AN ANGEL OF LIGHT?
Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Zion Gate is located in the southern part of the Old City. This gate was used by the Israel Defense Forces in 1967 to enter and capture the Old City. The stones surrounding the gate are still pockmarked by weapons fire. This entrance leads to the Jewish and Armenian quarters.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:14b, 15
For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Here is a strong, clear warning. Throughout this chapter Paul is building walls of spiritual protection around his friends and fellow believers in Jesus. He is deeply concerned over the possibility of deception. He is determined that they will be protected from the false teaching of an evil spirit masquerading as an angel of light. We must not take these warnings lightly. Throughout the centuries again and again, so called prophets have claimed to have messages from angels which are contrary to our historical understanding of the Christian faith, or which claim to add additions to the truth delivered by the Bible Prophets, Jesus Himself, and the Apostles! If Satan cannot keep us from believing in Jesus, he will try to twist the truth ever so slightly in an ingenious way, so as to move us away from the solid truths of God’s Word (2 Peter 3:11-16). Be on guard! Stay close to your God-given pastor and congregation! There are those people who will “twist” the Scriptures “to their own destruction,” and they want to drag you down with them (2 Peter 1:15-21).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m well aware that the deceiver comes masquerading as an angel of light. Help me through Your Word and this blog to rip off his mask, and reveal to my heart, mind, and spirit the deceptive thoughts the enemy would plant in me. By Your grace, may I behold Your face, Lord Jesus. In You, I will see the One who is called, “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and I will not be deceived. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was 18 years old when a book fell into my hands that captivated my attention, so much so that I shared its content with another young man to whom I had been witnessing about Jesus. I was hoping to lead him to receive Christ as his Saviour and Lord. After about a month, I noticed that we were talking more about the subject of the book than about Jesus. Alarm bells went off in me, and I threw the book away. I determined to never bring up the subject again. It was a kind of conspiracy theory which I later learned was a total lie. The enemy almost succeeded in sidetracking me from the main thing. This is one of the reasons I’ve always placed the words of “The Apostles Creed” in a prominent place at the entrance to our places of ministry, such as the Crossroads Centre in Burlington. The leaders of Christ’s Church, following the deaths of the Apostles, faced the so-called “angel of light” again and again. Therefore they gathered leaders from all over the world and came to an agreement on every word in that statement. They fasted and prayed over every word. This creed was set up as if written in stone, like the Ten Commandments of Moses. The deceptions and arrogance of Satan and his false teachers have dashed against this strong rock but have been unable to move it. It is the summary of what was believed and taught by the Apostles (click here for “The Apostles Creed”).
Yours for holding firmly to the “Truth once delivered,”
David
Here is an Arrow Loop in the wall of the Zion Gate. These were slots in the walls and structures that were used to shoot arrows through. They came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Hold fast to the consistent teachings of the Holy Bible, for there is no more accurate compass for the Christian soul to lead one to an eternal home. As the we have been warned, many will try and sway you with seemingly sound doctrines and theologies, let the Holy Scriptures make the final word on what you will stand, not any word of man. Test the words of men to see if they are of God, let the Word of God prove them trustworthy and faithful. Let God’s Word be your compass in life.
Satan can be more deceptive than imagined, and therein lies his power. 1John 4:4(b) “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the World”. Just as the Zion Gate depicts an onslot of firepower by shells and bullets, we too can stand, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for these stern warnings David, and assisting us by calling to mind and adhering to the Apostles Creed in our lives.
Very True Scott we must stay consistents to what the teaching of the the Holy Bible says. David thank you again for reminding us of the warning and to be on our guard
every day
Lianne Hogg
This is such a wonderfull, relaxed avenue to read the Bible. The added back-up and explanatory features are so helpful. There really is no excuse for us not to hear God’s voice. Even those with sight issues and those who have other challenges are able “to hear”. Amazing. Thank you David and blog family.
Amen to Doreens comment
So many great points stood out to me, today. Paul confirms the truth of what he is saying as God is his witness:
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. 2 Cor 11:30-33 NKJV
It was awesome to watch this scene of Paul being lowered in the basket to his escape, in the on-line movie: ‘Peter and Paul’. It was an excellent movie. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izKHaDzn5q8
I believe there is no greater way to back up that you are telling the truth than to say, “As God is my witness, and as God is my Saviour.” Courts swear in with one’s left hand on the bible and right hand raised, stating “I swear to tell the truth…”
I love that Peter speaks of the trustworthy prophetic word:
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory:
Sorry. Here is the rest:
Last try:
We’ve noticed that this blog program does not like certain characters, especially quotation marks and apostrophes. So if you cut and paste something into the comments, it will delete everything from that character onward. However, if you remove and replace the quotation marks and apostrophes AFTER they are pasted, it will be OK. It’s just a quirk of the program.
Thanks. I found if I type something before and after the quote, that it worked, the last time; but not this time. What you have suggested makes sense.
Hi David, Thank you for bringing the Apostles Creed to our remembrance. When l was a child l regularly attended Morning Song in the Church of England. l knew the whole service (just about) off by heart, and l also parroted the Apostles creed as well. It was all from the teeth out as their was no heart connection between me and the Lord. God is so merciful and worked with me and after l fell almost completely in to the world, l began to search for meaning, and he let me run into his arms. l remember pulling out my tattered Common Prayer Book, and the blinders being removed from my eyes l saw the beauty and inspirational heartfelt prayers l had said so many times in those early years, and l realized once l was blind but now l see! Now Jesus is my Life!
Agreed, Christine. Amen!
Enjoy reading the blog every day. However I get duplicates. Tried unsubscribing and subscribing again, with the same result. Not a pressing need but there maybe a glich in your system. Thanks\
Bill Masterson (wjmasterson3717@yahoo.com)
The movie portion of your blog, Beverlee, is wonderful. I checked back Saturday night and saw your post. That is a good movie – so clear and well presented. Thank you.
Can somebody explain to me about belief in the Holy Catholic church???
catholic means the universal Christian Church. It has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church.
thank you!
Can someone explain to me why it says in the Apostles creed “belief in the catholic church????
oops did not mean to have this posted twice.