- araratchurch
- Feb 13, 2024
- 5 min read
”And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus—if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.
1 Corinthians 15:32-34 NLT
I began sharing with you about my spiritual journey, on January 29 of this year. Each day before sharing with you about the spiritual journey I ask the Lord for His leading as to what should be shared. I say this to point out something I did not realize until yesterday. You see, today is the day I will be sharing with you the next destination in the dreaming vision track of the spiritual journey: “Mardi Gras world.” And, as you may be well aware, today is actual Mardi Gras for this year. This timing was sovereign. I had no intention to align the discussion of this next part, this next destination, with the actual day of Mardi Gras celebration for 2024.
Having said that, let me remind you that the first destination in the dreaming vision portion of the spiritual journey was the “dilapidated arcade” (see Day 6), which illustrated the world system as being empowered and guided by deception. And—bear in mind—not just deception, but deception promising reward or satisfaction, but is actually robbing you blind.
The next destination in the dreaming vision portion of the spiritual journey was, as earlier expressed, what I would call “Mardi Gras world.” Everyone was, as you would expect, dressed in the masks, and the colors, and other accoutrements associated with Mardi Gras celebrations.
As I walked through the streets of this Mardi Gras world, although everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves in reckless abandon, there was a terrible feeling of doom or death. This dynamic was illustrated in that I was seeing all of these scenes through a dark screen or filter.
Now, experts disagree as to how Mardi Gras came to be observed as it is today. But one thing is undeniable: It is a time of excesses of sensual pleasures just before the Lenten season begins. Ironically, I would venture to say that most of the people reveling in New Orleans and other locations with Mardi Gras activities, will not enter into any sort of sacrifice or holy reflection during the Lenten season.
As you probably know, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday.” Allow me to give you a quote from an official New Orleans website as to what goes on in the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans:
“There's no shortage of events of things to do on Fat Tuesday: beloved parades, costume parties, early-morning New Orleans traditions, general debauchery on Bourbon Street — the list goes on.”
Who would ever suppose that one would reference “debauchery” in positive terms? But there it is! You see, this is the spirit of the world. Resting upon a foundation of deceit and spiritual blindness, people turn to sensual pleasure—literally what appeals to the senses—to bring some meaning or sense of fulfillment into their lives. Of course, that’s like trying to get rid of a hole in your yard by digging it out; it only gets bigger. And, as we continue to see, the depth of debauchery in our world grows deeper every day.
Paul warned the church at Ephesus against debauchery.
”Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.“
Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV
Bear in mind, the seat of worship for the “goddess” Diana was the temple in Ephesus. And, as you might imagine, that temple was filled with all sorts of debauchery.
Peter warned that Christians must not live as those who don’t know God.
”Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.“
1 Peter 4:1-5 ESV
As well, we see that Peter warns that those who continue in debauchery will attack those who choose to follow holiness.
Paul encouraged the believers in Rome to wake up to the fact that Jesus would return and that they should live as though they had that expectation. As such, they should not seek after sensual pleasures.
”This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.“
Romans 13:11-14 NLT
In our opening scripture we see that Paul remarks that those who don’t believe in a life here after, those who don’t believe in a final judgment that will determine our eternal destination, might as well (and do) eat, drink and be merry; only death awaits.
Sadly, many churches no longer stress the importance of looking for the return of Jesus Christ. And, coming along with the lack of that blessed hope, often is found debauchery, even within the ranks of church leaders.
Tomorrow we’ll talk more about this Mardi Gras world and the end for those who live there.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Feb 12, 2024
- 5 min read
This week we will continue looking into the spiritual journey I recently experienced during a severe illness. In preparation for our discussion over the coming days please carefully read and meditate on these passages of scripture:
”Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him. So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar? I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom. My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it. I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means. Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace. But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. “You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! “This is the message that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end. Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up. Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.“
Daniel 5:1-6, 13-23, 25-31 NLT
”Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”“
Luke 12:16-21 NLT
”Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.“
2 Peter 3:3-13 NLT
Our consideration of the next destination in the spiritual journey couldn’t have been better timed. We’ll talk about that tomorrow.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Feb 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 8, 2024
”What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.“
James 4:1-4 NLT
Before heading back into the next destination in my spiritual journey, I want to share with you what the Lord gave to me concerning the process in the spiritual journey.
A few days after the spiritual journey, the Lord called me to my altar, and unfolded the purpose of the spiritual journey, the pivot involved in the spiritual journey, and the paradigm coming out of the spiritual journey.
For today we will look at what He showed me was the purpose for the spiritual journey, and we will examine the other aspects, at another time.
As a backdrop for what the purpose of this spiritual journey was, allow me to first point out a difference between the temptation of Jesus and the temptations and trials we go through.
In the last teaching Jesus would give His disciples before His being offered up, He told them this:
”I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]; but so that the world may know [without any doubt] that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him].“
John 14:30-31a AMP
We see that Jesus plainly told them that Satan is the ruler of this world. And, with that, Satan did not have any access point to control Him in any way. As we saw in the temptation of Jesus, each temptation offered by Satan was immediately challenged by the word. Jesus had no hesitation in regards to dispatching Satan. Indeed, Satan had nothing about which he could accuse Jesus, and found no desire in Jesus that he could exploit. Jesus’ temptation, for that matter, His whole human existence, only served to prove that He was the perfect Lamb of God.
Now, our testing, our trials, our temptations, are used by Satan to either create points of access, or exploit some access point, broadening it so that he can gain control.
At the same time, the Lord can and will use the fiery trials, the pressings we experience, to actually give us the opportunity to be rid of what keeps us from being free from Satan’s influence.
”No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.“
Isaiah 54:17 AMP
Make no mistake, weapons are formed against you. Yes, they sometimes come from the outside, but many times the weapons have been formed within our own way of being and doing by the things we have been through in our lives.
For me, this spiritual journey was about identifying and eradicating any access points (one in particular) being used by the enemy, and to render the weapons that have been formed against me powerless against the call of God in my life.
In our opening scripture we see that James is explaining to the people that the quarrels they are having amongst themselves are actually coming from a problem within the individuals. He then makes a comment about friendship with the world being antithetical to a relationship with Jesus. So how did he go from talking about inner lust now manifesting in outward quarreling, to speaking about friendship with the world?
What James is saying is that these lustful desires indicate that we still have affection for the things of this world. And that affection for the things of this world, my friend, is a gaping hole in the side of the hull of our soul Satan will use to take us down.
”Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.“
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
I want to remind you that I am sharing my spiritual journey with you, not to entertain, but to instruct you through what the Lord allowed me to experience. Remember, the Lord desires to free us all from any hold or power the enemy wields against us. Our part is to patiently endure what we must, so that Christ may be fully formed in us. Then, the enemy of our soul will never again find an open window or an unlocked door into which he can enter to kill, steal and destroy.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!