Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:15

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Revelation 13:11

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2 Peter 2:17

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Jude 12

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:5

Antichrist is a spirit. Vine’s Dictionary gives the definition as meaning either “against Christ” or “instead of Christ,” or perhaps, combining the two, “one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ”. Antichrist is a spirit that seeks to deceive men by looking like Christ in outward form while denying Him in the Spirit.

These verses indicate the subtlety and trickery of Antichrist religion. They promise much but deliver little. They hope to convince men of their form of the truth as being THE TRUTH. The outward appearance is good. They come in sheep’s clothing but on the inside they are ravening wolves, looking to tear into unsuspecting fools. Their heart is far from God. Their appearance is an illusion, a magic trick, done by the same sorcery as the devil, who can transform himself into an angel of light. No wonder they have this ability, for the devil is their father.

Further, Antichrist religion looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Again, the outward appearance is what fools people. They have the form of religion, so people automatically assume that they are of God. They have the authority of men, they have the traditions of men, they have the ceremonies and rituals. The one thing they lack is the thing they need the most: the heart and Spirit of God, which is all about truth and love.

They are wells without water and clouds without water. Men are dying of thirst by drinking their counterfeit sea water, which only makes them more spiritually thirsty. A well promises water. A cloud promises water. They are Antichrist, assuming the form of Christ without having any substance or meat to their teachings. When men believe the Truth, it sets them free. When men believe the false words of Antichrist religion, it brings them further and further into bondage. They keep drinking from the polluted well, when the pure water of life is hidden from their eyes. Antichrist religion has the Bible, but they seek to keep the people in ignorance as to its true meaning of holiness and love. To them it is just words they can use to twist to their own lusts and advantage.

Antichrist religion has the form of godliness, but denies the power to transform a life from sin to obedience. The Spirit of God has been grieved away from such gatherings. Another spirit is operating, the spirit of the devil, who works in the children of disobedience. Their name should be Ichabod, for the glory and the spirit of God have departed from what calls itself spiritual Israel.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:25-28

Both Antichrist religion and Antichrist government work by the same principle of authority over people. They like to rule and reign over the masses, deceiving them with their power and authority. The only reason they have any authority is because they have deceived the people into giving it to them. They are blind leaders of the blind.

True spiritual authority comes from being a servant to all people. When one gives Himself away to the people, it shows His true heart for them. He is not after what He can get out of the people, but what He can pour into their lives in the Spirit of meekness and love.

There is a strong distinction between Christ and Antichrist. Christ has been authorized by the Father to do the works of God. Furthermore, Christ’s true followers have been authorized by the Father to do the works of Christ. Christ and His followers are operating in the true Spirit of love. Giving themselves away to the masses without requiring money to be given to them. Antichrist religion and government both seek to extract maximum money from their followers. They rule over the people with force and cruelty. They have no authority from God to be doing what they are doing. They try to copy Christ’s authority, but without love, it falls flat. It is an empty shell of dead religion. It is said of them that they have not the Spirit. The body of Christ without the Spirit of Christ is just a religious counterfeit. Christ’s sheep hear His voice and follow Him. They know not the voice of strangers. They know not the voice of Antichrist. Christ said you will know false prophets by their fruits. When love is missing from a tree that has a sign in front of it that says LOVE, you know that someone is lying to you.

The Bible has much to say about Antichrist religion and Antichrist government. They are the two beasts that rise up in Revelation 13. In the coming days, we shall examine more what the Spirit of God has revealed about these two hideous beasts. Stay tuned!

The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Psalm 87:2

Oh how God loves the gates of Zion or Jerusalem! It is the entering in place of the city. It is the way of righteousness. It is the access point to all of God’s provision. All it takes is a decision by the part of the people that they want to be holy and righteous, for Zion is a holy city. Only those who decide to live a righteous life will be granted access to the city and all of God’s goodness.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7

Jesus says He is the door or He is the gate into the sheepfold. The sheep are Christ’s people, His redeemed ones. No one can enter into the gate of God’s blessings unless they go through Christ first. He is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Christ. One must pick up his or her cross, deny himself and pass through the door into everlasting life. This is why God loves the gates of Zion so much. It represents an entering in, a decision to forsake all and to follow Jesus Christ.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:7

Entering the gates of Zion for the first time brings great joy to heaven and all that live therein! It takes repentance. It takes a changing of ones mind from darkness to light, from wickedness to righteousness, from impurity to purity. No wonder heaven rejoices! It is a most momentous decision. It is a cause of rejoicing. It is a blessing to the heart and mind of God Himself. Oh how the Son rejoices when one enters into a relationship with God the Father through Him! God takes repentance seriously. It is an eternal commitment from God’s point of view. One can always backslide into a life of sin, but God considers holiness and righteousness to be an eternal way of life, both for Him and His Son and His Spirit and His holy angels and His holy people, the church.

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Luke 15:32

In the story of the prodigal son, there is likewise great rejoicing when the son comes to his senses and repents of his sin. So does God rejoice when a former Christian stops his life of sin, repents and goes and sins no more. Every time there is a turning and forsaking of sin God rejoices. Only let it be a sincere departure from sin. Repentance is not something to be trifled with. It’s a decision to go God’s way of holiness and righteousness. This is our very life.

So then we can see why there is greater joy over sinners that repent than over the righteous who no longer need to repent. Let us have the heart of the Father and the heart of Jesus, who love when sinners turn from a heart of stone to a righteous heart of love. Let us witness and share the love of Christ with the lost world. Most will reject it, but some will come to the love of Christ and be reborn into a new creation. Old things will pass away and all things will become new. What rejoicing there will be in heaven because of our work of love in bringing a new convert into the kingdom of God. It brings a smile of joy to the face of God. Let us never forget our holy calling to be witnesses of the Truth, God’s Word! They will know the truth and the truth will set them free, forevermore! Amen.

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:13

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

Revelation 1:20

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 2:1

In the book of Revelation, the 7 churches in Asia Minor are represented by 7 golden candlesticks. Jesus is pictured as walking in the middle of the 7 churches. Of course, since His resurrection and ascension to heaven, Jesus has been seated on a throne in heaven. He is ruling and reigning from heaven, but His influence is still felt on earth. He rules by His Spirit, whom Christ sent back to earth on the day of Pentecost. This is how Christ walks among the 7 churches. Christ’s eyes and legs and arms are an extension of His Spirit. Christ is moving among the churches by His Spirit. How important it is to be baptized with God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ! It enables Christ to walk among us in a close, personal way.

Christ is a light bearing personality. The light is His Truth, the Word of God. So Christ is drawn in a relationship with those that are light bearing. The true church of God is a light bearing or truth bearing entity. Christ walks near those that have a love for His Truth. The entrance of His Word brings light and illumination to our spirits. Christ is a Spirit and He walks among our spirits, which are hopefully filled with His Holy Spirit. This shows us that it is a spiritual walking that Christ is doing. He’s still seated in heavenly places, but His Spirit can be everywhere at once. That’s how He can walk among 7 churches at once. In fact, the 7 churches are a perfect example of ALL churches that call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Christ walks among all churches that have His Truth and that are filled with His Spirit. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. It’s a spiritual promise, fulfilled by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Leviticus 10:3

In order to come near God in the Old Testament, the priests had to be sanctified or holy. Now in the New Testament, we the church of Christ are the spiritual priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices. If the types in the OT had to be holy and sanctified, how much more the spiritual reality of those that are priests by way of Christ’s eternal sacrifice? There can be no sin in a Christian’s life. Sin will always cause spiritual death and will always separate us from the love of God. Keep yourself pure, keep yourself holy. It is the price we pay in order to be near to God and His Son Jesus Christ. The ministers of Christ have a higher standard than those who live polluted lives in the world. Walk in righteousness, walk in holiness, so that Christ may walk with you during this life on earth.

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Deuteronomy 30:14

It is the very Word of God that must be near to us, if we are to be near to Christ. Christ’s name is the Word of God! To love the truth of God’s Word is to love Christ Himself. When we love God, we keep His commandments. We keep His Word in our mouth and in our hearts so that we may perform it in our lives. Those that Christ walks among must be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Those that DO the Word of God are the family of Jesus Christ. He sits enthroned on our hearts, when we honor Him by doing His Word.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18

We must have God’s heart in order for Him to be close to us. We must hate sin and have sorrow over our past life of sin. We must also hate the world’s sin and be motivated to share the Truth of God’s Word which is the only thing that can set them free. We must pray without ceasing for the lost world, that they may be born again through the Word of Christ. We are Christ’s priests, we are Christ’s ministers. It is our job to pray the Word of God, to preach the Word of God, to evangelize the Word of God, to shine the light of God’s Word through our spirits and bodies, set apart as God’s instruments of righteousness. Only the humble in spirit are close to God’s heart. Only the pure in heart will see or know God.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

We must call upon the Lord in Truth. His Word is Truth. Petition the Lord with what He has already said He will do. Those that love the Word of Truth are people close to God. Those that love Jesus Christ and His righteousness by faith are those that are near to God. Without love for the Word of God, we will get nowhere with God. God’s people are sanctified by faith in His living Word. Jesus walks among those that have God’s Word hidden in their hearts.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

We used to be far from God, but now, through the blood of Jesus, we are made near to God. The blood of Jesus must be applied to our hearts and lives by living the way of Truth. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. We must let the blood of Jesus cleanse us totally and without reservation. We must make no occasion to the flesh, to sin against God after we have been washed by His blood and by His Spirit. Only those that continue in His Word are Christ’s disciples. Only those that continue in holiness are the priests of Christ that may draw near to Him with a pure heart.

It’s important to know that it was God’s work through Christ on the cross that has redeemed us from all sin. It’s not by our own works that we draw near to God. We walk in the faith of Jesus Christ, our heavenly example. As we walk in the faith of Jesus, the works of God show forth in our lives. There must be works, but they must be God’s works. As we trust in God and believe His Word, His Spirit is at work in our lives, producing heavenly works that set the captives free. God’s holy works are to bless God and bless mankind. Our works were always selfish in nature, only doing “good” so that we may be blessed. We know that we will be blessed, but the motive in our hearts for doing God’s works must be to bless God and others first. Our rewards will follow afterwards.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

We must have a true heart in order to draw near to Jesus. That is, we must have His Truth in our hearts, which purifies us from all selfish motivations. We exercise our hearts unto the faith of Jesus, believing all the Word of God tells us about God and Christ. There is no way to please God other than by faith in His Word. The blood of Christ and the Word of God sprinkle and wash both our bodies and our spirits, as we put faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Faith in our hearts is what draws Jesus to walk among us. We are walking in Christ’s faith. He is the author and finisher of our faith. When we walk in His faith, He is drawn to our spirits like a magnet is attracted to metal. We are one with Christ by His faith and by His Spirit of Truth.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

This is such an important verse! Christ died for us, so that whether we are alive in this body or have died and gone on to be in Christ’s direct presence in heaven, we should live together with Christ! That means as we walk in Christ’s faith and holiness, He walks with us and among us! His Spirit is our guide in this life, directing our path in the way of Truth. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, except ourselves! Except our selfish choice to sin! Keep yourself unspotted from this world and its sin and you will always have Christ’s presence in your life. No matter what you may feel, Christ is with you! He is the faithful shepherd who will never leave His sheep alone.

The summary is this: walk in the Spirit and Christ will walk with you. Walk in Christ’s faith and holiness and righteousness and love and mercy and the peace of God will be your portion. There is peace because Christ is walking with us, giving us peace like a river. There is peace because of the presence of Jesus in our lives. Surely these verses are teaching us again what we already know. We are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. He cannot forsake or leave His people, world without end, amen! Let the presence of Christ in your life motivate you to overcome all temptation! He’s been tempted just as you are, and is able to help those who are tempted. It’s because He’s alive forevermore! He ever LIVES to make intercession for us! Call upon Christ in Truth and watch His faithfulness unfold in your life. He walks among the LIT candlesticks. So shine forth His Truth and His glory and He will be with you always, by faith. Amen.