Gold is valuable for many reasons. Perhaps the greatest driver of the value of gold is its scarceness. If gold were as common as coal that is mined by the train loads its value would not be much. Faith is similar to gold in this aspect. Faith is uncommon. How many men in Abraham’s day would have manifested the faith of that man? How many men today have this kind of faith?

Peter also mentions that gold must be refined by fire. Our faith is proven and made pure through fiery trials as we set our hope and trust in God. The outcome of proven faith is “praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Yahshua Christ.” Will not Yahweh prove the character of every son’s faith? Will He not subject all to trials as He did Abraham that His sons might have an opportunity to worship Him and obtain praise and glory and honor?

People of God, true worship is not proven by what we say, or sing aloud as praise unto Yahweh. True worship is proven as we follow Yahweh obediently down an afflicted and distressing path that He asks us to walk. Do you want to worship God and Christ? Then accept the invitation of Yahshua to “Come, take up your cross, and follow Me.” This is worship.

We can find this definition of worship confirmed by the apostle Paul in the New Testament. Please consider carefully what is being expressed in the following verse.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

I have often made reference to this verse as I have shared with the saints the cost of discipleship. I have asked them, “What is a sacrifice? Is it not flesh that is laid upon an altar for the fire to consume it?” This is what Yahweh requires of His sons and daughters. He entreats us to yield our lives to Him. As we do, He will direct us to a sacrificial life where we encounter many fiery trials. The goal of these experiences is to reduce our flesh that a spiritual creation might arise. Paul declares that those who present themselves as a “living sacrifice” are offering to God true worship. As the smoke of the freewill offering ascended, it was as a fragrant aroma in the nostrils of God. So too do our lives become a sweet savor unto Yahweh when we freely yield them, and accept those fiery trials prepared for us.

I have often read invitations on church signs that said something like, “Come join us for worship.” Yet, what these churches are offering is an invitation to come and sing songs along with a praise band or choir. They may liven things up by having banners for people to wave, or dancers to accompany the songs being sung. Are these same ones yielding their lives to go wherever Christ would lead them? Have these ones found that afflicted path that leads to life, or are they pursuing prosperity, ease, comfort and those things that the soul of man desires?

There is much play acting that takes place in the churches today. Week after week Christians gather to proclaim their love of God, but their lives reveal that they love themselves more. The heart of man is prone to self-deception.

Matthew 15:7-8
“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’”

The word hypocrite means “play actor.” It is derived from a theatrical term in the Greek language. Tragically, the church has adopted a pattern of showing up on Sundays to play a part in a group drama. All those gathered together appear to be great worshipers of Yahweh and His Son. Yet the truth is “proven” by what they do outside the doors of the church. Have they accepted the call to Christian discipleship? Are they yielding their lives to follow Christ? Are they bearing their cross? Are they content with suffering, reproaches, persecution, rejection, loss and sorrow? Has the church embraced the “first things” that John wrote about in the book of Revelation?

In this hour the Spirit of Christ is inviting many to embrace a radically different life than they would choose for themselves. As Yahweh did with His friend Abraham, He is directing His people to a sacrificial life where they must lay all they love, including their own lives, on the altar. Christ said:

Luke 14:26-27
“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Do you want to worship God? Accept the invitation of Christ to be His disciple. Prove your faith by surrendering your life to Him. That which Yahweh esteems is costly. Christ would urge all who would be His disciples to “count the cost.” If you will count the cost of being a disciple of Christ, and accept it, Yahweh will truly be honored, and in that final day it will result in praise and glory and honor that far surpasses every pain and sacrifice.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days!

Heart4God Website:
http://www.heart4god.ws    

Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com    

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

Friday, January 22, 2021

The Gate and the Way - Part 10

























Suffering’s Role in Spiritual Growth

There is a very important, and little understood principle, to be addressed in this chapter. The principle can be summarized as the following:

The strength of the natural man must be broken in order for a spiritual creation born of the seed of Christ to be revealed in us.

Whenever a man is strong in a natural sense, the development of the spiritual man is inhibited. I would include here an excerpt from a previous writing titled The Shattered People that speaks of this principle.

All of us are like the seed of an oak, or even the seed of a grain of wheat. The life within the seed is there with all of the potential to grow into the pattern of that which it came from. Yet the outer shell restricts this life from coming forth. Even as a seed must fall into the ground and die, being subjected to freezing, flood, heat and pressure, resulting in the outer shell being broken open, so too must the lives of the saints be subjected to great stress in order for the life of Christ to be revealed. Christ Yahshua said we had but two options: we can fall on the Rock and be broken to pieces, or the Rock can fall on us and scatter us like dust (Matthew 21:44).

Recently, the Spirit revealed this truth of the necessity for brokenness in a most poignant way. I know of a man in his sixties who has been a child of God nearly forty years. There was much hardness in this man’s life, and the outer shell of his natural man greatly constricted the flow of the Spirit within him. He was prone to speak very cutting and hard words to members of his family, wounding many of them.

About a year ago this man had to undergo major surgery, and he nearly died. After his surgery he was left in a very weakened state physically, mentally, and emotionally. His natural strength was abated. In his weakened condition the Spirit was able to move in his life and to express qualities of meekness, gentleness, humility and love. In his vulnerability and weakness he expressed many words of regret about his past hardness, and the failures of his life. He called up family members, and with tears he spoke of his regret over his hardness, and he asked forgiveness of those whom he had hurt.

Over time this man’s strength began to return, and as it has the former hardness that was a characteristic of his natural man has also returned. He has returned to speaking hard and injurious words to those around him. As I contemplated this I saw clearly why the Spirit must bring all of God’s children to places of brokenness. We all “have this treasure in earthen vessels,” even the very life and Spirit of Christ. Yet this life will be as a bottle of precious and costly perfume that has never been opened if we protect it and do not allow it to be shattered. The scriptures give us a beautiful picture of this.

Mark 14:3
While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 
John 12:3
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.   

Alabaster is a white, marble-like mineral that people used to store ointments in. While the alabaster vial remains sealed and unbroken, the contents are completely hidden, closed off from the world. When Mary broke her alabaster vial we are told that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” If we want our environment to be filled with the fragrance of Christ, then we too must be broken vessels.
[End Excerpt]

I recently received correspondence from another saint who has embraced a surrendered life in recent years. She was directed by the Spirit of Christ to make many radical changes to her life, and they have proven costly. Where she formerly had financial security and a settled life, she now has to look to Yahweh daily for her provision and she has moved about from place to place. Eventually the Spirit led her to move back to her hometown where her parents and family live.

In moving back this sister encountered much censure and criticism from family members who are Christians, but who have not come to the same degree of surrender to be directed by the Holy Spirit. As is the case with most Christians who are led by their soul, her family members led comfortable and outwardly successful lives. When these ones viewed her life, they saw the recent changes as being negative. She was reproached as one who is deceived, deluded, or has taken a wrong turn in life. Yahweh used the criticism and judgments of others to teach her meekness, gentleness, forgiveness and longsuffering. Rather than defend herself, she chose to bear the offenses patiently.

Many of these offenses came from her father. He expressed his concern to his daughter that she was in much error, making known his disapproval of her decisions, and the lack of wisdom in the course she had now embraced. Rather than commending her for taking up her cross to follow Christ, she was subjected to judgments that she was less spiritual than other members of the family. These criticisms hurt, for this woman loved her father and desired to have a close and loving relationship with him.
About a year ago this woman’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, or a similar form of advanced dementia. His mental decline was very rapid and he was soon wandering off and getting lost. His mind was reduced in its capacity to reason, to argue, and to determine his own way through this life. 

At the same time that his mental powers were in decline a transformation began to take place in the way he related to others. The former criticism that had marked his relationship with his daughter was replaced with a spirit of love and appreciation. A sweet, simple love exuded from his innermost being as he daily interacted with her. This man remained full of love until his death some months later.

What occurred in both of these examples I have listed is that the inner nature of Christ began to be revealed through individuals whose natural powers had formerly remained unbroken. As the strength of the Adamic man was weakened, the inner life of Christ was able to come forth free of those restraints that had formerly bound it up.

The truth revealed in these things, and corroborated by the testimony of Scripture, is that the natural strengths of man are very often a hindrance to the release of the Spirit within our beings. It is necessary for every man to enter into a weak condition in a natural sense in order for the power of Christ’s divine life to be revealed in and through them. The apostle Paul makes this very argument.

II Corinthians 12:7-10
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me - to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

People of God, consider how contradictory the attitude of Paul is with that manifested by the world and the church today. Paul said, “I will rather boast about my weaknesses.” What do men boast about today? Do they not boast about their strengths? Yet, it is these very strengths that hinder growth in conformity to Christ.

Consider some of the many things men identify as their strengths today. The ability to earn a prodigious amount of money is one of man’s chief strengths. Having wealth accumulated, much property, investments, and money in the bank gives a man a sense of power and achievement. Some men boast about their intellect. They may have excelled in college, or earned advanced degrees; They may be highly knowledgeable in certain fields of endeavor, or have a great capacity to reason logically, and this gives them a sense of empowerment. Other men are strong physically. They have an athleticism that gives them a sense of invulnerability, of endless strength to accomplish whatever they set their minds to do.

In every such instance where a man comes to rely in, and operate from, a position of natural strength, there always exists the potential of conflict with the spirit. When a man has found that his natural strengths have carried him far in life, he very often will judge that these same natural strengths will bring him equal success in the kingdom of God. This is great error. Whenever Yahweh sets forth to accomplish anything, it must be by the following principle:

Zechariah 4:6
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says Yahweh of hosts.

Truly, “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing.” Among the last recorded words of Christ to His disciples before He ascended are the following:

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Some who heard these words might have wondered, “What is wrong with the power we already have? Are not our wealth, our physical strength, and our mental powers of the soul adequate? Cannot we look to our natural strengths as we labor to be Christ’s witnesses?” It was certainly the pattern of the Jews in that day to carry forth all their religious duties through the power of the natural man, for the Spirit had not yet been given.

Sadly, even after the Spirit has been given, a majority of Christians continue to operate on the basis of a soulish power. Much service to God is performed in the power of the natural man. The soul of man is guiding and directing, and the natural powers of man that are looked to in order to accomplish every task. The results are predictable.

Men who operate out of their natural strength will fall short of the mind and will of the Father. Man’s ways are not God’s ways. Look at the focus the church has placed upon prosperity, wealth, and worldly success today and it is evident that the soul of man is guiding. The church is seeking to manifest an image of power, success and strength to the world. The church seeks to meet the world head on from a position of strength, yet the Son of God came in much weakness.

When men are strong in natural things, they are weak in spiritual things. This is why we find so few great people on this earth embracing the meek and lowly walk of a disciple of Christ.

I Corinthians 1:26-29
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

I have observed in my own life that natural strength does not promote spiritual growth. In those seasons of my life when I was earning a good salary and had much money to spend, my tendency was to make decisions for myself. I felt empowered by my success, and the result was a spiritual malaise. Rather than drawing closer to God, I found that I was pressing in less to His presence.

Yahweh knows our tendency to forget Him when we are full and experiencing abundance. Therefore, He will lead His willing people through wilderness places where the abundance is gone.

Hosea 13:5-6
I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me.

If I had been a physically strong man, I am confident that this too would have been a great hindrance to my spiritual growth. Physical strength would have engendered in me a carelessness about spiritual things. Yahweh in His wisdom and mercy permitted me to be born with brittle bones. From the time of my childhood I was more easily injured than other children. I was not athletic, and this natural weakness caused me to adopt a more humble attitude toward those around me than I would have had otherwise.

One of the greatest areas of natural strength men must overcome is the power of their mind. Men are naturally prone to rely heavily upon their own ability to reason as they pursue a course through this world. As Christians, such reliance upon natural reason will stymy spiritual growth. Christians, even after they have been born of the Spirit of Christ, still retain the ability, and tendency, to think as natural men. This tendency to operate from a natural wisdom must be cast down.

I Corinthians 3:18-19
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.

What does Paul mean when he says we “must become foolish”? The natural man esteems things that God does not. Look at the world around you. Look at what is promoted on television and in all forms of media. A pursuit of material abundance is one of the chief tenets of worldly wisdom. Try to get as much of this world as you can. Seek a comfortable life. Enjoy as much pleasure as possible. Pursue popularity. Live large. Be filled and happy. This is the wisdom of the world. Yet the wisdom of Christ speaks in this way:

Luke 6:20-26
And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.”

The wisdom of God esteems that which the natural man despises. The natural man seeks to walk in strength. The spiritual man boasts in his weakness, for then the power of Christ can be revealed in him. There are a multitude of ways in which Yahweh can bring His sons and daughters to experience this necessary sense of weakness. In the passage we previously looked at from the apostle Paul, he was writing about a thorn in the flesh. This thorn was some type of physical affliction that was very humbling. Yet, Paul acknowledged that there were other things Yahweh brought into his life, and ours, to produce in us this same sense of natural weakness so that we would look to the power of Yahweh to sustain us.

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Has Yahweh brought you to a place where you are insulted and reproached? Does this not cause you to perceive your vulnerable position in this world? Those who are popular feel empowered by their popularity, yet those who are insulted are weak by comparison.

Have you been brought to experience various distresses? Perhaps you have distressing circumstances in your finances. Maybe the distress is in learning of some serious medical problem you are facing. Whatever the experience, distresses come into our lives to help break down the natural man so that the life of Christ can be revealed in us.

Are you persecuted for your obedience to Christ? It is certainly difficult to find that the Christian religious system holds you in contempt, or has declared you to be deluded and a heretic. When ministers close the doors of their churches in your face, and you find you have no place among them, there is a sense of being alone in this world. This isolation drives us closer to our heavenly Father. The same is true when we face persecution from the world, from governments, and the courts of the land.
Paul said he had learned to be content with difficulties. All disciples of Christ will be led into difficulties. Yahshua said that there is an afflicted path that leads to life. His invitation is to take up your cross and follow Him. All of these experiences are designed to provide us with a favorable environment for spiritual growth. We grow best when our lives are difficult.

Consider now why Christ told those who would be His disciples that they must give up all they possess. Our possessions give us a sense of security, of strength. How many people wrap their homes, cars, and possessions around themselves as a security blanket? These worldly possessions enable them to feel comfortable and protected. Yet, what man needs to grow spiritually is a sense of his vulnerability in this world. When we are weak we look to God constantly. When we are weak we are cognizant of our need for God to come through for us each and every day, lest we be overcome and perish. When we are weak we look to God to perform that which we cannot accomplish in our natural strength. When we are weak we trust in God’s thoughts more than our own. Therefore, God chooses for His children to experience much weakness in this world.

When a man or woman comes to Christ they must lay aside the natural order of their former life. Whereas they previously sought to live life from a position of strength, they must now embrace weakness. Rather than relying upon their natural abilities to carry them through life, they must now look to the Spirit of Christ to direct their steps and empower them for every task.

Because natural strength is such a detriment to spiritual growth, Christ will ALWAYS lead His disciples to experience much weakness in this life. We often read or hear about in the news of some young person who has had much fame and fortune at an early age. These ones have been overcome by their natural appetites and sinful impulses. They have fallen into a lifestyle of sexual immorality, of illegal drug use, or drunkenness, or even theft. Has not the church fallen into deception when they would desire to have the same wealth, affluence and popularity as these ones who have made shipwreck of their lives? I thank God that He has chosen for me an afflicted path, for had I the experience of many of these young movie stars and singers I would surely have strayed far from the path of life and lost all thought of God.

When you and I surrender our lives to be led of the Spirit in all things, Christ will upset the normal course of our lives. In some way, indeed in many ways, Yahshua will produce weakness in a man or woman. Some who were formerly financially secure will find themselves emptied of worldly possessions and wealth. Some who were physically strong will find themselves made weak. Some who were accounted as wise in this world will be brought into circumstances where they are judged to be fools. As we follow Christ we will find that weakness becomes our companion.

Weakness produces for men and women the proper environment for spiritual growth. The fruits of the Spirit grow abundantly in the fertile soil of an Adamic life that has been brought to poverty. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-control...

Does not weakness act as a catalyst in the promotion of these spiritual fruit? Do you not find it easier to act and speak in a patient, kind, and humble manner when you are approaching others from a position of weakness, rather than strength? Are not the rich prone to pride and haughtiness? Are not the strong tempted to bully those weaker than themselves? Yahweh will abase His sons and daughters that they might find it easier to manifest the fruits of the Spirit.

Considering these things, we should think it not strange that in yielding our lives to Christ to follow wherever He would lead that we are soon brought to poverty, illness, injury, weakness, or reproach in this world. Christ existed in the form of God. He had great power, glory and authority in the heavens. Yet He became weak to prove the excellency of the power of God in mankind. Yahshua knew hunger, poverty, reproach, and the injury of the cross. Yet as He accepted these things He showed forth the power of love, peace, patience, humility and every other divine attribute of the Father.

II Corinthians 13:4
For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

Surrender your life to Christ to be directed by Him and you too will be brought to weakness that you might find the power of God revealed in you. This is a principle of the kingdom of God.

Heart4God Website:
http://www.heart4god.ws    

Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com    

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063