God is speaking in many ways, to His people and to the world. In a recent article named WARNING, I highlighted a few of the ways God is speaking. He is warning of coming judgment and I reminded you that judgment begins at the House of God.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” – 1 Peter 4:17

It comes on the House of God for several reasons and they are listed in several places in Scripture. One is in Revelation 2 and 3-

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” – 2:4

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” – 2:14, 15

“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” – 2:20

“… I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” – 3:1

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” – 3:16, 17

These warnings are repeated many times in different ways in Scripture. The Apostle Paul warns much of the Church would lose its ‘love of the truth’ and so preach falsehoods that damage the Body of Christ making them susceptible to the Antichrist’s deceptions.

“and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Like Balaam of old, these leaders twist Scripture to promise their followers they will be safe from the coming tribulations by taking such verses as “the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night” into a ‘secret rapture’ leaving their flock unprepared for the trials they will face. They willingly leave out the next verses that say “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Paul goes on to say we are children of the light so therefor let us not sleep as others but watch and be ready. (1 Thessalonians 5). These leaders are not only like Balaam but they also hold the doctrines of the Nicolaitans. The word Nicolaitan is a compound of – Nico and laity. Nico means to get the victory and laity means the people. Their doctrines enabled them to get the victory over the people. Like Balaam they lead the people into sexual immorality but they also set up a separate class of believers – the priests. The concept is that by their training and selection they alone can judge what God is saying. While the Protestant revolution somewhat changed this in history – the spirit of the Nicolaitans is alive and well in the church, even now.

God gave the Church leaders (pl) : apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers – Ephesians 4:11. He also gave miracles, gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. – 1 Corinthians 12:28. All of these were to work together to build up the body of Christ. Under the Nicolaitan spirit you seldom will see these giftings working. The offices of Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers were always filled by men because they were positions that specifically exercised God’s authority.

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” – 1 Timothy 2:12

“and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” – Titus 1:5, 6

Does this mean women could never teach? Or never speak in Church? Absolutely not! Older women were to teach younger women and the Holy Spirit was poured out on women as well as men so, the giftings of prophesy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, etc. could be used by both women and men in the Church. But, positions of authority were ordained by God to be on men alone. Since all these giftings and ministries belong to God and are given by Him, who are we to correct Him?

But the spirit of Jezebel is alive and well today and her drive is to control and corrupt. So much of the modern Church has succumbed to women pastors, women worship leaders, etc. Paul reminds us that the danger in this that it was Eve that was deceived and not Adam. I know I will called a male chauvinist and other things for saying this, but I choose Paul’s wisdom over that of apostate Christians.

The Church in Europe is so dead that most young people and men have left and it is quite common to see magnificent church services with just a few old women in attendance. When the Church stops proclaiming the entire truth of God, the Holy Spirit leaves, looking for those who will receive Him. Much of the Church is now in the condition Isaiah prophesied would come –

“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” – Isaiah 59:14

Some church leaders are embracing homosexuality and lesbianism, even ordaining them to be pastors. Some are calling for a joining of Christianity and Islam in a new movement called ‘Chrislam’. They long ago gave into the world in the areas of divorce and remarriage, even allowing divorced men to be pastors. They have surrendered to the world in these areas as well as the doctrine of evolution, which denies God’s creation and the concept of sin. Why should anyone believe they will stand against the Antichrist when he appears? Or why think they can prepare the body of Christ to stand? When is the last time you heard a prophet in your Church? Or even a strong prophetic message? Is the Holy Spirit free to move in your church, or do you have ask your pastor for permission first? I tell you, the Holy Spirit will not ask for permission from man to move – He will just leave and go somewhere He is welcome! I believe God’s judging the church has already begun.

Now I know words, dreams, or visions of a prophetic nature are to be judged according to the word of God – but to eliminate them is to cut yourself off from hearing from God. With that idea in mind I want to include such a message in this article because I know most of you will never hear it in your church. You judge if it is true or not, remembering that it is given by a man and all men are subject to misinterpretations of what God speaks –