Monday, May 23, 2011

Learning How to Cope with Death of Loved Ones is Crucial!

     The predicted Rapture to Heaven event failed to materialize. Many were glad, many were sad.
     This predicted (but failed event) provided hope for many people who believe in Jesus Christ, and His promise to return to earth and eventually establish His Heavenly Kingdom. The way the world is going now, with wars, rumors of war, earthquakes in diverse places, natural disasters like the ones being experienced in the Midwest (where over 100 people were killed yesterday by a tornado in the Joplin, Missouri area) has many people in great fear for their lives. Obviously, an escape from these horrors would be a welcome sight. Folks better get used to this because the Rapture to Heaven doctrine is not biblical, it ain't going to happen. Christians will suffer great tribulation whether we want to believe it or not.
    Yes, the fear of pain and death weighs heavily on most people. No one knows when death will strike. In some cases, when a close friend or relatives is dying from a terminal illness, especially those who have lived a long life, their death is expected. But, when someone is taken unexpectedly, suddenly, through natural or man-related incidents, that trauma can be devastating. No one knows when their number is up. However, there is much we can learn and do in those cases where a loved one is on their death bed.
     In today's blog, we have added a batch of 4 MP3s of a special radio show that was conducted back in 1986, that deals in depth with what we can do to prepare our hearts and souls for the impending demise of friends and loved ones. The radio show is called "Heart & Soul" which was hosted by my dear friend and former pastor, Michael O'Brien, pastor of "My Friend's House," a great church he administered in Highland Park, California. The show aired on KPPC-AM Radio in Pasadena, California.
    This particular show is entitled "Dealing with Death" and it featured in-studio guest, Scott Bauer, one of the pastors of "Church on the Way" located in the San Fernando Vally, California. Scott is the son-in-law of Pastor Jack Hayford, the renowned Christian leader who founded that congregation.
     In this show, we exhaustively explored every aspect about the death process and also discussed the entire issue of "hospice" and how that program works. The show begins with a small drama that was one of the features of our weekly programs, which were produced by Bob Luttrell and Carol Covington.
     The show is two-hours long. Listen to it now or download it and share it with family members, friends and even fellow church members and your pastor as well. You will be blessed by the plethora of information that is presented in this dynamic program, which will enrich your heart and soul. It was relevant back in 1986, and it's even more relevant today as we witness so many people dying as never before.
     We never know when our number is up, nor when someone close to us is called home but there is much we can do to prepare for that eventuality. One thing is certain, as Hebrews 2:1-15 clearly states, one of the main missions of Jesus Christ, above paying for our sins through His crucifixion, He most definitely wants to free those who all their lives have been held in slavery by their fear of death.
     Double click the following link to listen to the show, or right click it to download.

How to deal with the death of loved ones on "Heart & Sould" Radio Show

[This radio show may be broadcast without permission as long as credit is given to the owner. They may also be used for educational purpose, but may not be sold under any circumstances.]


     For more information about the author's two books, click on the following titles The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access Joe Ortiz' web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz. 

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The Medium or the Message? Has The Electronic Church Usurped and Crippled the American Church?



Today is Sunday, May 22, 2011, and the Church of Jesus Christ is still on earth, it wasn’t taken to Heaven, the world didn’t end, as evangelist Harold Camping predicted. Millions cried a big sigh of relief; others who were hoping for the Rapture to Heaven would have occurred are deeply disappointed. No harm, no foul?

Yes! A major foul has occurred and irreparable harm has been done to the American Christian church.
Not that the American Christian church community has been thriving of late. Surveys conducted in the last couple of years prove that attendance and donations to church has dropped dramatically. Many church leaders are baffled as to the reasons why. Is the church no longer relevant to the masses who seek divine knowledge to the perplexing issues facing a society who, for the most part, is experiencing a technological superiority never imagined twenty nor even ten years ago. Our methods for receiving and sending info to each other are mind boggling!

Handheld electronic devices such as IPODS, cell phones with mini-TV capabilities, GPS, MP3s, BluRay, High Definition, these are all words that are common to this generation, whereas, just a few years ago we were marveling at this great tool called the remote control.

With all of the devices, one would think that church leaders would be ecstatic to have these tools available to become even closer to their parishioners. This has not happened. If anything technology (including the Electronic Church) has co-opted the American church. Can this trend be reversed? I would hope so!

My personal feeling (as it has been for many years) is the real culprit is technology, a lazy man's mode of transmission that has replaced an inter-personal form of communicating and addressing the needs of a spiritually hungry society, which has been usurped by the medium itself.

The ecclesia that was evident right after Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, one that depended on inter-facing directly with its neighbors has been replaced by the technological conveniences we have created for ourselves. The local assemblies can no longer compete for the hearts and minds of today’s society. By virtue of the modern communication tools we have at our disposal, churches run by individuals are springing up daily by the thousands. 

Nowadays, anyone can create their own church by merely starting their own radio and television shows on the Internet at bargain basement prices; and with no accountability whatsoever as we were instructed by the writers of the New Testament. Some folks can even start their own churches without even filing for church non-profit status. If anyone questions their tactics, they just fill their satchels with the funds they have collected, close down their shop and move on to other territories under a different name. All they have to do is put a title in front of their name (such as Minister, Brother, Pastor, Reverend, Bishop or some other religious appellation) and they are in business. And we do mean BUSINESS! The money-changers in the temple are bursting at the seams, devoting about 80% of their time in their financial appeals than in teaching the word of God.

This mode of “church” actually began over 100 years ago, but got a big boost with the advent of radio and television evangelism right after the 2 World War. It sky-rocketed in the 70’s and now represents the largest church activity in the world. Not saving souls, but enriching their respective coffers rather than using available funds to feed and nurture the poor folks who live right down the street. Thank God for the emerging “home church” movement, which was the prevalent form of teaching and worshipping God in its embryonic stage. 
But, it has been this medium (the Electronic Church) which has siphoned off sheep (and their funds) from their local congregations. This is what happened to Harold Camping and his Family Radio Network, which seduced his followers to the tune of over 100 million dollars, of which 25 million alone was used to promote his “end of the world” campain that transpired just yesterday.

Several years ago (actually 25 years), Michael O’Brien, and I started a radio show in Pasadena, California to counter what we felt was a cultural dichotomy that hindered local church groups from reaching a segment in our respective communities. We actually wanted to reach gang members with the word of God. One of the first programs we conducted was examining the Electronic Church and its role in the community. Our premier of the "Heart & Soul" radio show hosted by Michael (then pastor of My Friend's House church in Highland Park, California), and moderated by me, was broadcast in 1986 on KPPC-AM Radio in Pasadena, California. It featured Tim Berends, as our in-studio guest, the nationally renowned Christian radio personality. The show also featured an interview with Dennis Prager, now a nationally syndicated columnist, and field reports by Bob Luttrell. When you consider the state of the Electronic church today, that program was way ahead of its time: 

"Heart & Soul" premier show 1986  

About two and a half years later, on my "Prime Time with Joe Ortiz" show on KPZE-AM radio station in Anaheim, California, we revisited that subject matter. We invited Tim Berends back to discuss the subject but this time by phone. We also had as in studio guests Michael O'Brien and Al Gross, former broadcasting buddy of Tim on the famous "Mornings with Tim and Al Show" on KBRT-AM in Los Angeles. In between this show in late 1988 and the "Heart & Soul" program hosted by Michael and moderated by me, Christian broadcasters Tim Berends and Al Gross won a contest held by the now defunct Herald Examiner newspaper for the #1 personalities on radio in Los Angeles in late 1986.

The uncanny part of this examination of the Electronic Church in late 1988 is that it followed in the heels of the major controversy caused by famous radio/televangelists Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggart, who fell from grace by virtue of sex scandals in their respective lives. 

We also interviewed Mr. Al Juarez, a representative from former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (now deceased) to get a secular view of the Electronic Church and the recent scandals. We also invited Christian psychologist, Dr. Wlliam H. Diehm to discuss the unspoken psychology related to many of the charismatic evangelists of that time period. Not much has changed with that aspect as you will see once you listen to this show The Electronic Church part one and part two.

Many will argue that the Electronic Church serves a great purpose, especially for shut ins and senior citizens. Our response to that is, if local churches are doing their jobs, they would pay personal visits to these people and minister to them directly.
I’m certain another “date setter” will come along and pick out another day for the world to end as did Harold Camping. And, I’m certain that many so-called men of God will continue promoting the Left Behind and Rapture to Heaven mythology and make tons of money through this “soothing gospel.” Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have sold over 65 million Left Behind books, and it still sells big time!

But really, folks, the Rapture to Heaven doctrine is not biblical. What is biblical is what we read in these three groups of scripture below:

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the
rights of the poor and needy, (Proverbs 31:8-9)

~
God’s idea of knowing Him: "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD, (Jeremiah 22:16)."
~
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world
, (James 1:26-27).


For information about the author’s two books, please click on The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access his web and blog sites, please click on Joe Ortiz.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Are Jews the chosen people? A Response by Joe Ortiz to this article by Dennis Prager.



Following is an article written by columnist Dennis Prager which appeared today (May 19, 2011) on the The Jerusalem Connection blog. Following the article is the response by Joe Ortiz.












BY DENNIS PRAGER—
     I assume that the type of person who reads columns such as this one has wondered at one time or another why, for thousands of years, there has been so much attention paid to Jews and why, today, to Israel, the one Jewish state.
     But how do most people explain this preoccupation? There is no fully rational explanation for the amount of attention paid to the Jews and the Jewish state. And there is no fully rational explanation for the amount of hatred directed at Jews and the Jewish state.
     A lifetime of study of this issue, including writing (with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin), a book on anti-Semitism (“Why the Jews? The Reason for Antisemitism”) has convinced me that, along with all the rational explanations, there is one explanation that transcends reason alone.
     It is that the Jews are God’s chosen people.
     Now, believe me, dear reader, I am well aware of the hazards of making such a claim.
     It sounds chauvinistic. It sounds racist. And it sounds irrational, if not bizarre.
     But it is none of these.
     As regards chauvinism, there is not a hint of inherent superiority in the claim of Jewish chosen-ness. In fact, the Jewish Bible, the book that states the Jews are chosen, constantly berates the Jews for their flawed moral behavior. No bible of any other religion is so critical of the religious group affiliated with that bible as the Hebrew Scriptures are of the Jews.
     As for racism, Jewish chosen-ness cannot be racist by definition. Here is why: a) The Jews are not a race; there are Jews of every race. And b) any person of any race, ethnicity or nationality can become a member of the Jewish people and thereby be as chosen as Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah or the chief rabbi of Israel.
     And with regard to chosen-ness being an irrational or even bizarre claim, it must be so only to atheists. They don’t believe in a Chooser, so they cannot believe in a Chosen. But for most believing Jews and Christians (most particularly the Founders who saw America as a Second Israel, a second Chosen People), Jewish Chosen-ness has been a given. And even the atheist must look at the evidence and conclude that the Jews play a role in history that defies reason. 
     Can reason alone explain how a hodgepodge of ex-slaves was able to change history — to introduce the moral G0d-Creator we know as G0d; to write the world’s most influential book, the Bible; to devise ethical monotheism; to be the only civilization to deny the cyclical worldview and give humanity belief in a linear (i.e., purposeful) history; to provide morality-driven prophets and so much more — without God playing the decisive role in this people’s history?
     Without the Jews, there would be no Christianity (a fact acknowledged by the great majority of Christians) and no Islam (a fact acknowledged by almost no Muslims). Read Thomas Cahill’s “The Gifts of the Jews” or Paul Johnson’s “A History of the Jews” to get an idea about how much this people changed history.
     What further renders the claim for Jewish chosen-ness worthy of rational consideration is that virtually every other nation has perceived itself as chosen or otherwise divinely special. For example, China means “Middle Kingdom” in Chinese — meaning that China is at the center of the world; and Japan considers itself the land where the sun originates (“Land of the Rising Sun”). The difference between Jewish chosen-ness and other nations’ similar claims is that no one cares about any other group considering itself Chosen, while vast numbers of non-Jews have either believed the Jews’ claim or have hated the Jews for it.
     Perhaps the greatest evidence for the Jews’ chosen-ness has been provided in modern times, during which time evil has consistently targeted the Jews:
     — Nazi Germany was more concerned with exterminating the Jews than with winning World War II.
     — Throughout its 70-year history, the Soviet Union persecuted its Jews and tried to extinguish Judaism. Hatred of Jews was one thing communists and Nazis shared.
     — The United Nations has spent more time discussing and condemning the Jewish state than any other country in the world. Yet, this state is smaller than every Central American country, including El Salvador, Panama and even Belize. Imagine if the amount of attention paid to Israel were paid to Belize — who would not think there was something extraordinary about that country?
     — Much of the contemporary Muslim world — and nearly all the Arab world — is obsessed with annihilating the one Jewish state.
     In the words of Catholic scholar Father Edward Flannery, the Jews carry the burden of G0d in history. Most Jews, being secular, do not believe this. And many Jews dislike talk of chosen-ness because they fear it will increase anti-Semitism; they may be right.
     But it doesn’t alter the fact that the obsession with one of the smallest countries and smallest peoples on earth, and the unique hatred of the Jews and the Jewish state by the world’s most vicious ideologies, can be best explained only in transcendent terms. Namely that God,  for whatever reason, chose the Jews.
~
Joe Ortiz Responds to Dennis Prager’s claim on May 19, 2011 at 6:58 am.

Dennis:
     The Messianic promise (to Israel, via Abraham, the Father of Faith) is the central focus of all God’s covenants with man from the beginning. This promise relates to all divine predictions in the Old Testament. The writers of the New Testament recognize Christ as the perfect fulfillment of promises to the patriarchs and Israel. The apostle Paul sums up the whole Messianic hope in one definite promise:
     6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me, (Acts 26:6-7);
     Also
     32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father, (Acts 13:32-33);
     Also
     29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise, (Galatians 3:29)
     Christ Is the goal of the mission of Abraham and Israel. Christ came to redeem the world and the human race as a whole. Salvation is from the Jews but not for the Jews only.
     22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe, Galatians 3:22).
     Many Christians (and Jews) cannot see this reality because those from the Dispensationalist camp keep insisting that God has two programs, one for national Israel and one for a spiritual entity called Christianity. Obviously Dispensationalists will keep insisting that some Old Testament promises to Israel will still be fulfilled. They are not concerned their polemic muddy the eschatological waters by quoting prophecies that have already been fulfilled by Christ.
     I do not (as I have been accused of) believe in “replacement” theology whatsoever. The “faith-believing remnant of Israel and gentile believers became one new man (the Body of Christ) by virtue of His sacrifice on Calvary. On the Day of Pentecost, this “one new man” received power from on high to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ that whosoever believes in Him shall become members of this entity we call CHURCH. Therefore, to focus on Old Testament prophecies as being harbingers of things to come, such as a geopolitical kingdom has to be established for the nation of Israel, is sheer idolatry.
     One in Christ
     11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit, (Ephesians 2:11-22).
     And last but not least (and probably more important to the issue of God-ordained land rights that has caused this conflict for over 2 thousand years) the following scripture proves that the Patriarchs, from Abraham down, were not looking to a parcel of land in the Middle East as their promised land:

     11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore, 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them,” (Hebrews 11:13-16).
     This city is not a restored Old Jerusalem, but the New Jerusalem, which will descend to earth when Jesus Christ returns.
     Therefore, Dennis, we either give glory and honor to Jesus Christ for fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, or continue lifting up a political nation that despises and rejects Him as Lord and savior.   
     Can it (the state of Israel and its people) be restored to their former favored status? Only if it repents and believes in its true Messiah, Jesus Christ!
     “And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again, (Romans 11:23)
     Yes! God is able to graft them in again, but will never do so until they BELIEVE!
     Until it does repent and believes in their Messiah, Jesus, it does not have a “Get out of Jail” free card to commit the sin of murder, claiming self-defense, anymore than any other nation, ethnic group or religious entity and not be punished for actions that go against the will of God!
P.S.
     Dennis, our paths have crossed. We (Mike O'Brien and me) interviewed you in 1986 on a show called “Heart & Soul” out of KPPC-AM Pasadena. I also sat in for you on February 23, 1991 at KABC Talk Radio, during the Gulf War. To listen to that interview, which was recorded in 1986, please ckick on Dennis Prager Interview.
Shalom!

For information about the author's two books, please click on The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access his web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Will Having Knowledge and Power Over Demons Insure Your Salvation?


Grace will bring a man to heaven without working miracles, but working miracles will never bring a man to heaven without grace, (Matthew Henry).

     There is a strong movement emerging from the Christian community that deals with the study of the paranormal, including much focus on the Nephilim. For those who are not aware, researchers and writers about the Nephilim claim they are the spirit gods that emanated from the intermingling of fallen angels and human woman.
     Books on the topic abound and ever increasingly so have taken over the main focus of Christianity, where the topic (as interesting and provocative it may be) is now center fold where the subject of Christ and His grace, mercy and loving-kindness has taken a back seat. The true Christian warriors of today are those who bring to the Christian Marketplace material and information about the Nephilim and how we should deal with this rather enticing subject matter.  
     Many of the provocateurs of this increasing phenomenon are blowing the clarion that the Nephilim have returned and actually live among us, and that this knowledge should become the central focus of the Christian journey as we see the return of our Lord Jesus Christ become a one-day closer reality, promoted primarily by self-appointed prophets of God who are making predictions about the imminent return of Christ based on CNN reports that focus primarily on the state of Israel and the blazing political inferno in the Middle East. The fires of inner-religious wars have been started and are being stoked by the three major religions in the world, Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
     These provocateurs claim these signs are (as it was in the days of Noah) are strong indicators that Jesus should leave Heaven any moment (in secret no less) to Rapture His Disciples from earth to Heaven to avoid a seven year apocalyptic period of Great Tribulation that will occur before Jesus Christ returns to rule and reign on earth for 1000 years, before returning back to Heaven again with the so-called Christian Church.
     OK! We won’t deal here with the supposed Seven Years of Hell that the world and those who are supposedly left behind will experience, but we will deal with the issue of what the topic of the paranormal (and the ability to cast out demons) truly represents.
     At the outset, I will agree to a certain extent that the Nephilim could be demonic agents that have been planted on earth from the very beginning of time, whose primary mission was to destroy the genetic line (the seed of) Adam from producing the person we now know as Jesus Christ. This was Satan’s mission from the outset especially after God cursed him in the Garden of Eden for tempting Eve and Adam to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This disobedience caused the fall of man.
     But God knew He would redeem His creation by virtue of the sacrifice of His own son to pay for mankind’s sin. Therefore, when He told His adversary that, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel, Satan knew well and good that seed would become Jesus Christ. Satan failed! Christ was born, died on the cross, paid for the sins of mankind, was resurrected, ascended to Heaven and will return to gather His believers to spend eternity with Him in the soon to descend city of New Jerusalem, which will be His headquarters on earth forever!  
    Those in the know, primarily those writers of these provocative books about demons, UFO’s Nephilim, et al, genuinely believe that demons are behind the entire paranormal phenomenon we have been exposed to from the very beginning. They have written tittilating books about the origins of the great Pyramid of Giza, Stonehenge, Atlantis, the Devil’s Triangle, UFO’s and every unexplainable anomaly mankind has experienced throughout its history. They also present strong evidence that a secretive cabal of scientists (mostly guided and inspired by Satan himself) is into some genetic-bending projects to create their own version of humanity. Many of them claim that these demonic agents are actually living amongst us today and are still cohabiting with woman and propagating hybrid wolves in sheep's clothing to infiltrate even the Christian church! Who truly knows? I will say; howver, that the way some Christians behave at various religious services throughout the world, this could very well be true!
     This theoretical knowledge is all well and good, and much of it is being produced by those who proclaim they are Christians and genuinely believe they are doing God’s work through their efforts. Obviously, we have had preachers and evangelists for years who have practiced the esoteric fine art of casting out demons; and many of these still do so and believe they have the power from God to do this. Albeit those who practice this form of religious ministry, in front of a throng of idolizing worshippers, have become a laughing stock to the majority in the secular community, and many among believers as well. Only God truly knows if they genuinely have this power; but, for the most part, many in Christendom will swear they do! Most certainly (as we are told in Ephesians 6:12) Christians are engaged in war with principalities and evil spirts in high places.

     My question is this: Where in the Bible does it say that these so-called religious works (bringing forth evidence that Satan is still alive and working to destroy humanity) are to be the focus of God’s mission for His disciples? Did not God tell us in James 1:26-27 what true religion is all about?
 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

     Yet, these folks would rather delve into a glamour-glory arena that appears to be promoting Satan and his works more than what Christ did on the cross? They angrily defend their work and attack anyone who brings this matter to their attention. 
     There are many disciples of Christ who recognize what God wants them to do, even though it will not bring them the fame or notoriety, or the praise that one affords to those who specialize in what they consider the work of the Lord. Helping orphans, widows, the infirm, aliens, downtrodden, homeless and the lost does not gain too much attention from parishioners in churches throughout the country, in media or even on the Internet, nowadays.
     But those in this esoterically tittilating arena, many who invoke the name of Jesus in their prophecies, and believe they have the power to deliver the flock from diabolic spirits, and those who profess to have healing powers to cure the ill, believe theirs is genuine ministry that God will bless in the end!
     But, what did Jesus tell those disciples who dabble with demons when He was still on earth? Let’s read first from Luke 10:17-23:
                                  
 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
   22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him, (Luke 10:17-2).
     In these verse Jesus did not address this activity specifically by telling them that it was the wrong thing to do, but he responded with a higher principle, which is to not to rejoice that the spirits submit to them, but that their names are written in Heaven.
     However, in another group of scripture (Matthew 7:21-23), it appears that many who have become involved with prophesy, casting out of demons and performing miracles, actually failed to do His bidding. As He addresses His disciples, He actually makes a bold distinction between what are true and what are false disciples:
    21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers, (Matthew 7:21-23).
     It appears from this group of scripture that Jesus is specifically addressing His disciples (not any secular folk), those who actually believe they are doing God’s work! 
     Will I go as far as to judge those who dabble in this so-called Christian ministry?
     No!
     Am I afraid to make that call?
     No!
     Mine is not to judge but to bring forth God’s word so that others can view exactly what God had to say about this matter. I will, however, bring forth a commentary that was made many, many years ago by a revered man of God, who made a profound and susinct observation about this specific matter.
     Matthew Henry in his examination of Matthew 7:21-23, stated thus:
     We have here the conclusion of this long and excellent sermon, the scope of which is to show the indispensable necessity of obedience to the commands of Christ; this is designed to clench the nail, that it might fix in a sure place: he speaks this to his disciples, that sat at his feet whenever he preached, and followed him wherever he went. Had he sought his own praise among men, he would have said, that was enough; but the religion he came to establish is in power, not in word only (1 Co. 4:20), and therefore something more is necessary.
     I. He shows, by a plain remonstrance, that an outward profession of religion, however remarkable, will not bring us to heaven, unless there be a correspondent conversation, v. 21–23. All judgment is committed to our Lord Jesus; the keys are put into his hand; he has power to prescribe new terms of life and death, and to judge men according to them: now this is a solemn declaration pursuant to that power. Observe here,
     1. Christ’s law laid down, v. 21. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, into the kingdom of grace and glory. It is an answer to that question, Ps. 15:1. Who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle?—the church militant; and who shall dwell in thy holy hill?—the church triumphant. Christ here shows, (1.) That it will not suffice to say, Lord, Lord; in word and tongue to own Christ for our Master, and to make addresses to him, and professions of him accordingly: in prayer to God, in discourse with men, we must call Christ, Lord, Lord; we say well, for so he is (Jn. 13:13); but can we imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven, that such a piece of formality as this should be so recompensed, or that he who knows and requires the heart should be so put off with shows for substance? Compliments among men are pieces of civility that are returned with compliments, but they are never paid as real services; and can they then be of an account with Christ?
     There may be a seeming importunity in prayer, Lord, Lord: but if inward impressions be not answerable to outward expressions, we are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. This is not to take us off from saying, Lord, Lord; from praying, and being earnest in prayer, from professing Christ’s name, and being bold in professing it, but from resting in these, in the form of godliness, without the power.  (2.) That it is necessary to our happiness that we do the will of Christ, which is indeed the will of his Father in heaven. The will of God, as Christ’s Father, is his will in the gospel, for there he is made known, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: and in him our Father. Now this is his will, that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. If we comply not with the will of God, we mock Christ in calling him Lord, as those did who put on him a gorgeous robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews. Saying and doing are two things, often parted in conversation of men: he that said, I go, sir, stirred never a step (ch. 21:30); but these two things God has joined in his command, and let no man that puts them asunder think to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
     2. The hypocrite’s plea against the strictness of this law, offering other things in lieu of obedience, v. 22. The plea is supposed to be in that day, that great day, when every man shall appear in his own colours; when the secrets of all hearts shall be manifest, and among the rest, the secret pretences with which sinners now support their vain hopes. Christ knows the strength of their cause, and it is but weakness; what they now harbour in their bosoms, they will then produce in arrest of judgment to stay the doom, but is will be in vain. They put in their plea with great importunity, Lord, Lord; and with great confidence, appealing to Christ concerning it; Lord, does thou not know, (1.) That we have prophesied in thy name? Yes, it may be so; Balaam and Caiaphas were overruled to prophesy, and Saul was against his will among the prophets, yet that did not save them. These prophesied in his name, but he did not send them; they only made use of his name to serve a turn. Note, A man may be a preacher, may have gifts for the ministry, and an external call to it, and perhaps some success in it, and yet be a wicked man; may help others to heaven, and yet come short himself.
     (2.) That in thy name we have cast out devils? That may be too; Judas cast out devils, and yet was a son of perdition. Origen says, that in his time so prevalent was the name of Christ to cast out devils, that sometimes it availed when named by wicked Christians. A man might cast devils out of others, and yet have a devil, nay, be a devil himself.
     (3.) That in thy name we have done many wonderful works. There may be a faith of miracles, where there is no justifying faith; none of that faith which works by love and obedience. Gifts of tongues and healing would recommend men to the world, but it is real holiness or sanctification that is accepted of God. Grace and love are a more excellent way than removing mountains, or speaking with the tongues of men and of angels, 1 Co. 13:1, 2. Grace will bring a man to heaven without working miracles, but working miracles will never bring a man to heaven without grace.
     Observe, That which their heart was upon, in doing these works, and which they confided in, was the wonderfulness of them. Simon Magus wondered at the miracles (Acts 8:13), and therefore would give any money for power to do the like.
     Observe, They had not many good works to plead: they could not pretend to have done many gracious works of piety and charity; one such would have passed better in their account than many wonderful works, which availed not at all, while they persisted in disobedience. Miracles have now ceased, and with them this plea; but do not carnal hearts still encourage themselves in their groundless hopes, with the like vain supports? They think they shall go to heaven, because they have been of good repute among professors of religion, have kept fasts, and given alms, and have been preferred in the church; as if this would atone for their reigning pride, worldliness, and sensuality; and want of love to God and man. Bethel is their confidence (Jer. 48:13), they are haughty because of the holy mountain (Zep. 3:11); and boast that they are the temple of the Lord, Jer. 7:4. Let us take heed of resting in external privileges and performances, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand.
     3. The rejection of this plea as frivolous. The same that is the Law-Maker (v. 21) is here the Judge according to that law (v. 23), and he will overrule the plea, will overrule it publicly; he will profess to them with all possible solemnity, as sentence is passed by the Judge, I never knew you, and therefore depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
     Observe, (1.) Why, and upon what ground, he rejects them and their plea—because they were workers for iniquity. Note, It is possible for men to have a great name for piety, and yet to be workers of iniquity; and those that are so will receive the greater damnation. Secret haunts of sin, kept under the cloak of a visible profession, will be the ruin of the hypocrites.
     Living in known sin nullifies men’s pretensions, be they ever so specious. (2.) How it is expressed; I never knew you; "I never owned you as my servants, no, not when you prophesied in my name, when you were in the height of your profession, and were most extolled.’’ This intimates, that if he had ever known them, as the Lord knows them that are his, had ever owned them and loved them as his, he would have known them, and owned them, and loved them, to the end; but he never did know them, for he always knew them to be hypocrites, and rotten at heart, as he did Judas; therefore, says he, depart from me.
     Has Christ need of such guests? When he came in the flesh, he called sinners to him (ch. 9:13), but when he shall come again in glory, he will drive sinners from him. They that would not come to him to be saved, must depart from him to be damned. To depart from Christ is the very hell of hell; it is the foundation of all the misery of the damned, to be cut off from all hope of benefit from Christ and he mediation. Those that go no further in Christ’s service than a bare profession, he does not accept, nor will he own them in the great day. See from what a height of hope men may fall into the depth of misery! How they may go to hell, by the gates of heaven! This should be an awakening word to all Christians.
     If a preacher, one that cast out devils, and wrought miracles, be disowned of Christ for working iniquity; what will become of us, if we be found such? And if we be such, we shall certainly be found such. At God’s bar, a profession of religion will not bear out any man in the practice and indulgence of sin; therefore let everyone that names the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity! (Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 7:21-23).
     Having read this great wisdom from a classical theologian such as Matthew Henry, the question begs to be asked again: Will our having power over (and or the knowledge of) demons insure our salvation?
      What do you think?


For information about the author's two books, please click on The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access his web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz.