2 Corinthians 11:3… I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit (familiar, Jezebel, unclean), which you have not received (from God or a true apostle), or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him (you may listen to and embrace).
Being “subtlety corrupted” from simple truth by receiving another spirit, one of Paul’s fears; by way of men preaching “another” Jesus, has come to past. This wickedness includes the giving of false prophecies, which is spiritual adultery, as well as receiving false prophecy; spiritually eating words from a spirit other than the Holy Spirit (every word that proceeds from the mouth of God). The proof is found here:
Revelation 2: Church in Thyatira 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
This “Corruption” can only appeal to those who desire to be spiritual but are not willing to wait on God or enter at the “Straight Gate”. James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. This “Corruption” is then passed on to people of like minds. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This “Corruption” is detectable to those who know the Spirit of Truth because He bears witness to this folly and wickedness. It is often detectable to those who simply know scripture as well. At times the words or prophecies of these corrupted will even be contrary to scripture but certainly always appeal to the lusts of the heart; be it power, control or even sex. Sometimes a familiar spirit, through these false prophets, reveals credible information meant to draw in the gullible. Others proclaim great blessings or wealth that appeals to those who love money more than truth. Sometimes, when these people of like mind gather, it looks like a staged production or a three ring circus with a live band. The name of Jesus is bandied about with shouts of praise but decency and order has long since left the building a humble and contrite spirit is not to be found. Many are carried away in the emotion of the moment. Church of Sardis people despise these shows. Extremism and excess are the hallmarks of the Jezebel spirit; it is not easily hid. Its draw is powerful because it appeals to the baser nature of man with spiritual overtones. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The church of Ephesus tried them which said that they were apostles, but were not, and found them to be liars. Even though the church of Ephesus has left their “first love” (the love of Truth) they still wouldn’t accept a false apostle (who would have been expected to prophesy). We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. God, of course, approves of “Judging a Righteous Judgment” to the pulling down of strong holds.
The church in Sardis had a name that they were alive but were dead by God’s measure; they did not retain the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of Truth. They were told to be watchful, and strengthen the things that remained, that were ready to die because God did not find their works perfect. The remedy for their dead state was to remember: how they had “received and heard”; which, as repeated to the seven churches, requires “an ear to hear”, (only the prideful, denominationally indoctrinated, that has a reputation for being alive, dead person, will argue this). Also, they were instructed to hold fast, and repent because they had been “corrupted”. God’s next instructions have been repeated time and again, biblically speaking as well as by the Holy Spirit: “If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you”.
Maybe Sardis and Ephesus knew of the wickedness of Thyatira and thru the baby (Holy Spirit) out with the bath water: because as Jesus said in Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Perhaps they became weary of well doing or fighting the good fight of faith. No matter; they were and are not right with God or worthy to escape the coming wrath. They actually tried to establish their own righteousness apart from Truth, which is not good. Without an “ear”; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit; the Anointing; the ability to hear the Holy Spirit, your dead already. Paul’s fears have come to past.
Come out of her, My people, do not be partakers of her sins, and you won’t receive of her plagues. Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Repent! Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: every one that asks receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks it is opened. The Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is Truth. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
L,J,P&HG
Dave
